Austin Catastrophic Injury Attorney
Legal Help After Life-Changing Injuries
Catastrophic injuries change everything in a moment. Daily routines, income, family roles, and long-term plans can be turned upside down while you are still trying to understand what happened. If you or someone you love has suffered a life-changing injury in the Austin area, you may be unsure where to turn or what to do next.
At the Law Offices Of Vic Feazell, P.C., we represent people whose injuries are severe enough to affect the rest of their lives. When you work with our Austin catastrophic injury attorney that families trust, our goal is to take on the legal and financial burden so you can focus on medical care and recovery. We guide clients through complex claims involving lifelong medical needs, lost earning capacity, and significant pain and suffering.
Our record includes multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements in catastrophic injury and wrongful death matters, and we work on a contingency fee basis. You do not pay legal fees unless there is a favorable outcome.
To speak with our team about your situation, you can call (254) 938-6885 or contact us online for a free consultation.
What is a Catastrophic Injury?
In legal and medical terms, a catastrophic injury is one that has direct and long-term consequences on the victim's life. Unlike a standard personal injury—such as a broken bone that will eventually heal—catastrophic injuries usually involve permanent disability, significant scarring, or the loss of a vital bodily function.
Under the law, these injuries are characterized by their "permanency." They prevent the individual from returning to their prior level of employment and often require lifelong medical assistance or assistive devices. Because the stakes are so high, these cases require a deep understanding of both Texas personal injury law and the complex medical needs of the victim.
Common Catastrophic Injuries
Catastrophic injuries can occur in various ways, from high-speed collisions on I-35 to construction site accidents or medical malpractice. Our firm represents clients in Austin who have suffered from:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): These can range from severe concussions to permanent cognitive impairment, affecting memory, personality, and motor skills.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Often resulting in partial or full paralysis (paraplegia or quadriplegia), these injuries require modifications to the home and around-the-clock care.
- Severe Burn Injuries: Third and fourth-degree burns can lead to debilitating nerve damage, risk of infection, and the need for multiple reconstructive surgeries.
- Amputations: The loss of a limb changes a person’s mobility and often requires expensive, high-tech prosthetics that must be replaced throughout their lifetime.
- Organ Damage: Internal trauma that results in the loss of function of the kidneys, lungs, or heart is considered catastrophic due to the ongoing medical monitoring required.
- Loss of Sight or Hearing: Sensory deprivation significantly impacts a person's ability to navigate the world and maintain employment.
Long-Term Impact of a Catastrophic Injury
The true cost of a catastrophic injury is rarely captured in the immediate hospital bill. The "long-tail" effects of these injuries ripple through every aspect of a victim's life:
Financial Strain
The lifetime cost of care for a spinal cord injury or TBI can reach millions of dollars. This includes surgical costs, physical therapy, specialized equipment, and home health aides. Furthermore, most victims lose their ability to earn an income, creating a double-ended financial crisis.
Physical and Emotional Suffering
Beyond the physical pain, victims often struggle with depression, anxiety, and a loss of "enjoyment of life." The psychological impact on the family—who often become full-time caregivers—is equally profound.
Necessary Lifestyle Modifications
Living with a catastrophic injury often requires structural changes to a home (ramps, widened doorways, lowered counters) and specialized vehicles for transportation.
Catastrophic Injury Claim FAQs
How long do I have to file a claim in Austin, TX?
In Texas, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is generally two years from the date of the injury. However, because catastrophic injury cases involve extensive evidence gathering, it is crucial to contact a lawyer as soon as possible.
What kind of compensation can I recover?
You may be eligible for "economic" damages (medical bills, lost wages) and "non-economic" damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium). In cases of extreme negligence, punitive damages may also be pursued.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule. As long as you are not more than 50% responsible for the accident, you can still recover damages, though your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Can I afford a lawyer?
Yes. The Law Offices Of Vic Feazell, P.C. works on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay $0 upfront, and we only get paid if we successfully recover a settlement or verdict for you.
Why Catastrophic Injury Cases Need Our Firm
Catastrophic injury cases are different from other personal injury matters. The injuries are permanent or long-lasting, medical care can extend for years, and the financial stakes are often very high. Insurance companies know this, and they typically work hard to limit their exposure. Our firm is built to confront these challenges directly.
Our practice is shaped by Vic Feazell’s history of standing up to powerful institutions. His work exposing problems in the Henry Lee Lucas case and obtaining a Guinness World Record libel judgment shows a willingness to challenge deep-pocketed opponents and pursue difficult matters. That same mindset guides how we approach catastrophic cases where insurers or corporate defendants resist responsibility.
We rely on investigative and prosecutorial insight developed through leadership in grand jury investigations and major criminal trials. This background helps us understand how evidence is assembled, how defendants think about risk, and where to look for the facts that support your claim. In a catastrophic injury setting, this can make a real difference when liability is heavily contested.
Our record of multimillion-dollar results in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases reflects years of handling complex, high-value claims. While every case is different, these outcomes show that we are comfortable operating in a high-stakes environment. When you choose a catastrophic injury lawyer Austin defendants will take seriously, you want a firm that understands what it takes to present a strong case and is prepared to keep working when matters take months or years to resolve.
To discuss your catastrophic injury with our team at the Law Offices Of Vic Feazell, P.C., call (254) 938-6885 today for a free consultation.