Living with a traumatic brain injury can completely change your life. Between rehabilitation, medical bills, lost wages from being unable to work, and struggling with daily tasks that once came easily, it can feel totally overwhelming. You deserve justice. And the right brain injury lawyer can help you get the maximum compensation to cover all your needs.
But finding the right lawyer for your complex case takes research and discernment. You want someone experienced, respected, and laser-focused on getting clients like you the money you require and rightfully deserve. While you’re recovering, though, conducting a job search-style vetting process for lawyers is probably the last thing you want to deal with.
So, how do you go about finding and selecting that brain injury legal advocate who will fight tirelessly for you? Follow this 12-step guide to learn the most critical actions you should take to find the best brain injury lawyer in Houston.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Look for Years of Relevant Experience
The first thing you want to look for in a potential lawyer is extensive experience specifically handling traumatic brain injury (TBI) and personal injury cases—the more years, the better. This experience gives them deeper insight into the complexities of TBIs, keeps them up-to-date on the latest medical expertise and research, and makes them better equipped to build a rock-solid case on your behalf.
Ideally, the lawyer you choose should have at least 8-10 years of focus in TBI-related law. This level of specialty and commitment indicates they truly understand the unique situations and needs of brain injury survivors.
Step 2: Verify Special Accreditations
Along with raw experience, confirming any special accreditations held by lawyers on your shortlist is key. Many associations and legal groups administer intensive exams and certification processes that recognize leading practitioners.
Check that your potential lawyer has achieved accreditations like:
- Board certification in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
- Membership in the Texas Trial Lawyers Association or Brain Injury Association of Texas
- Inclusion in Best Lawyers’ list recognizing outstanding attorneys
- A perfect 10.0 “Superb” Rating on Avvo for personal injury law
- An AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell (their highest skill and ethics rating)
These achievements validate the lawyer’s expertise and competence specifically in injury law—and that they have an outstanding reputation among clients and legal peers.
Step 3: Select Someone Who Specializes Only in Brain Injuries
Many personal injury firms take all types of injury cases—from car accidents to medical malpractice to slips and falls. And while having a diversified firm can benefit those lawyers financially, it doesn’t help you get the niche, laser-focused expert counsel you deserve.
Your best bet is finding a good lawyer and firm concentrating exclusively on brain injury cases. This specialty ensures complete mastery and familiarity with the medical terminology, insurer tactics, evidence needs, and more that arise in these complex cases. They eat, sleep, and breathe TBI law—allowing them to put their complete attention on charting the strongest path forward for your situation.
Step 4: Make Sure They Have Trial Experience
No one likes to imagine their settlement claim ending in a courtroom battle. But it is a possibility—especially with an aggressive insurance company trying to lowball an offer and dodge fully compensating you. This is why confirming your lawyer’s trial experience is critical.
Check credentials for:
- Number of jury verdicts and settlements obtained (higher is better)
- Win rate taking previous cases to trial
- Membership in an organization for trial lawyers, like the American Board of Trial Advocates
A proven record of fighting for clients in front of juries—and winning—gives you greater leverage in negotiations. Insurers know not to drag out cases against a trial-tested lawyer ready to go to battle in court if needed to get victims fair amounts. This can lead to faster, out-of-court resolutions with higher payouts.
Step 5: Select Someone Who Can Anticipate All Your Needs
Recuperating from a traumatic brain injury over months or years brings unexpected challenges—both medical and financial. From coordinating extensive therapy to major home modifications for accessibility issues, the monetary demands stack up quickly.
Choose a lawyer who anticipates all these present and future needs proactively. Their familiarity with TBIs should allow them to forecast needs that even you or your doctors haven’t fully predicted yet—enabling them to factor the total costs into a settlement demand. This ensures you get sufficient compensation both now and years down the road as new needs arise during your continued recovery.
Step 6: Find an Attorney Offering Free Case Evaluations
Before officially signing with a lawyer, make sure they offer free, no-obligation case evaluations. These consultations give you an opportunity to:
- Explain your unique situation
- Learn their approach and credentials
- Ask questions on experience, tactics, and more
- Gain insight into the potential value of your claim
Having this background gives you greater confidence in choosing the right legal partner. Don’t be afraid to schedule free consultations with multiple firms to assess which seems like the best fit.
Step 7: Align with a Firm Offering No Fees Unless You Win
The financial complexities stemming from a TBI are significant enough without the added stress of coming up with money to cover legal fees and expenses.
Prioritize lawyers working on a contingency fee basis. This structure means the firm only collects if they win money for you—removing pressure on you to fund ongoing legal help. Typical contingency fees range from 33% to 40% of the amount recovered. However, some firms offer even lower contingencies for extreme cases.
Always confirm fee structures upfront before formally retaining a lawyer to avoid surprise expenses down the road.
Step 8: Ask What Unique Resources They Offer
Beyond legal expertise, the right firm provides additional value in various forms—from informational materials to in-house experts. These extra resources at their disposal give you an advantage in achieving maximum compensation.
Inquire about capabilities like:
- In-house medical experts to strengthen your understanding of your injuries
- Economic analysts to accurately calculate damages and future medical costs
- Info guides helping you navigate the legal process and system
- Access to reputable healthcare providers to support your ongoing recovery
Take note of what unique offerings each firm touts as you weigh options—exclusive assets indicate better outcomes.
Step 9: Select an Attorney Who Makes You Feel Supported
This whole process already leaves you feeling vulnerable without adding interactions making it worse. Though you need an attorney ready to aggressively advocate, you also need one providing empathy, compassion, and respect.
Gauge how potential lawyers make you feel during initial calls and meetings. Notice if they:
- Listen more than talk
- Express genuine concern and reassurance
- Speak respectfully regarding your situation
- Avoid overwhelming with legal jargon
- Make you feel empowered, not judged
Having an attorney in your corner who builds you up emotionally–not just legally–makes the road ahead less daunting.
Step 10: Read Online Reviews Extensively
Speaking with lawyers directly obviously provides insight. But reading objective reviews from past clients offers the transparent, unfiltered perspective you need as well.
Finding the right lawyer for your case involves spending time researching online reviews covering:
- Overall professionalism, responsiveness, and availability
- Depth of knowledge around TBIs
- Skill advocating with insurers
- Success delivering on high compensation
- Level of compassion displayed
Ideally, look for consistent 5-star ratings and raving testimonials across multiple channels like Google, Facebook, Avvo, Justia, Yellow Pages, and more.
Step 11: Leverage Referrals from Trusted Sources
Referrals from those you trust hold significant weight also. Reach out to:
- Friends of friends who retained injury lawyers: Get firsthand stories on responsiveness and tactics.
- Local medical experts: Ask neurologists, physicians, or nurses specializing in brain rehabilitation for referrals on firms they routinely suggest to patients—and have seen get optimal results through the years.
- Brain health nonprofits: Many associations have close partnerships with law firms specialized in TBI cases and can provide guidance.
Getting numerous shining recommendations for the same firm or attorney helps confirm keeping them at the top of your list.
Step 12: Trust Your Gut Instinct
No amount of reading reviews or seeking referrals replaces your own human intuition. Once armed with all the insight above:
Listen to your gut instincts on who feels like the right match. Even if another firm looks great “on paper,” go with who you establish the strongest connection and trust with. This is someone you’ll share sensitive details with regularly over months or longer. Mutual confidence and rapport do influence how smoothly that goes.
You know best what environment and personality will make you feel supported during an already turbulent circumstance. Rely on that inner guidance as you choose the attorney to fight for the outcome you deserve.
Final Thoughts
Selecting the lawyer who will take on every insurer and challenge to get you maximum compensation takes diligence and discernment. But you needn’t handle this exhaustive process alone.
Now that you know the most critical actions to take, lean on loved ones to help with research and keep you accountable.
Stay focused on what matters most—your health and recovery. And trust that the right attorney for you is out there and discoverable with a commitment to finding them. Soon, you’ll have that expert, compassionate legal advocate in your corner, ready to relentlessly fight for the resources you need, now and in the years to come.
