Brain injury or concussion in El Paso: care, rehab and what a claim needs

A serious head injury in El Paso usually means UMC, a Level 1 Trauma Center, or The Hospitals of Providence East Campus, a Major Level II Trauma Center. Signs of a brain injury can take hours or days to show up. Texas generally gives you 2 years to sue, and a claim against the city needs a sworn notice in 90 days.

Last checked November 9, 2026 · Official sources (43)

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Road map of El Paso showing the central city and the East side, where the area's two trauma centers named on this page serve patients
Concussion symptoms may not show up for hours or days. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Where can I get care for a brain injury in El Paso?

Start with an emergency room if you hit your head and feel worse. Then plan for what comes after, since recovery from a serious injury is often longer than the hospital stay.

StagePlace in El PasoDetails
Trauma careUniversity Medical CenterLevel 1 Trauma Center, (915) 544-1200
Trauma care, East sideThe Hospitals of Providence East CampusMajor Level II Trauma Center
Inpatient rehabPAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital1600 East Cliff Drive, works with UMC, 42 beds
Brain injury programThe Hospitals of ProvidenceRehab program with a support group
State helpTexas HHSComprehensive Rehabilitation Services

A concussion does not have to show up on a scan. An MRI can find what a CT misses, and thinking tests can measure problems that a picture cannot. Ask your doctor about both.

When is a head injury in El Paso an emergency?

Call 911 or go straight to the emergency room if the person has any of these. The first 24 hours deserve special attention.

  • A headache that keeps getting worse.
  • Repeated vomiting.
  • Cannot be woken.

A person with a brain injury may not recognize their own problems. Family members often see the change first. Write down what is different: sleep, memory, temper, words. Those notes can help the doctor and later help a claim. Most people feel better within a couple of weeks, but moderate and severe injuries may be life-long.

How does a brain injury claim work in El Paso?

The injury has to be tied to what happened. Insurers often argue that symptoms came from something else, so the medical trail matters.

  1. Get seen right away, and tell each provider how the injury happened.
  2. Get the report. EPPD Records is at 911 N. Raynor St., $6. The Sheriff's report is also $6.
  3. Keep a daily symptom log from the first week.
  4. Ask about neuropsychological testing.
  5. Write down lost work and what you can no longer do.
  6. Ask a lawyer about the deadline before the second month passes.

A brain injury can make deadlines easy to miss. Texas does not count the time a person has a legal disability that exists when the claim arises, but a disability that comes later does not pause the clock. Do not assume this saves a sworn notice to the City of El Paso.

What if a city crash or city property caused the brain injury in El Paso?

A City of El Paso claim needs a sworn written notice to the Mayor within 90 days, or within 6 months for good cause. Family can help, since the notice can be sworn by someone authorized on the injured person's behalf. A claim against another public body, such as a county or state agency, generally has 6 months. A city charter can set its own period.

Money limits are real. A city's limit is $250,000 per person, and other local governments are limited to $100,000 per person. For a lifelong injury, that can fall short, which makes other responsible parties important. On roads, 87% of crashes that killed or severely injured someone in El Paso happened at an intersection. Look at every driver and company involved.

Who pays the bills for a brain injury in El Paso?

IssueWhat Texas law or a federal program says
Medical bills you can recoverLimited to amounts actually paid or owed
Hospital lienAttaches only if admitted within 72 hours of the accident
Proving billsA sworn affidavit can show charges were reasonable
Social Security disabilityMust last or be expected to last a year; five-month wait
MedicareConditional payments must be repaid

A hospital lien can reduce what you take home, so ask a lawyer to check it. Being more than 50 percent at fault ends the claim. A billing affidavit does not prove what caused the injury, so you still need doctors who can connect it to the crash or fall.

Where can families find brain injury support in El Paso?

The Hospitals of Providence program lists a Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group. The Texas Office of Acquired Brain Injury can help you find a group near you at 512-706-7191. The state's Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services program is for people with traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries.

Questions

How long do I have to sue for a brain injury in El Paso?

Generally 2 years. If a City of El Paso vehicle or Sun Metro bus caused the injury, the sworn notice to the Mayor is due in 90 days.

Where is the Level 1 trauma center in El Paso?

University Medical Center of El Paso is a Level 1 Trauma Center. Its main number is (915) 544-1200.

Can I have a concussion without a positive scan?

Yes. Doctors can spot a concussion without a scan. Tell your El Paso provider about every symptom.

Can a family member handle the notice?

Someone authorized to act for the injured person can swear to the city's notice. Ask a lawyer to confirm that person has the authority.

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Sources (43)

  1. UMC El Paso, 2024 Annual Report, checked 2026-11-08. “UMC Receives Reverification as Level 1 Trauma Center”
  2. The Hospitals of Providence, Awards & Distinctions, checked 2026-11-08. “The Hospitals of Providence East Campus is recognized as a Major Level II Trauma Center”
  3. CDC, checked 2026-11-09. “others may not appear for hours or days after the injury”
  4. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003, checked 2026-11-08. “not later than two years after the day the cause of action accrues”
  5. City of El Paso City Attorney, Filing a Claim, checked 2026-11-08. “shall within 90 days or within 6 months for good cause shown from the date the damage occurred or the injury was received, give notice in writing to the mayor”
  6. City of El Paso City Attorney, Filing a Claim, checked 2026-11-08. “shall be sworn to by the person claiming damages or by someone authorized by him to do so on his behalf”
  7. CDC, checked 2026-11-09. “Have a headache that gets worse and does not go away”
  8. CDC, checked 2026-11-09. “Vomit repeatedly”
  9. CDC, checked 2026-11-09. “Lose consciousness, look very drowsy or cannot be woken up”
  10. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.001, checked 2026-11-09. “the time of the disability is not included in a limitations period”
  11. University Medical Center of El Paso, checked 2026-11-08. “Main Number: (915) 544-1200”
  12. PAM Health El Paso, checked 2026-11-09. “Location: 1600 East Cliff Drive, El Paso, TX 79902”
  13. PAM Health El Paso, checked 2026-11-09. “In Partnership with University Medical Center”
  14. PAM Health El Paso, checked 2026-11-09. “42 Patient Beds”
  15. The Hospitals of Providence, checked 2026-11-09. “Our program treats all brain injury impairments”
  16. The Hospitals of Providence, checked 2026-11-09. “Traumatic Brain Injury Support Group”
  17. Texas HHS, checked 2026-11-09. “This program is for people who have traumatic brain and/or spinal cord injuries.”
  18. CDC, checked 2026-11-09. “A scan of your brain (such as a CT scan) is not needed to spot a mild TBI or concussion”
  19. NINDS, checked 2026-11-09. “MRI is more sensitive and can pick up more subtle brain changes that a CT scan may miss.”
  20. CDC, checked 2026-11-09. “These tests are called "neuropsychological" or "neurocognitive" tests”
  21. NINDS, checked 2026-11-09. “especially within the first 24 hours after an injury to the head”
  22. CDC, checked 2026-11-09. “A person may not recognize or admit that they are having problems”
  23. CDC, checked 2026-11-09. “most people with a mild TBI or concussion feel better within a couple of weeks”
  24. CDC, checked 2026-11-09. “may lead to long-term or life-long health problems”
  25. El Paso Police Department, Records & Reports, checked 2026-11-08. “EPPD RECORDS DIVISION 911 N. Raynor St El Paso, TX 79903”
  26. El Paso Police Department, Records & Reports, checked 2026-11-08. “Accident or Crash Reports $6.00”
  27. El Paso County Sheriff, Criminal / Accident Reports, checked 2026-11-08. “Crash Reports - $6.00”
  28. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.001, checked 2026-11-09. “A disability that arises after a limitations period starts does not suspend the running of the period.”
  29. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 101.101, checked 2026-11-09. “not later than six months after the day that the incident giving rise to the claim occurred”
  30. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 101.101, checked 2026-11-09. “A city's charter and ordinance provisions requiring notice within a charter period permitted by law are ratified and approved.”
  31. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 101.023, checked 2026-11-09. “Liability of a municipality under this chapter is limited to money damages in a maximum amount of $250,000 for each person”
  32. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 101.023, checked 2026-11-09. “liability of a unit of local government under this chapter is limited to money damages in a maximum amount of $100,000 for each person”
  33. City of El Paso, Vision Zero Action Plan (June 2023), checked 2026-11-08. “87% of KSI crashes occurred at an intersection”
  34. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 41.0105, checked 2026-11-09. “recovery of medical or health care expenses incurred is limited to the amount actually paid or incurred by or on behalf of the claimant”
  35. Tex. Prop. Code § 55.002, checked 2026-11-09. “For the lien to attach, the individual must be admitted to a hospital not later than 72 hours after the accident.”
  36. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 18.001, checked 2026-11-09. “is sufficient evidence to support a finding of fact by judge or jury that the amount charged was reasonable or that the service was necessary”
  37. Social Security Administration, checked 2026-11-09. “has lasted or is expected to last for at least one year (12 consecutive months) or to result in death”
  38. Social Security Administration, checked 2026-11-09. “there is a five-month waiting period”
  39. CMS, checked 2026-11-09. “because it must be repaid to Medicare when a beneficiary receives a settlement, judgment, award, or other payment”
  40. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 33.001, checked 2026-11-09. “a claimant may not recover damages if his percentage of responsibility is greater than 50 percent”
  41. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 18.001, checked 2026-11-09. “The affidavit is not evidence of and does not support a finding of the causation element”
  42. Texas HHS, checked 2026-11-09. “contact the Office of Acquired Brain Injury at 512-706-7191”
  43. Sun Metro Suspension of Service Policy, checked 2026-11-08. “the City of El Paso's Mass Transit Department (Sun Metro)”

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