A Quick Overview of Paraplegia

Per the Mayo Clinic, paraplegia is paralysis from a spinal cord injury. If you have paraplegia, the paralysis affects all or some of your trunk, pelvic organs, and legs. Quadriplegia, also called tetraplegia, affects those parts of the body, plus your arms and hands.

Some people with spinal cord injuries have some motor or sensory function below the level of spinal cord damage. Doctors call this situation incomplete paralysis. Complete paralysis, on the other hand, is when all motor and sensory functions are gone below the level of the injury to the spinal cord.

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Recoverable Damages in Lafayette Paraplegia Accidents

Every injury case is different, even from one paraplegia case to another. For example, the medical bills and other factors can vary that determine what types of monetary damages you might recover.

After establishing the at-fault party’s liability, people typically seek to recover their medical expenses, lost earnings, and other economic losses like wheelchairs, adaptive vehicles, home renovations, and other costs because of their paraplegia accident. They can also request intangible losses, such as disfigurement, amputation, pain and suffering, and the loss of enjoyment of life.

Our paraplegia attorney in Lafayette, LA, can talk with you about the possibility of additional categories of monetary damages that could apply in your case. They can also advise you of the compensation you could recover.

Contingency Fees Demystified

Some people hesitate to call a lawyer to help them with their injury cases because they do not understand how legal fee payments work. We handle Lafayette paraplegia personal injury cases on a contingency fee arrangement. Reach out to a Lafayette Catastrophic Injury Lawyer to discuss your situation.

With this payment plan, you do not have to pay a deposit toward your legal fees. No matter how hard we work on your case, our legal fees will be a percentage of the settlement proceeds or court award. If you do not win, you do not pay us attorney’s fees.

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Pitfalls to Avoid After Suffering a Paraplegia Injury in Lafayette, LA

Even with such a life-altering injury as paraplegia from an accident in Lafayette, getting the compensation you deserve from the at-fault party is not guaranteed. Many things can happen that diminish the amount of your financial recovery. We want to help you avoid that situation.

Here are some of the pitfalls you should avoid when you have a pending Lafayette paraplegia claim:

  • Settling your claim before completing your medical treatment. Until you complete your medical treatment and get released by your doctor, you do not know if you will have an ongoing impairment that might be permanent. After you settle your paraplegia injury claim, your case is over. Even if you need additional treatment like surgery, you cannot pursue additional money from the defendant or insurer from this accident.
  • Accepting a lowball offer. Unless you work in the liability insurance industry and have access to the jury verdict information that insurance companies and personal injury attorneys use, you will be taking a wild guess about how much your case is worth. You should expect the first offer the claims adjuster makes to be far below your case’s value. A paraplegia injury attorney can guide you toward a fair settlement offer amount.
  • Not understanding how waivers or releases work in settlements. When you settle your claim, you must sign some paperwork before they give you your check. One of these documents is a waiver or release, in which you give up the right to go after the defendant for any more money for this accident. That one will represent your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, long-term impairment, and everything else.
  • Thinking that the insurance company will pay you a fair amount for your injury claim. The insurer’s adjuster might be friendly, but their job is not to pay you the full value of your injury claim. Their job is to get your claim off their books for as little money as possible, even if it means blaming you for the accident that left you with paraplegia.

When you work with a Lafayette paraplegia injury attorney, we can protect you from some of the tactics injured people encounter when dealing with insurance companies.

Louisiana’s Statute of Limitations Set Filing Deadlines for Lafayette Paraplegia Cases

Even with a devastating wound that causes paraplegia in Lafayette, Louisiana, our state generally gives you only two years to file a lawsuit for your injuries in CC 3493.1 and two years under CC Art. 2315.2 to file a wrongful death lawsuit if your loved one died from their wounds.

After the filing deadline expires, you cannot pursue a claim or a lawsuit for compensation against the negligent party who caused these life-changing injuries. Get in touch with us today so that our Lafayette paraplegia lawyer can review your case and start working for you.

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Client Testimonials Hear from locals like you.

Elizabeth Lachney I absolutely hands down the best. She is very professional, knowledgeable and most importantly she is very respectful. She is one re...

Elizabeth Lachney I absolutely hands down the best. She is very professional, knowledgeable and most importantly she is very respectful. She is one reason why we use Laborde Earles Law Firm. They make you feel like family!

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Tiffany Bardwell

New Iberia

Bridgette is absolutely phenomenal! She's one of the most professional, knowledgeable, and dedicated paralegals I've ever had the pleasure of working ...

Bridgette is absolutely phenomenal! She's one of the most professional, knowledgeable, and dedicated paralegals I've ever had the pleasure of working with. Her attention to detail is unmatched.
She catches things most people would overlook, and she always makes sure every document is perfect before it leaves her hands.
Beyond her incredible skill set, Bridgette is also kind, reliable, and a true team player. She communicates clearly, stays organized under pressure, and goes above and beyond to make sure clients and attorneys alike feel supported.
You can tell she genuinely cares about her work and the people she helps.
If you're lucky enough to have Bridgette as your paralegal, you're in the best possible hands. Five stars isn't enough for someone this exceptional!

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Brittany Johnson

Alexandria

Toni at LE is seriously so dedicated and a hard worker! LE is lucky to have this chick. She's so sweet but a little spicy (in a good, funny way!) whic...

Toni at LE is seriously so dedicated and a hard worker! LE is lucky to have this chick. She's so sweet but a little spicy (in a good, funny way!) which is always a breath of fresh air to be around someone who is genuine. She's a doll and anyone who comes into contact with her is a lucky one!

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Hannah Johnson

Baton Rouge

I just want to say that Kelby is a wonderful Attorney and will do what ever it takes to make sure you are taking care of. And his Team of Paralegal's,...

I just want to say that Kelby is a wonderful Attorney and will do what ever it takes to make sure you are taking care of. And his Team of Paralegal's, Amber, Toni, Debbie, Alana & Erica are absolutely amazing. You couldn't have ask for better. And to Rachael, she was so sweet the other day when I needed some information about when my advance was going to be ready. Thank you Laborde Earle's Law Firm for always being the Best.

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Lauren O'Quinn

New Orleans

Each time I interact with a member of the Laborde Earls team I am always extremely satisfied with the service provided. I had the pleasure of speaking...

Each time I interact with a member of the Laborde Earls team I am always extremely satisfied with the service provided. I had the pleasure of speaking with Mrs. Marsh today. She was extremely knowledgeable in addition to being patient and empathetic. She was able to provide me with the necessary resources and provided me with encouragement throughout the process. I definitely recommend Laborde Earls! Ask for Courtney!

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Megan Couvillon

Alexandria

Michelle Brouillette is always so pleasant whenever I call or stop by the office. She always has a smile on her face.

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Christine G.

I highly recommend Alexis Davis and this lawfirm. She is the true definition of professionalism, respect, understanding, patient, and many other thing...

I highly recommend Alexis Davis and this lawfirm. She is the true definition of professionalism, respect, understanding, patient, and many other things. Her detailed skills are very delightful. She goes out of her way to check on us, make sure we don't have any questions, and she is always on point. She moves very quick and always goes above and beyond for us to make sure we understand the process. I am so glad I ran into Laborde Earles and Alexis. Everyone will know about this company for sure and Alexis

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R.S.

Lafayette

Toni is the absolute BEST!!!! Not only is she the best paralegal but she’s also the best person I know. She is so intelligent, knowledgeable, ca...

Toni is the absolute BEST!!!! Not only is she the best paralegal but she’s also the best person I know. She is so intelligent, knowledgeable, caring, and goes above and beyond for everyone in her life. She is a true gem! To know her is to love her!! Anybody would be lucky to have someone like Toni in their corner.

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Sarah Jorden

Marksville

Eryn Laughlin is a good employee, we love her!

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Call Us Today – Our Lafayette Paraplegia Lawyers Can Help

We founded Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers to help people who suffered harm due to others’ negligence. We collectively have more than 350 years of personal injury experience, so no matter how unique your Lafayette paraplegia injury case might be, we have the experience of other cases to guide us as we handle it.

Come find out why people call us “Louisiana Attorneys That Care.” We treat our clients like family and work together like a big team. You can contact us today for a free initial consultation on your case. We are ready to talk to you today.

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