Personal injury lawyers in Houston

Most Texas injury suits must be filed within two years after the day the claim accrues, and wrongful death suits within two years of the death. For someone under 18 when the claim arose, the years as a minor generally don't count toward that period, though health care claims follow their own rule.

Health care claims have their own rules: written notice at least 60 days before suit, filing generally within two years, and an absolute 10-year limit. In a health care liability claim, noneconomic damages against physicians and providers are capped at $250,000 per claimant, with separate caps for institutions.

Claims involving a Houston city vehicle or property

For claims against a governmental unit under the Tort Claims Act, damages are capped at $250,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence for the state and cities, and $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence for other local governments. If a city truck, bus or sidewalk was involved, ask a lawyer about the notice deadline in your first call.

Fault is shared in Texas. A claimant found more than 50 percent responsible can't recover, and otherwise damages are reduced by their own share. A defendant found more than 50 percent responsible becomes jointly and severally liable. These are general rules with exceptions; confirm how they apply to your facts with a licensed Texas lawyer.

A contingent fee contract with a Texas lawyer must be in writing and signed by both of you. It must state how the fee is calculated, any different percentages for settlement, trial or appeal, and which expenses are deducted and when. Read the expense section as closely as the percentage, since it decides what reaches you after a settlement.

Ads offering contingent fees must say whether you'll owe other expenses, such as litigation costs. For hourly work, the State Bar reported a 2025 median rate of $368 for full-time private practitioners statewide and $377 in the Houston metro.

No lawyer can promise a result, and a contract that guarantees an outcome is a reason to leave. The full Texas guide to fees and attorney checks is on the Texas attorneys guide.

Every Texas-licensed lawyer appears in the State Bar's Find a Lawyer directory, which you can filter by board certification and languages spoken, and the Bar lets you view a lawyer's disciplinary history. Board certification in Personal Injury Trial Law comes from the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and only lawyers certified by that board, or by a group it accredits, may advertise as 'Board Certified'.

Solicitation rules after a Houston accident

Texas generally bars lawyers from sending written injury or wrongful death solicitations before the 31st day after the accident. Lawyers generally can't solicit you in person or by live phone, social media or other electronic contact, and solicitation mail must be marked 'ADVERTISEMENT'.

Barratry, such as paying someone to solicit clients, is a third-degree felony. A client whose contract came from barratry can void it and recover fees paid plus a $10,000 penalty, and someone solicited illegally who didn't sign can sue for $50,000. Grievances go on the State Bar's current form, effective October 1, 2025, which can be filed online.

Civil district court cases for Houston are filed with the Harris County District Clerk's Civil Intake at the Civil Courthouse, 201 Caroline, 1st Floor, Suite 110 (832-927-5600). You can follow a filed case there by its cause number.

The Houston Lawyer Referral Service covers Harris, Montgomery, Fort Bend, Brazoria and Galveston counties. The State Bar's statewide service, (800) 252-9690, sends Harris County callers to their local certified referral service. TexasLawHelp.org has free self-help guides and a legal aid directory. Use these to find a lawyer, then confirm your deadline and options with that licensed Texas lawyer.

Nearby, see lawyers in Pasadena or lawyers in Pearland. The Houston local guide covers city services and the county offices.