Suffering a catastrophic injury leaves you disoriented and unsure of what to do next. Yet the steps you take afterward play a critical role in your physical recovery and in protecting your rights. Whether the injury occurred at work, on a construction site, or during another serious incident, knowing how to respond is essential.
To help you move forward, our attorneys at Williams Hart & Boundas LLP created this concise guide. It outlines the steps to take after a catastrophic injury to safeguard your health, assert your rights, and secure your future. Let us walk through those steps together. If you need personalized legal guidance, reach out to our office for a free consultation.
Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Make your health your priority. Seek medical attention immediately, even if your injuries seem minor. Catastrophic injuries like traumatic brain injuries or internal damage often hide their symptoms in the early stages. Prompt treatment supports healing and establishes a formal medical record linking your injuries to the accident. Follow every treatment recommendation and attend all scheduled follow-up appointments without delay.
Insurance companies often scrutinize gaps in medical care. If you postpone treatment, they may argue that another factor caused your injuries or that your delay worsened your condition.
How Do You Document Everything?
One of the most important steps to take after a catastrophic accident is to document the scene thoroughly—if you are physically able. Use your phone or camera to capture photos and videos of the conditions, equipment involved, and any visible wounds. Speak with witnesses and collect their contact information. Their accounts may help corroborate your version of events. As soon as possible, write down your own detailed account of what happened.
Keep organized records of every medical interaction: treatment notes, prescriptions, bills, and correspondence related to your injury. This documentation builds a strong foundation for your legal case and demonstrates the full impact of the incident.
Report the Incident
If your catastrophic injury occurred on the job, take immediate action by reporting the incident to your employer. Follow your company’s reporting protocols and request written confirmation of the report filing. When speaking with your employer, stick to the basic facts. Avoid speculating about who was at fault or how serious your injuries might be. Not all Texas employers carry workers’ compensation insurance. If your employer does not subscribe to workers’ comp, you may need to explore alternative legal options to recover damages.
Avoid Early Settlement Offers
One of the most critical steps to take following a traumatic accident is to pause before accepting any settlement offer—especially those that arrive quickly from insurance companies. Insurers often approach victims early, hoping to resolve claims before the full extent of the injuries becomes clear. These early offers are usually far lower than what your case may actually be worth. Once you accept a settlement, you typically lose the right to pursue additional compensation, even if your injuries worsen or new complications arise.
Understand Your Legal Options
One of the most overlooked steps to take after a traumatic accident is evaluating all potential sources of liability—not just workers’ compensation. While many injured workers assume workers’ comp is their only path to recovery, catastrophic injuries often involve third-party liability claims that can offer far greater compensation.
If equipment malfunctioned, a property was unsafe, or a contractor acted negligently, you may have grounds to hold those parties accountable. Unlike workers’ comp, third-party claims may cover pain and suffering, full lost wages, and reduced earning capacity.
Consult an Attorney About the Steps To Take After a Serious Accident
Knowing what steps to take after a catastrophic injury can mean the difference between long-term financial hardship and the full compensation you deserve. At Williams Hart & Boundas, we are here to guide you through every stage. Contact us today to discuss your case and learn how we can help you recover the compensation you deserve after your catastrophic injury.