Houston Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
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A serious accident can change everything. One moment, you are living your normal life. Next, you are dealing with severe injuries, hospital stays, and growing medical bills. A traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or severe burns can affect your ability to work, care for your family, or move through daily life.
The stress often grows when the insurance company questions your claim or delays payment. Medical costs rise, and you may lose income while trying to recover. For many people with catastrophic injuries, that financial pressure can feel overwhelming.
A Texas catastrophic injury lawyer can help you protect your rights. At LeMaster Law Firm, we help injured people in Tomball, Spring, Magnolia, Cypress, The Woodlands, Conroe, and surrounding northwest Houston communities pursue compensation after a serious accident.
Why Hire LeMaster Law Firm for a Catastrophic Injury Claim
After a serious accident, choosing the right catastrophic injury attorney matters. At LeMaster Law Firm, we help people facing traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations, and other severe injuries with a client-focused approach grounded in real litigation experience. We handle personal injury claims, wrongful death cases, and other serious injury matters.
We guide you through the legal process while building a case that reflects the full impact of the harm you have suffered. When needed, we prepare cases for trial and work with life care planners, medical specialists, and vocational experts to document future medical needs, lost wages, and diminished earning capacity. We are here to protect your rights and put you in a stronger position to pursue compensation allowed under Texas law.
Jennifer LeMaster: A Texas Super Lawyers Honoree With a Background in Catastrophic Claims Evaluation
The attorney you choose after a serious injury can affect the direction of your case. Jennifer LeMaster brings valuable insight into how insurance companies evaluate and defend serious injury claims. Before founding LeMaster Law Firm in 2017, she served as in-house counsel for an oil and gas company, handling complex transactions and litigation. Then, she spent years at an international law firm, where she made partner, representing insurance companies. That background gives her insight into how insurance companies evaluate and defend high-value injury claims.
Jennifer LeMaster has been featured in Super Lawyers from 2021 through 2026. She uses that background to anticipate how insurers evaluate liability, assess risk, and challenge serious injury claims. Today, she applies that experience on behalf of the people we represent.
Meet Your Catastrophic Injury Lawyers
Client Testimonials
“I had an excellent experience with LeMaster Law Firm. From the very beginning, they were professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely cared about my case. They explained every step clearly, kept me informed, and handled all the insurance issues so I didn’t have to stress. Thanks to Jennifer and Tanya’s hard work, I received a fair settlement. I highly recommend Jennifer LeMaster, at LeMaster Law Firm, to anyone in need of an auto injury attorney.” — Cassidy A.
“I highly recommended Jennifer LeMaster and her staff for your personal injury claim. I was in an accident and the at fault party’s insurance carrier offered me a ridiculously low inconvenience fee and then disputed that there driver was at fault. Once contacted, Jennifer and her team went to work immediately and took all of the pressure of dealing with insurance adjusters off of me. They were extremely helpful and able to settle my claim with very satisfactory results.” — Shirley W.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
Texas law does not provide one general statutory definition of “catastrophic injury” for personal injury claims. In practice, the term commonly refers to severe injuries that cause permanent disability, long-term impairment, or a major loss of bodily or cognitive function.
Texas Penal Code § 1.07(a)(46) defines “serious bodily injury” as an injury that creates a substantial risk of death or causes death, serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of the function of a bodily member or organ. While this definition appears in the criminal code, it helps illustrate the level of harm often involved in catastrophic injury cases.
Catastrophic injuries often:
- Prevent a person from returning to their prior work
- Require long-term medical care or supervision
- Cause permanent cognitive or physical limitations
- Substantially affect day-to-day life
What Are the Most Common Catastrophic Injuries?
While every case is different, some injuries appear often in catastrophic injury claims because they can cause permanent disability or long-term impairment.
Common types of catastrophic injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): These injuries can affect memory, concentration, behavior, and day-to-day functioning.
- Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can result in paraplegia, quadriplegia, or other lasting mobility loss.
- Severe burn injuries: Serious burns can cause permanent scarring, disfigurement, and ongoing pain.
- Amputations: Losing a limb often requires prosthetics, rehabilitation, and major lifestyle changes.
- Multiple fractures: Complex fractures that cause lasting complications can lead to chronic pain and reduced mobility.
- Organ damage: Serious injuries to organs such as the liver, kidneys, or lungs may lead to long-term medical problems.
- Severe nerve damage: Significant nerve injuries can cause chronic pain, numbness, weakness, or permanent loss of function.
Who May Be Held Responsible in a Northwest Houston Catastrophic Injury Case?
Liability depends on who acted negligently or recklessly and caused the injury. In some cases, more than one party may share responsibility. Identifying every potentially liable party can make a meaningful difference in the value of a claim.
Potential defendants may include:
- Negligent drivers: People whose careless actions cause car, truck, or motorcycle accidents.
- Trucking companies: Companies that violate safety rules, fail to maintain vehicles, or push drivers beyond legal limits.
- Property owners: Owners or managers who allow dangerous conditions to remain on the property.
Texas follows a proportionate responsibility rule. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001, a person generally cannot recover damages if they are more than 50% responsible for the accident. If they are 50% or less responsible, their recovery is reduced by their percentage of responsibility.
How Long Do I Have to File a Catastrophic Injury Claim in Texas?
Texas law limits the time you have to file a lawsuit after a serious accident. This deadline is called the statute of limitations. Missing it can prevent you from pursuing compensation.
Key deadlines include:
- Personal injury: Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003 generally gives you two years from the date the cause of action accrues to file suit.
- Wrongful death: Texas law generally requires a suit to be filed within two years, and the period often runs from the date of death.
- Government entities: Claims involving a governmental unit may require notice within six months under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 101.101.
- Minors: Texas law may toll certain deadlines while a person is under a legal disability, including being younger than 18, but early legal guidance is still important because exceptions and notice rules may apply.
What Damages Can Be Recovered for a Catastrophic Injury in Texas?
Texas law allows injured people to seek compensation when another party’s negligence causes a catastrophic injury. While money cannot undo the harm, it can help cover medical care, lost income, and other losses. Texas law recognizes economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover measurable financial losses. These damages may include:
- Medical expenses: Emergency treatment, hospital care, surgery, and rehabilitation.
- Future medical care: Long-term treatment, therapy, medication, and specialist visits.
- Lost wages: Income lost while recovering from the injury.
- Loss of earning capacity: Reduced ability to work or earn income in the future.
- Home modifications: Wheelchair ramps, accessible bathrooms, or specialized vehicles.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages address the personal effects of an injury. These damages may include:
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain caused by the injury and treatment.
- Mental anguish: Emotional distress, anxiety, or trauma.
- Physical impairment: Loss of mobility or the ability to perform daily tasks.
- Disfigurement: Visible scars, burns, or amputations that change appearance.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Inability to take part in activities once enjoyed.
How Much Compensation Can I Get for a Catastrophic Injury Case?
There is no fixed formula for the value of a catastrophic injury case. The amount depends on the facts, the severity of the injury, the available evidence, and the insurance coverage involved.
Several factors can affect compensation:
- Severity and permanence of the injury: Conditions such as paralysis or traumatic brain injury may increase the value of a claim because of long-term care needs.
- Age of the injured person: Younger people may face longer periods of future medical care and reduced earning capacity.
- Pre-injury income: Past earnings may help show future income loss.
- Liability evidence: Clear proof that another party caused the injury can strengthen the claim.
- Available insurance coverage: Policy limits can affect the amount available in a settlement or judgment.
Texas does not impose a general cap on damages in most personal injury cases. However, exemplary damages are subject to limits under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 41.008. In many cases, exemplary damages may not exceed the greater of $200,000 or two times the amount of economic damages plus an amount equal to non-economic damages found by the jury, up to $750,000.
How Can a Catastrophic Accident Attorney in Texas Help You Pursue Fair Compensation?
A catastrophic injury attorney handles the legal side of the case while you focus on your recovery. Depending on the facts, an attorney may take steps such as:
- Investigate the accident: Review crash reports, witness statements, photographs, and other evidence.
- Identify all liable parties: Determine whether drivers, companies, property owners, manufacturers, or others share responsibility.
- Consult medical and financial professionals: Evaluate long-term care needs and future income loss.
- Calculate long-term damages: Account for future medical costs, lost earnings, and other lasting expenses.
- Negotiate with insurance companies: Pursue a settlement that reflects the full scope of the harm.
- File suit before deadlines: Meet the applicable filing and notice requirements.
- Present the case at trial: Take the case to court when a fair resolution is not offered.
What Should I Look for in a Catastrophic Injury Lawyer?
The attorney you choose can influence how your case is investigated, presented, and valued. Catastrophic injury claims often require experience, preparation, and a clear legal strategy.
Important qualities include:
- Experience with severe injury cases: Look for a lawyer who has handled cases involving traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, burns, or amputations.
- Trial experience: Insurance companies may take a case more seriously when the lawyer is prepared to go to court.
- Knowledge of Texas law: A lawyer handling these claims should understand Texas negligence law and civil procedure.
- Access to medical and financial professionals: These cases often require input from life care planners and other professionals.
- Clear fee structure: Many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means legal fees are paid from a recovery if one is obtained.
- Strong communication: Choose a lawyer who explains the process clearly and keeps you informed.
Client reviews and past results can help you evaluate a law firm. A free consultation also gives you a chance to ask questions and learn more about your options.
Connect With a Texas Personal Injury Attorney Who Knows Catastrophic Claims
A catastrophic injury can affect every part of your life. Medical treatment, physical pain, and lost income often create serious stress for injured people and their families. At LeMaster Law Firm, we understand what is at stake.
Call 832-356-7983 for a free consultation or complete our online contact form. We can handle the legal process while you focus on your recovery.
Written By Jennifer LeMaster
Jennifer LeMaster is the founder of LeMaster Law Firm, representing injured Texans in personal injury, car accident, wrongful death, and insurance bad faith cases throughout the Houston area. With more than 20 years of legal experience, including prior work as an insurance defense attorney, Ms. LeMaster brings an insider’s understanding of how insurers operate to every case she takes. She has been named to Texas Super Lawyers annually from 2021 through 2026, holds a Martindale “Distinguished” peer rating, and earned her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Houston Law Center.
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