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What Is the Jones Act?

When most people get hurt on the job, they cannot sue their boss directly. They have to go through the workers’ compensation insurance system. Maritime workers in Louisiana, however, proceed under the Jones Act, instead. The Jones Act allows them to file a lawsuit against their employer for their injuries and losses.

A maritime spinal cord injury attorney in Lake Charles, LA can help you file your injury claim. Legal actions are complex and can add to the stress of recovery. Your employer will almost certainly have lawyers of their own defending them against your claim. You should not have to go up against them by yourself.

An offshore spinal cord injury lawyer could help you even if you work on or around a maritime vessel that travels over rivers, lakes, or other navigable waters, not just on oceans. You would likely qualify for protection under the Jones Act in those situations. An experienced offshore accident lawyer in Lake Charles can help determine whether you qualify.

Mayo Clinic Information About Spinal Cord Injuries

The Mayo Clinic explains that spinal cord injuries could change your life permanently. When you suffer damage to any level of your spinal cord or to the nerves beneath the spinal canal, the injury often changes how you can move your body and how you feel sensations below the level of the wound.

Paralysis is one of the most common consequences of damage to the spinal cord. If you still have some ability to control your movement or feel sensations below the point of the injury, you have incomplete paralysis. Complete paralysis is when a person loses all of their feeling and ability to control their motor function below the level of the spinal cord injury.

What Our Law Firm Can Do for Your Lake Charles Maritime Spinal Cord Injury Case

After suffering a life-changing wound like spinal cord damage, the last thing you need to do is handle your own injury claim or lawsuit. We can do the heavy lifting for you so that you can get the rest that you need to recuperate to the best extent possible. Also, when we take care of your case, you can save your energy for the medical issues you are now facing.

Here are some examples of the tasks you will not have to do if we handle your Lake Charles maritime spinal cord injury case:

  • Investigate the accident that injured you.
  • Determine the appropriate party or parties to sue for your injuries.
  • Draft your injury claim or lawsuit papers and file them for you.
  • Work directly with the insurance company of the defendant to provide them with the information they need to calculate the financial value of your injury claim.
  • Negotiate with the liability insurer and try to reach a fair settlement of your claim.
    Take the case to trial if it does not settle out of court.

Our personal injury lawyers in Lake Charles, LA, perform countless other tasks on behalf of clients. We tailor our activities to the unique needs of each client’s case.

Client Testimonials Hear from locals like you.

I highly recommend Derek Hebert to anyone in need of a skilled and trustworthy attorney. From the very beginning, Derek was professional, honest, and ...

I highly recommend Derek Hebert to anyone in need of a skilled and trustworthy attorney. From the very beginning, Derek was professional, honest, and incredibly responsive. He took the time to explain every step of the process in clear terms and always made sure I felt informed and supported.

His attention to detail, strong communication, and genuine dedication made a stressful situation much easier to navigate. Derek went above and beyond to achieve the best possible outcome, and I’m truly grateful for his hard work.

If you’re looking for an attorney who is knowledgeable, reliable, and truly cares about his clients, Derek Hebert is an outstanding choice.

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Brylan Cormier

Lafayette

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 C.

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!

M
Megan Couvillon

Alexandria

Toni is an absolute professional. She consistently goes above and beyond for her clients, ensuring every detail is handled with care and precision. He...

Toni is an absolute professional. She consistently goes above and beyond for her clients, ensuring every detail is handled with care and precision. Her communication is clear, and she truly cares about delivering results. I couldn’t recommend her more highly!

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Mimi

Lake Charles

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

Michelle Brouillette is a wonderful addition to the Laborde Earles team.

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Melanie B.

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

Working with Toni Stelly has been a great experience. She is compassionate and listens to me when I have a concern or need some information. Toni is q...

Working with Toni Stelly has been a great experience. She is compassionate and listens to me when I have a concern or need some information. Toni is quick to respond to my questions and gets things done!! Good experience working with this firm.

k
kelly

Lake Charles

They have good to keep me updated on the case but so far the settlement has not been reached.

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Lisa S.

Over 1,700 5-Star Reviews

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How Contingency Fees Work in Spinal Cord Damage Cases

Please do not let concerns about legal fees prevent you from working with an offshore spinal cord injury attorney. You will not have to pay us any upfront or hourly legal fees during your case. We use a contingency fee arrangement on these injury claims. That means that at the end of the case, our fees get paid out of the settlement or court award, and only as at a previously agreed percentage, no matter how hard we worked on your case.

We are proud of our strict no-fee guarantee. If you do not win, you do not have to pay us any attorney fees.

Talk to a Louisiana Local Attorney Today

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Recoverable Damages in Lake Charles Maritime Spinal Cord Damage Accidents

The amount and types of monetary damages you could recover for your injuries after suffering spinal cord damage in a maritime accident in the Lake Charles, Louisiana, area will vary, depending on your individual facts. There is no flat rate of recoverable damages in these cases.

Typically, people can pursue a claim for damages like these from the at-fault party:

  • Medical bills for the treatment they needed for their wounds.
  • Ongoing medical procedures, like surgeries and physical therapy.
  • Long-term care costs if they can no longer live independently because of spinal cord damage.
  • Lost wages for the time they had to spend away from work because of their wounds.
  • Future lost wages if they can no longer make as much money as before because of their injuries.
  • Pain and suffering damages for the inconvenience, emotional distress, and physical discomfort of their injuries.

We might be able to seek additional compensation for the family if your loved one died from spinal cord injuries from a maritime accident.

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What You Need to Know About Louisiana’s Statute of Limitations

In cases in which the person who suffered a Lake Charles maritime spinal cord injury decides to proceed with a lawsuit against the negligent party, they need to talk to a Lake Charles boating accident lawyer as soon as possible. If you wait too long to take legal action, your right to seek compensation can go away forever.

In Louisiana, CC 3493.1 limits you to two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. If your close relative died from a maritime accident, CC Art. 2315.2 gives you only two years to file the wrongful death lawsuit. After the statute of limitations, also called the filing deadline, expires, Louisiana law will bar you from pursuing a claim for compensation. The insurance company will not settle with you at that point.

How to Get Started on Your Maritime Spinal Cord Injury Case

Founded in 2014, Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers has more than 350 years of combined personal injury experience. If you want to help from a maritime spinal cord injury attorney in Lake Charles, Louisiana on your injury case, please reach out to us today.

We would be happy to talk to you. We do not charge for the initial consultation, and there is no obligation. Come find out why Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers has earned the title of “Louisiana Attorneys That Care.”

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