Houston TX Personal Injury Attorney | Houston, TX Personal Injury Lawyer | Accident Lawyers in Houston, Texas
Houston Texas Personal Injury Lawyer | Houston Personal Injury Attorneys
If you have a Houston, TX personal injury claim, Houston personal injury lawyers are here to advocate for you. Call one of the Houston personal injury lawyers listed on this site for a free initial consultation.
Located in Southeastern Texas, the city of Houston boasts a total area of approximately 656 square miles. Established in 1881, Houston spans across counties such as Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery, Liberty, Chambers, Galveston, Brazoria, Waller , though it holds a county seat in Harris County. Houston is connected to surrounding cities via Interstate 610 and Highways 99, 90 and 59. A regional airport and railroad track are also located within the city, making it easy for Houston residents to travel both near and far.Houston's population of 2.1 million (according to the 2010 Census) is employed in both the service and industrial sectors. Higher education makes up a large portion of the Houston economy; University of Houston, James A. Baker Institute for Public Policy, Houston Community College System, Lone Star College System, San Jacinto College are all located in Houston. Youth accounts for a large portion of Houston's population.There has been a major surge of growth and development of commercial, retail and medical centers to support the students and faculties of these Houston schools and universities.The University of Houston System's annual impact on the Houston-area's economy equates to that of a major corporation: $1.1 billion in new funds attracted annually to the Houston area, $3.13 billion in total economic benefit, and 24,000 local jobs generated.Other sectors of the Houston economy include agriculture (crops and livestock), the oil and gas industry, and retail sales.
Such a diverse range of professions Houston with opportunity; however, many of these industries are also, unfortunately, attended by risk of bodily harm and injury. Personal injuries can occur not only in the military, manufacturing and agricultural industries, but also in the retail sector. A bustling economy, easy access to nearby cities and a large college-aged population can certainly expose Houston residents to the risk of bodily harm. Such injuries can range from the minor to the catastrophic. Should you find yourself in one of these unfavorable situations, you need a Houston personal injury attorney to advocate on your behalf. Call one of the Houston personal injury lawyers listed on this site for a free initial consultation.
What is a Personal Injury Attorney and what types of matters does a Houston Personal Injury Attorney’s practice cover?
Houston personal injury attorneys sometimes get the undeserved reputation of being greedy. Many people believe that personal injury lawyers are only interested in cases where they stand to make huge sums of money, and that they care little for their clients. This is simply not the case. Harris County personal injury attorneys’ practices cover a wide range of practice areas. More importantly, Harris County accident lawyers and other Houston personal injury attorneys play a crucial role in protecting the financial and legal rights of injury victims and their families, many times against large corporations. Just some of the matters that a Houston Personal Injury lawyer covers throughout the State of Texas are:
- Houston Personal Injury Lawyer
- Houston Product Defect Lawyer
- Houston Medical Malpractice Attorney
- Houston Nursing Home Elder Abuse Lawyer
- Houston Legal Malpractice Lawyer
- Houston Real Estate Brokers Fraud Lawyer
- Houston Dangerous Drug Lawyer
- Houston Medical Device Recall Lawyer
- Houston Product Defect Laws
- Houston Car Accident Lawyer
- Houston Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
- Houston Tractor Trailer Accident Lawyer
- Houston Workers’ Comp Lawyer
- Houston Industrial Accident Lawyer
- Houston Cruise Ship Injury Lawyer
- Houston Boating Injury Attorney
- Houston Railroad Employee Injury Lawyer
- Houston Negligence Lawyer
- Houston Punitive Damage Lawyer
- Houston Wrongful Death Lawyer
- Houston Negligence Trial Lawyer
- Houston Slip & Fall Lawyer
- Houston Amusement Ride Injury Lawyer
- Houston Dog Bite Lawyer
- Houston Bad Faith Insurance Lawyer
- Houston Texas Tort Claims Act Lawyers
- Lawyers that Sue the City of Houston, Harris County, & State of Texas Liability and
- Houston Lawyers that Sue the Federal Government
- All Trial Courts for Harris County, Houston, Texas
- Houston Expert Witnesses & Houston Trial Lawyers
- Houston Injury Frequently Asked Questions
- Statutes & Laws for Injury Claims in Houston, Texas
An injury can be a catastrophic event for an entire family, potentially ruining quality of life, destroying a person’s livelihood, and preventing them from working. An Houston personal injury attorney will step in and fight to protect your rights if you find yourself in this situation. Although your attorney will not be able to repair the physical damage you have sustained, it is very likely that a Houston personal injury lawyer will be able to get you deserved compensation for your injuries, which can provide for you, your family, and your medical expenses.
Why do you need a Houston Personal Injury Lawyer?
In most cases where someone gets injured due to the negligence of another person or company, there is insurance to cover the personal injury claim. If you have ever dealt with an insurance company in the past, then you will immediately know why you need to hire an experienced and competent personal injury lawyer to represent you in your Houston personal injury claim. An Houston personal injury attorney can help you negotiate an acceptable settlement or, if need be, take your claim to trial to get you the money you deserve in Texas state or federal courts.
Additionally, proving a personal injury claim can be a very complicated task, particularly if you are not familiar with the legal concepts involved. Even for lawyers who are familiar with these concepts, it can often be difficult to prove causation and damages, and the lawyer may need to consult with a number of medical and scientific experts to prove the necessary legal arguments. Your Houston personal injury lawyer will also be able to advise you of the various theories of recovery that might be involved in your claim, including negligence, strict liability, or intentional tort. In a negligence-based case in Texas, you must prove:
- The person or party that caused your injury owed you a duty of care, but did not live up to that duty;
- There was sufficient causation, or connection, between that person’s action and your injury to constitute a breach of their duty to you; and
- You suffered compensable damages as a result.
An experienced Houston defective product lawyer will know the Texas Product Liability Statute and will know what to do to assist you. he analysis only becomes more complicated in a strict liability case, where you seek to hold the defendant responsible for your injuries regardless of fault, or negligence. In these types of strict products liability cases, your Houston personal injury attorney can help you prove the following elements:
- The seller was in the business of selling the product that caused your injury;
- A defect existing in the product when it was sold made it unreasonably dangerous for consumer use;
- The product was intended to reach you without substantial change from the condition it was in when you purchased it;
- The product wasn’t fit for its intended use or a reasonably foreseeable use at the time it left the manufacturer’s hands;
- The defect in the product caused your injury; and
- You suffered damages as a result.
As noted, a variety of medical and scientific experts might be involved in proving these elements, and an experienced Houston personal injury attorney can help arrange these experts and prepare legal arguments based on your medical records.
Your Houston personal injury lawyer can also advise on whether claims may be brought on behalf of your family members for negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress, or for loss of consortium. Similarly, there may be other variables involved when more than one party may have contributed to your injury. In these cases, a Houston personal injury lawyer may decide to bring a claim against multiple tortfeasors for joint and several liability.
To illustrate this point, consider the following: If you have been injured by a defective consumer product, the manufacturer may be liable under a theory of strict liability, regardless of any negligence involved. Other people in the chain of distribution, including the retailer or distributor may also be strictly liable for your injuries. In Texas, joint and several liability rules make any party more than 50 percent at fault for your injuries liable for the entire amount of damages, regardless of how much fault is attributable to the other parties involved. Other theories besides strict liability might also be involved, including negligent design and/or manufacture of the product at issue. This is even without introducing the idea of comparative negligence—that is, the idea that your own negligence might, in some cases, reduce your recovery. This might occur in a car accident case, where you were 15% at fault but the other driver involved was primarily responsible for the accident.
Clearly, this analysis varies depending upon the facts of each case, and proving all of these elements can become enormously complicated. A qualified Houston personal injury attorney or Harris County personal injury lawyer can help you navigate these difficult legal concepts as well as the Texas court system.
Finally, a Houston personal injury attorney or other Harris County personal injury attorney can help you determine what your claim is worth and the measure of damages you should seek to recover. Under Texas law, the party that caused your injury is liable for:
- Past, current, and future estimated medical expenses;
- Time off from work due to injury, including time spent at doctor’s appointments or rehabilitative therapy;
- Property damage, such as damage to your vehicle during an automobile accident;
- The cost of hiring help to perform household chores you couldn’t perform due to your injury;
- Damages for permanent disfigurement or disability;
- Emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, interference with family relationships, & loss of consortium;
- Pain & Suffering;
- Mental Anguish;
- Any other expenses that are a direct result of your injury
Houston personal injury lawyers represent not only injury victims but their families and spouses in actions throughout Central Texas and the Houston area. If you or a loved one has been injured, you may be able to recover for medical expenses as well as a variety of other damages. You should contact one of the experienced Houston personal injury attorneys to represent you and protect your rights.
How long do you have to file a personal injury claim in Texas?
In most personal injury claims in Houston, Texas are governed by the Texas Two (2) year Statute of Limitations. Therefore, you must file a personal injury lawsuit against the party or parties that caused your injury. You should consult a Houston accident lawyer or Harris County personal injury attorney to evaluate your claim and pursue legal action before Texas’s two-year statute of limitations has expired.
Houston Trial Lawyers may File your Lawsuit in:
Harris County 11th Civil District Court
Harris County 55th Civil District Court
Harris County 61st Civil District Court |
Harris County 165th Civil District Court
Harris County 189th Civil District Court
Harris County 190th Civil District Court |
What does a Houston personal injury lawyer charge?
Most Houston injury lawyers charge a contingency fee. Instead of an hourly rate, an experienced Houston personal injury attorney will usually agree to accept a percentage of any monetary recovery they win on behalf of their client as their fee. The specifics of the contingency fee agreement can vary from state to state and even from lawyer to lawyer within a state; but, essentially, a contingency fee agreement means that if the injured person does not recover anything, then they pay their attorney nothing. You can easily see how this benefits Houston personal injury victims: not only do they only pay if they recover money, but their interests are also more closely aligned with those of the attorney representing them, who will not simply seek to rack up billable hours, but to win their case. Please contact a Harris County personal injury lawyer to discuss your case.
Hospitals in the Greater Houston Area |
Bayshore Medical Center
Ben Taub General Hospital
Doctors Hospital Tidwell
Houston Northwest Medical Center
Memorial Hermann Hospital
Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital Medical Center
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center
Spring Branch Medical Center
St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital |
Texas Children’s Hospital
Texas Orthopedic Hospital
The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR)
The Menninger Clinic
The Methodist Hospital
The University of Texas Medical Branch
The University of Texas-Harris County Psychiatric Center
The Woman’s Hospital of Texas
University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center |
Houston Emergency Services Contact Information
Houston EMS or Houston Fire Department (HFD) |
For more information on Texas personal injury law, see
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Personal Injury Attorneys Serve Houston and Surrounding Cities
Serving clients throughout Southeastern Texas, including Aldine, Baytown, Bellaire, Beaumont, Channelview, Cloverleaf, Conroe, Deer Park, Friendswood, Galena Park, Galveston, Hedwig Village, Highlands, Hilshire Village, Humble, Jacinto City, Katy, League City, Magnolia, Mission Bend, Missouri City, Pasadena, Pearland, Porter, Sealy, South Houston, Spring Valley, Stafford, The Meadows, The Woodlands, Waller, West University, and other communities in Fort Bend County, Harris County, and Montgomery County.
Contact a diligent Harris County personal injury lawyer today!
Houston Professional Negligence Lawyer
Houston Products Liability Lawyer
Houston Governmental Liability Lawyer
Houston Negligence Lawyer
Houston Workmans' Comp Lawyer
Houston Slip & Fall Injury Lawyer
Houston Car Accident Lawyer
Board Certified Houston Injury Lawyer
Houston Auto Accident Attorney | Houston Car Wreck Lawyer | Houston Vehicle Accident Attorney
Car accidents are, by far, the leading cause of transportation related injuries throughout the United States and locally in the Houston area. Most Americans are completely dependent on using cars to perform each of our daily tasks, including driving to the store, work, school, shopping, doctors, and a variety of other commonplace tasks. The inevitable consequence is that, no matter how safe a driver you are, you will likely be involved in some sort of auto accident one day. This reality becomes even more likely in a city such as Houston, Texas, which is an important West Texas center and due to the Air Force Base within the Houston area.
When Should You Hire a Houston Car Accident Attorney?
Of course, not every car accident requires that you hire a car accident lawyer. Car accident lawyers only become necessary when an accident results in an injury serious enough to warrant medical attention, or one that detracts from your quality of life and daily routine. In these cases, retaining a Houston, Texas automobile accident lawyer can help protect your legal rights and ensure that you and your family receive the advice and compensation you deserve.
You should contact an experienced Houston auto accident attorney when your injuries are such that:
- You have a severe injury that will cause you some significant lost time or wages from work; or
- Where a car accident causes you to be disfigured; or
- You are caused to suffer permanent pain; or
- You have suffered a “loss of consortium” as a result of an automobile injury to your spouse. Please note that loss of consortium claims encompass all negative effects on the martial relationship, including loss of love, affection, support, companionship and sexual relations.
If you or a loved one has suffered a car accident or other type of injury from a Houston auto, truck, van, or bus and any of the above factors are present, then you should retain a Houston car accident attorney immediately.
Why Do You Need a Houston Auto Accident Lawyer?
Every state, including Texas, requires car owners to purchase automobile accident insurance. However, car insurance companies are notorious for trying to get out of paying fair and just compensation to their customers, even when those customers have routinely made their insurance payments for years. Let’s face it, how do car insurance companies make money? Simply put: They love to take premiums and hate to pay claims.
Houston car accident attorneys handle car accident cases, motorcycle accidents, and commercial truck accidents throughout the Houston area and in all areas of Harris County. Additionally, they represent drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists who have suffered an injury in a Houston, Texas traffic accident where another driver may have been at fault. The defense lawyer will try to place fault on the injured party to reduce their award. This “fault” is called comparative fault and this is a very important reason why you need an experienced Houston accident attorney.
Houston Uninsured Car Wreck Lawyer
Even though it is required in Texas, that if you drive in Houston you have insurance, people do not always have insurance. When they hit your car and injure you, that is called and uninsured motorist's claim. If this is happens, your uninsured auto accident lawyer in Houston will try to successfully handle your Houston car wreck against your car insurance company. Depending on how your insurance company treats you, it may also give rise to an Houston bad faith insurance claim.
Houston Car Accidents Involving Driver Charged with Driving While Intoxicated
Because of the unique set of laws in Texas having to do with drunk driving accidents, please visit our Driving While Intoxicated Car Accident page for a more complete understanding.
Houston Distracted Driver Car Accidents
Today's drivers are often distracted by text messages and phone calls on smartphones and other devices. While we have a constant need to check messages to stay current both for work and our social lives, distracted driving is a major hazard in the Houston area. Houston Distracted Driving Accidents, caused by drivers that text, can be dangerous and even fatal.If the driver of the car that hit you was a texting driver or a distracted driver, call a Houston Distracted Driver Car Crash Attorney Today.
Houston Wrongful Death Car Accident Lawyer
Fatal accidents due happen in Houston, Texas. When they do, your family has a claim under the Texas Wrongful Death Statute. If your family has suffered the loss of a loved one and you believe that the other party was at fault, contact an experienced Houston fatal car accident Lawyer right away.
If you or a loved one have been involved in a Houston auto accident, you should:
- Call 911 for an ambulance for all injured persons. If it is non-emergency, call (361) 676-6683 ;
- As soon as you are able, call a Houston car accident lawyer;
- If you, a family member, or friend are taken away by a Houston ambulance, you can later get information at:
Houston EMS or Houston Fire Department (HFD)
500 Jefferson, Suite 1500
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 495-4200
If your car was towed and stored in the City of Houston, or a surrounding area, try calling the local police department:
Houston Police Department (HPD): (713) 308-8580
Harris County Precinct 5: (281) 463-6666
Harris County Precinct 7: (713) 364-3660
Harris County Sheriff: (713) 221-6000
Other reasons to retain a Houston, TX Auto Accident lawyer or Harris County, TX Auto Accident lawyer include:
- In Texas, the statutory minimum of liability insurance is $25,000.00;
- A trained Houston, Texas car accident attorney will get you quality medical care;
- A Harris County car accident lawyer will preserve vital evidence and immediately retain experts, called accident reconstructionists, who recreate the accident for the purposes of trial and legal settlements;
- If alcohol and/or drugs played a role in the cause of the accident punitive damages may be available;
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A licensed Houston car accident attorney will make sure that:
- Your automobile’s property damage is fully paid;
- Your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is recovered; and
- That all layers of insurance coverage, such as excess levels of coverage are placed on notice;
- A persona injury attorney in Houston will not let your statute of limitations is two (2) years from the date of the accident;
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An Houston injury trial lawyer will be completely familiar with:
- The Texas Rules of Civil Procedure;
- The laws governing where your lawsuit should be filed. These are called "Venue" laws.
- If your Houston car crash lawyer determines that your car injury lawsuit should be filed in one of the below Harris County Civil Courts or Harris County District Court, they will also have a thorough knowledge of the Texas Rules of Evidence. Some of the Houston trial courts include:
Harris County 165th Civil District Court
(713) 368-6270
Harris County 189th Civil District Court
(713) 368-6309
Harris County 190th Civil District Court
(713) 368-6310
- If your Houston injury litigator, chooses federal court, he or she will be completely familiar with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Federal Rules of Evidence.
For all these reasons, you should not hesitate to retain an experienced Houston tractor trailer accident lawyer near you to help you pursue claims related to an accident in Houston involving a commercial vehicle.
Resources for Houston Residents |
Houston Area Medical Facilities
Ben Taub General Hospital
CHRISTUS St. John Hospital
Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center Hospital
Houston Northwest Medical Center
Kindred Hospital Houston
Memorial Hermann Hospital
St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital
Texas Children’s Hospital
Texas Orthopedic Hospital
The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research
The Menninger Clinic
The University of Texas Medical Branch
The Woman’s Hospital of Texas
University General Hospital
West Houston Medical Center |
Houston Area Automobile & Tire Repair
The Auto Doc
Goodyear Auto Services Center
Midtown Auto Service
Firestone Complete Auto Care
NTB - National Tire & Battery
RMS Automotive
Tech Auto Maintenance Houston Area Car Rental Services
Avis Rent-A-Car
Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Thrifty Car Rental
Thrifty Car Rental: Star Motors
Budget Rent-A-Car
Hertz
National Car Rental |
If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident in the Houston area or anywhere in Harris County or surrounding areas, please contact one of the experienced Houston vehicle accident law firms listed on this page.
Car Accident Injury Attorneys Serve Houston and Surrounding Cities
Serving clients throughout Southeastern Texas, including Aldine, Baytown, Bellaire, Beaumont, Channelview, Cloverleaf, Conroe, Deer Park, Friendswood, Galena Park, Galveston, Hedwig Village, Highlands, Hilshire Village, Humble, Jacinto City, Katy, League City, Magnolia, Mission Bend, Missouri City, Pasadena, Pearland, Porter, Sealy, South Houston, Spring Valley, Stafford, The Meadows, The Woodlands, Waller, West University, and other communities in Fort Bend County, Harris County, and Montgomery County.
Contact a Houston personal injury lawyer will be there for you. Call now to speak with an experienced
Harris County Vehicle Accident attorney today.
Houston Products Liability Attorney | Houston Defective Products Lawyer | Houston Rollover Accident Lawyer
Houston Defective Product Attorney | Houston Products Liability Attorney | Harris County Defective Product Injury Attorney | Houston Rollover Accident & Crashworthiness Lawyer
In the United States, perhaps more than any other country in the world, we buy products every day to fuel our consumer-oriented lifestyles and economy. We buy them for our children, for our spouses, for our parents, for ourselves, for our friends, and even for our pets. When we purchase a consumer product, we expect that it will be safe. We also expect that it will be designed in the best possible way to avoid injury to unsuspecting consumers. Equally important are necessary and adequate warnings, which should accompany products when they go on the market so that they can be used safely and in the intended manner.
Houston defective product attorneys handle all kinds of products liability cases that cause injuries. If you have been injured due to a defective or unreasonably dangerous product, contact a Houston products liability lawyer for a consultation regarding your right to compensation.
Houston, TX Dangerous Products Attorneys
Texas law is very developed when it comes to product liability cases. In fact, Texas has enacted a specific Products Liability law found in Chapter 82 of the Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code. This makes it all the more important that you hire a qualified Houston dangerous products liability lawyer to handle your case.
Specific Types of Products Liability Lawyers in Houston, Texas
To be liable to an injured plaintiff, the manufacturer and/or distributor must have placed a product into the stream of commerce, which subsequently injures someone. Houston products liability claims range from defective lawnmowers, cars, planes, appliances, boats, drugs and pharmaceuticals, and many other items that cause Harris County residents injuries each day.
Please visit our Houston, Texas dangerous medical device and dangerous drugs page for more specific information on these types of claims.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Dangerous Product?
- Product Manufacturers
- Product Distributors
- Product Sellers
A trained Houston defective product attorney can help you prove your claims and arrange the necessary scientific expert witnesses to prove that the manufacturer should be held accountable to you for distributing such a faulty product. Houston product attorneys have the skill and experience to get you the money you deserve quickly and without hassle.
Houston Rollover Accident Lawyers & Houston Crashworthiness Lawyers
Another type of products liability case that is often overlooked by the untrained practitioner relates to vehicles that are unfit for sale and perform badly in auto accidents and frequently roll over. These cases occur when a car, van, pick-up truck, or Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) rolls over or malfunctions in an auto accident. There are many potential injuries that can result when this happens, which is fairly frequent in busy Houston, Texas traffic.
A seatbelt, airbag, or other malfunction may make the vehicle unreasonably dangerous and unfit to be sold on the market. Issues involving seat belts that come undone are often involved, causing passengers to be ejected from the vehicle and sustain more severe injuries than they would have otherwise. Similarly, roof crushing and other poor designs in a faulty vehicle may result in the death or permanent paralysis of the vehicle’s occupants.
Smart Keys
New areas of car defects surface every month. Due to successful car defect rollover lawsuits, the industry actually has tried to make a better car design. Unfortunately, new dangerous areas have now been seen. While these car defect cases are fewer, new dangerous car defects are injuring consumers. These include:
- Electronic Power Steering (EPS) failures;
- "Smart Key" ignitions that lead to carbon monoxide poisoning and vehicle roll-away;
- Occupant detection sensors suppressing needed airbag and seat belt pre-tensioner activation; and
- Throttle acceleration defects such as with Toyota.
Houston Texas product liability lawyer can represent you regardless of where you purchased your vehicle. Almost all manufacturers have been the subject of some type of automobile product defect case including Toyota, GMC, Mercedes Benz, etc. Some auto dealerships in the Houston area include:
Russell & Smith Honda 2900 South Loop West Freeway Houston, TX 77054 (888) 614-9066 www.rshonda.com/index.htm |
Davis Chevrolet 2277 S Loop W Houston, TX 77054 (866) 606-0780 www.davischevrolet.com |
Knapp Chevrolet 815 Houston Avenue Houston, TX 77007 (713) 228-4311 www.knappchevrolet.com |
Baker Nissan South 2901 South Loop West Freeway Houston, TX 77054 (713) 661-9955 www.bakernissansouth.com |
Momentum Audi 2315 Richmond Avenue Houston, TX 77098 (713) 596-3500 www.momentumaudi.net |
Stewat Cadillac 2520 Main Street Houston, TX 77002 (713) 874-0900 www.stewartcadillac.com |
The "new defect" cases require experienced Houston product defect firms to have the ability to research and screen cases in new ways. If you or a loved one has been injured due to faulty vehicle design, crashworthiness failures, or a vehicle rollover, vehicle acceleration or other defect, consult a Houston auto defect attorney today.
For more information on Texas Products Liability law,
visit our Houston Texas Products Liability Lawyer Statute page.
Defective dangerous product attorneys serve Houston and surrounding cities
Serving clients throughout Southeastern Texas, including Aldine, Baytown, Bellaire, Beaumont, Channelview, Cloverleaf, Conroe, Deer Park, Friendswood, Galena Park, Galveston, Hedwig Village, Highlands, Hilshire Village, Humble, Jacinto City, Katy, League City, Magnolia, Mission Bend, Missouri City, Pasadena, Pearland, Porter, Sealy, South Houston, Spring Valley, Stafford, The Meadows, The Woodlands, Waller, West University, and other communities in Fort Bend County, Harris County, and Montgomery County.
Contact one of the experienced Houston product liability attorneys listed on this site today for a FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION regarding your legal rights.
Houston Personal Injury Lawyers | Houston Personal Injury Attorneys | Houston Personal Injury Law Firms
What does a Houston Personal Injury Attorney do?
In Houston, Texas, a variety of workplace accidents, road accidents, and other accidents caused by negligence, recklessness, or wrongdoing create new Houston personal injury claims each day. An experienced Houston car accident lawyer or other Houston personal injury lawyer can help you in a number of ways including getting you competent medical care, getting your your car fixed and getting you the money you deserve for all your damages. In reality, Houston personal injury attorneys cover many areas beyond just auto accidents. Just some of the matters that Houston Personal Injury lawyers cover are:
- Houston, TX Personal Injury Lawyer
- Houston, TX Product Defect Lawyer
- Houston, TX Medical Malpractice Attorney
- Houston, TX Nursing Home Malpractice Lawyer
- Houston, TX Legal Malpractice Lawyer
- Houston, TX Real Estate Broker Fraud Lawyer
- Houston, TX Dangerous Drug Lawyer
- Houston, TX Medical Device Recall Lawyer
- Houston, TX Product Defect Laws
- Houston, TX Car Accident Lawyer
- Houston, TX Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer
- Houston, TX Tractor Trailer Accident Lawyer
- Houston, TX Workers’ Comp Lawyer
- Houston, TX Industrial Accident Lawyer
- Houston, TX Cruise Ship Injury Lawyer
- Houston, TX Boating Injury Attorney
- Houston, TX Railroad Employee Injury Lawyer
- Houston, TX Negligence Lawyer
- Houston, TX Punitive Damage Lawyer
- Houston, TX Wrongful Death Lawyer
- Houston, TX Negligence Trial Lawyer
- Houston, TX Slip & Fall Lawyer
- Houston, TX Amusement Ride Injury Lawyer
- Houston, TX Dog Bite Lawyer
- Houston, TX Bad Faith Insurance Lawyer
- Houston, TX Tort Claims Act Lawyers
- Houston, TX Lawyers that Sue the City of Houston, Harris County, & State of Texas Liability and
- Houston, TX Lawyers that Sue the Federal Government
- Harris County District Trial Courts
- Houston, TX Expert Witnesses & Houston, TX Trial Lawyers
- Houston, TX Injury Frequently Asked Questions
- Statutes & Laws for Injury Claims in Houston, Texas
If you or a loved one are a Houston, Texas injury victim, contact a Houston personal injury lawyer today to get a thorough consultation as to your legal rights.
Why do you need a Houston, TX Personal Injury Lawyer?
An Houston personal injury attorney can help you in a variety of ways. In most cases where someone gets injured due to the negligence of another or a company, there is insurance to cover the personal injury claim. If you have ever dealt with an insurance company before, then you will immediately know why you need to hire and experienced and competent Houston personal injury lawyer. Additionally, Houston personal injury lawyers or Harris County personal injury lawyers can represent you in your personal injury claim throughout Texas state and federal courts. An experienced Texas personal injury lawyer will provide you with support during your time of need and get you the compensation you deserve.
What does a Houston personal injury attorney charge?
Most lawyers charge an hourly rate plus a retainer fee. These types of lawyers perform billable hours and charge you according to the amount of time they spend working on your case. This is not the case with Houston personal injury attorneys. Personal injury lawyers, or PI lawyers for short, are permitted under Texas ethics rules to represent clients under a “contingency fee” agreement.
The specifics of the contingency fee agreement will vary from state to state and even from lawyer to lawyer within a state; however, a contingency fee basically means that if the injured person does not recover anything, then they pay will not be required to pay their lawyer anything either. Specifically, under a contingency fee agreement, your Houston personal injury lawyer will take a predetermined percentage of any recovery they obtain for you, the client. Not only does this save you immediate out of pocket expenditures, but it also aligns your lawyer’s interests with yours, ensuring they work efficiently to get you the maximum recovery, and do not simply rack up lots of hours.
Where do Houston Personal Injury Attorneys or Harris County Personal Injury Attorneys file cases?
Houston personal injury lawyers are experienced in handling personal injury and accident cases in both federal and state courts across the Greater Houston area. Just a few of the many courts in which Houston injury lawyers typically try cases are:
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas - Houston Division
Bob Casey United States Courthouse
515 Rusk St.reet, Room 5300, Houston, TX 77002
(713) 250-5500
Harris County 157th Civil District Court
Harris County 164th Civil District Court
Harris County 190th Civil District Court |
Harris County 215th Civil District Court
Harris County 270th Civil District Court
Harris County Multi-District Litigation Civil Court |
The Civil District Courts for Houston and Harris County are located at:
Harris County Civil Courthouse |
Personal Injury Attorneys Serve Houston and Surrounding Cities
Serving clients throughout Southeastern Texas, including Aldine, Baytown, Bellaire, Beaumont, Channelview, Cloverleaf, Conroe, Deer Park, Friendswood, Galena Park, Galveston, Hedwig Village, Highlands, Hilshire Village, Humble, Jacinto City, Katy, League City, Magnolia, Mission Bend, Missouri City, Pasadena, Pearland, Porter, Sealy, South Houston, Spring Valley, Stafford, The Meadows, The Woodlands, Waller, West University, and other communities in Fort Bend County, Harris County, and Montgomery County.
If you need a Houston Personal Injury lawyer, CALL NOW for a free initial consultation.
Houston Wrongful Death Lawyers | Houston Wrongful Death Attorney | Houston Survivor Damages Attorney
Injuries caused by the negligence of someone else give you a right to recover monetary damages to compensate you for your losses. However, if you or a loved one has suffered an injury, you likely know that money alone often cannot fully compensate for personal injury losses. Be that as it may, money is the only legal remedy available in these difficult situations and you should receive monetary damages for your loss. Houston wrongful death lawyers are experienced in assessing monetary awards and know what type of a settlement or award you might be able to expect from your claim.
When determining the value of a Houston fatality case, you must first consider the type and degree of loss or injury involved. The most severe loss is death, and there is a body of law dealing specifically with death. If your loved one has been involved in a tragic accident and died as a result, contact one of the Houston wrongful death attorneys listed on this site to discuss your options.
Houston Wrongful Death Lawyer
The Texas wrongful death statute is found at:
- 71.001 Definitions
- 71.002 Cause of action
- 71.003 Application; certain conduct excepted
- 71.004 Benefiting from and bringing action
- 71.005 Evidence relating to marital status
- 71.0055 Evidence of pregnancy
- 71.006 Effect of felonious act
- 71.007 Ineffective agreement
- 71.008 Death of defendant
- 71.009 Exemplary damages
- 71.010 Award and apportionment of damages
- 71.011 Damages not subject to debts
- 71.012 Qualification of foreign personal representative
The following persons qualify to file a wrongful death claim:
- Spouses (Ceremonial or Common Law);
- Children (Natural and adopted);
- Parents; and
- Estate - Under the Texas Survival Statutes, the Estate's claim is for:
- Medical expenses incurred prior to death;
- Funeral expenses;
- Damages for conscious pain and suffering just prior to death; and
- In some instances, punitive damages or exemplary damages
The following persons do not qualify to file a wrongful death action under Texas law:
- Siblings
- Grandparents
- Persons who qualify in loco parentis
What Are the Types of Damages Available When Someone is Killed Through Negligence?
- Mental Anguish
- Loss of Companionship
-
Pecuniary Losses (Economic Losses)
- Loss of inheritance
- Loss of consortium and household services
- Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress or Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress In some cases, Houston families may be put through severe emotional trauma and anguish due to the negligence, recklessness, or intentional wrongdoing of another party. When this occurs, a Houston personal injury attorney can help them pursue a claim for Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress or Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress.
Houston Resources for When a Loved One Dies |
After a loved one has died, the last thing on your mind should be a difficult legal battle or lawsuit. However, if the death was due to negligence, recklessness, or malicious conduct, you may feel it is your duty to take legal action. In such cases, Houston wrongful death attorneys can help you prepare your lawsuit by arranging crucial witnesses, documentation, and evidence to present a strong case on behalf of your deceased family member. After a death, you may also find yourself in charge of preparing funeral arrangements and feel overwhelmed by small details in the face of such a traumatic experience. The following resources for funeral homes and florists may be helpful as you and your family prepare to bid your loved one farewell.
Funeral Homes in the Houston area:
Crespo Funeral Home
Felix H. Morales Funeral Home
Heights Funeral Home
Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Directors
McCoy & Harrison Funeral Home
Cavazos Funeral Home, Inc. |
Houston Area Florists:
Abby’s Flowers & Gifts
Rosewood Flowery
Greenworks Flowers
Breen’s Florist
Lexis Florist
Fancy Flowers Houston |
Houston Wrongful Death Lawyers Serve:
Serving clients throughout Southeastern Texas, including Aldine, Baytown, Bellaire, Beaumont, Channelview, Cloverleaf, Conroe, Deer Park, Friendswood, Galena Park, Galveston, Hedwig Village, Highlands, Hilshire Village, Humble, Jacinto City, Katy, League City, Magnolia, Mission Bend, Missouri City, Pasadena, Pearland, Porter, Sealy, South Houston, Spring Valley, Stafford, The Meadows, The Woodlands, Waller, West University, and other communities in Fort Bend County, Harris County, and Montgomery County.
A Harris County wrongful death lawyer can help you get back on your feet after you have suffered a loss. Contact a Houston wrongful death attorney today to discuss your options.
Houston Maritime Accident & Injury Lawyer | Houston Jones Act Attorney
Houston Jones Act Lawyers & Houston Maritime Lawyers assist clients in a broad range of maritime and offshore accidents. Maritime law extends to passengers injured on a boat, but many times involves maritime workers and seamen injured on the job. The skilled Houston maritime attorneys on this site are dedicated to pursuing your rights under the law and returning a verdict for monetary damages to help you and your family through the difficult times following an injury. If you are not a seaman or offshore employee, but have been injured in a cruise ship accident or in a recreational Houston skiing accident you should visit those pages.
Houston Maritime, Offshore & Oil Rig Injury Claims
Houston, Texas rests in the same state as one of the largest ports in the world and that is Houston, Texas. The Port of Houston is one of the largest ports in the world and services many different types of vessels.. Also, Texas has most of the large oil companies in the world. They maintain all types of maritime vessels throughout the Gulf of Mexico including crewboats, supply boats, dredges, barges and other oil relates ships.
The Houston Ship Channel, Galveston Bay, and the Intracoastal Waterway, running from Florida all the way to the Texas Gulf Coast. These waterways allow a tremendous economic trade to take place off the coast of Houston and help maintain the city’s robust economy.
The Port of Houston is operated by the Port of Houston Authority, a sub-agency of the State of Texas. Information regarding the Port of Houston is available at: The Port of Houston. The port’s mailing address is P.O Box 2562, Houston TX 77252, and the port is located at:
The Port of Houston Authority |
Countless seamen of all types, deckhands, tankermen, engineeers, OIMs, galley hands, Captains, relief captains man the vessels that constantly work in the Gulf of Mexico.Houston workers are employed on offshore oil rigs, platforms, and derricks. Inevitably, accidents on these vessels and offshore rigs sometimes cause injury to the seamen in their employment. When this happens, a variety of legal courses of action might be advisable, from a Jones Act claim, to a claim under the General Maritime Law, or, in some cases when certain Jones Act requirements are not met, a claim under the Longshoreman and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). For advice regarding your legal rights following an injury sustained while in the employ of a vessel, contact one of the Houston maritime law attorneys listed above.
Houston maritime lawyers can help you successfully pursue a claim for compensation if you have been injured on the job. Contact an experienced Houston maritime injury lawyer today for a free consultation.
What exactly is the Jones Act?
The Jones Act is a federal law that covers seaman injured on the job. Before the Jones Act was passed by Congress in 1920, there were no written laws or statutes designed to protect seamen and their families in the event that they were injured on the job. Thus, injured seamen were required to resort to the “common law,” or General Maritime Law, which is the judge-made law passed down over time and slowly incorporated into the legal system. With the passage of the Jones Act, seamen were finally able to enjoy more predictable and immediate benefits when they were injured. It reads as follows:
30104. Personal injury to or death of seamen
A seaman injured in the course of employment or, if the seaman dies from the injury, the personal representative of the seaman may elect to bring a civil action at law, with the right of trial by jury, against the employer. Laws of the United States regulating recovery for personal injury to, or death of, a railway employee apply to an action under this section.
Unlike Texas workers’ comp, the Jones Act is a “fault-based” system which means the injured worker must show that the employer was negligent and/or that the vessel he was working on was “unseaworthy.” “Unseaworthiness” signifies that some condition on the vessel made it “not fit for its intended purpose.” An injured Jones Act seaman is also entitled to “maintenance and cure,” which is similar to workers’ comp, although it is not a statutory remedy like workers’ comp. Under the Jones Act, an employer can also be held liable for punitive damages for unreasonable denying payment of maintenance and/or cure benefits. Thus, the Jones Act is a tremendous tool, which allows Houston maritime attorneys successfully to pursue claims for accidents and injuries suffered by offshore workers and seamen.
What damages can an experienced Houston Maritime Lawyer get you under the Jones Act and the General Maritime Law?
In Houston, Texas, the maritime lawyer can seek damages for:
- Pain & Suffering;
- Mental Anguish;
- Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity;
- Medical Expenses;
- Physical Impairment;
- Physical Disfigurement; and
- As stated above, punitive damages for failure to maintenance & cure.
The Savings to Suitors Clause in the U.S. Constitution
The Savings to Suitors Clause is actually in Article III of the U.S. Constitution. It reads:
"The district courts shall have original jurisdiction, exclusive of the courts of the States, of: (1) Any civil case of admiralty or maritime jurisdiction, saving to suitors in all cases all other remedies to which they are otherwise entitled." |
This was codified in 28 U.S.C. Section 1333 and it basically means that a seaman has an absolute right to file his claim in either federal court or state court without fear of removal.This is very unique to injured seamen. Courts in Houston that could hear a Jones Act claim are located at:
201 Caroline, 12th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002
Harris County 11th Civil District Court
Harris County 55th Civil District Court
Harris County 61st Civil District Court |
Harris County 165th Civil District Court
Harris County 189th Civil District Court
Harris County 190th Civil District Court |
Who qualifies as a Jones Act seaman?
The Jones Act encompasses a broad range of persons into its definition of “seaman.” In addition to full-time members of the crew, masters of the vessel and other employees who have a substantial connection to the vessel will likely be entitled to compensation for injuries sustained on the job. The general rule is that any employee that spends over 30% of his or her time on a vessel in navigation (or multiple vessels that are commonly owned) will qualify for seaman status. To recover, the seaman/employee must also work on a vessel that operates on navigable waterways and is engaged in interstate commerce. On the other hand, if the employee spends time on a variety of different vessels or moves between vessels that are not commonly owned, then the employee may instead be protected under either the General Maritime Law or the Longshoreman and Harbor Workers Compensation Act (LHWCA). Despite this limitation, courts have generally interpreted seaman status under the Jones Act broadly, to include a variety of workers on board vessels, including chefs, waiters, card dealers, cooks, and other entertainers and staff.
The Jones Act covers all types of maritime workers at all levels of command, including, but not limited to, Captains, First Mates, Chief Mates, Second Mates, Third Mates, Relief Captains, Deckhands, Leadmen, Wiremen, Engineers, Tankermen, etc.
An experienced Houston maritime lawyer will be familiar with these laws and can advise you of your status as either a seaman, longshoreman, or otherwise, and help you navigate the legal system regardless of whether you are technically considered a Jones Act seaman.
Houston Tugboat Injury Lawyer & Houston Barge injury lawyer
Tugboats hauling or pushing barges in the Houston Ship Channel and in the Intercoastal Waterway (ICW) constantly see injuries occur from fleeting operations or simply from persons falling on the many barges that come in and out of the tow. There are many types of barges, such as hopper, grain, coal, benzene, toluene, etc. Sometimes the wires and ratchets follow the barge and sometimes they do not. Often, the wires that are used to make tow are old and corroded or strewn about causing tripping hazards or, worse yet, are the cause of many traumatic foot and ankle amputations. Contact a competent Houston towboat injury attorney today if you’ve been injured and believe you qualify as a Jones Act seaman.
Houston Dredge Injury Lawyer
Dredge work is one of the hardest and most dangerous types of maritime work. One reason is that the dredge places their dredge lines in what is normally an area busy with maritime traffic. At night, too many collisions occur because of either improper lighting on the dredge or inexperienced yachtsmen who don’t know the maritime rules of the road. For a complete COLREGS U.S.C.G. manual on Navigation, including lighting, click here. If you need a dredge injury lawyer or dredge collision lawyer, contact one of the Houston maritime attorneys on this page.
Why do I need an Experienced Houston Maritime Attorney to represent me in my Jones Act or General Maritime Law case?
Both the Jones Act and the General Maritime Law can be extremely complex. Numerous legal questions must be answered, and complicated tests govern jurisdiction, “vessel in navigation” status, as well as seaman status under the law. Additionally, the amount of recovery an injured seaman is entitled to will likely differ based on the facts of each case.
Very few attorneys specialize in maritime law; however, Texas is lucky to have some of the most experienced maritime lawyers in the country and their expertise can help you obtain the judgment you deserve. Contact one of the expert Houston maritime attorneys listed above for a consultation regarding your rights.
How long do you have to file a Jones Act or General Maritime Law claim?
Generally, both Jones Act claims for maintenance and cure or General Maritime Law claims for unseaworthiness against a vessel owner may be filed up to three (3) years from the date of injury.
Contact an experienced Houston maritime lawyer immediately upon being injured
to be advised of your legal rights.
Other Helpful Information & Links:American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)
Texas Department of Transportation - Houston District
U.S. Department of Transportation - Houston Office
U.S. Coast Guard, Sector Houston - Galveston Command Center
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Houston - Galveston Office |
Houston Ship Channel Security District Texas House Bill 3011 established the Houston Ship Channel Security District (HSCD). Information regarding the HSCD’s most recent meetings and a list of their upcoming activities and meetings are available at: www.hscsd.org. |
If you have been injured on the job while working on a boat as a seaman, you will need medical care. Houston has some very good doctors and hospitals. You may need to seek medical care at one of the following local hospitals:
Memorial Hermann Hospital 6411 Fannin Street Houston, TX 77030 (713) 704-9077 |
The Methodist Hospital 6565 Fannin Houston, TX 77030 (713) 790-3311 |
Spring Branch Medical Center 8850 Long Point Road Houston, TX 77055 (713) 722-3705 |
Texas Orthopedic Hospital 7401 South Main Houston, TX 77030 (713) 799-8600 |
Houston Jones Act Injury Law Firms serve
Clients throughout Southeastern Texas, including Aldine, Baytown, Bellaire, Beaumont, Channelview, Cloverleaf, Conroe, Deer Park, Friendswood, Galena Park, Galveston, Hedwig Village, Highlands, Hilshire Village, Humble, Jacinto City, Katy, League City, Magnolia, Mission Bend, Missouri City, Pasadena, Pearland, Porter, Sealy, South Houston, Spring Valley, Stafford, The Meadows, The Woodlands, Waller, West University, and other communities in Fort Bend County, Harris County, and Montgomery County.
Rest assured that an experienced Harris County maritime law or Jones Act attorney will be familiar with both federal and state laws and will have the expertise necessary to aggressively pursue your claim and get you the financial recovery you deserve. Contact one of the qualified Houston lawyers on this site today.
Houston Cruise Ship Accident Lawyers | Houston Cruise Ship Injury Attorneys
Houston Cruise Ship Injury Lawyers | Harris County Texas Cruise Ship Injury Attorneys
When you go on vacation, you want peace, fun, and relaxation. This can be particularly true for Houston residents, who want to escape the dry and dusty landscape of Central Texas. If you work and drive in Houston, you are probably trying to go to an exotic place to escape the daily grind experienced in daily activities like work and chores that make up the day for most people in the Houston and Harris County areas. A cruise, for many people, can be the ideal escape for getting some much needed rest and relaxation.
Carnival Cruise Injury Lawyer & Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Injury Attorneys in Houston
Carnival Cruise Lines is one of the major cruise line servicing the Port of Galveston and many Houston residents may travel to Galveston to depart for their cruise vacation. Royal Caribbean International is the other main cruise line servicing Galveston, TX, which is the port most Houston residents depart from on their cruise vacations. The three main vessels serving the Port of Galveston are:
Carnival Ecstasy
Carnival Conquest
Royal Caribbean - Voyager of the Seas
Whether you have been injured in a recreational boating accident, as a member of a crew, or as a passenger on a commercial cruise ship, Houston personal injury lawyers are here to help you.
What are some common claims made against cruise lines?
- Slip & Fall Injuries due to wet or uneven surfaces aboard the ship, or due to the ship’s maneuvering;
- Swimming pool, water slide, wave pool, and similar accidents on the ship;
- Injuries due to dangerous conditions anywhere on the cruise ship
- Injuries sustained at ports of call during excursions arranged and approved by the cruise line
- Contaminated food eaten on the ship, which may cause food poisoning or severe illness
- Physical and sexual assault and abuse by crew members employed by the cruise ship company
- Injuries due to Medical Negligence when people are treated on board a ship or when an ill person is left behind for treatment at a port in a foreign country and receives inadequate care, improper diagnosis, or improper treatment
Why hire a Houston, TX Cruise Ship Injury Lawyer?
As mentioned, fine print and legal jargon are pervasive on cruise line tickets and your legal rights are at stake. For example, if you become sick or injured while on board the ship and you believe the cruise ship company is to blame, you may only have six (6) months to assert a claim. Call one of the experienced Texas cruise ship lawyers listed above for a free initial consultation.
What if I have been injured while working aboard a cruise ship or other vessel?
If you are an employee of a cruise line injured on the job, or any other type of worker aboard a cruise ship, barge, container ship, oil rig, tug, or any other type of vessel, you may have a Jones Act claim against your employer. Jones Act claims are the maritime equivalent of workers’ compensation, but may allow for other damages.
Deaths on the High Sea Act (DOHSA) - Wrongful Death at Sea Lawyer
The Death on the High Seas Act, or DOHSA, applies to any death occurring beyond 3 nautical miles from the shore of any State or U.S. Territory. Liability under DOHSA may be premised on a variety of legal theories, including negligence, unseaworthiness if the decedent was a seaman, intentional conduct, strict liability, or products liability. Moreover, DOHSA is a broad Act that applies to nearly all decedents whose death occurred on the high seas no matter if they are maritime workers or non-maritime workers. One notable exception is that workers on certain oil rigs or platforms may be covered instead under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act (OCSLA). DOHSA may also apply to aviation accidents that occur beyond 12 nautical miles from the U.S. shore. In these cases, application of DOHSA may actually limit recovery for the families of those killed in a plane crash from those in a general wrongful death case. In addition to other types of maritime deaths, Houston Maritime Attorneys experienced in DOHSA will know how best to handle an aviation accident at sea and can help you if you have suffered such a loss.
What all this means for you if your loved one died aboard a cruise ship or other type of boat beyond 3 nautical miles from the U.S. shore is complicated. It is absolutely critical that you act quickly and hire an experienced Houston cruise ship lawyer to fight the cruise line on your behalf.
Resources for Houston Texas Cruise Ship Injury Victims: |
Ports in Houston & Galveston:
Port of Houston
Port of Galveston |
Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) Cruise Line Links: |
Houston Cruise Ship Injury Lawyers Serve:
Southeastern Texas, including Aldine, Baytown, Bellaire, Beaumont, Channelview, Cloverleaf, Conroe, Deer Park, Friendswood, Galena Park, Galveston, Hedwig Village, Highlands, Hilshire Village, Humble, Jacinto City, Katy, League City, Magnolia, Mission Bend, Missouri City, Pasadena, Pearland, Porter, Sealy, South Houston, Spring Valley, Stafford, The Meadows, The Woodlands, Waller, West University, and other communities in Fort Bend County, Harris County, and Montgomery County.
Houston Tractor Trailer Wreck Lawyer | Tractor Trailer Accident Lawyer in Houston, Texas
Houston Truck Accident Lawyer & Houston Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorneys
Houston trucking injury lawyers will know all the laws related to truck drivers and trucking companies and will hold them to those laws. Houston truck wreck attorneys will take an oral deposition of the truck driver. Among many things that will be asked, the Houston trucking attorney will probably cover the following areas:
Texas has its own set of Commercial Motor Vehicle Rules & Regulations found in the Texas Transportation Code, Title 7, Sub-Title F, Chapters 642 through 648. They are as follows:
- Chapter 642 Identifying Markings on Commercial Motor Vehicles
-
Chapter 643 Motor Carrier Registration
-
Chapter 5 Enforcement - 643.2525. Administrative Hearing Process
- Subchapter A General Provisions
- Subchapter B Registration
- Subchapter C Insurance
- Subchapter D Economic Regulation
- Subchapter F Enforcement
-
Chapter 5 Enforcement - 643.2525. Administrative Hearing Process
-
Chapter 644 Commercial Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
- Subchapter A General Provisions
- Subchapter B Adoption of Rules
- Subchapter C Administrative Enforcement
- Subchapter D Offenses, Penalties, and Judicial Enforcement
- Subchapter E Routing of Hazardous Materials
- Subchapter F Report on Alcohol and Drug Testing
- Chapter 645 Single State Registration
- Chapter 646 Motor Transportation Brokers
- Chapter 647 Motor Transportation of Migrant Agricultural Workers
-
Chapter 648 Foreign Commercial Motor Transportation
- Subchapter A General Provisions
- Subchapter B Border Commercial Zone
- Subchapter C Regulation of Operation of Foreign Commercial Motor Vehicles
A commercial truck driver must possess a Commercial Drivers' License, CDL, and the test is administered by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Below is a list of those locations:
Harris County Tax Assessor 1001 Preston Street Houston, TX 77002 (713) 368-2000 |
Houston Dacoma DPS 4545 Dacoma Houston, TX 77092 (713) 683-0541 |
Houston Tidwell DPS 8825 Tidwell Houston, TX 77078 (713) 633-9872 |
Houston Winkler DPS 9206 Winkler Drive Houston, TX 77017 (713) 943-0631 |
Houston Townhurst DPS 1601 Townhurst Houston, TX 77043 (713) 465-8462 |
Tractor Trailer Trucking Injury Attorneys in Houston serve:
Clients throughout Southeastern Texas, including Aldine, Baytown, Bellaire, Beaumont, Channelview, Cloverleaf, Conroe, Deer Park, Friendswood, Galena Park, Galveston, Hedwig Village, Highlands, Hilshire Village, Humble, Jacinto City, Katy, League City, Magnolia, Mission Bend, Missouri City, Pasadena, Pearland, Porter, Sealy, South Houston, Spring Valley, Stafford, The Meadows, The Woodlands, Waller, West University, and other communities in Fort Bend County, Harris County, and Montgomery County.
Houston FELA Railroad Injury Attorneys | Harris County FELA Railroad Injury Lawsuit
At the dawn of the 20th century, railroad workers were experiencing an alarming rate of personal injury and death. Due to public outcry, Congress passed the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA), in 1908 to protect and compensate railroad workers and their families for both personal injury and wrongful death claims resulting from railroad-related accidents. FELA is a federal statute that now protects railroad workers not only in Houston, Texas, but also in railroad injury accidents across the nation.
As a general matter, FELA provides compensation to railroad workers injured on the job. Unlike general worker’s compensation claims, which are generally “no fault,” FELA establishes a fault-based system in which the injured worker must show that the employer was negligent. Thus, the injured worker must generally prove that the railroad failed to provide a safe workplace. However, there are special areas in FELA that act like strict liability – for example, where a defective object or condition at the workplace injures someone on the job. Significantly, there is no monetary cap placed on the amount of compensation granted to railroad injury victims under FELA. Houston railroad injury attorneys and Harris County railroad injury attorneys represent a variety of different railroad workers in Houston, Texas railroad injury claims, providing them with quality legal services and getting them the compensation they deserve.
What types of railroad injury victims can a Houston Railroad Injury Attorney help?
All types of railway workers come under FELA’s compensation scheme, including:
- Engineers
- Maintenance of way workers
- Brakemen
- Firemen
- Switchmen
- Welders
- Maintenance workers
- Mechanics
- Conductors
- Signalmen
- Yardmasters
- Other railroad workers
Houston railroad injuries occur every day, and if you or a loved one has been injured or killed while working for a railroad in any of these capacities, don’t hesitate to contact a Houston FELA attorney regarding your claim for legal compensation and damages.
Houston FELA attorneys and other Harris County FELA attorneys can help you pursue a claim for railroad workers’ compensation if you have been injured in any of these ways. Houston FELA lawyers can assist injured employees of any Houston area railway and, notably, can assist injured workers in a lawsuit stemming from a Houston Union Pacific Railroad injury or Harris County Burlington Northern & Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad injury.
What must a Houston railroad worker prove to maintain a successful FELA action?
An injury victim, whether in Houston, TX, Harris County, or anywhere else in the country, must meet three basic requirements to recover damages under FELA’s compensation scheme. The Houston FELA attorney must show:
- The accident happened in the course and scope of employment for the railroad.
- The railroad must be engaged in "interstate commerce"; and
- The railroad company must have caused or contributed to the injuries sustained. The injured employee must prove negligence. "Negligence" can be from a co-worker and/or from a faulty piece of equipment.
Call a Houston FELA lawyer today for help pursuing your claim.
Keep in mind that recovery under FELA is granted instead of recovery under Texas state workers’ compensation statutes, and no double recovery is permitted. FELA allows monetary payouts for pain and suffering, decided by juries based on comparative negligence rather than according to a pre-determined benefits schedule, such as that used in ordinary workers’ compensation cases. For more information on personal injury damages generally, visit our Damages page. An Houston FELA attorney will be able to explain what types of compensation you may be entitled to and get you the maximum recovery possible.
How long do you have to file a claim under FELA? What is the applicable Statute of Limitations for Texas railroad injuries?
FELA places a time limitation on the filling of claims that dates three (3) years from the date of the accident/injury. The time period as to when the statute of limitations begin to run is a question in cumulative injury claims so it is always best to immediately seek a lawyer when you first think your aches and pains are work related.
Are Houston and Harris County, Texas, railroad workers eligible for any other type of compensation?
One way you might be entitled to additional compensation is through the United States Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), which is a co-equal agency to the Social Security Administration (SSA), and is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois at 844 N. Rush Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611. For more information regarding railroad disability benefits through the RRB, consult the U.S Railroad Retirement Board’s website.
Railroad Union Attorneys and Designated Legal counsel "DLC"
There is an active set of unions in the rail industry. Just some of the unions are:
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers or BLE | ||
The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees or BMWE | ||
The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalman or BRS |
The unions have a process of selecting lawyers to be what is called "DLC". If you are hurt, you do not have to employ a DLC union counsel. You should select an attorney that you believe will work hard for you and your family. Sometimes, union members will try to persuade you to employ only DLC. If you like the DLC, then employ them. But if you like a non DLC Houston. Texas railroad injury attorney, employ them. Just get someone that is a competent and hard working FELA attorney on your side. Recently, the BLE announced that is was no longer going to use the DLC process.
In Texas, the Union Pacific Railroad is extremely active and maintains its Texas headquarters in downtown Houston. Additionally, the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) is another national railway that is headquartered in Ft. Worth, Texas. Contact information for these and other railroads’ Texas headquarters are as follows:
Union Pacific Railroad 402 Harrington Street Houston, Texas 77009 (713) 227-2982 BNSF Railway 2650 Lou Menk Drive Forth Worth, Texas 76131 (817) 352-1000 |
Houston Amtrak 902 Washington Avenue Houston, Texas 77002 (713) 224-1577 Port Terminal Railroad Association 8934 Manchester Street Houston, Texas (713) 393-6500 |
Houston railroad accident attorneys serve Houston and surrounding cities
Serving clients throughout Southeastern Texas, including Aldine, Baytown, Bellaire, Beaumont, Channelview, Cloverleaf, Conroe, Deer Park, Friendswood, Galena Park, Galveston, Hedwig Village, Highlands, Hilshire Village, Humble, Jacinto City, Katy, League City, Magnolia, Mission Bend, Missouri City, Pasadena, Pearland, Porter, Sealy, South Houston, Spring Valley, Stafford, The Meadows, The Woodlands, Waller, West University, and other communities in Fort Bend County, Harris County, and Montgomery County.