FAQs

Is Long Trial Firm the right personal injury lawyer in Houston for me?

If you’ve been seriously injured in an accident or wronged by an employer in the Houston area, Long Trial Firm may be the right fit. Unlike firms that push quick settlements, I built this practice to take cases to trial when insurance companies won’t offer fair compensation.

My track record includes securing over $34 million in settlements for injured clients. Before focusing on personal injury and employment law, I worked as an M&A partner at Kirkland & Ellis, one of the nation’s largest law firms—experience that taught me exactly how corporations and their insurers defend claims. I use that knowledge to hold them accountable.

I’m a Naval Academy graduate and former Naval Officer with service on destroyers and in special operations training. The values I learned—preparation, integrity, and relentless commitment—drive how I handle every case. I’m licensed to practice in Texas, Louisiana, and New York.

Long Trial Firm represents clients across Texas in personal injury, employment law, and consumer protection matters, including:

Car accidents — Collisions caused by distracted, drunk, or negligent drivers

Truck accidents — 18-wheeler and commercial vehicle crashes involving serious injuries

Motorcycle accidents — Claims against drivers who fail to see riders

Workplace injuries — Including construction accidents and industrial incidents

Maritime and offshore injuries — Jones Act claims, unseaworthiness, and maintenance and cure

Premises liability — Slip and falls, inadequate security, and dangerous property conditions

Wrongful death — Claims on behalf of families who have lost loved ones due to negligence

Employment discrimination — Race, sex, age, disability, and retaliation claims

Wage and hour violations — Unpaid overtime, misclassification, and tip theft

Data privacy and AI consumer harm — Emerging claims involving unauthorized data use and algorithmic harm

If you’re unsure whether your situation qualifies for a legal claim, contact a Houston injury lawyer at Long Trial Firm for a free case evaluation.

I founded Long Trial Firm, PLLC in late 2025 after handling complex personal injury and maritime cases at Arnold & Itkin LLP, a nationally recognized plaintiff’s firm. Before transitioning to plaintiff’s work, I spent years as a corporate M&A partner at Kirkland & Ellis.

My legal career spans multiple practice areas and three state bars—I’m licensed in Texas, Louisiana, and New York. This breadth of experience allows me to approach personal injury and employment cases with a perspective most plaintiff’s attorneys don’t have.

No. Long Trial Firm serves clients throughout Texas, and I can handle most matters through phone calls, video conferences, and secure document sharing. Many clients prefer the convenience of remote communication, especially while recovering from injuries.

If you’re in the Houston area and prefer to meet face-to-face, I’m happy to arrange an in-person meeting. I’m based in Humble, Texas, just northeast of Houston.

Long Trial Firm is generally available Monday through Friday during regular business hours. However, I understand that accidents and legal emergencies don’t wait for convenient timing. If you need to reach a Houston injury lawyer after hours, leave a message and I’ll respond as quickly as possible.

No. I offer free consultations to potential clients throughout Texas. During our initial conversation, I’ll listen to your situation, give you an honest assessment of whether you have a viable legal claim, and explain whether I’m the right attorney to handle your case.

There’s no obligation and no pressure. If you’re wondering whether you need a lawyer after an accident or workplace incident, the consultation costs you nothing to find out.

For personal injury and employment cases, Long Trial Firm works on a contingency fee basis. This means:

You pay nothing upfront

You pay nothing out of pocket during your case

I only get paid if we recover money for you

My attorney’s fee is a percentage of your settlement or verdict, which we’ll discuss and agree upon in writing before I begin work. If we don’t win your case, you owe me nothing in attorney’s fees.

This arrangement allows injured Texans to access quality legal representation regardless of their financial situation. The defendant’s insurance company has lawyers—you deserve one too.

When you hire Long Trial Firm, you get an attorney who handles every aspect of your claim so you can focus on recovery. That includes:

Investigating the accident and preserving evidence

Gathering medical records, police reports, and witness statements

Communicating with insurance companies and opposing counsel

Filing all court documents and meeting legal deadlines

Conducting depositions and discovery

Negotiating for maximum settlement value

Taking your case to trial if the insurance company won’t offer fair compensation

You also get direct access to your attorney—not a paralegal or case manager who doesn’t know your file. I keep clients informed, answer questions promptly, and fight for the full compensation they deserve.

In Texas, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident or injury. This includes car accidents, truck accidents, slip and falls, and most workplace injuries.

However, important exceptions exist:

Wrongful death claims — Two years from the date of death, not the date of the accident that caused it

Claims against government entities — You may have as little as six months to file a notice of claim before suing a city, county, or state agency in Texas

Maritime and offshore injuries — Jones Act and general maritime claims follow federal rules, which may impose different deadlines

Medical malpractice — Two years from the date of injury or when the injury was discovered, with a 10-year outer limit

Minors — The statute of limitations may be tolled until a child turns 18

Waiting too long can permanently bar your claim, even if you have a strong case. If you’ve been injured, contact a Houston personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights.

The steps you take immediately after a car accident can significantly affect your ability to recover compensation. Here’s what Houston injury attorneys recommend:

  1. Check for injuries and call 911 — Your health comes first. Request police and medical assistance, even if injuries seem minor.
  2. Stay at the scene — Leaving the scene of an accident in Texas can result in criminal charges.
  3. Document everything — Use your phone to photograph vehicle damage, the accident scene, traffic signals, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Get the other driver’s license, insurance information, and contact details.
  4. Get witness information — If anyone saw the accident, ask for their name and phone number.
  5. Request the police report — Texas law requires officers to file a crash report when there’s injury, death, or significant property damage. You’ll need this report for your claim.
  6. Seek medical attention — See a doctor within 24-72 hours, even if you feel fine. Some injuries—including traumatic brain injuries and soft tissue damage—don’t show symptoms immediately. Medical records also create crucial evidence linking your injuries to the accident.
  7. Don’t give recorded statements to insurance companies — The other driver’s insurer may contact you quickly. Anything you say can be used to reduce or deny your claim. Politely decline until you’ve spoken with an attorney.
  8. Contact a Houston car accident lawyer — An experienced attorney can preserve evidence, deal with insurance adjusters, and protect your right to full compensation.

Long Trial Firm offers free consultations to accident victims throughout Texas. Call today to discuss your case.

Every personal injury case is different, and no ethical attorney can guarantee a specific outcome. However, the value of your claim depends on several factors:

Economic damages (calculable losses):

Medical bills — Past, current, and estimated future treatment

Lost wages — Income you’ve missed due to your injury

Loss of earning capacity — Reduced ability to earn in the future

Property damage — Vehicle repairs or replacement

Out-of-pocket expenses — Transportation to appointments, home modifications, hired help

Non-economic damages (quality of life impacts):

Physical pain and suffering

Mental anguish and emotional distress

Loss of enjoyment of life

Disfigurement or permanent impairment

Loss of consortium (impact on spousal relationship)

Factors that increase case value:

Clear liability (the other party was obviously at fault)

Severe or permanent injuries

Strong documentation (medical records, photos, witnesses)

Significant impact on your daily life and ability to work

Defendant’s ability to pay (insurance coverage limits, corporate assets)

Factors that can reduce case value:

Shared fault (Texas follows a modified comparative negligence rule—if you’re more than 50% at fault, you recover nothing)

Gaps in medical treatment

Pre-existing conditions (though defendants must “take plaintiffs as they find them”)

Low insurance policy limits

Insurance companies use software and formulas to undervalue claims. An experienced Houston personal injury attorney knows how to document your damages fully and fight for maximum compensation. Contact Long Trial Firm for a free case evaluation.

You’re not legally required to hire an attorney after a car accident, but having one typically results in significantly higher compensation—even after attorney’s fees.

Consider hiring a Houston car accident lawyer if:

You suffered injuries requiring medical treatment

You missed work due to the accident

The other driver’s insurance company is pressuring you to settle quickly

Fault is disputed or unclear

Multiple vehicles or parties were involved

A commercial truck, rideshare vehicle, or government vehicle was involved

The insurance company denied your claim or offered a lowball settlement

You’re unsure what your claim is worth

You might handle a claim yourself if:

There were no injuries

Damage was minor

The other driver’s insurance accepted full liability and offered fair compensation

Insurance adjusters are trained negotiators working to minimize payouts. They’re not on your side, even if they seem friendly. A personal injury attorney levels the playing field and handles the legal burden so you can focus on recovery.

Long Trial Firm offers free consultations with no obligation. If I don’t think you need a lawyer, I’ll tell you.

A contingency fee is a payment arrangement where your attorney’s fee is “contingent” on winning your case. If you don’t recover money, you don’t pay attorney’s fees.

How it works:

  1. You sign a fee agreement specifying the percentage your attorney will receive from any recovery
  2. Your attorney advances the costs of litigation (filing fees, expert witnesses, medical record retrieval, etc.)
  3. If your case settles or wins at trial, your attorney’s fee and case expenses are deducted from the recovery
  4. You receive the remaining amount
  5. If there’s no recovery, you owe nothing in attorney’s fees

Typical contingency fee percentages in Texas:

33.33% (one-third) for cases that settle before litigation

40% for cases that go to trial

Higher percentages may apply for appeals or complex litigation

Contingency fees allow injured people to access quality legal representation regardless of their financial situation. The insurance company has lawyers—a contingency fee arrangement ensures you can have one too, without upfront cost.

At Long Trial Firm, I’ll explain the fee structure clearly before you sign anything. No surprises.

Yes. While Long Trial Firm is based in Humble, Texas, I represent clients throughout the Greater Houston area and across Texas. I regularly work with clients in:

Humble and Kingwood

Spring and The Woodlands

Baytown and Pasadena

Sugar Land and Katy

Galveston and the Gulf Coast region

For clients outside the Houston metro area, I handle cases remotely through phone and video consultations. If your case requires in-person meetings or court appearances elsewhere in Texas, I travel to you.