When a catastrophic injury occurs, your life changes in an instant. At Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP, our Austin catastrophic injury lawyer team understands the significant impact these injuries have on you and your family. We represent clients throughout Austin and surrounding communities who have suffered severe, life‑altering injuries from serious accidents. Whether your injury resulted from a truck crash, workplace incident, or another person’s alleged negligence, 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 cases call for experienced legal representation. Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP brings many years of combined experience handling serious personal injury matters in Texas and other jurisdictions. The firm has obtained multi‑million‑dollar results in catastrophic injury cases, including large recoveries in oil and gas–related incidents and product‑related burn cases. While no particular outcome can be guaranteed and each case depends on its own facts and law, these results reflect experience with high‑value claims.
The firm’s trial team includes attorneys recognized in publications such as Texas Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, and National Trial Lawyers lists. For example, partner Cesar Tavares has been listed in Best Lawyers in America for Personal Injury Litigation: Plaintiffs, and Alma Reyes Tavares has been recognized in multiple trial‑lawyer designations. These recognitions indicate a track record in representing injured plaintiffs, but they are not predictors of future case results.
Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP typically handles catastrophic injury matters on a contingency fee basis. Under this arrangement, clients usually do not pay attorney’s fees at the beginning of the case; instead, the firm receives a fee as a percentage of any settlement or verdict, and case‑related expenses are addressed as described in the representation agreement. This structure is designed to allow clients to focus on medical and family needs while the firm addresses the legal aspects of the claim.
What Qualifies as a Catastrophic Injury
A catastrophic injury is generally a severe, long‑term injury that significantly changes a person’s life. These injuries often result in permanent disability, chronic pain, or the need for ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation. They go beyond typical serious injuries because they create lasting consequences that can affect the ability to work, perform daily activities, and maintain independence.
Catastrophic injuries handled by the firm include:
- Traumatic brain injuries that cause cognitive difficulties or memory problems
- Spinal cord injuries that result in partial or complete paralysis
- Severe burns requiring extensive treatment and skin grafts
- Amputations involving limbs or digits
- Permanent disfigurement or scarring
- Neck and back injuries are causing chronic pain and limited mobility
- Fractures that require extensive surgical intervention and prolonged recovery
- Wrongful death claims brought by surviving family members
A key distinction between many serious injuries and catastrophic injuries is permanence. Some serious injuries may substantially improve over time. Catastrophic injuries tend to create long‑term or permanent changes that may require ongoing medical management, adaptive equipment, home modifications, and, in some cases, assistance with daily living.
Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries in Austin
Austin’s growth and location along busy transportation routes mean serious accidents can happen in a range of settings. Examples of events that may lead to catastrophic injury include:
- Commercial truck collisions on major roadways and freight corridors
- Construction site incidents, including falls from heights, crane or scaffolding issues, and equipment failures
- Workplace accidents in oilfield, industrial, and manufacturing environments, including explosions and chemical exposures
- Motor vehicle crashes involving significant speed, rollovers, or impacts with larger vehicles
- Premises‑liability incidents where unsafe property conditions contribute to serious falls or structural failures
- Product‑related incidents when vehicles, machinery, medical devices, or consumer products malfunction in ways that cause severe harm
In many of these situations, a claim may focus on whether a person or company failed to follow safety rules, adequately maintain equipment, provide appropriate training, or warn about known hazards. When the evidence supports a finding that such failures contributed to the accident, an injured person may have a basis to pursue a civil claim for damages. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets workplace safety standards that apply to many Austin employers.
Damages You May Recover
Catastrophic injury claims can involve substantial damages because the injuries often have long‑lasting medical, financial, and personal effects. Texas law allows recovery of both economic and non‑economic damages in personal injury cases, subject to applicable statutes and case law.
Economic damages relate to financial losses and may include:
- Medical expenses for emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and follow‑up care
- Future medical costs, including ongoing treatment, therapies, medications, and specialized equipment
- Lost wages from time away from work while recovering
- Loss of earning capacity when an injury affects long‑term employment prospects and future income
- Long‑term care costs, such as in‑home care, assisted living, or nursing care when needed
- Expenses for home or vehicle modifications and adaptive equipment
Non‑economic damages address harms that do not come with a direct price tag but have a serious effect on daily life, such as:
- Physical pain associated with the injuries and treatment
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life when activities and relationships are limited by the injury
- Loss of independence or changes in family roles and responsibilities
In some cases where there is evidence of gross negligence or particularly serious misconduct, Texas law may permit punitive or exemplary damages, which are intended to punish and deter certain types of behavior. Whether such damages are available depends on the facts of the case and governing statutes.
How Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP Handles Your Case
The firm’s approach to catastrophic injury cases is structured to address both liability and damages in detail.
The process typically begins with an initial consultation to understand what happened, review available information, and evaluate whether there may be a viable claim. If the firm takes the case, it conducts an investigation that can include:
- Collecting accident and incident reports
- Obtaining and reviewing medical records
- Interviewing witnesses and, where appropriate, consulting with experts such as accident reconstruction professionals or safety specialists
- Preserving relevant physical or digital evidence
The firm works with medical experts to document the nature of the injuries, treatment history, and future medical needs. Economic and vocational experts can help assess lost income and reduced earning capacity. Life‑care planners may outline anticipated long‑term care requirements and associated costs.
Armed with this information, the firm negotiates with insurers and defense counsel. Many catastrophic injury cases resolve through settlement, but if a fair agreement cannot be reached, litigation may proceed. Preparing for trial can involve developing exhibits, organizing expert testimony, and helping clients and witnesses get ready to explain the impact of the injury in court.
Throughout the representation, Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP aims to keep clients informed about major developments, explain options at each stage, and involve them in key decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average settlement for a catastrophic injury case?
There is no single “average” settlement because catastrophic injury outcomes vary widely based on the type and severity of the injury, the strength of the liability evidence, the available insurance or assets, and the individual’s age, work history, and medical needs. Past results such as multi‑million‑dollar recoveries in oil and gas and product‑related cases show that large outcomes are possible in serious matters, but they do not guarantee similar results in future cases. Any estimate of potential value should be based on the specific facts of your situation.
How long does a catastrophic injury case take?
Timeframes differ. Some cases may resolve in many months, while others can take longer, especially when complex medical issues or contested liability are involved. Cases often require time to gather medical records, obtain expert opinions, and understand long‑term prognosis, which can influence the timing of settlement discussions. Your attorney can provide a better sense of likely timing once more information is available.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Texas uses a form of comparative negligence. In many personal injury cases, an injured person may still recover damages even if they share some responsibility, so long as their percentage of fault does not exceed a statutory limit. Any award may be reduced in proportion to the person’s share of responsibility. An attorney can analyze the facts and explain how these rules may apply.
Do I have to go to trial?
Many catastrophic injury cases settle outside of court through negotiations or mediation. However, some cases do proceed to trial if there are disputes over liability, the extent of damages, or the value of the claim. Preparing a case as though it might go to trial can both strengthen settlement discussions and ensure readiness if a trial becomes necessary.
How much does it cost to hire a catastrophic injury lawyer?
Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP generally handles catastrophic injury cases on a contingency fee basis. Under this arrangement, clients usually do not pay attorney’s fees at the outset. The firm’s fee is typically a percentage of any recovery obtained, and case‑related costs are addressed in the representation agreement. If there is no recovery, attorney’s fees are generally not owed under a contingency arrangement.
What should I do immediately after a catastrophic injury?
First, obtain appropriate medical care and follow your providers’ instructions. If possible, document the scene of the incident with photographs, collect contact information for witnesses, and keep any relevant items or documents. Reporting the injury to appropriate authorities or employers may also be necessary, depending on the circumstances. Before speaking at length with insurance representatives or signing documents, consider consulting an attorney so you understand your rights and obligations.
Contact Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has suffered a catastrophic injury in Austin or nearby areas, you do not have to handle the process alone. Williams Hart & Boundas, LLP offers free consultations to review your situation, answer questions, and discuss potential legal options.
Call (713) 230-2200 to schedule a consultation about a catastrophic injury in Austin. The firm generally handles these cases on a contingency fee basis, so attorneys’ fees are typically collected only if there is a recovery in your case.