San Antonio Permanent Injury Lawyers
San Antonio permanent injury lawyers handle serious injury cases involving catastrophic injuries that result in long-term functional damage, reduced earning, or permanent total disability. These claims often involve spine or brain damage, loss of use, dismemberment, paralysis, or chronic conditions caused by industrial accidents, medical negligence, or car accidents. Victims of permanent total disability or permanent partial disability face a lifetime of medical care, pain and suffering, and financial burdens. Our trial attorneys pursue maximum compensation through personal injury claims, disability benefits, workers’ compensation, and structured settlements. By identifying fault, calculating the full extent of damage, and taking cases to trial when necessary, we help clients secure the justice and compensation they need to move forward.
With more than 30 years of experience, our Texas personal injury board-certified permanent injury disability lawyers in San Antonio are committed to providing expert legal representation. We operate on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no fees unless we win your case. Contact us today for a free consultation by calling 210-366-4949 or filling out the online contact form.
What is Total and Permanent Disability in Texas?
The following typically qualify as permanent total disabilities in Texas:
- Quadriplegia
- Paraplegia
- Traumatic brain injury causing total cognitive dysfunction
- Total blindness in both eyes
- Total deafness with additional severe limitations
- Loss of use of both arms or both legs
- Burns covering a significant portion of the body
- Permanent loss of mobility with no functional ambulation
- End-stage body organ failure (e.g., heart, lungs, kidneys) with total functional loss
- Severe spinal cord injury with no neurological recovery
- Advanced neurological disease: Examples include: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Multiple Sclerosis (advanced progressive), Parkinson’s Disease (late-stage), Huntington’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease (advanced stage), Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS), Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), Multiple System Atrophy (MSA), Corticobasal Degeneration (CBD), Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), Lewy Body Dementia (LBD), Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD)
Our San Antonio permanent injury attorney team helps victims with permanent total disabilities by proving the full extent of damages, gathering evidence, and working with specialists to document the inability to return to work. We pursue personal injury cases to help clients with permanent total disabilities secure pay for current medical bills, future medical expenses, lost earning capacity, and lasting support needs. In some cases, we can coordinate social security disability benefits or workers’ compensation to secure every available resource for clients.
What Is Considered To Be A Permanent Injury in Texas?
Permanent injuries in Texas are those that cause lasting physical or cognitive disabilities even after reaching maximum medical improvement. These serious injuries are typically rated by medical professionals using the AMA Guides to assign a functional loss percentage. A sustained reduction in mobility, sensory, or cognitive function, or other injury that impacts daily living and employment capabilities qualifies as a permanent injury under Texas law.
Depending on the severity, some permanent injuries may be classified as eligible for social security disability benefits through the Social Security Administration, in addition to personal injury claims.
Texas Permanent Disability Examples
- Amputation (upper or lower limbs)
- Spinal cord injury (partial or complete)
- Traumatic brain injury with lasting symptoms
- Blindness in one eye
- Deafness in one ear
- Chronic pain disorder (e.g., CRPS)
- Bladder or bowel control dysfunction
- Permanent disfigurement or scarring
- Paralysis of a single limb
- Degenerative joint disease from trauma
- Internal organ damage (lung, liver, kidney) with reduced capacity
What is a Permanent Partial Disability in Texas?
The following generally qualify as partial disability in Texas:
- Loss of one hand, foot, or body part
- Partial blindness in one eye
- Deafness in one ear
- Dismemberment
- Limited range of motion in joints (e.g., knee, shoulder, spine)
- Facial paralysis
- Partial paralysis (hemiparesis or localized nerve damage)
- Fused vertebrae or spinal hardware with functional limitations
- Traumatic arthritis
- Chronic pain that limits specific physical activities
- Residual weakness or numbness from nerve injuries
- Spinal Stenosis with long-term limitations
What is a Temporary Disability in Texas?
These temporary total disabilities (TTD) prevent the person from working at all for a limited time:
- Broken leg or arm requiring full immobilization
- Post-surgical periods
- Concussion with cognitive rest requirements
- Torn ligaments necessitating surgery
- Burns needing hospitalization
- Whiplash with mobility restriction
- Back injuries requiring bed rest or therapy
- Temporary paralysis from spinal trauma
- Infection or illness with doctor-ordered absences from work
- Pregnancy-related complications (if job duties can’t be modified)
These temporary partial disabilities (TPD) allow limited or modified work duties while healing:
- Sprains or strains with restricted movement
- Minor fractures (e.g., finger, toe, rib)
- Tendonitis or repetitive motion injuries
- Mild concussions
- Post-surgical light-duty restrictions
- Soft tissue injuries with range-of-motion limits
- Minor herniated disc injuries treated non-surgically
- Controlled pain conditions allowing partial function
- Work-related fatigue syndromes with adjusted schedules
- Minor burns with limited use
These conditions may leave victims unable to perform work tasks and can be considered disabling under the Social Security Administration rules. If the temporary disability was the result of recklessness or negligence, a San Antonio permanent injury lawyer can evaluate medical reports, functional limitations, and the overall circumstances to determine if a person is entitled to compensation through Texas personal injury law.
Texas Mental Disability List
- Schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, delusional disorder, and psychotic disorders
- Bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, and recurrent mood disorders
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), panic disorder (with disabling symptoms), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Intellectual disability
- Borderline personality disorder
We’re often asked, “Is ADD or Autism a permanent disability”? The following mental injuries can also qualify in severe cases:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Social Anxiety Disorder (with functional limitations)
- Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) / ADHD (adult cases)
Medical Evaluation and Impairment Ratings For Chronic Pain Conditions and Catastrophic Injuries
Doctors use structured procedures to decide a rating based on lost function and medical expectations. These ratings help insurers, courts, and permanent injury disability lawyers in San Antonio.
Maximum Medical Improvement Rating Chart
MMI rating charts are commonly used in personal injury and workers’ comp cases. Ratings are determined based on the impairment percentage assigned by a treating doctor, often using the AMA Guides.
| Disability Rating (%) | Disability Classification | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 0% | No Lasting Effects | Full recovery, no residual limitations or long-term health consequences. |
| 1–10% | Mild Ongoing Limitations | Minor long-term restrictions, such as reduced flexibility or occasional pain. |
| 11–25% | Moderate Long-Term Disability | Persistent restrictions affecting physical activity, movement, or work capacity. |
| 26–50% | Severe Functional Loss | Major physical or cognitive limitations requiring accommodations or career change. |
| 51–99% | Near Total Disability | Extensive long-term damage with little remaining functional ability in key areas. |
| 100% | Permanent Total Disability | Complete loss of ability to work or live independently due to permanent conditions. |
| Varies | Temporary Partial Disability | Short-term limitations that allow some work while healing continues. |
Common Causes of Permanent Injuries in San Antonio
Truck and Car Accidents
Car accidents and other vehicle accidents are a common cause of permanent injuries in San Antonio, especially in high-impact events like head-on collisions. Victims often face complicated insurance claims and may struggle to receive compensation for medical costs, lost income, and long-term disability. The trial lawyers at our law firm provide car accident claims assistance in San Antonio and help passengers and drivers navigate the legal process. After serious car accidents caused by the recklessness or negligence of other drivers, we negotiate with insurance companies to maximize settlement offers in cases involving serious injuries and in other cases where liability or damages are disputed. Our attorneys work to ensure clients receive benefits that fully reflect their serious injuries.
Accidents On The Job
Common types of job-related accidents that frequently result in permanent injuries include:
- Falls from scaffolds, roofs, or other elevated work areas
- Crane collapses or dropped loads causing crush injuries in San Antonio
- Workplace electrocution from unsafe electrical systems
- Oilfield explosions, blowouts, and falls
- Construction injuries in San Antonio from tool malfunctions or unstable structures
- Amputations caused by unguarded machinery or pinch points
- Vehicle crashes involving work trucks
- Repetitive motion injuries (lasting joint or muscle damage)
- Slip and fall accidents resulting in lasting harm
- Heavy equipment rollovers or entrapment accidents
- Exposure to toxic chemicals causing lasting illnesses
Many job-related accidents result in permanent injuries that require legal action beyond standard workers’ compensation. San Antonio injured worker claims assistance is critical after work accidents, where injured workers suffer life-altering injuries that hinder them from reentering the workforce or living independently. When third-party negligence is involved, a personal injury lawsuit may be necessary to recover full compensation for medical costs, lost income, and permanent loss of function.
Medical Malpractice
Medical malpractice can cause permanent injuries when doctors don’t provide the accepted standard of care, resulting in life-altering injuries. Common types of malpractice that may lead to permanent injuries include surgical errors, anesthesia mistakes, delayed diagnosis, failure to treat, medication errors, and birth injuries caused by negligence in San Antonio. Misdiagnosis of serious conditions like stroke or infection can also result in irreversible damage. Most cases involving malpractice include brain damage, paralysis, failure of a vital body organ, or loss of function in limbs. Victims may require lifelong care, mobility assistance, or be permanently unable to return to work. Our San Antonio permanent injury disability lawyers provide medical malpractice lawsuit assistance to help recover compensation for medical costs, lost earning capacity, and chronic pain and suffering.
How To Get Permanent Disability Benefits in Texas
Permanent Total Disability Insurance Payout
Permanent total disability insurance claims should be filed when a person’s catastrophic injury leaves them unable to return to any type of work for the rest of their life. Filing should begin once a doctor confirms the disability is permanent and total, often supported by MMI evidence. A San Antonio permanent total disability lawyer can help ensure the permanent total disability claim is properly documented, challenge wrongful denials, and coordinate benefits from multiple sources. If the permanent total disability occurred on the job, workers’ compensation benefits may apply, but a personal injury lawsuit may be needed if a third party caused the worker’s accident or if the insurer fails to pay full benefits.
Permanent Disability Benefits
Permanent disability benefits are available to individuals who have sustained permanent injuries that reduce their ability to work, even if they are not totally disabled. These claims should be filed once medical treatment reaches maximum improvement and a doctor assigns an impairment rating. A lawyer can help injured individuals gather medical documentation, calculate future losses, and negotiate with insurers to secure fair compensation. If the injury happened at work, workers’ compensation may provide limited permanent disability benefits, but a personal injury lawsuit may be necessary to recover full damages from negligent third parties responsible for the injury.
Workers' Comp Permanent Disability Settlement
Injured workers should pursue workers’ compensation when the permanent injury occurred during the course of their job and the employer carries workers’ compensation coverage, as most workers’ comp cases cover medical treatment and a portion of lost wages regardless of fault. However, if the employee was injured because of someone other than the employer, the injured worker can file a third-party injury claim to recover full damages. Personal injury claims provide more compensation than workers’ compensation offers, especially for more severe injuries that permanently impact a person’s ability to work or remain in the workforce. An experienced San Antonio permanent injury attorney can help injured workers identify all liable parties and pursue the maximum available recovery.
Personal Injury Lawsuit For Maximum Compensation
Filing a personal injury lawsuit can be critical for obtaining maximum compensation after suffering a permanent injury. Unlike workers’ compensation, a lawsuit allows injured persons to seek damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future medical expenses. An experienced San Antonio permanent injury attorney can guide victims through the legal process, help prove negligence by the at-fault driver or party, and fight to ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve.
How a San Antonio Permanent Injury and Disability Lawyer Can Help
A San Antonio permanent injury disability lawyer helps by identifying all people and entities responsible, calculating the full scope of damages by determining the extent of their injuries, including economic damages and non-economic damages. Our knowledgeable attorneys provide legal representation, conducting skilled negotiations with insurance companies, challenging wrongful claim denials, and, if needed, taking the personal injury lawsuit to court to secure jury awards when settlement offers fall short of covering the permanent loss. By keeping clients informed and fighting on their behalf, a permanent injury and disability lawyer in San Antonio ensures that injured workers and accident victims receive the benefits and justice they deserve under Texas law through personal injury claims, structured settlements, workers’ compensation claims, and disability benefits.
Statute of Limitations For Texas Permanent Injury Claims
The deadline for personal injury cases is 2 years from the date the harm occurred. Medical malpractice have this same time frame, but state law allows for up to 10 years under the statue of repose for reasonable discovery. In birth-related cases, parents have 2 years to file, but children have until until their 20th birthday.
Contact a San Antonio Permanent Injury Attorney For a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has suffered a permanent injury in San Antonio, it is crucial to seek experienced legal help as soon as possible. A knowledgeable San Antonio permanent injury attorney can help with complex claims, protect your rights, and maximize settlements to get the benefits you deserve. Don’t face the challenges of recovery and legal disputes alone. To schedule a free consultation, call 210-366-4949 or contact our team online. Take the first step toward receiving benefits and justice.
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