You're lying in a hospital bed, facing an uncertain future after a traumatic injury. The doctors are discussing long-term care plans, but all you can think about is how you'll provide for your family and cover mounting medical bills. This is a critical time when having the right legal advocate makes all the difference—but what do you look for in representation?
At Dortch Lindstrom Livingston Law Group, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll a catastrophic injury has on victims and their loved ones. Our Plano catastrophic injury lawyers take time to listen so we fully grasp your story and understand your needs. Then, we create a strategy to fight for the full compensation you deserve. Here are our suggestions for choosing the right lawyer.
Experience With Complex Medical Cases Matters
Not all personal injury cases are equal. Catastrophic injury claims require unique legal knowledge and resources. So when you start searching for an attorney to represent you after a Texas car or truck accident, make sure they have extensive experience handling cases involving:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage leading to paralysis
- Severe burns requiring multiple surgeries
- Loss of limbs or amputation
- Multiple broken bones and crush injuries
- Organ damage requiring lifelong care
The lawyers at our firm rely on a network of nationwide resources and regularly work with medical and other professional experts who help establish the full extent of injuries and future care needs. This insight allows us to accurately value claims and counter insurance company tactics aimed at minimizing compensation.
Questions to Ask During Your Catastrophic Injury Case Initial Consultation
Most personal injury law firms offer a free consultation to assess the circumstances of your accident and potential claim. This is also your opportunity to evaluate whether an attorney is the right fit for your case. At Dortch Lindstrom Livingston Law Group, we encourage you to have a list ready with various questions we can answer for you, such as:
- How many catastrophic injury cases have you handled?
- What percentage of your practice focuses on these types of claims?
- Do you have experience with injuries similar to mine?
- Who will be handling my case directly?
- How do you communicate with clients about their cases?
- What type of expert witnesses do you think will help my case?
- How do you calculate future medical costs and lost earnings?
When you leave our office, we want you to be assured that with our guidance and expertise, you’ll have legal partners you can trust to take appropriate action to manage the complications of your catastrophic injury lawsuit.
Understanding the Financial Investment and Case Value
There’s no way to generalize how each person eventually recovers from a severe injury, but one thing is certain: insurance companies evaluate these claims with intense scrutiny. Even if the other party is clearly 100% at fault, adjusters will do all they can to reduce potential compensation. In a Texas truck accident, there might be multiple parties at fault, which means you need a more detailed strategy to build your case.
A legal team requires ample financial resources to properly investigate and litigate catastrophic injury claims, so ask potential attorneys about:
- Their contingency fee structure and upfront expenses.
- The firm's ability to advance case costs.
- Their approach to settlement negotiations.
- Their trial experience and track record if an insurance company refuses to settle.
Also, get a full picture as to what factors are analyzed to establish the true value of your settlement. For example, at our firm, we start by considering your age, occupation, family obligations, and pre-injury lifestyle. Then, we evaluate economic losses such as:
- Immediate and future medical bills
- Rehabilitation and therapeutic needs
- Projected future care needs
- Lost wages and benefits
- Diminished earning capacity
- Necessary home or vehicle modifications
It’s also important to consider non-economic losses in serious injury cases, including but not limited to:
- Impact on quality of life
- Loss of independence
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
While we can’t begin to project what your settlement might be before an investigation, let’s take a look at one small piece of the puzzle. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that initial costs for a non-fatal traumatic brain injury (TBI) average $70,000 in emergency and inpatient medical care expenses and lost wages. Keep in mind this number doesn’t include any of the other factors listed above.
The Importance of Personal Connection at Dortch Lindstrom Livingston Law Group
Knowing what to do after a Plano catastrophic injury is troubling, so you deserve legal representation that not only understands cases like these but also treats you with compassion and respect. Our entire team takes great pride in what our clients seem to like most about our approach: informed guidance, consideration of your needs, patience, and our ability to go above and beyond for you during such a challenging time.
