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A serious accident can change a person’s life in seconds. The physical injuries are often only the beginning. Someone who was working, supporting a family and living independently can suddenly find themselves dealing with surgery, rehabilitation, chronic pain, lost income and questions about whether they will ever return to the life they had before.
For people facing that kind of situation, choosing the right attorney can matter enormously.
Houston personal injury firm Smith & Hassler has been recognized by Law.com LawyerPages for its work advocating for injured people and victims whose injuries have resulted in serious or lasting limitations.
The recognition is especially meaningful because representing someone after a catastrophic injury involves much more than resolving an insurance claim. A lawyer needs to understand what the injury actually means for that person’s future.
When people hear the words personal injury case, they often think about hospital bills and the immediate cost of medical care.
Serious injuries can create much larger problems.
A person may be unable to work for months. Some people cannot return to the same occupation at all. Others require physical therapy, occupational therapy, mobility assistance, additional medical procedures or help completing everyday activities.
Traumatic brain injuries can affect memory, concentration and emotional regulation. Spinal injuries can affect mobility. Serious orthopedic injuries can make jobs that require lifting, standing or physical labor impossible.
Even an injury that is not considered permanent can disrupt someone’s life for a year or longer.
That is why experienced trial attorneys look beyond the first medical bill. They consider how an injury affects employment, independence, family responsibilities and quality of life.
Smith & Hassler’s personal injury attorneys represent people in Houston and throughout Texas who have been injured because of another person’s negligence.
Smith & Hassler was founded in Houston in 1989 by attorneys Michael Smith and Albert Hassler.
For Albert Hassler, representing injured families also has a deeply personal connection. His sister was killed in a truck accident involving an overweight commercial vehicle in 1988. He went on to become Board Certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
Hassler has also been recognized by the Texas Head Injury Foundation for his work involving people who sustained head injuries.
That experience is particularly relevant for families dealing with traumatic brain injuries and other conditions that may not always be visible.
Someone can look physically healthy while struggling with headaches, memory problems, fatigue, concentration difficulties or emotional changes that make returning to work and normal life extremely difficult.
Understanding those consequences can be critical when presenting an injury case.
Most personal injury claims do not ultimately go before a jury.
That does not make trial experience unimportant.
Insurance companies evaluate risk. They know which attorneys routinely settle cases and which attorneys are prepared to continue litigation when a fair resolution cannot be reached.
A trial attorney must be prepared to investigate the accident, obtain evidence, work with medical professionals and other experts, document financial losses and explain the long term consequences of an injury in a way that a jury can understand.
For a person facing a disabling injury, those future consequences may represent a significant portion of the case.
The question is not simply what happened on the day of the accident.
The larger question is what the accident changed.
The period following a serious injury can be one of the most uncertain times in a person’s life.
There are medical appointments to manage. Bills continue arriving. Employers want to know when someone is coming back to work. Insurance companies request statements and documents. Families may suddenly find themselves taking on caregiving responsibilities they never expected.
Good legal representation cannot undo an injury.
It can help remove some of the financial and legal pressure while the injured person focuses on recovery.
That commitment to representing injured people is why Smith & Hassler received recognition from Law.com LawyerPages for its advocacy on behalf of personal injury clients.
For Texans whose accidents have resulted in significant injuries, disabilities or major disruptions to their lives, experienced legal guidance can provide an important first step toward understanding their rights and their options.
Readers can learn more about Smith & Hassler and its Houston personal injury practice.
This article is provided for general informational purposes and is not legal advice.