No. We handle Austin burn injury cases on contingency — no fees unless we win compensation for you. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your case with our team.

You can still recover under Texas’s modified comparative-fault rule as long as you are not more than 50% responsible. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault — so 20% fault on a $500,000 award would leave you with $400,000.

No, Texas does not cap economic or non-economic damages in most ordinary burn injury cases. Caps apply primarily to medical malpractice claims and certain claims against governmental entities. Punitive damages are capped under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 41.008.

For major burns, ask EMS or your treating ER to transfer you to the Dell Seton Burn Center, the only American Burn Association–verified burn center serving Central Texas. Specialized treatment improves outcomes and creates strong medical documentation for your claim.

Defective product burns are filed as product liability claims under Texas CPRC Chapter 82 against the manufacturer, distributor, and/or retailer. Common examples include lithium-ion battery fires, exploding pressure cookers, faulty space heaters, and recalled appliances. Preserve the product — do not throw it away.

Yes, if your employer is a Texas workers’ compensation non-subscriber, you can sue them directly in civil court. Even subscriber employees can usually file a third-party lawsuit against an equipment manufacturer, property owner, or contractor whose negligence caused the burn.

You generally have two years from the date of injury under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 16.003. Claims against governmental entities have shorter notice deadlines — sometimes as little as six months. Talk to a lawyer immediately to protect your rights.

Burn injury case value depends on burn depth, total body surface area, medical costs, lost income, scarring, and emotional impact. Serious third-degree and fourth-degree burns regularly settle or verdict in the six- and seven-figure range, and catastrophic cases involving permanent disfigurement or wrongful death can exceed eight figures.

Strong TBI cases combine the medical record, advanced imaging when available, neuropsychological testing results, treating physician testimony, accident reconstruction, and “day-in-the-life” evidence from family members. An experienced brain injury attorney sends preservation letters early to lock down surveillance video, vehicle data, and incident reports before they disappear.

Our firm handles all brain injury cases on a contingency-fee basis — you pay nothing upfront and nothing at all unless we recover money for you. The initial consultation is free, and we cover the upfront costs of medical experts, imaging review, and accident reconstruction during the case.

Most brain injury cases settle before trial, but the best outcomes come from being prepared to try the case. Insurers raise settlement offers significantly when they see a plaintiff’s attorney is genuinely trial-ready. At Kelley Wolff Injury Attorneys, every TBI case is built for a Travis County jury from the first day.

Surviving spouses, children, and parents can pursue a Texas wrongful death claim for funeral and burial costs, lost financial support, lost companionship, and mental anguish. A separate survival action may also recover damages the deceased could have claimed before death.

Straightforward cases can resolve in six to twelve months, while moderate and severe TBI cases typically take eighteen months to two years or longer. The most important factor is reaching maximum medical improvement (MMI) — settling before doctors can fully evaluate long-term consequences almost always undervalues the case.

Yes. Parents or legal guardians can pursue a brain injury claim on behalf of a minor child. Texas tolls the statute of limitations for minors, meaning the two-year filing window typically does not start until the child turns 18. Pediatric TBI cases often involve substantial damages because the cost of lifetime care is calculated over many decades.

Most Texas TBI claims have no damage caps. The main exceptions are medical malpractice cases (non-economic damages capped at $250,000 per claimant and $500,000 overall under §74.301) and claims against government entities (capped at $250,000 per person under the Texas Tort Claims Act). Standard claims against private parties have no statutory ceiling.

Delayed symptoms are common in TBI cases and do not bar your claim. Subdural hematomas can develop slowly, post-concussion syndrome often emerges over weeks, and cognitive deficits may only become apparent when the injured person returns to work or school. The Texas discovery rule can extend the statute of limitations in these cases — but you should consult an attorney as soon as you connect the symptoms to the accident.

Yes. Standard CT scans miss most mild TBIs and many moderate ones. The CT is designed to detect bleeding and gross structural damage, not the microscopic axonal injury that causes most concussion symptoms. Advanced imaging (DTI, fMRI, MEG) and formal neuropsychological testing often reveal injuries that CT cannot.

There is no true average because brain injury settlements vary enormously based on severity, life expectancy, lost earning capacity, and available insurance. Mild TBI cases often resolve in the low- to mid-six figures. Moderate and severe TBI cases routinely reach seven and eight figures when supported by strong medical evidence and a trial-ready legal team.

Most Texas TBI lawsuits must be filed within two years of the injury under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §16.003. The discovery rule may extend this for delayed-onset injuries, minors generally have until their 20th birthday, and claims against government entities require notice within 180 days or less. Acting early is always the safer choice.

A traumatic brain injury is any disruption of normal brain function caused by an external force — a bump, blow, jolt, or penetrating object. TBIs are graded as mild, moderate, or severe based on the Glasgow Coma Scale and the duration of altered consciousness. Even mild TBIs (concussions) can produce permanent symptoms and qualify for compensation when caused by another party’s negligence.

Most spinal cord injury cases in Austin take one to three years to resolve, though some settle sooner and complex cases take longer. The timeline depends on how quickly the victim reaches maximum medical improvement, how many parties are involved, and whether the insurer is willing to negotiate in good faith.

You can still recover compensation in Texas if you are 50% or less at fault. Under Texas’s modified comparative negligence rule, your award is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. If you are more than 50% at fault, you recover nothing—which is why insurers work so hard to shift blame onto victims.

Nothing upfront. Kelley Wolff Injury Attorneys handles spinal cord injury cases on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. The initial case review is always free and confidential.

Most spinal cord injury cases settle before trial, but only when the law firm is fully prepared to try the case if necessary. Insurance companies pay full value when they believe the firm will go to court. Settling without that credibility almost always means accepting less than the case is worth.

Spinal cord injuries are proven through medical records, imaging studies (MRI, CT scans), the ASIA Impairment Scale grading, treating physician testimony, and expert reports from neurosurgeons, physiatrists, and life care planners. Accident reconstruction and biomechanical experts often establish how the injury occurred when liability is contested.

Yes, in most cases. If your employer carries Texas workers’ compensation, you can file a comp claim, and you may also pursue a third-party lawsuit against equipment manufacturers, subcontractors, or property owners. If your employer is a workers’ comp non-subscriber, you can sue your employer directly for negligence.

Paraplegia is paralysis of the legs and lower body, typically caused by injury to the thoracic, lumbar, or sacral spine. Quadriplegia (also called tetraplegia) is paralysis of all four limbs and the trunk, typically caused by cervical spinal cord injury. Quadriplegia generally requires significantly more lifetime care and produces larger legal claims.

No, Texas does not cap most economic or non-economic damages in standard spinal cord injury cases. Caps apply only in medical malpractice claims (non-economic damages limited to $250,000 per healthcare provider), claims against government entities ($250,000 per person), and on punitive damages. Most car, truck, premises, and product cases are not subject to these caps.

You generally have two years from the date of the injury under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003. Claims against government entities require notice within six months or less. The discovery rule and tolling for minors may extend this deadline in limited circumstances, but waiting is rarely a good idea because evidence and witnesses fade quickly.

There is no single average—spinal cord injury settlements in Texas range from several hundred thousand dollars to tens of millions depending on the severity of the injury, the victim’s age and earning history, available insurance limits, and the strength of the liability case. Quadriplegia cases involving young victims typically produce the largest verdicts because of the decades of future care involved.

Yes. Texas allows surviving spouses, children, and parents to file a wrongful death claim within two years of the date of death. The estate may also bring a survival action for the pain and medical expenses the victim experienced before passing. Learn more on our Austin wrongful death page.

Most catastrophic injury cases in Austin take one to three years to resolve, though some settle sooner and complex cases take longer. The timeline depends on how quickly the victim reaches maximum medical improvement, how many parties are involved, and whether the insurer is willing to negotiate in good faith or forces a trial.

Texas does not require all employers to carry workers’ compensation insurance. If your employer is a non-subscriber, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit directly. Even if workers’ comp applies, third parties—like equipment manufacturers, subcontractors, or property owners—may also be liable, opening additional recovery sources.

Nothing upfront. Kelley Wolff Injury Attorneys handles catastrophic injury cases on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. The initial consultation is always free and confidential.

Yes—the stakes are far too high to handle alone. Studies consistently show that catastrophic injury victims with attorneys recover significantly more than those who settle directly with insurers. These cases require expert witnesses, lien negotiation, future damages projections, and aggressive litigation strategy that insurance carriers respect.

You may still recover compensation in Texas as long as you are not more than 50% at fault. Under Texas’s modified comparative negligence rule, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurance companies often try to inflate the victim’s share of blame, which is why early legal involvement matters so much.

No, Texas does not cap most economic or non-economic damages in standard catastrophic injury cases. Caps do apply in medical malpractice claims (non-economic damages limited to $250,000 per healthcare provider), in claims against government entities ($250,000 per person), and on punitive damages. Most car, truck, workplace, and premises cases are not subject to these caps.

There is no fixed value—catastrophic injury cases range from hundreds of thousands to multiple millions of dollars depending on the injury, the victim’s age and earning history, available insurance coverage, and the strength of the liability case. A proper valuation requires medical experts, life care planners, and economists who can project decades of future loss.

You generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a catastrophic injury lawsuit in Texas under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 16.003. Claims against government entities require notice within six months or less. Limited exceptions—like the discovery rule and tolling for minors—may apply, but waiting is risky because evidence and witnesses fade quickly.

A catastrophic injury is a severe injury that causes permanent or long-term disability, disfigurement, or loss of function. Examples include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, amputations, severe burns, multiple fractures, and permanent vision or hearing loss. These injuries change a victim’s ability to work and live independently.

The value of a personal injury claim in Texas depends on several factors, including:

1. Medical Expenses – Past, current, and future costs for treatment, rehabilitation, and medications.

2. Lost Income – Wages you’ve lost due to the injury and any future earnings impacted by long-term effects.

3. Pain and Suffering – Compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of quality of life.

4. Property Damage – If applicable, repair or replacement costs for damaged property (e.g., a vehicle).

5. Disability or Disfigurement – Additional compensation may be awarded for permanent injuries.

6. Degree of Fault – Under Texas’ modified comparative negligence law, your compensation may be reduced if you’re found partially at fault.

To strengthen your personal injury claim in Texas, it’s important to take the following steps:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention – Get evaluated right away, even if injuries seem minor. Medical records serve as key evidence.

2. Report the Incident – Whether it’s a car crash, slip and fall, or dog bite, notify the appropriate authorities or property owner.

3. Document Everything – Take photos of your injuries, the accident scene, and any property damage. Collect witness information.

4. Avoid Talking to Insurance Adjusters Alone – Insurers may try to get you to settle quickly or say something that hurts your case.

5. Follow Medical Advice – Attend all follow-up appointments and treatments to show the seriousness of your injuries.

6. Consult a Personal Injury Attorney – A skilled lawyer like those at Kelley & Wolff can help gather evidence, prove liability, and negotiate for maximum compensation.

How Do Texas’ Negligence Laws Impact My Personal Injury Case?

Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means your compensation can be reduced if you’re found partially at fault for the accident. Under Texas law:

• You can recover damages only if you are 50% or less at fault.

• Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
  For example, if you’re awarded $100,000 but found 20% at fault, you would receive $80,000.

How Do I Prove Negligence in a Personal Injury Case?

To prove negligence in a personal injury case, you must establish four key elements:

1. Duty of Care – Show that the other party had a legal obligation to act with reasonable care (e.g., drivers must follow traffic laws).

2. Breach of Duty – Demonstrate that they failed to meet that duty (e.g., speeding, distracted driving, unsafe property conditions).

3. Causation – Prove that their actions directly caused your injuries.

4. Damages – Provide evidence of actual losses, such as medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering.

The timeline depends on the complexity of your case, the severity of your injuries, and whether the case settles or goes to trial. Some cases resolve in a few months, while others may take a year or more. At Kelley & Wolff, we work efficiently while ensuring your case is fully prepared for maximum compensation.

While you can file a claim on your own, having an experienced attorney can greatly improve your chances of receiving fair compensation. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts, and our team at Kelley & Wolff knows how to negotiate and fight back.

You may be able to recover damages for:

• Medical expenses (past and future)

• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity

• Pain and suffering

• Emotional distress

• Property damage

• Permanent disability or disfigurement

In Texas, the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is two years from the date of the accident or injury. It’s important to act quickly—delaying could result in losing your right to compensation.

A personal injury case arises when someone is hurt due to another party’s negligence or wrongful actions. This can include car accidents, dog bites, slip and falls, pedestrian injuries, and more. If your injuries were caused by someone else’s failure to act responsibly, you may have a valid claim.