When a catastrophic injury changes your life, you need a lawyer who understands what is at stake for your health, your work, and your family. At Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP, we represent people in El Paso and throughout West Texas who have suffered severe injuries due to another party’s alleged negligence. Whether your injury happened in a truck accident, oilfield incident, construction site event, or workplace accident, we work to pursue compensation available under Texas law. We generally handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, which means attorney’s fees are collected from a recovery rather than paid upfront.
Why Choose Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP for Your Catastrophic Injury Case
Catastrophic injury claims often involve complex facts, high potential damages, and multiple parties. You need more than basic personal injury representation—you need counsel familiar with serious, high‑value cases. Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP brings substantial experience to catastrophic injury litigation and has secured multi‑million‑dollar results in cases involving life‑altering injuries. While every case is different and no outcome can be guaranteed, these past results reflect experience handling complex matters.
The firm’s attorneys have been recognized in publications such as Texas Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America for their work in personal injury litigation. They have represented clients with traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, severe burns, and claims arising from fatal incidents. This experience includes working with complex medical records, dealing with insurance company tactics, and developing strategies tailored to significant injury cases. Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP serves clients in Texas and other jurisdictions and typically handles catastrophic injury matters on a contingency fee basis, so clients generally do not pay attorney’s fees at the outset, and fees are paid from a settlement or verdict if the case is successful.
Types of Catastrophic Injuries We Handle
Catastrophic injuries are those that cause permanent disability, significant disfigurement, or long‑term changes in how you live and work. Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP represents clients with:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and cognitive impairment
- Spinal cord injuries and various forms of paralysis
- Amputations and limb loss affecting arms, legs, hands, or feet
- Severe burn injuries that may cause scarring and require extensive treatment
- Serious neck and back injuries needing ongoing medical care
- Wrongful death claims brought by surviving family members
The firm also handles injuries from oilfield and industrial incidents, including refinery events, plant explosions, and workplace fatalities. El Paso’s industrial activity and transportation corridors mean that some residents face heightened occupational and transportation‑related risks. If a catastrophic injury occurred at work, on the road, or in connection with a product or equipment, the case may involve both personal injury law and workplace or product‑liability considerations.
Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries in El Paso
Catastrophic injuries in El Paso and surrounding communities can arise in many ways, including:
- Commercial truck and 18‑wheeler collisions on major trucking routes
- Construction site incidents involving falls, equipment failures, or structural issues
- Oilfield and refinery incidents involving heavy machinery or hazardous substances
- Workplace accidents in industrial or manufacturing settings
- High‑speed motor vehicle crashes
- Falls from heights during construction, maintenance, or similar work
In many of these situations, allegations center on failures to follow safety rules, properly maintain equipment, provide adequate training, or warn about known hazards. When evidence shows that a person or company did not meet applicable safety obligations and that failure contributed to the accident, Texas law may permit an injured person to seek compensation. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets workplace safety standards that apply to many El Paso employers.
How Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP Approaches Your Case
Representation typically begins with a free consultation, during which the firm learns about how the injury occurred, the medical treatment received to date, and any insurance or employer communications you may already have. This initial conversation helps determine whether a potential claim exists and what steps may be appropriate.
If the firm accepts the case, it conducts a detailed investigation. That may involve gathering accident reports, medical records, and witness statements; reviewing photographs or video; and consulting with experts in fields such as accident reconstruction, safety practices, or industrial operations. The firm identifies potentially responsible parties and assesses what insurance coverage may be available.
Attorneys work with medical experts to document the nature and extent of the injuries and to project future care needs. Economists or vocational experts may be consulted to assess lost wages and reduced earning capacity. The goal is to develop a clear, evidence‑based picture of both liability and damages. With this foundation, the firm negotiates with insurers and defense counsel. Many cases resolve by settlement, but the firm prepares each matter as if it may go to trial, which can strengthen the client’s position if litigation becomes necessary.
What Compensation Covers in Catastrophic Injury Cases
A catastrophic injury claim can encompass several categories of damages, depending on the facts and applicable law. Potential components include:
- Medical expenses for emergency treatment, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and follow‑up care
- Expected future medical care and ongoing treatment needs
- Lost wages for time missed from work due to the injury and recovery
- Loss of earning capacity when the injury interferes with returning to prior work or earning at the same level
- Pain and suffering reflect physical discomfort and limitations
- Costs associated with permanent disability, including assistive devices and personal care
- Home and vehicle modifications needed to accommodate mobility or functional limitations
- Mental anguish and emotional distress related to the injury and its consequences
The purpose of these damages is to address both the financial costs and human impact of a catastrophic injury. While no outcome can truly “make you whole,” pursuing compensation is intended to provide resources for medical care, long‑term support, and greater stability.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies as a catastrophic injury?
A catastrophic injury is generally one that causes permanent disability, significant disfigurement, or long‑lasting effects on physical or mental function. These injuries typically require ongoing medical care, rehabilitation, or assistance with daily activities. Examples include spinal cord injuries resulting in paralysis, traumatic brain injuries with cognitive impairment, amputations, and severe burns. The focus is on the long‑term impact rather than only the initial emergency treatment.
How long do catastrophic injury cases take?
The time required to resolve a catastrophic injury case varies. Factors include the complexity of the facts, the severity and stability of the medical condition, the number of parties involved, and how insurers respond to settlement efforts. Some matters may resolve within many months, while others can take longer, especially if a trial is needed. In some situations, it may be advisable to wait until a clearer picture of long‑term medical needs emerges before finalizing a settlement.
What if I am partially at fault for the accident?
Texas uses a form of comparative negligence. In many personal injury cases, an injured person may still recover compensation even if they share some responsibility for the incident, as long as their percentage of fault does not exceed a statutory threshold. Any award may be reduced in proportion to the person’s share of responsibility. An attorney can analyze the facts of your case and explain how fault allocation might affect potential recovery.
Do I have to go to trial?
Most catastrophic injury cases resolve through negotiated settlements rather than jury verdicts. However, trial remains a possibility if the parties cannot agree on liability or damages. Preparing a case as if it could go to trial helps ensure that, if settlement discussions do not result in an acceptable offer, the case is ready to be presented in court. This preparation can also encourage more serious negotiations.
How much does it cost to hire Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP?
Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP generally represents catastrophic injury clients on a contingency fee basis. Under this arrangement, clients typically do not pay attorney’s fees at the beginning of the case. Instead, the firm collects a fee as a percentage of any recovery obtained by settlement or judgment. Case‑related costs are usually advanced by the firm and handled as described in the representation agreement. If there is no recovery, attorney’s fees are typically not owed under a contingency arrangement.
What should I do immediately after a catastrophic injury accident?
Your first priority is medical care. Seek treatment right away and follow your medical provider’s recommendations. If you can do so safely, document the scene with photographs or notes and gather contact information for any witnesses. Preserve any physical evidence, such as damaged equipment or vehicles, without attempting repairs. Avoid providing recorded statements or signing releases for insurers before speaking with an attorney. Contacting legal counsel promptly can help ensure that important evidence is preserved and deadlines are identified.
Contact Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP for Your Free Consultation
If you or a loved one suffered a catastrophic injury in El Paso or the surrounding areas, you do not have to face the situation alone. Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP offers free consultations to discuss your circumstances and explain potential options.
Call (713) 230-2200 to schedule a consultation about a catastrophic injury in El Paso or elsewhere in West Texas. The firm serves clients throughout Texas and other jurisdictions and typically handles catastrophic injury cases on a contingency fee basis.