Portland Brain Injury Attorney
Serving Portland, TX & San Patricio County Since 1992
A brain injury can alter the course of a life in seconds. If you or someone you love suffered a traumatic brain injury in an accident in Portland, Texas, the decisions you make in the weeks that follow can shape your recovery and your legal options. Brunkenhoefer, P.C. Injury Attorneys has represented brain injury victims across South Texas since 1992, recovering more than $300 million for clients across more than 2,000 cases. Every case is handled directly by trial attorneys Blake Brunkenhoefer and Michael Mathis. You won’t be passed off to a junior associate or a case manager.
Brain injuries are among the most medically complex and legally contested claims in personal injury law. Symptoms are often delayed, internal damage may not appear on standard imaging, and insurance companies routinely challenge the severity of the injury. Early legal guidance helps preserve evidence and protects your rights under Texas law before that evidence disappears.
Call us today at (361) 310-5299 or contact us online to schedule a consultation with a brain injury lawyer serving Portland, TX.
Brain Injury Claims in Portland, TX: How We Can Help
Brunkenhoefer, P.C. Injury Attorneys represents brain injury victims throughout Portland, Texas and the surrounding San Patricio County area. The sections below cover what to look for after an accident, why our firm is the right choice for your case, and the steps that protect your legal rights from day one.
Why Portland, TX Brain Injury Victims Choose Brunkenhoefer, P.C. Injury Attorneys
Since 1992, our firm has built its reputation in the same South Texas communities where our clients live and work. More than $300 million recovered across more than 2,000 cases reflects three decades of preparing every case as if it will go to trial. That preparation changes how insurance companies and opposing counsel approach negotiations because they know we’re ready to litigate.
Brain injury cases require a different level of medical and legal work than a standard personal injury claim. Insurance companies challenge TBI claims aggressively because many symptoms don’t appear on routine imaging. Our attorneys work with neurologists, neuropsychologists, and life-care planners to build the medical record that supports the value of your claim, including future care needs and long-term earning losses. Blake Brunkenhoefer’s membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and the Multimillion Dollar Advocates Forum, and the firm’s AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, reflect the caliber of advocacy we bring to these cases. Blake has also been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer for multiple years.
When you hire us, you work directly with Blake Brunkenhoefer or Michael Mathis throughout your case. No handoffs. Our contingency fee structure means you pay no fees unless we win.
What to Do After a Brain Injury in Portland, TX
Taking the right steps after a brain injury can protect your health and your legal rights under Texas law. If you or a loved one may have suffered a brain injury, take these steps:
- Seek immediate medical care, even if symptoms seem mild. TBI symptoms can be delayed by hours or days.
- Follow all treatment recommendations and attend every follow-up appointment. Gaps in treatment are used by insurers to minimize claims.
- Avoid strenuous physical or mental activity until cleared by a doctor.
- Document symptoms daily, including pain levels, behavioral changes, and cognitive difficulties.
- Keep copies of all medical records, bills, and prescriptions.
- Report the injury to the appropriate party, such as an employer, property owner, or insurance company.
- Avoid giving recorded statements to insurers without legal guidance.
- Preserve evidence from the accident scene, including photos and witness contact information.
- Consult a brain injury attorney in Portland, TX promptly to understand your legal options. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, most claimants have two years from the date of injury to file suit. Claims involving government entities may require formal written notice within six months under the Texas Tort Claims Act.
Common Symptoms of a Brain Injury
TBI symptoms aren’t always immediate. Delayed onset is common and doesn’t reduce the seriousness of the injury or the viability of a legal claim. Watch for these signs after any accident involving a blow or jolt to the head:
- Persistent headaches or migraines
- Loss of consciousness, even briefly
- Dizziness, balance problems, or difficulty walking
- Nausea or vomiting
- Confusion, disorientation, or trouble concentrating
- Memory loss or difficulty retaining new information
- Slurred speech or delayed responses
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Blurred vision or ringing in the ears
- Mood changes including irritability, anxiety, or depression
- Fatigue or changes in sleep patterns
- Seizures in severe cases
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below address what Portland, TX brain injury victims ask most often about the legal process, filing deadlines, and what to expect from a claim.
What Should I Do Right After a Brain Injury?
Seek immediate medical attention and follow your provider’s instructions closely. Contacting a Portland brain injury attorney early helps preserve crucial evidence and supports efforts to protect your rights under Texas law from the start.
How Long Do I Have to File a Brain Injury Claim in Texas?
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003 gives most claimants two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Exceptions apply for minors and for claims against government entities, which may require formal written notice within six months under the Texas Tort Claims Act. Consult with us promptly to avoid missing any deadline.
What Damages Can I Recover in a Texas Brain Injury Case?
Texas law allows recovery for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and physical impairment. In cases involving gross negligence, exemplary damages may also be available under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 41.008. We work to ensure every avenue for recovery is fully evaluated.
Should I Accept the Insurance Company’s Settlement Offer?
Early settlement offers rarely account for the full cost of a brain injury, including future care, long-term cognitive effects, and lost earning capacity. Before accepting any offer, speak with a brain injury attorney who can evaluate it against the complete picture of your damages.
How Is Fault Determined in a Texas Brain Injury Case?
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 33.001. You can recover compensation as long as you’re found 50% or less at fault. If assigned more than 50% of the fault, recovery is barred entirely. Insurance companies frequently attempt to shift fault onto injured parties to limit their payout obligations.
How Much Is a Brain Injury Case Worth?
Case value depends on injury severity, long-term care needs, lost income, and available insurance coverage. Each case is evaluated on its own facts. We don’t offer generic estimates because a TBI requiring lifelong care and a concussion with full recovery are legally and financially different claims.
Our FAQ
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Should I just take the money the insurance company offers me?
There are many cases in which this is the best course of action. For one, if you were not badly injured or weren’t injured at all and your car has minimal damage, you might not want or need to seek further damages, especially when that can take months. However, if an insurance company makes a low first offer, then you may want to consult an attorney who can give you an accurate estimate of the worth of your accident. If they refuse to offer more than an initial settlement and you need more than that to recover, an attorney at your side could help you get all that you need.
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Why do I need to hire an attorney?
While there are many methods to receive compensation without an attorney, time and time again we find that insurance settlements offer far too little for our clients to recover and fighting a legal battle is often too complex for many people to take on themselves. If you had minimal damage to your car and were not hurt, then you probably don’t need an attorney. However, insurance companies and the responsible party will try many tactics when avoiding paying you for your suffering. With an experienced attorney, you can fight to receive every penny you need to recover.
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How much is my case worth?
This question can be difficult to answer on a broad scale because of the absolutely unique nature of your accident. However, the types of compensation you can seek can be fairly similar, from case to case. For one, you can seek damages for any kind of medical bills you incurred, or lost wages from the time you had to spend away from work while recovering. If the accident left you unable to work, you can seek compensation for loss of future wages. If you foresee needing physical or emotional therapy, the estimated amount can also be sought. And there is more than just monetary losses: compensation for your emotional suffering and pain may be sought as well.
Why choose our firm our unique approach sets us apart from other firms
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Trial-Tested & ReadyWe prepare every case as if it's going to trial.
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Accessibility RedefinedWe believe in open communication and responsiveness. You can contact your attorney 24/7.
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Client-Centered ApproachYour needs and well-being are at the forefront of everything we do.
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Embracing TechnologyWe leverage technology to enhance your experience.
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Champions of Diversity in South TexasWe are committed to advocating for all individuals, regardless of their background.
Talk to a Portland, TX Brain Injury Attorney at No Upfront Cost
If you or a loved one suffered a traumatic brain injury in Portland, Texas or anywhere in San Patricio County, Brunkenhoefer, P.C. Injury Attorneys is ready to help. Blake Brunkenhoefer and Michael Mathis handle every case personally, from the first call through resolution. There are no fees unless we win.
Our firm has served South Texas injury victims since 1992. We understand the industrial and coastal landscape of this region because we’ve worked in it for decades. Brain injury cases move quickly in the early stages. The sooner you act, the better positioned we may be to preserve evidence and build a claim that reflects the true cost of your injury.
Contact us today to get started with our Portland brain injury lawyers.
