A catastrophic injury changes everything. One moment you're driving to work or walking through Southtown, and the next, you're dealing with a life-altering injury. These injuries don't just affect your health. They can force you to stop working, drain your savings, and reshape every part of your day. When someone else causes that kind of harm, the law gives you the right to pursue financial recovery.
A San Antonio catastrophic injury lawyer from Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock can help you pursue the maximum compensation available. Whether your injury happened in a truck crash near I-10 or during a fall in a Stone Oak retail center, you don’t have to go through it alone. Our team knows what it takes to build a strong case and hold the at-fault party accountable.
We offer free consultations to help you understand your options. We’ll walk you through what we can do, how we approach cases, and what to expect. If we take your case, we’ll only charge a fee if we recover compensation for you. Contact us today to get started.
Call us at (210) 941-1301 for a free consultation or contact us below. No cost to you unless we win.
What Are Catastrophic Injuries?
Catastrophic injuries are severe injuries that have a lasting impact on a person’s health, independence, and quality of life. These injuries often cause permanent damage, require extensive medical care, and make it difficult, or impossible, for the injured person to return to work or live the way they did before. Recovery often involves more than just physical healing. It can include emotional adjustment, financial stress, and long-term support from family members.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
A traumatic brain injury happens when a sudden blow or jolt damages the brain. Even a moderate TBI can lead to serious problems like memory loss, speech issues, mood swings, or trouble concentrating. Severe TBIs may result in permanent brain damage, leaving someone unable to speak, walk, or perform basic tasks without help. A fall on a slick floor or a high-speed crash can lead to this kind of injury.
Spinal Cord Injuries and Paralysis
When the spinal cord is damaged, it can cause full or partial paralysis. The effects depend on where the injury occurs. Some people lose movement in their legs, while others may lose the use of their arms and torso as well. These injuries usually require lifelong care, including medical equipment, therapy, and home modifications. An accident at a warehouse near Port San Antonio could cause this kind of trauma.
Severe Burns
Burn injuries are often caused by fires, explosions, chemicals, or contact with hot surfaces. Burns can damage not only the skin but also underlying muscles, nerves, and tissues. Severe burns often lead to scarring, limited movement, and infections. Many survivors undergo multiple surgeries and skin grafts, and they may deal with emotional distress due to visible scars.
Amputations
Losing a hand, arm, leg, or foot dramatically changes a person’s mobility and independence. Amputations often result from industrial accidents, crashes, or machinery malfunctions. Recovery involves physical therapy, pain management, and sometimes the use of prosthetics. Even with advanced prosthetics, many people experience permanent limitations and phantom limb pain.
Multiple Fractures and Crush Injuries
High-impact accidents, like those on Loop 410, can cause several broken bones or crush injuries at once. These injuries may affect arms, legs, ribs, or the pelvis. Recovery may take months and often includes multiple surgeries, physical therapy, and rehabilitation. Some fractures lead to chronic pain or permanent loss of movement in the affected area.
Organ Damage
Serious trauma can damage vital organs like the lungs, liver, kidneys, or spleen. This kind of injury may occur in a car crash or a fall from height. Some people require surgery, ongoing treatment, or even transplants. Organ damage can also affect a person’s overall health, energy level, and ability to work or care for themselves.
Long-Term Consequences
Catastrophic injuries often lead to long-term or permanent disability. Many people need personal care, ongoing treatment, and support from family or professionals. They may never return to work, or if they do, they may have to change careers or work fewer hours. Even daily activities like cooking, driving, or climbing stairs may no longer be possible without help.
The emotional and psychological effects can be just as serious. People often struggle with depression, anxiety, and grief over the life they lost. Relationships with spouses, children, and friends may shift as roles change and new challenges emerge.
Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries in San Antonio
Catastrophic injuries happen in many different ways throughout the city. These incidents often result from carelessness or failure to follow safety rules.
Car Accidents
A car accident near the Medical Center or along Broadway can result in serious injuries, especially at high speeds or when safety systems fail.
Truck Accidents
Semi-trucks driving along I-35 or Loop 410 can cause devastating injuries in a truck accident due to their massive size and weight.
Rideshare Accidents
Rideshare drivers operating in busy areas like The Rim or downtown San Antonio may be involved in a rideshare accident while carrying passengers or rushing to pick up a fare.
Pedestrian Accidents
People walking through areas like Market Square are vulnerable to pedestrian accidents caused by distracted or reckless drivers.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Uneven floors, wet surfaces, or poor lighting in buildings like those in North Star Mall can lead to slip and fall accidents that cause serious injury.
Defective Products
Items that malfunction, like a faulty airbag or unsafe ladder, can lead to catastrophic injuries. These injuries may happen at home, on the job, or in public places.
What Compensation Can I Recover for a Catastrophic Injury?
You shouldn’t have to carry the financial burden after a catastrophic injury caused by someone else. A claim can help you seek the maximum compensation available to cover your needs.
Economic Damages
These are losses tied to money you've already spent or will need to spend in the future.
- Medical expenses: This includes hospital bills, doctor visits, surgeries, medications, and ongoing treatment.
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity: You may miss work or lose your job altogether. Some people can't return to the same kind of work or earn as much.
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs: Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and other recovery efforts can add up quickly.
- Home modifications and adaptive equipment: Wheelchair ramps, bathroom adjustments, and other upgrades might be necessary for daily living.
Non-Economic Damages
These relate to changes in your life that don’t have a clear price tag.
- Pain and suffering: This covers both physical pain and mental struggles caused by the injury.
- Emotional distress: Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other conditions often follow a traumatic event.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Activities you once loved may no longer be possible.
- Loss of consortium: These damages reflect the effect on close relationships, such as with a spouse or family member.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages apply when someone acted with extreme carelessness or intentional harm. These aren't meant to repay you for losses but to punish the other party and discourage similar behavior.
Courts calculate these damages based on the seriousness of the misconduct and the harm caused.
How Long Do I Have to File a Catastrophic Injury Claim?
Texas law sets time limits on personal injury claims. Missing the deadline can mean losing your chance to recover anything.
Texas Statute of Limitations
In most cases, you have two years from the date of injury to file a claim. That clock usually starts ticking the day of the accident.
Sometimes the injury isn’t discovered right away. In those cases, the law may allow extra time. This is known as the discovery rule.
Importance of Acting Quickly
Acting fast helps preserve evidence. Surveillance footage, damaged vehicles, and medical records don’t last forever.
Witnesses may move, forget details, or become harder to contact. Getting their statements early can make a big difference.
Doctors need to connect your treatment to the accident. That’s easier to do when records are complete and timely.
What Makes a Catastrophic Injury Case Different?
These cases require more time, resources, and planning than a typical personal injury case. That’s why choosing the right law firm matters.
Complex Medical Evidence
Proving how a catastrophic injury affects your life takes more than just bills and photos. Attorneys often work with medical professionals who explain the long-term effects of your injuries.
A life care planner can help estimate the future cost of care. Vocational experts may assess your ability to return to work.
Higher Stakes and Damages
When someone needs lifelong care, lawyers must calculate expenses that stretch decades into the future. This includes inflation, lost income, therapy, and assistive care.
Economists may be used to create a complete picture of the financial impact. These cases usually involve much larger settlements or verdicts than minor injury claims.
How Do I Prove Fault in a Catastrophic Injury Case?
Building a strong case means showing who caused the injury and how their actions led to the harm.
Establishing Negligence
To hold someone responsible, a lawyer must prove:
- Duty of care: The other party had a legal duty to act safely.
- Breach of duty: They failed to act as a reasonable person would have in the same situation.
- Causation: Their actions directly caused your injury.
- Damages: You suffered losses as a result.
Evidence Collection
Strong evidence makes your case harder to deny. This may include:
- Accident reconstruction: Experts recreate what happened to show how the accident unfolded.
- Medical records: These documents show the extent of injuries and treatment required.
- Expert testimony: Doctors, economists, and others may provide insight into your future needs.
- Witness statements: Firsthand accounts can confirm how the accident happened.
How Our Attorneys Can Help
Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock helps clients handle the many steps involved in a catastrophic injury claim. We take on the insurance companies and the at-fault party so you can focus on recovery.
- Case evaluation and investigation: We dig deep into what happened and gather strong evidence.
- Medical expert coordination: Our team works with professionals to fully understand your condition and care needs.
- Negotiation with insurers: We don’t let insurers downplay your injuries or push lowball offers.
- Trial advocacy: If the other side refuses to resolve the claim fairly, we prepare to take the case to court.
- Legal guidance: We explain each step so you're never in the dark.
- Protection of your interests: We fight to secure a resolution that meets your long-term needs.
Why Choose Our Firm
- Decades of experience: We’ve handled catastrophic injury cases for years.
- Proven results: Our track record includes large settlements and verdicts that reflect the seriousness of our clients’ injuries.
- Resources to go the distance: Some cases need in-depth investigation and expert analysis. We have what it takes to pursue them thoroughly.
- Client-first approach: We treat every client with respect, listen carefully, and tailor our work to your needs.
- Contingency fee: We don’t charge upfront. You only pay if we recover compensation.
- San Antonio roots: Our attorneys live and work here. We know the courts, the community, and the local challenges that come with these cases.
FAQs About Catastrophic Injury Claims
How much does it cost to hire a catastrophic injury lawyer?
You don’t pay anything upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we only get paid if we recover money for you.
Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault?
Yes. Texas follows a rule called modified comparative fault. As long as you weren’t more than 50% at fault, you may still recover some compensation. Your share of fault reduces the amount you can receive.
How long does a catastrophic injury case take to resolve?
It depends on the details. Some cases settle within months. Others may take longer, especially if trial becomes necessary. We keep you informed every step of the way.
What if the insurance company offers a settlement?
We review any offer with you and explain what it covers. Insurers often start low. If the offer doesn’t match your needs, we push back and fight for more.
Do I need to go to court for my case?
Most cases resolve through settlements. If the other side refuses to act fairly, we’re ready to present your case in court.
Take Action Now
Delays hurt claims. Every day that passes gives the insurance company more time to prepare against you. Evidence can fade, and deadlines approach fast.Call Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock today at (210) 941-1301 for a free and confidential consultation. We’ll go over your case, explain your options, and help you move forward with confidence. Let our team protect your rights and fight for the full value of your claim.
Call us at (210) 941-1301 for a free consultation or contact us below. No cost to you unless we win.