Frequently Asked Questions

The Houston law firm Fisher, Boyd, Brown & Huguenard, LLP provides quality representation to clients throughout Texas and across the United States in a wide variety of civil matters, with a focus on business and personal injury litigation. Here, we provide some answers to some frequently asked questions regarding our practice and our areas of expertise. Please contact our offices for further information about our professional services.

Does Fisher, Boyd, Johnson & Huguenard, LLP offer free consultations or contingency fee arrangements?

In many cases, we do offer free consultations and handle cases on a contingency fee basis. However, in order to provide legal representation and counsel of the highest standards, our firm is selective in taking on new cases. This allows us to offer each client personal service and dedicated support at every stage of the litigation process. When a potential client contacts our office, we will evaluate his or her concern and make appropriate recommendations based on the facts and circumstances presented.

If we do take a case on a contingency fee basis, payment of attorneys’ fees depends on a successful recovery. In general, this means that if the client does not recover through a settlement or verdict, then he or she will not be charged. If there is a recovery, we charge a negotiable percentage of that amount, which will depend on the facts and complexities unique to the case.

What is the geographic scope of the firm’s practice?

Our attorneys represent clients throughout Texas and across the United States. We have relationships with top-tier lawyers all over the country, and by associating with local counsel in the state where litigation is occurring, or by seeking permission from that state to practice law temporarily, we are able to serve our clients’ legal needs on a national scale.

If my business already has in-house legal counsel, how can Fisher, Boyd, Johnson & Huguenard, LLP assist my business in the face of litigation?

Some in-house legal departments have experience handling litigation matters, while others primarily focus on transactional matters that the business encounters in its daily activities. We work with in-house legal departments to assemble the best and most effective litigation team–combining our experience handling complex disputes with the in-house lawyers’ knowledge of the company’s business. No matter how careful and thorough you are in negotiating your contracts and managing your business, there are situations where litigation is unavoidable. Our business clients, whether small companies or Fortune 500 corporations, regularly rely on our ability to successfully handle commercial disputes and provide exceptional representation in the event of litigation.

What type of compensation may be available in a personal injury case?

Although each verdict or settlement award depends on the facts of the particular case, there are certain types of monetary damages that are generally available to personal injury plaintiffs. In many cases, a plaintiff may be able to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages may include such costs as medical expenses, lost wages, lost future earning capacity, and property damages. Non-economic damages may include pain and suffering and emotional distress. In addition, if you have lost a loved one in an accident, you may be able to recover for your own losses, including compensation for “loss of consortium,” or loss of the person’s love, companionship, and support. If a negligent party’s conduct was particularly egregious in causing an injury or accident, you may also be able to recover punitive damages.

When must one file a personal injury or wrongful death claim?

In Texas, the statute of limitations in most cases involving personal injury and wrongful death is two years from the date the injury occurred or should have been discovered. In wrongful death cases, this is the date of death. Medical malpractice cases are governed by a different limitations procedure that may be shorter than two years from the date of death. Certain exceptions to these time limits do exist in special circumstances. For example, the time period to bring a claim may be extended for those who are minors or otherwise incompetent. Additionally, in some instances, such as when a medical professional conceals malpractice and the victim did not know and could not have known of the malpractice until sometime after it occurred, he or she may be given additional time to file a lawsuit. Other states often have different rules, so it is important to consult with an attorney as soon as possible.