How Long Will My Personal Injury Claim Take in Texas?

This question often comes up when it seems like everything is moving at a snail’s pace and the medical bills are piling up.

Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer because there are a number of factors that can affect the length of litigation. But we’ve done our best to provide you with a brief overview of litigation, including the average time each step takes and the factors that might speed up or slow down the process.

It generally takes 1-3 years to reach a settlement or receive a verdict in a personal injury case

Every personal injury case is different. As a result, it’s impossible to accurately predict how long your personal injury case will take to be resolved.

That said, research studies conducted by the National Center for State Courts and the United States Department of Justice tell us that most personal injury cases are resolved within 1-3 years.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the findings:

• On average, tort trials reached a verdict 25.6 months from the date the lawsuit was filed.
• Among tort trials, product liability trials had the longest case processing time (averaging 35.1 months), followed by medical malpractice cases (averaging 33.2 months).
• The vast majority of tort cases are resolved prior to trial (only about 3% are actually disposed of by jury or bench trial verdict).

Factors the impact the length of litigation

Here are some of the many factors that might impact the length of litigation:

• Complexity of the case. A slip and fall case is relatively simple, whereas a medical malpractice case is typically more complex.
• Amount of damages. A case worth $1,000 will typically be resolved more quickly than a case worth $1 million.
• Severity of injuries. A case involving a sprained ankle will typically be resolved more quickly than a case involving brain damage or death.
• Caseload in your jurisdiction. Once you file a lawsuit, you are at the mercy of the courts regarding court dates, which may also change right up to the last moment.
• Your patience. Your case may be resolved quickly if you’re anxious to settle. If you’re willing to hold out for more money, your case may take longer.

Working With an Attorney

The personal injury process can be complex. Therefore, it’s strongly recommended that anyone determining whether or not to file a claim in Texas contact a skilled and experienced personal injury attorney. At The Furey Law Firm we can help individuals understand their options. Contact us today for a free consultation with our law firm.