A spinal cord injury doesn't just change your body. It changes your work, your home, your relationships, and what tomorrow looks like. When that injury happened because someone else was careless, the legal system offers a path to hold them accountable and pursue the resources you need going forward.
At Lorenz & Lorenz Accident & Injury Lawyers, our Waco spinal cord injury lawyers handle catastrophic injury claims throughout McLennan County and Central Texas. Ted Lorenz has worked exclusively in personal injury law since 2001, and he works directly with every client.
No handoffs, no junior associates. Call 254-662-4800 or 1-800-TELL-TED any time, day or night, for a free consultation. There's no fee unless we recover for you.
Why Spinal Cord Injury Claims Are Unlike Other Personal Injury Cases
Most injury claims involve costs that are largely visible within the first few months: medical bills, missed work, a recovery period. Spinal cord injury claims are different.
The costs extend for years, sometimes for a lifetime, and many of them won't appear in the first settlement offer the insurance company puts on the table.
A Waco spinal cord injury attorney builds a claim that reflects that full picture, not just what's measurable today.
The Long-Term Financial Reality of a Spinal Cord Injury
Depending on the location and severity of the injury, a person may face permanent limitations in mobility, function, or independence. That affects every area of life.
The expenses of ongoing care, medical equipment, home modifications, in-home assistance, and reduced or eliminated earning capacity can be substantial. None of those costs are automatically included in what an insurer offers.
We work with life care planners and economic professionals to project lifetime costs and make sure those projections are part of the claim we build on your behalf.
How Insurers Respond to Catastrophic Injury Claims
When the financial exposure is high, insurers act accordingly. You may hear from adjusters quickly, and early offers may feel significant. In spinal cord injury cases, they rarely reflect the actual long-term value of the claim. Accepting a settlement before the full scope of the injury is understood can close the door on compensation for costs that haven't yet appeared.
Having an attorney involved early changes that dynamic. We handle all communication with the insurance company and work to make sure your claim is evaluated on its actual merits.
What Working With Lorenz & Lorenz Actually Looks Like
Ted Lorenz built this firm in 2001 around a straightforward idea: injured people deserve direct access to their attorney, not a revolving door of staff members and case managers. That's how the firm has always operated.
When you hire Lorenz & Lorenz for a spinal cord injury claim, Ted works your case personally. You know who's handling your matter, you can reach us any time, and you're not left guessing where things stand.
What We Do From the First Call Forward
Spinal cord injury cases involve more moving parts than a standard injury claim. We start by gathering and preserving evidence of what caused the accident and who bears responsibility. From there, we build the medical and financial documentation that supports the full value of your claim.
That work includes coordinating with your medical team to understand the nature and extent of the injury, identifying all liable parties and applicable insurance coverage, and working with qualified experts to project lifetime care and economic losses.
Identifying Every Source of Recovery
Spinal cord injury cases sometimes involve more than one liable party. A commercial truck driver and the company that employed them. A contractor responsible for a dangerous road condition. An equipment manufacturer whose product failed. We review every potential avenue of recovery before a claim is filed.
We also work on contingency. Nothing is owed unless we recover for you.
Call 254-662-4800 for a free case review, 24/7.
Texas Laws and Deadlines for Spinal Cord Injury Claims
In Texas, the statute of limitations for a personal injury claim is generally two years from the date of the accident. Missing that deadline typically ends your right to pursue compensation, regardless of how serious the injury is. (Note: limited exceptions may apply. A licensed Texas attorney can advise you on the specific deadline that applies to your situation.)
In catastrophic injury cases, early legal involvement matters more than in most. Evidence is easier to gather when the accident is recent. Medical records are easier to connect to the cause of injury. The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to build the strongest possible case.
Texas Comparative Fault and Spinal Cord Injury Cases
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule, codified in the Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code, Chapter 33. Under this rule, you may still pursue compensation if you were partially at fault, as long as your share of responsibility does not exceed 50 percent. Your recovery may be reduced in proportion to your percentage of fault.
In high-value cases, insurers often push hard to assign fault to the injured party. It's a direct way to reduce what they owe. We work to establish a clear, well-documented account of what happened and who bears responsibility.
When More Than One Party Is Responsible
Accidents that cause spinal cord injuries often involve multiple parties. Commercial truck cases may implicate the driver, the trucking company, and maintenance contractors.
Road accidents may involve municipal entities responsible for dangerous conditions. Identifying every responsible party is part of what we do before a claim is filed.
What Compensation May Be Available for a Spinal Cord Injury in Waco
Spinal cord injury claims typically include both economic damages, meaning measurable financial losses, and non-economic damages, which reflect the broader impact on a person's life. The categories below represent what may be available depending on the facts of your case.
Potential compensation may include:
- Medical expenses, including emergency care, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, and all future treatment the injury requires
- Long-term care and support costs, including home health aides, medical equipment, and modifications to a home or vehicle
- Lost income and earning capacity, including wages missed during recovery and, where the injury affects the ability to work long-term, the projected value of future lost earnings
- Back, Pain and suffering, reflecting the physical limitations and chronic discomfort that often accompany serious spinal injuries
- Loss of enjoyment of life, where the injury has permanently changed the ability to participate in activities that were a normal part of daily life
The value of a spinal cord injury claim depends on the specific facts of your situation. There are no guaranteed outcomes, and any assessment of value requires a detailed look at your individual circumstances. That's what a free consultation is for.
Do I Have a Spinal Cord Injury Case in Waco?
You may have a viable claim if another party's negligence caused or contributed to your injury and that injury has resulted in measurable harm. Common accident types that lead to spinal cord injury claims in McLennan County include high-impact vehicle collisions, commercial truck crashes on I-35 or Highway 84, motorcycle accidents, and crashes caused by impaired or distracted drivers.
Complete and Incomplete Injuries: What the Distinction Means for Your Claim
Spinal cord injuries are generally classified as either complete, meaning total loss of function below the injury site, or incomplete, meaning some function remains. Both types can support significant personal injury claims.
The distinction matters legally because it helps establish the severity and permanence of the injury, which directly affects the scope of what can be pursued.
The location of the injury on the spine is also relevant. Injuries higher on the spinal column typically affect more of the body and carry greater long-term costs. These details need to be accurately documented and reflected in the claim.
When Permanent Disability Affects the Ability to Work
If a spinal cord injury permanently limits or eliminates a person's ability to earn a living, that loss of earning capacity is one of the most significant components of the claim. It requires expert analysis to project accurately, and it's an area where having the right legal support makes a meaningful difference.
Ready to find out where your situation stands? Call 254-662-4800. The consultation is free and there's no obligation.
Ask Lorenz & Lorenz
These are questions prospective clients often bring to the first conversation, the things typed into a search engine before picking up the phone.
Can I still file a claim if the spinal cord injury happened months ago?
Texas gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you're still within that window, you can pursue a claim. The sooner you start, the easier it is to gather evidence and build a strong case, but the two-year deadline is what controls your right to file.
What if the person who caused the accident doesn't have enough insurance to cover a spinal cord injury?
This is one of the most important questions in catastrophic injury cases. We review all potential sources of recovery, including your own underinsured motorist coverage, third-party liability when multiple parties are involved, and other applicable policies. Identifying every available source is part of the work we do before a claim is filed.
What if my family member suffered a spinal cord injury and can't speak for themselves?
In Texas, a family member or legal guardian may be able to pursue a claim on behalf of someone who is incapacitated. In cases of wrongful death, certain family members have the right to bring a claim. The specifics depend on the circumstances, and a free consultation can clarify what options may apply.
How long does a spinal cord injury case typically take to resolve?
Catastrophic injury cases often take longer than standard personal injury claims. Building an accurate picture of lifetime costs, negotiating with insurers who have significant financial exposure, and sometimes litigating when a fair resolution isn't reached all take time. We give every client an honest assessment of the timeline during the initial consultation.
FAQ for Waco Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer
Is there a deadline to file a spinal cord injury lawsuit in Texas?
Yes. Texas law generally requires that a personal injury lawsuit be filed within two years of the date of the accident. This deadline applies regardless of the severity of the injury. Missing it typically ends your right to pursue compensation in court. Speaking with an attorney promptly protects your ability to act.
How much does a spinal cord injury lawyer cost in Waco?
Our firm works on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront and nothing at all unless we recover compensation for you. There are no hourly charges and no out-of-pocket costs to get started. Your initial consultation is free.
Should I accept the insurance company's first offer after a spinal cord injury?
Reviewing any offer with an attorney before accepting is strongly advisable. Early offers in catastrophic injury cases frequently arrive before the full scope of long-term costs is clear, and accepting one typically releases the at-fault party from all future liability. Once signed, the settlement is final.
What if the accident involved a commercial truck on I-35?
Commercial truck accident claims often involve additional layers of liability beyond the driver, including the trucking company, cargo handlers, and maintenance contractors. Federal regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration also apply and may be relevant to how the claim is built. These cases benefit from early legal involvement to preserve evidence before it disappears.
Can a spinal cord injury claim include costs for home modifications or medical equipment?
Yes. The cost of modifying a home to accommodate a wheelchair, purchasing adaptive equipment, and arranging in-home assistance are all legitimate components of a spinal cord injury claim. These are long-term costs that need to be projected carefully and included in what is pursued before any settlement is finalized.
Resources
If you're navigating a spinal cord injury claim in Waco or McLennan County, these pages may also be helpful:
- Waco Car Accident Lawyer
- Waco Truck Accident Lawyer
- Waco Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
- Waco Personal Injury Lawyer
The Call That Changes the Direction of Things
A spinal cord injury reshapes what your life looks like. The legal claim around it should reflect that fully, not just what an insurance company is willing to put on paper in the first few weeks.
Ted Lorenz has spent more than two decades doing exactly this work. He didn't build this firm to process cases in bulk. He built it to fight for people who were seriously hurt and needed someone in their corner who would actually stay there.
If you or someone in your family has suffered a spinal cord injury in an accident, don't wait to find out where you stand. Call 254-662-4800 or 1-800-TELL-TED, any time of day or night. The consultation costs nothing. The fee comes only if we win.
The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws, deadlines, and legal standards referenced should be verified with a licensed Texas attorney for your specific situation.
Waco, TX 76710