Accidents are a tragic but unavoidable part of life. No matter how careful you are, unfortunately, no one is immune to serious and even life-endangering harm caused by the negligence of others.
When you are hurt because someone else fails to act reasonably or responsibly, the party at fault deserves to be held accountable for the damage they’ve caused.
A personal injury lawsuit offers injured victims of negligence the opportunity to hold responsible parties accountable and recover compensation for their losses.
If you or a loved one has been harmed at another’s hands, an experienced personal injury lawyer in Pasadena, TX, can help you get the justice you deserve.
At Kolodny Law Firm, our personal injury attorneys are award-winning advocates dedicated to a simple mission: standing up for the unjustly injured residents of Harris County.
With years of litigation experience and a strong commitment to client relationships, we’re prepared to help you get your life back on track after a devastating accident.
Why Hire a Pasadena Personal Injury Lawyer?
If you’re a Pasadena resident, there are several advantages to hiring a personal injury lawyer close to home. Some of these benefits include:
- Awareness of local laws—a Pasadena lawyer understands how the city’s ordinances and procedures interact with state law and can impact your case;
- Knowledge of Pasadena-specific hazards—a local attorney has experience with cases involving nearby industries like oil refining, chemical processing, and shipping;
- Experience with Pasadena courts—a local attorney has strategic knowledge of the judges and other legal representatives who your case could face;
- Relationships with local experts—a skilled Pasadena attorney has a network of trusted experts (e.g., physicians, accident reconstructionists) whose testimony can support your case;
- Familiarity with medical and community resources—a local lawyer can help you connect with specialized treatment facilities and support networks to help you throughout your recovery; and
- Accessibility—having an attorney near your home can make it easier to arrange in-person consultations and maintain consistent communication.
Overall, a Pasadena-based attorney has valuable local insights, experience, and knowledge to help you build a strong case.
Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Pasadena
Our law firm serves Harris County residents who the negligence of others has harmed in a variety of different situations.
Car Accidents
Even minor car accidents can result in serious, life-altering injuries that require expensive and long-term medical treatment.
When you suffer these injuries through no fault of your own, we can help you hold the responsible party accountable. Our attorneys can fight for your right to recover compensation for medical expenses and other losses caused by someone else’s mistakes on the road.
Truck and Delivery Accidents
Crashes involving trucks are often far more devastating and deadly than those involving passenger cars. Truck and commercial delivery drivers have a responsibility to operate their vehicles safely. However, faulty brakes, overloaded vehicles, and driver fatigue can too easily lead to tragedy on the road.
The attorneys at Kolodny Law Firm will hold reckless truck operators and negligent companies to account for the consequences of their oversights.
Slip and Fall Accidents
Property owners have a duty to protect the public from foreseeable hazards and risks. When you trip and suffer injury due to poor property maintenance, you don’t deserve to bear the cost of the owner’s carelessness. Our lawyers can help ensure negligent property owners compensate victims of avoidable slip and fall accidents for medical expenses and other losses.
Railroad Accidents
Texas railroad workers injured on the job have the right to hold an employer responsible for hazardous working conditions. Our Pasadena personal injury law firm can help you build a case for fair compensation and avoid injury-related medical debt.
Maritime Accidents
Our attorneys are trained in maritime law and prepared to help victims navigate a variety of different maritime injury claims, including:
- Boat accidents,
- Commercial diving accidents,
- Jack-up rig accidents,
- Maritime piracy,
- Offshore accidents,
- Oil rig accidents, and
- Longshoreman and Harbor Workers’ Act claims.
Whether your injury was work-related or recreational, Kolodny Law Firm has the experience to guide you to fair compensation for your suffering.
Local Medical and Emergency Resources for Pasadena, Texas Accident & Injury Victims
When you suffer a catastrophic injury, the difference of a few minutes can change the course of your life. Pasadena residents have access to several local medical resources to help in their time of need.
The city is home to several hospitals and urgent care clinics, including:
- HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast,
- St. Luke’s Health – Patient’s Medical Center,
- NextCare Urgent Care,
- Next Level Urgent Care,
- MedExpress Urgent Care, and
- Neighbors Emergency Center.
Other essential services in Pasadena include:
- Pasadena Police Department,
- Pasadena Fire Department,
- Pasadena Emergency Management Department,
- Acadian Ambulance Service, and
- Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Remember: if you or someone else is injured or in danger, always call 911 immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Types of Cases Are Considered Personal Injury Cases?
Personal injury cases involve situations when someone is harmed mentally or physically by another person’s negligence. A personal injury claim is a civil process separate from criminal charges. It allows an injured person to hold someone legally accountable for reckless or irresponsible behavior that harmed them.
Personal injury cases can include vehicle accidents, work accidents, medical malpractice, defective products, wrongful death, and other catastrophic injuries caused by another’s disregard for safety.
What Do I Need to Prove to Win a Personal Injury Case?
To win a personal injury case, you must prove that someone (the defendant) acted negligently. There are four legal elements involved in proving negligence:
- Duty. The defendant had a duty of care not to cause harm to others. For example, all drivers have a duty to follow traffic laws and take reasonable safety precautions.
- Breach. The defendant failed to fulfill their duty through their actions or inactions. For a driver, a breach of duty could involve speeding recklessly during bad weather.
- Causation. The defendant’s breach of duty directly caused your injury. For instance, if you suffer whiplash because a driver who’s texting and distracted rear-ended you.
- Damages. You suffered physical or mental harm as a result. Harm from a car accident can include medical expenses for treating your injury, repair costs for your vehicle, and emotional distress you suffer while recovering from the crash.
Personal injury lawyers are trained to prove these four elements using a combination of physical evidence, police reports, medical records, witness testimony, and other relevant documents from an accident scene.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Pasadena?
Victims in Harris County generally have up to two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. In legal terms, this deadline is called a statute of limitations.
The statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits is measured from your injury date or, in some cases, the date you discovered your injury. However, Texas law may allow you to extend the deadline in certain situations, such as cases involving minors or mentally incapacitated individuals.
What Types of Damages Can I Recover in a Personal Injury Case?
In personal injury cases, plaintiffs can recover economic and noneconomic damages, also known as compensatory damages. These damages aim to help the injured plaintiff recover from the harm they suffered.
Economic damages can include compensation for the financial toll of the injury, such as:
- Medical expenses—hospital bills, medication, physical therapy, medical equipment;
- Property damage—vehicle repair or compensation for other possessions damaged due to another’s negligence;
- Missing income—wages lost while unable to work because of injury, lost benefits, reduced earning capacity due to a debilitating injury; and
- Out-of-pocket expenses—other costs associated with the injury, such as home accessibility alterations or travel to receive treatment.
Noneconomic damages may account for losses that are more difficult to measure, including:
- Pain and suffering,
- Emotional distress,
- Loss of enjoyment of life,
- Disfigurement, and
- Permanent disability.
Under certain instances, plaintiffs may also recover punitive damages. As the name suggests, these damages aim to punish the at-fault party for their negligence. They’re reserved for cases when someone acts with extreme or intentional disregard for another’s safety.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Personal Injury Case?
Personal injury claims are complex legal matters. Even cases where someone seems obviously at fault can become complicated and require significant effort. Most people lack the legal training and negotiation skills to reach a positive outcome alone. This is all the more true if your case involves:
- Debilitating injuries,
- Long-term damages,
- Multiple parties,
- Shared fault, and
- Complex or disputed evidence.
Generally, it’s in your best interest to hire a lawyer to lead your personal injury case.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Pasadena?
Many personal injury lawyers in Pasadena work on a contingency fee basis. They don’t charge clients any fees upfront. Lawyers who work on contingency fees only receive payment if they win a case and can recover damages for a client.
Although most personal injury firms operate this way, some may have alternate billing policies. Additionally, some firms that bill on a contingency basis may charge fees for other services, such as initial consultations. Understanding a law firm’s billing policies is important before agreeing to work with them.
At Kolodny Law Firm, initial consultations are free for all clients. If you choose to work with us, our contingency fee policy ensures you don’t pay unless we win your case.
What If the Other Party’s Insurance Company Offers Me a Settlement?
Never sign a settlement offer without first consulting with a lawyer. We understand that when you’re facing mounting medical and other bills after an injury, an insurance company’s offer of fast compensation seems promising. However, it’s essential to understand that an insurer does not have your best interests in mind.
An insurance company aims to resolve a claim quickly and cheaply. Their initial offer is often an amount far lower than you deserve. If you want to consider a settlement, always have an attorney review it first. A personal injury lawyer is the best resource to accurately assess your claim’s value.
What If I Can’t Afford Medical Treatment for My Injuries?
You still have options if you don’t have health insurance or can’t afford treatment. A qualified personal injury lawyer in Pasadena, TX, can help you work with a healthcare provider to receive treatment on a lien basis.
A medical lien allows you to get the care you need now, regardless of your financial or insurance situation. Instead, the payment is delayed until after your case is resolved. The cost of your treatment is then deducted from the amount of your personal injury settlement or verdict.
What If the At-Fault Party Doesn’t Have Insurance?
There are alternative ways you can receive compensation for your injuries when the person at fault lacks insurance coverage.
Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) allows injured drivers to file a claim with their own insurance company to recover compensation after a crash.
This kind of coverage gives you relief from the burden of mounting bills when the driver at fault doesn’t have car insurance. It can also be valuable when an at-fault driver’s insurance coverage isn’t enough to fully cover the losses you suffered in the crash.
Plaintiffs can also pursue a legal claim directly against the at-fault driver. If your lawsuit is successful, you can collect the amount owed from their assets.
How Long Does a Personal Injury Lawsuit Take in Pasadena, Texas?
The length of a personal injury lawsuit can vary widely depending on the circumstances of the case, including how complex the issue is, the severity of damages, and whether or not it goes to trial. Here’s a general overview of how the process and timeline involved:
- Filing. Your attorney files a formal complaint against the defendant to start the lawsuit. They have around a month to respond when you serve them with the complaint.
- Discovery. Each side gathers evidence, witness testimony, and information. This important and often time-consuming process can take six months to a year or more.
- Pre-trial discussions. Both parties file motions and discuss alternate ways to resolve the case, such as settlement. These negotiations can take several months.
- Trial. If you cannot reach a settlement, each side will present evidence and arguments in court. A trial can last from a few days to several weeks.
- Appeals. After a verdict, either side can appeal to challenge the judge’s decision, potentially adding months or years to the timeline.
- Resolution. The defendant or their insurer pays out the amount required, which can take weeks or months.
Be aware: no two personal injury cases are exactly alike. Some cases can wrap up in a few months, while others could stretch out for years.
Can I Still File a Personal Injury Lawsuit If the Accident Happened on Someone Else’s Property?
Yes. You can file a personal injury lawsuit if a property owner fails to maintain a safe environment and you experience harm. This is called a premises liability case.
If a property owner was negligent in upkeep or correcting safety hazards, Texas law allows you to hold them legally responsible for injuries you sustained from their carelessness. Cases involving slip and fall injuries, dog bites, and falling objects are all premises liability cases.
Kolodny Law Firm: Your Pasadena Personal Injury Lawyers
At Kolodny Law Firm, you shouldn’t have to bear the cost of someone else’s mistakes. Taking action can’t erase the devastating impact of a catastrophic accident. But it can be a step toward the financial and emotional relief that can allow you to put your life back together.
If you or a loved one is suffering because of someone’s negligence, contact Kolodny Law Firm. Our attorneys are dedicated and aggressive advocates who know Harris County and are proud to serve its people. Call our office to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation today.