House Bill 1692 Signed: Foreigners Unable to File Personal Injury Lawsuits in Texas

On June 16, 2015 the Texas Governor, Greg Abbott, signed House Bill 1692 into law. The Law prevents foreign plaintiffs from filing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit in the State of Texas that involved incidents that occurred outside the state.

This bill stemmed from the Supreme Court’s opinion in Ford Motor Company, 442 S.W.3d 265 (Tex. 2014), where a Mexican citizen sued the estate of a Mexican decedant in Texas state court for injuries allegedly sustained as the survivor of a car accident that occurred in Mexico.

Some of the beneficiaries of the estate were Texas residents and had filed claims against Ford, alleging defective design and negligence.

The bill now clarifies that the legal residency exception to forum non-conveniens applies only to those plaintiffs who are legal residents of Texas.

What is Personal Injury?

Personal Injury is when a party sustains injuries from an accident that was due to another party’s negligence. Common types of personal injury include:

Personal Injury Lawsuits

If you have been involved in an accident that was not your fault and is now suffering injuries, you may be entitled to a settlement. Your claim may help you recover compensation to pay for:

  • Unexpected medical expenses
  • Lost wages due to the inability to return to work
  • Pain and suffering

In addition, you may also be able to claim compensation for future earnings and future medical expenses, like rehabilitation or physical therapy for long-term care. In some instances, spouses and partners may also collect compensation if the personal injury accident involving a wrongful death.

How We Can Help

Charles J. Argento & Associates is Houston’s premier law firm specializing in personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits. We understand the legal complexities associated with a personal injury case and we can break it all down for you so that you understand your rights and what you may be entitled to.

It is important to seek legal advice before speaking to any insurance companies, businesses or property owners.

Our Houston personal injury attorneys can help you build the best case possible and fight for the justice and settlement you deserve so you can pay those unexpected medical bills and recover lost wages.

We welcome your call today on (713) 225-5050 for a free initial consultation to learn more about personal injury lawsuits and how we can help you. We work on a contingency basis, so you don’t pay unless we recover a settlement for you. English and Spanish spoken.

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