After the unexpected death of a loved one, you have a right to seek compensation when someone else is responsible. The loss of a family member may cause you financial hardship in addition to pain and suffering, and these types of damages are recoverable in Louisiana.
A Houma wrongful death lawyer from Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers can represent your case. Our team knows how to build a strong claim and fight for your best interests in settlement negotiations and in court. We’ll provide a free case review and discuss your potential next steps when you call.
How a Wrongful Death Attorney in Houma Can Help
When you hire our wrongful death team, we take over all aspects of the case. That way, your family can grieve in peace without giving up your right to hold the liable party financially accountable.
At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, you can expect compassionate, comprehensive legal services. Our team will:
Explain Your Rights Under Louisiana Law
Law amendments happen now and then, and it can be challenging to keep up—especially if you are not in the legal profession. As your legal team, we will explain your rights under the most current version of Louisiana wrongful death law, including:
- When you can seek monetary damages for the loss of a loved one
- Who can file this type of claim
- What amount of damages you can seek
- How long your family has to initiate a wrongful death lawsuit
As the case progresses, we will also keep you up-to-date on all the legal proceedings so you can make informed decisions. Our attorneys empower residents of Houma, Terrebonne Parish, and Louisiana in general to seek financial recovery for wrongful death.
Collect Evidence of Fault and Damages
Getting fair compensation from a liable party depends on the strength of your wrongful death case. Our attorneys can collect various types of evidence to establish:
- What happened to cause your loved one’s death
- Who contributed to the accident
- What damages your family suffered
With evidence such as accident reports, eyewitness statements, and surveillance footage, our attorneys can build a compelling case against the liable party. Some cases may involve additional steps to collect evidence—our team will handle this for you as well.
For example, we may need to request driver logs and black box data from the trucking company in a truck accident case. Our team will take the time to collect any documents that pertain to your case in order to make it as strong as possible.
Meet Deadlines
Louisiana has a one-year statute of limitations for wrongful death lawsuits under CC Art. 2512.2. This statutory deadline means you only have until the anniversary of your loved one’s passing to file with the courts.
Even if you seek an out-of-court settlement, it is crucial to keep this deadline in mind so you can preserve your right to sue. Once the filing window closes, you lose this right and the ability to seek compensation from the liable party. Given enough notice, our lawyers can prepare your case and file it before this deadline arrives.
Represent You During Negotiations or Trial
After the death of your loved one, insurance companies may reach out with questions or offers to settle the case. Without knowledge of the legal system, you might not know what statements could jeopardize your case or whether a settlement offer is fair. Rather than risking an unfair outcome, you can let our attorneys handle these communications on your behalf. We will:
- Relay messages between you and other involved parties
- Present and evaluate settlement offers
- Negotiate for a better settlement
- Advise you of when it may be necessary to take the case to trial
However, even as your representatives, we always give you the final say on the next steps in your case.
Laborde Earles injury was great for me they took care of me very fast and professional. If for any reason I need legal help they will be who I use.
ClientWhat Qualifies as Wrongful Death?
If you lose a loved one in an accident that would have warranted a personal injury case had they survived, you likely qualify to file a wrongful death claim. While it is true that criminal prosecution can ensue as a result of the fatality, a wrongful death claim is separate and distinct from any other charges that may result.
Cases of wrongful death claims can arise from various circumstances, with the most common ones being dangerous drugs, manufacturing defects, criminal activity, motor vehicle accidents, and medical malpractice.
I thank God for Digger & David. I don’t know what we would have done if it hadn’t have been for them.
Rick Smith | ClientWho Can File a Wrongful Death Claim in Houma?
In a Louisiana wrongful death case, the deceased’s immediate family members can file a claim for damages. According to state law, the following surviving family members can file for wrongful death damages after losing a loved one:
- The spouse and children
- Parents, if there is no child or spouse
- Siblings in cases where there are is no surviving child, spouse, or parent
- If no surviving parent, child, or sibling, the grandparents may file
Louisiana law further determines the order of priority (as outlined above) for every surviving family member.
The reassurance from Digger and his staff gave me that renewed hope that it’s going to be okay down the road.
ClientPossible Damages You Could Claim in a Wrongful Death Case
Wrongful death damage claims cover both economic and non-economic losses. Economic losses refer to specific and measurable damages. In a wrongful death case, possible these include:
- Loss of household income and benefits, such as health insurance
- Burial and funeral costs
- Property damage
- The cost of lost household services
- Outstanding medical and emergency costs
Non-economic losses, on the other hand, refer to the damages that you cannot provide tangible proof of using a receipt or bill. Examples of non-economic losses include:
- Pain and suffering caused by the unexpected loss
- Loss of companionship and consortium
- Loss of emotional support
- Loss of parental guidance
Non-economic losses take additional steps to calculate, as we must assign value to them. Using our knowledge of industry practices and Louisiana law, we will take the time to calculate an accurate value for your entire case so you receive the best possible outcome.
They treated us like no other people would. Whenever we needed something they were there for us. I put my trust in them and I don’t regret it.
ClientContact Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers for a Free Case Review
When an untimely death occurs in Houma and other parties are involved, our wrongful death attorneys can represent surviving family members. When you hire Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, you’ll receive the full support and resources our team can provide during this difficult time at no upfront cost. We only collect attorney’s fees from the compensation we recover for our clients.
Let us review and discuss your case for free today. Call (337) 777-7777 now.
