Frequently asked
questions.

You can contact us to discuss what happened and the questions you have. Our attorneys can help you understand your rights and options. Request a consultation to talk about your situation.

Personal injury consultations are free. For family law matters, a consultation fee applies.

Call (409) 838-1000 to schedule a consultation and confirm any fee that applies to your matter.

RMQ handles personal injury cases on a contingency basis, without upfront legal fees. For business, employment or other matters, ask which fee arrangement applies. Clarify attorney fees, case expenses and payment responsibilities in the written agreement before hiring the firm.

We represent people in personal injury matters, including car and truck accidents, workplace injuries, defective products and medical malpractice. We also handle commercial disputes and employment claims. Explore our practice areas for information relevant to your situation.

Make notes about what happened, important dates and the questions you want to ask. Gather relevant documents you already have; for a car accident, these may include police reports, medical records and witness details. Ask the firm which records to bring and how to share them.

There is no single timetable for every case. Gathering evidence, disputed issues, negotiations and court proceedings can affect the process. Ask your attorney for an estimate based on your circumstances and for updates if that assessment changes.

Not every case goes to trial. Some disputes are resolved through negotiation; others require a trial. At RMQ, we prepare cases as if they will go to trial, even when they may settle. Learn more about our approach.

Relevant factors include the severity of the injuries, treatment costs, lost income, lasting effects, evidence of fault and available insurance. Different types of claims allow different forms of compensation. Our industrial accident FAQ explains some of these factors.

Clarify the work covered, attorney fees and expenses in a written agreement. Ask which attorney will handle your matter, how to contact the team and how updates will be provided. Read the agreement and ask about anything you do not understand before signing. You can also explore our attorneys’ backgrounds.

Beaumont personal injury attorneys usually do not have fixed or hourly rates. At our firm, we handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not pay any upfront legal fees. Instead, we represent you and get some percentage of the award you receive in compensation. If we do not recover compensation, you generally do not have to pay anything.

Having our personal injury lawyer by your side means satisfactory results. We aim to pursue your case so you can focus on recovery.

Texas law recognizes a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury cases. That means you typically have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. However, if your claim involves government entities, you may need to file within six months.

While two years may sound like a long time, we recommend filing your claim as early as possible. Delaying for the whole two years can seriously harm your case because:

• Evidence, such as driver log time, can disappear
• Witnesses may forget critical details
• Insurance companies may have time to tailor some tricks to challenge your claim

If you reach out to our lawyers early, we will gather and preserve evidence to file a strong claim on your behalf.

Beaumont is the hub of large petrochemical industries, making personal injury claims in this region unique. Major petrochemical companies such as ExxonMobil, Motiva, Valero and Chevron Phillips Chemical contribute to the region’s economy. However, there are numerous injury cases involving:

• Chemical exposure
• Heavy factory machinery

Additionally, Beaumont’s high-traffic corridors like U.S. Highway 69 and Texas 73 see heavy commercial vehicle use, increasing accident risks. Also, certain intersections, such as Dowlen Road and Eastex Freeway, are known for higher crash rates.

Handling these cases involving major companies and trucks requires a deep understanding of Texas personal injury law. Our attorneys can identify all possible avenues of compensation and pursue them on your behalf.

Texas has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including car accident cases. It is best to begin building your case as quickly as possible, as an early start can help when gathering evidence like witness statements, dashcam footage, medical records and police reports. 

Two years is the main deadline to keep in mind because exceeding the statute of limitations can mean that you have no option to seek compensation, even for a viable case where the other driver was clearly negligent and liable for your injuries. If you have been involved in a crash, reach out to us as soon as possible.

It is wise to engage a personal injury attorney before discussing the case directly with the insurance company or making any definitive statements or claims. 

Remember that the insurance company’s goals probably do not align with yours. Even if they present themselves as being there to help you receive the compensation you need, it is in their best interests to reduce costs. You do not want to say anything that could undermine your own position or cause you to lose leverage in your case, and this is what makes it essential to seek a legal opinion before accepting a settlement. Often, initial offers do not address your full costs – such as settlements that cover short-term expenses but not the long-term costs you may face.

When the fault is unclear, it can jeopardize your legal position, but strong evidence can help turn the tide. Focus on gathering statements from witnesses at the scene, retrieving copies of the police report early on, and seeking video footage from nearby homes or businesses. Additionally, dashcam footage from nearby, including that of those involved in the collision, can help identify fault.

In some cases, crash reconstruction teams may be used to examine details such as skid marks on the road and other factors that can demonstrate how an accident happened. Every case is unique, but we can help strengthen your case by investigating all sources of evidence and showing why you deserve full and fair compensation after a Texas car accident.

Yes, you may be able to file a lawsuit even while receiving workers’ compensation benefits, but it depends on what caused your accident. If your employer subscribes to workers' compensation, Texas law prevents you from suing them directly for a workplace injury.

However, you may have a claim against other parties on the construction site such as negligent contractors, subcontractors, property owners or equipment manufacturers. We can investigate your accident to identify all responsible parties.

In Texas, you generally have two years from the date of the incident to file a personal injury claim, but you should not wait that long to take action. In some cases involving delayed discovery of injury, different rules may apply.

The longer you wait, the harder it becomes to gather critical evidence. We need to preserve witness testimony, site conditions and safety records. Strong evidence connecting the accident to your injuries is critical to building a successful claim.

At Reaud, Morgan & Quinn, L.L.P., we handle construction accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not pay us attorney fees unless we win your case and recover money for you. We will explain the details with you during your free consultation.

You can generally sue for an industrial accident claim if you recover workers’ comp benefits when a negligent third party was at fault for the accident. For example, a contractor on the site was responsible for the accident, or maybe a negligent manufacturer produced defective tools or machinery that led to the injury.

If you sue a negligent third party in a personal injury lawsuit, the compensation you receive is typically in addition to your workers’ compensation benefits and includes pain and suffering. This can provide much-needed funds after a serious injury.

In rare cases, you may be able to sue your employer directly if they took certain actions that resulted in your injuries. We will discuss this with you if it applies in your case.

If you suffer injuries in an industrial accident, the following steps can help you heal and preserve evidence:

• Get medical treatment right away and keep any paperwork you receive from the doctor or hospital.
• As soon as possible, you should report the accident to your employer. A delay in reporting can be problematic for your case.
• Call an attorney to learn how to protect your rights and what not to say to your employer and their insurance company.

Remember, do not talk to your employer’s investigators or insurance representatives until you have spoken with your lawyer. Investigators and insurance adjusters or lawyers may try to get you to say something that will damage your case.

The worth (value) of an industrial accident claim depends on the specifics of the case. There are many variables, including:

The severity of your injuries: More serious injuries or permanent injuries will cost more to treat than minor injuries that heal quickly.

Whether the claim involves the wrongful death of a family member: Wrongful death claims may pay out higher compensation for the loss of a loved one and the income they would have earned.

What type of case you have: A workers’ compensation claim on its own will provide a portion of your average weekly wage (the total of the 13 weeks before the injury, divided by 13), all medical expenses and mileage reimbursement to appointments, permanent impairment benefits, death benefits and some funeral expenses. Retraining or vocational rehabilitation is also included.

A personal injury/wrongful death suit against a negligent third party will provide: Full wage loss compensation (including future lost income), medical bills, funeral and burial costs, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of household services, loss of enjoyment of life and loss of consortium.

Under the Texas Wrongful Death Act, only the surviving spouse, children and parents of the deceased may file a claim. Adult children are included, and each eligible family member may file individually or together.

If none of these relatives file within three months of the death, the estate’s executor or administrator may pursue the claim unless the family specifically objects. This structure ensures that someone with legal authority can act to protect the family’s interests. Siblings are generally ineligible to file a claim.

Texas law generally provides two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death lawsuit. This statute of limitations applies to most cases, but certain circumstances can shorten the timeline.

Claims involving government entities in Beaumont may require formal notice within a matter of months. Fatal medical errors at Beaumont facilities such as CHRISTUS Southeast Texas - St. Elizabeth may also trigger separate deadlines under medical liability laws. Missing deadlines can permanently remove the right to seek compensation, so early legal guidance is essential.

Beaumont’s industrial corridor includes major sites such as the ExxonMobil Beaumont Refinery, the Port of Beaumont and installations along the I‑10 energy and shipping route. When a fatal incident occurs in these environments, the legal process is often more complex than standard cases.

Investigations may involve the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), federal maritime rules (e.g., the Jones Act) or liability questions tied to third‑party contractors working on site. These cases require an understanding of the safety standards and operational practices that govern Jefferson County’s industrial sector.

A local attorney familiar with the Golden Triangle’s regulatory landscape can explain overlapping laws and help determine who may be held responsible.