Lake Charles Personal Injury Lawyer

When you choose our Lake Charles personal injury lawyers to represent you, you get over 350 years of combined legal experience from our dedicated injury attorneys. If you’ve suffered a personal injury, you could face life-altering consequences such as loss of mobility, the inability to work, and intense pain. However, if someone else’s negligence injured you, a Lake Charles personal injury lawyer from Laborde Earles can help you get financial compensation to pay for these.

With over $1 billion in compensation secured for our clients, our attorneys work tirelessly to ensure you receive maximum compensation. Our firm has 350 years of combined experience with car accidents, slip and fall accidents, and more. Plus, our legal team handles cases on contingency, meaning you don’t pay unless we win.

Contact us today to schedule a free case evaluation.

Types of Cases Our Lake Charles Personal Injury Lawyers Handle

• Lake Charles Car Accident Lawyer: If you’ve been involved in a car accident, our dedicated team is here to help you navigate the legal complexities and secure the compensation you need. We are committed to fighting for your rights and achieving the best possible outcome for your case.
• Lake Charles Truck Accident Lawyer: Facing the aftermath of a truck or 18-wheeler accident in Lake Charles? Our experienced attorneys are well-versed in handling these complex cases and will work tirelessly to hold negligent parties accountable and ensure you receive fair compensation.
• Lake Charles Workers’ Compensation Lawyer: Injured on the job? Our knowledgeable lawyers are ready to assist you with your workers’ compensation claim, ensuring you receive the benefits and support needed for your recovery and return to work.
• Lake Charles Wrongful Death Lawyer: If you’ve lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence in Lake Charles, our compassionate attorneys are here to seek justice and compensation for your loss. We are dedicated to providing support and advocacy during this difficult time.
• Lake Charles Bus Accident Lawyer: Our firm has the expertise to handle bus accident claims and will work to secure the compensation you deserve for your injuries and losses. We are committed to protecting your rights and interests.
• Lake Charles Bicycle Accident Lawyer: After a bicycle accident, our team can help you secure the compensation you need for medical expenses and other damages. We specialize in advocating for cyclists and fighting for their rights on the road.
• Lake Charles Motorcycle Accident Lawyer: Motorcycle accidents often lead to serious injuries. In Lake Charles, our experienced attorneys are here to provide dedicated support and fight for the compensation necessary for your recovery and well-being.
• Lake Charles Pedestrian Accident Lawyer: If you’ve been injured as a pedestrian, we are here to help you navigate the legal process and obtain the compensation you deserve.
• Lake Charles Boating Accident Lawyer: Injured in a boat accident on Louisiana waters? Our experienced team can guide you through maritime laws and pursue the compensation you deserve for your injuries. We are dedicated to holding negligent parties accountable.
• Lake Charles Slip and Fall Lawyer: Injured in a slip and fall accident in Lake Charles? Our firm specializes in premises liability and will work to ensure you receive compensation for your injuries caused by unsafe property conditions.
• Lake Charles Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer: If you or a loved one has suffered from abuse or neglect in a nursing home, our firm is committed to fighting for justice and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.
• Lake Charles Dog Bite Lawyer: If you’ve been bitten by a dog, our experienced attorneys are here to help you recover damages for your injuries and suffering. We will work to hold the responsible pet owner accountable and secure the compensation you deserve.

In short, we cover a wide range of injury scenarios you may face living in Lake Charles. 

Our Personal Injury Case Results Speak for Themselves

Our team of attorneys has helped personal injury victims recover substantial settlements and verdicts. Whether negotiating with the insurance company or taking the case to trial, we stop at nothing to get our clients what they need to move forward after an injury.

Here are just a few examples of the verdicts and settlements we have recovered for past clients:

• $23,000,000: This was a court judgment we won in the wrongful death of a mother.
  
• $5,500,000: This compensation was awarded to a maritime worker we represented who was injured on the job.
  
• $2,700,000: We negotiated this settlement for an injured person in an 18-wheeler accident.
  
• $1,200,000: This trial verdict we achieved for our client after a motorcycle accident.
  
• $500,000: This compensation was for wrongful death due to medical malpractice.

Our team has a proven track record, and we will use our legal experience to fight for the most compensation possible in your case. When you contact us, our Lake Charles personal injury attorneys will analyze the details of your case, determine its value, and file an insurance claim or lawsuit on your behalf if you have a case.

What Our Lake Charles Personal Injury Lawyers Can Do for You

If you were injured because of someone else’s negligent or reckless actions, you are entitled to fair compensation for your losses and damages. A personal injury attorney from our Lake Charles office can help your case in the following ways:

• Gather evidence: Our team will collect evidence to support your case, including medical records, the police report, pictures or surveillance video from the scene, eyewitness statements, etc.
  
• Determine your case’s value: Our attorneys will help you place a value on your case that includes your damages. We fight hard for the compensation you will need now and in the future.
  
• Handle all communications: We will communicate with the insurance companies and the other side’s lawyer so you don’t have to deal with the stress.
  
• Negotiate a fair settlement: While the insurance company may pressure you to take the first offer, our team is ready to fight for the financial recovery you deserve.
  
• Take the case to trial: If the other side’s insurance company refuses to settle, our attorneys will go to trial and argue your case before a judge and jury.
  
• Never leave you in the dark: Our firm will never leave you wondering about the progress of your case or where it stands. We are here 24/7 to answer any of your questions or concerns about your legal counsel.

If you lost a loved one due to a liable party’s actions, please accept our deepest sympathies. You may be entitled to compensation for loss of companionship and any financial contributions your family member made before their death. We can discuss the details of a potential wrongful death claim during your initial legal consultation.

Compensation Our Lake Charles Personal Injury Lawyers Could Recover in Your Claim

One of the first steps to recover compensation in a Louisiana personal injury case is to calculate your damages before filing a claim. Some compensation types that may apply to your case include the following.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are the financial losses you suffered from the accident and subsequent injury. Our personal injury attorneys from Lake Charles can pursue the following damages on your behalf:

• Medical expenses
  
• Emergency treatment expenses for severe injuries
  
• Cost of future medical care
  
• Assistive medical devices
  
• Lost wages
  
• Reduced earning capacity
  
• Property damage
  
• In-home assistance
  
• Other out-of-pocket costs
  
• Funeral expenses if your loved one has died in an accident

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages account for the physical and emotional toll the accident-related injury has taken on you. They can include:

• Pain and suffering
  
• Mental anguish
  
• Emotional distress
  
• Loss of enjoyment of life
  
• Loss of companionship
  
• Disability or disfigurement

Monetary compensation after a serious injury could be substantial. This is because, with a few exceptions, Lake Charles typically places no damage caps on personal injury lawsuits. Our lawyers can help you explore your legal options and potential damages before filing legal action.

Proving Negligence in a Personal Injury Case

When someone pursues damages for an injury caused by a negligent party, the burden of proof falls on the injured party and their attorney. Your Lake Charles personal injury attorney can take several steps to prove that the other party caused your accident and that you’re owed financial compensation for what happened.

Most injury cases are centered around the concept known as the “duty of care.” A duty of care is a legal obligation that all people have to behave in a way that prevents others from suffering foreseeable harm. 

For example, driving the speed limit and staying focused on the road are ways that drivers can uphold a reasonable duty of care for other motorists. Here’s how an experienced lawyer from our firm can use the “duty of care” concept to prove negligence:

• Establish that the other party owed you a duty of care.
  
• Use evidence to show the other party failed to uphold the duty of care.
  
• Demonstrate that the party’s failure to uphold the duty resulted in the accident and your injuries.
  
• Show that the incident caused you to suffer financial or non-economic losses you can claim under Louisiana law.

Do Not Delay in Filing Your Southwest Louisiana Injury Claim

To file a personal injury lawsuit in Louisiana, potential plaintiffs must follow the state’s deadline for filing their actions in civil court.

• Statute of limitations for personal injury: The deadline is two years from the injury date, per CC 3493.1.
  
• Statute of limitations for wrongful death: The deadline is two years from the date of the decedent’s death, per CC 2315.2.

If you fail to file a claim within this two-year window, you will likely lose your chance to file a lawsuit, even if you or your loved one sustained a catastrophic injury. However, an experienced legal professional from our Lake Charles personal injury law firm will file your lawsuit within the statutory deadline.

Most Common Types of Personal Injury Cases

As we mentioned earlier, we handle many different types of accidents. Some of the most common personal injury accidents that lead to legal action involve dog attacks, motor vehicle accidents, and dangerous properties. All these incidents could lead to compensable injuries.

Dog Bites

Dog owners are “strictly liable” for injuries their dog causes an individual. It does not matter if the dog has never been aggressive or dangerous. If a dog bites or attacks, the owner is most likely responsible and could be liable for resulting injuries.

Automobile Accidents

In motor vehicle collisions, accident victims must have the proper auto insurance to recover damages in a personal injury claim.

However, if an injured party does not have insurance, they may still be able to pursue compensation for damages. This rule typically only applies in cases where medical bills exceed $10,000. If you’re eligible to pursue damages, a personal injury attorney from our team in Lake Charles can fight for the results you deserve.

Premises Liability

If a person sustains an injury due to dangerous conditions in a building, parking lot, store, or other property, they might be able to file a personal injury claim.

In a premises liability claim like this, an experienced attorney could collect evidence to demonstrate that the property owner knew (or should have known) about the dangerous condition that caused the injuries.

Maritime Injury Cases

Maritime injury cases are a specialized area of personal injury law that deals with accidents and injuries that occur on navigable waters, such as lakes, rivers, and oceans. These types of cases often involve complex legal issues and can be challenging to navigate without the assistance of a knowledgeable attorney.

In Lake Charles, Louisiana, maritime injury cases are particularly common due to the city’s location along the Gulf Coast and its bustling maritime industry. The Port of Lake Charles, one of the top 15 seaports in the United States, plays a crucial role in the area’s economy and contributes to the high number of maritime-related incidents.

Types of Maritime Injury Cases We Handle

At Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers, we have extensive experience handling a wide range of maritime injury cases, including:

• Jones Act Claims: For seamen injured while working on vessels
  
• Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA) Claims: For dock workers, stevedores, and other maritime employees
  
• Offshore Injury Claims: For workplace accidents on oil rigs, platforms, and other offshore structures
  
• Recreational Boating Accidents: For injuries sustained during leisure activities on the water
  
• Cruise Ship Accidents: For passengers and crew members injured on cruise ships
  
• Commercial Fishing Accidents: For injuries sustained in the commercial fishing industry
  
• Maritime Product Liability Cases: For injuries caused by defective maritime equipment or vessels

Our experienced maritime injury attorneys understand the unique challenges and complexities of these cases. We work tirelessly to ensure that our clients receive the compensation they deserve under maritime law.

Understanding Louisiana’s Comparative Fault Law

In personal injury cases, Louisiana follows a “pure comparative fault” system, which can significantly impact the outcome of your claim. This law, outlined in Louisiana Civil Code Article 2323, is crucial to understand if you’ve been injured in an accident where multiple parties may share responsibility.

How Comparative Fault Works

Under Louisiana’s comparative fault law, the amount of compensation you can recover in a personal injury case is reduced by your percentage of fault in the accident. Here’s how it works:

• Fault Determination: The judge or jury determines the percentage of fault for each party involved in the accident.
  
• Damage Calculation: The total amount of damages is calculated based on the evidence presented.
  
• Compensation Reduction: Your compensation is then reduced by your percentage of fault.

For example, if you’re found to be 20% at fault for an accident and your total damages are $100,000, you would be eligible to recover $80,000 (80% of the total damages).

No Barring of Recovery

Unlike some states that use a modified comparative fault system, Louisiana’s pure comparative fault law allows you to recover damages even if you’re found to be mostly at fault for the accident. For instance, even if you’re determined to be 90% at fault, you could still recover 10% of your damages.

Meet With a Lake Charles Personal Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation

Navigating the legal system after a serious injury can be frustrating. Luckily, a Lake Charles personal injury lawyer from Laborde Earles can help determine the value of your claim, assist with filing the necessary paperwork, and fight for your rights at every step while you focus on recovering.

Remember: we handle cases on a contingency fee basis with no upfront costs. The initial consultation is free, and there is no obligation to sign up for our legal services. Contact us to speak with someone from our law firm now.