At our firm, it costs you nothing to have one of our team members evaluate your case. This evaluation is carried out by an intake specialist, who will then refer you to a lawyer from our team if your case is viable. A case evaluation is the first step toward hiring us to represent you in your lawsuit.
In addition to evaluating your case at no cost or obligation to you, we will agree to work for a contingency fee. This arrangement means you do not have to worry about paying any attorney’s fees unless and until you recoup damages. Our lawyer will work out a payment agreement with you before they get started and that way, there are no risks or surprises involved.
What Else Can a Law Firm do for Me that I Can’t Do by Myself?
When we agree to work together, you are hiring someone to represent you in all aspects of your case, big and small, from beginning to end. These services may include—but is certainly not limited to—the following:
Providing Advice
It can be tough to make smart legal decisions when you have no legal experience and are still grappling with the effects of an accident. Your lawyer will strive to steer you in the right direction.
Collecting Available Evidence
Your attorney will investigate your case and use evidence, such as pictures of injuries, the incident report, medical records, and surveillance footage, to prove you need compensation.
Negotiating for a Settlement
The liable party’s insurance company may not want to pay a fair settlement and offer you one that does not fit your needs. Your attorney will fight hard for what you deserve.
Communicating with the Liable Party
You do not have to worry about fielding letters or phone calls from the liable party, their lawyer, or their insurance company. We will take care of that for you.
Taking Your Case to Court
If it is impossible to get a fair settlement, your lawyer can represent you at trial. They will present evidence, deliver oral arguments, and more.
Damages You Can Expect to Recover After a Personal Injury
Every case is different. A personal injury attorney on our team can help you calculate exactly how much money you can sue for. Your settlement may include compensation for both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages serve as reimbursement for the money that the accident cost you. For example, you could ask for economic damages if you experienced:
- Medical expenses: This category of damages includes the cost of inpatient and outpatient care that you have received or that you will need in the future.
- Attorney’s fees: You can seek reimbursement for the cost of legal representation.
- Loss of wages: Your injuries prevented you from working your regular hours or at all.
- Loss of future earning capacity: You are no longer capable of performing your job duties, forcing you to retire or to seek other employment.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate you for the physical and psychological injuries you sustained in the accident. You could ask for non-economic damages if you experienced:
- Disfigurement: You have permanent scars caused by your accident injuries.
- Disability: This includes the loss of use of any body part (as the result of nerve damage, for instance) or the complete loss of any body part (as through amputation).
- Reduced quality of life: You can no longer engage in necessary or enjoyable activities.
- Pain and suffering: Your accident and the injuries stemming from it were physically and emotionally distressing.
Louisiana Laws that May Apply to Your Lawsuit
Various state laws could impact your ability to collect damages. Your lawyer can go over these laws with you in detail. Examples of laws that could affect your right to sue include:
The Statute of Limitations
The statute of limitations gives you a certain amount of time to take legal action after an accident. In personal injury and wrongful death cases, the statute is set at two years, as found in CC §3492.
If you let them know soon enough, your lawyer can help you meet the deadline. Otherwise, we risk forfeiting your right to pursue compensation.
Contributory Negligence
According to CC §2323, your payout may be affected by an insurance company’s or jury’s determination that you were partly responsible for the accident.
Caps on Damages
In some cases, your ability to recover non-economic damages may be restricted. These limits are outlined in RS §13:5106.
Do not worry too much about these laws right now: your personal injury lawyer will let you know if they apply to your case and, if so, what you can do about them.
Let Our Attorneys Review Your Case for Free
At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, it costs you nothing to have us evaluate your case. Call our office to speak to a member of our team at any time, day or night.
You don’t have to be concerned about paying us unless and until you receive your financial award.
