When a catastrophic injury changes your life, you need a legal team that understands the full scope of your damages. Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP represents Port Lavaca residents who have suffered severe injuries from accidents. Our attorneys help clients pursue compensation and work through the legal process to seek recovery for their losses. With over 40 years of experience handling catastrophic injury cases, our legal team knows how to build strong claims and stand up to insurance companies that try to minimize your recovery.
Why Choose Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP for Your Catastrophic Injury Case
When you suffer a catastrophic injury, your choice of attorney matters. Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP brings decades of experience and strong results to every case we handle. Our firm has recovered more than $24 billion for clients across multiple practice areas. We have secured substantial verdicts and settlements in catastrophic injury cases, including $25 million for a client injured in an oil and gas incident, $14 million for a workplace accident victim, and $11 million for another work-related injury case.
Our attorneys include Cesar Tavares, recognized by Best Lawyers in America for personal injury litigation and named to the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 list. Alma Reyes Tavares brings 25 years of experience and recognition as a Trucking Trial Lawyer Top 10 attorney and Products Liability Trial Lawyer Top 25 honoree. Sean McCarthy, a Texas Super Lawyers selection, has secured verdicts exceeding $15 million for pedestrian injuries and $13 million for train accident victims. These credentials reflect our commitment to high-quality representation and our ability to handle catastrophic injury claims.
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no upfront costs. We only collect a fee if we recover compensation for you. We offer free case evaluations and consultations, so you can discuss your situation with an experienced attorney without any obligation. We prepare every case for trial and are willing to litigate rather than accept inadequate settlement offers. We assist clients in Port Lavaca and the surrounding Calhoun County communities with the same dedication and resources we bring to all our cases.
Types of Catastrophic Injuries We Handle
Catastrophic injuries cause permanent or long-term disability that significantly impacts your ability to work, care for yourself, and enjoy life. Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP handles a wide range of severe injury cases, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) that affect cognitive function, memory, and personality
- Spinal cord injuries resulting in partial or complete paralysis
- Amputation and limb loss requiring ongoing prosthetic care and rehabilitation
- Severe burn injuries cause scarring, disfigurement, and chronic pain
- Neck and back injuries leading to chronic pain and limited mobility
- Wrongful death claims when a loved one dies from accident-related injuries
Each of these injuries requires knowledgeable legal representation and the ability to calculate lifetime care costs, lost earning capacity, and non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
How Catastrophic Injuries Happen in Port Lavaca
Port Lavaca’s location on the Texas Gulf Coast and its maritime and industrial sectors create distinct injury risks. Our attorneys understand the hazards that Port Lavaca residents face and the laws that apply to these accidents.
Maritime and Jones Act claims arise when workers on vessels, offshore platforms, or in shipping operations suffer injuries. The Jones Act allows injured seamen to recover damages from their employers, and we have experience pursuing these claims. Oilfield and offshore accidents occur in the oil and gas industry, which maintains a significant presence in the region. These accidents often involve federal regulations and specialized equipment. Truck accidents happen on highways connecting Port Lavaca to other parts of Texas and beyond, often resulting in catastrophic injuries due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles. Workplace accidents in industrial settings, warehouses, and manufacturing facilities can cause severe injuries when safety protocols fail. Construction site injuries occur when workers fall from heights, are struck by equipment, or encounter hazardous conditions on job sites.
Damages You Can Recover in a Catastrophic Injury Case
When you suffer a catastrophic injury, the financial impact extends far beyond immediate medical bills. Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP pursues compensation that accounts for your losses, which may include:
- Medical expenses for emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, and ongoing treatment
- Future medical costs for rehabilitation, therapy, and long-term care
- Lost wages from time away from work during recovery
- Lost earning capacity if your injury prevents you from returning to your previous job
- Pain and suffering for the physical pain and emotional distress you experience
- Emotional anguish, anxiety, and depression resulting from your injury
- Scarring and disfigurement affecting your appearance and self-image
- Disability and loss of quality of life as your injury limits your activities
- Loss of companionship and consortium in wrongful death cases
Our attorneys work with medical professionals, economists, and life care planners to calculate the cost of your catastrophic injury. We aim to pursue a settlement or verdict that reflects your damages.
Our Approach to Catastrophic Injury Cases
Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP takes a comprehensive approach to catastrophic injury litigation that prioritizes your recovery and seeks full compensation. We begin with a thorough investigation of the accident circumstances, gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and identifying all responsible parties. We engage medical professionals to document the severity of your injury and establish the connection between the accident and your condition. Additionally, we project your future medical needs.
We calculate lifetime care costs by working with life care planners who understand the long-term expenses associated with catastrophic injuries. This helps support a claim that accounts for ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation, and support services. We negotiate with insurance companies, presenting evidence of liability and damages to pursue fair settlements. When negotiations do not produce acceptable offers, we prepare your case for trial and are willing to litigate to protect your rights. Throughout the process, we focus on your health and recovery, coordinating with your medical providers and helping you access the care you need.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a catastrophic injury different from a regular injury?
A catastrophic injury results in permanent or long-term disability that significantly impacts your life. Unlike minor injuries that heal within weeks or months, catastrophic injuries require ongoing medical treatment, rehabilitation, and care. They often prevent you from returning to work or performing daily activities without assistance.
Catastrophic injuries carry substantial financial consequences because they create long-term medical expenses and lost earning capacity. The law recognizes this distinction and allows recovery for these long-term impacts.
How long do I have to file a catastrophic injury lawsuit in Texas?
Texas law provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, meaning you must file your lawsuit within two years of the accident date. Missing this deadline may prevent you from recovering compensation.
Important Note: If your injury occurred in a maritime or Jones Act context, the statute of limitations may be three years rather than two years. Contact our office promptly to confirm which deadlines apply.
We recommend contacting an attorney as soon as possible after your injury so we can preserve evidence, interview witnesses while their memories are fresh, and work to meet all applicable legal deadlines.
Will my case go to trial?
Many catastrophic injury cases settle before trial when strong evidence of liability and damages is presented. However, Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP prepares every case as if it will go to trial, and we are willing to litigate when insurance companies refuse to offer fair settlements. Our attorneys have trial experience and are prepared to take your case before a jury when appropriate. Whether a case goes to trial depends on the specific circumstances and what may best support your interests.
How much does it cost to hire Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP?
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no upfront fees or hourly rates. We only collect a fee if we recover compensation for you through a settlement or a trial verdict. This arrangement aligns our interests with yours. We also offer free initial consultations so you can discuss your case with an experienced attorney without any financial obligation.
What if I’m partially at fault for the accident?
Texas follows a comparative negligence rule that allows you to recover damages even if you bear some responsibility for the accident. If you are 50% or less at fault, you can recover damages reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover any damages.
For example, if you are 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you can recover $80,000. Our attorneys investigate thoroughly to challenge claims of comparative negligence and seek to improve your potential recovery.
Contact Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury in Port Lavaca, do not wait to seek legal help. Contact our office today to schedule your free consultation with an experienced catastrophic injury attorney. We will review your case, explain your legal options, and answer your questions. Let Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP help you pursue the compensation you may be entitled to.