New Iberia Personal Injury Lawyer

New Iberia Personal Injury Attorney

Most people think that once you’re out of the hospital, that’s where a personal injury ends. However, this might only be the start of your problems. It may not be possible to return to work immediately. Working with a New Iberia personal injury lawyer might be needed to recover those missing costs.

Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys in New Iberia

Our experience as an attorney on the other side made us realize how much victims of personal injuries suffer. This led us to create our own firm. At Gaar Law Firm, we’ve secured multiple million-dollar settlements for our clients.

What Is a Personal Injury Claim?

A personal injury claim is meant to argue that someone else caused your injuries. The other party could be a single person or an entire company. They have to be at least somewhat to blame.

These claims exist because many personal injuries leave people with significant costs. Things like medical bills are common. With a median household income in New Iberia of $50,802, it can be challenging to incorporate these new expenses into the budget.

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases

There are so many types of personal injury cases that it’s difficult to list them all here. Here are some of the ones that are the most popular:

• Car accidents. This is a general term for any type of injuries that come from being in a vehicle or being hit by another vehicle. The type of vehicle doesn’t matter, and even bicycles are included.
• Slip and fall accidents. This is most common in privately owned buildings. The slip and fall had to have occurred due to an issue with the property itself. It can still be somewhat your fault.
• Medical malpractice. Even though doctors can make mistakes, they must be based on established standards in the field. Errors that should never have happened can be considered a personal injury case.
• Product liability. To qualify for a personal injury claim through product liability, you have to have been using the product as the manufacturer intended. If it still fails and causes you harm, you may have a case.
• Workplace accidents. These vary depending on the type of workplace you’re in. They follow a different structure than other personal injury claims. The deadlines are also different.

The type of accident is less important than who is responsible for the accident. In New Iberia, with a population of 27,926 people, it might be someone you know.

Maritime Injuries

Southwest is home to a large maritime industry. Many people in New Iberia base their livelihoods on working on a vessel. This industry can be quite dangerous to work in. A simple workplace accident can be exacerbated by unstable conditions. Many maritime injuries happen due to the nature of the job. They’re nobody’s fault. However, some are caused because the employer didn’t do their job correctly.

Either way, you might still have a claim. Unlike regular personal injury law, maritime law allows some people to file a claim even if no one is at fault. Sometimes, third parties are responsible for accidents, especially vendors or outside contractors. In these cases, you could file a personal injury claim. Maritime injuries often involve more detailed and extensive rules than traditional personal injury cases. Talking to a lawyer can give you an idea of what you qualify for.

Forms of Legislation

Two of the most common forms of legislation used for maritime injuries are the Jones Act and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA). These laws apply to two different categories of people. The Jones Act was specifically made for seamen, with a legal definition of spending a large part of their day on a ship.

The LHWCA is intended for individuals who may not qualify under the Jones Act. They can still receive compensation; however, there may be slightly different rules for how to proceed.

A lawyer is good at identifying which law you should use depending on your job title and what you do on an average workday.

Catastrophic Injuries

Catastrophic injuries are still considered personal injuries. They tend to be much more serious than your typical injury. Most catastrophic injuries leave some kind of permanent mark on people. Amputations or a serious disease that was left undiagnosed by a healthcare provider are some examples.

These injuries often require higher damage amounts because they are more severe. Many people who are victims of a catastrophic injury can’t work again. They may need to relocate or undertake extensive renovations to their home to help them live comfortably.

Future care costs can be included in the calculation of catastrophic injury. Any kind of permanent damage raises the chances that your injuries will need care for the rest of your life. Things like in-home care aids might be necessary if the injuries are bad enough.

Why Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Working with a New Iberia personal injury attorney has numerous benefits. These cases require a significant amount of communication between the victim and the insurance company. These businesses use this communication to their benefit. They often ask people for unnecessary documents to disqualify them from getting paid. Even a simple phone conversation can reduce your compensation. Most calls are recorded.

What you say can be used later to argue that you caused more of the accident than you did. With an attorney, they can speak to the insurance companies for you. This is important because they know how adjusters can manipulate facts to their advantage. An attorney is very limited in what they will say. This reduces how much information the insurance company has to argue about the amount of money you’re owed.

Another issue people often struggle with is gathering their medical records. Even if copies are available, there may be a significant amount of paperwork for an injured person to manage on their own. Attorneys already have detailed organization systems to handle large amounts of documents. It’s easier for them to manage all the documents related to your case because they do it all the time.

How an Attorney Can Help

There might be evidence that can help you without you even knowing it exists. Things like witness testimony or additional footage of the scene might only be gathered with the help of a lawyer.

Finally, legal documents can be difficult to understand. Even if you do manage to fill them out, there’s a high chance that you missed a step or did something wrong. If this happens, the court may deny the forms and require you to fill them out again.

Combined with Louisiana’s tight statute of limitations, any issues with your case could take up time that your case doesn’t have. Attorneys are accustomed to filling out these forms and can do so more quickly and efficiently.

Why Choose Us?

Gaar Law Firm regularly wins six-figure and even seven-figure settlements. We’ve won as much as $7.1 million for an injured seaman. Outside the maritime law field, a $4.3 million settlement was won for the victim of a commercial trucking accident.

Although we handle many cases, we understand that this is likely your first and only case. That’s why we treat every case like a new opportunity to fight.

FAQs

When Should I Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Hiring a personal injury lawyer should happen as soon as possible. This is because Louisiana has a time limit for filing a claim. It’s easier to file a claim early on in the process. A lawyer can help if your case involves serious injuries that need significant amounts of compensation to help you heal.

How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Louisiana?

To file a personal injury claim in Louisiana, you have two years from when the accident happened. There are some cases that only have a one-year statute of limitations, including wrongful death. If you’re worried about whether or not your deadline has passed, contact an attorney. They can figure out if you have time to file.

What Evidence Do You Need for a Personal Injury Claim in Louisiana?

The evidence that you need for a personal injury claim in Louisiana is extensive. You need to prove that the injuries occurred as a result of an accident. This accident needs to at least be partially someone else’s fault. The most common forms of evidence include medical bills. If there’s any kind of visual evidence that can prove who caused the accident.

How Is Pain and Suffering Calculated in Louisiana?

Pain and suffering are calculated in Louisiana differently for each person. This is because everyone experiences different injuries and has different life challenges associated with them. One really helpful way to make these issues more tangible is by keeping a pain journal. Record how you feel and any limitations you have for a more accurate estimate.

Helping Those Who Have Been Hurt

Most people don’t know what they’re entitled to after a personal injury. This can lead to them getting less than what they need to sustain themselves and their families. Working with an attorney gives you a better chance of getting more for your injuries. Schedule a consultation with Gaar Law Firm to learn more.