Lafayette Louisiana Personal Injury Law blog

Common reasons to make a medical malpractice claim

On behalf of Gaar Law Firm on Monday, November 18, 2019.

When you seek advice or get treated by a medical professional, you will probably trust them completely to make the best decision for you. In most cases, doctors, surgeons and nurses are well-trained and competent, and they will do their best to ensure that you are safe and that you are given the best possible treatment. However, there can be times when poor hospital management, incompetence or negligence can mean that medical malpractice takes place.

Medical malpractice is a very serious issue because it can cause unnecessary pain, suffering and even death. This is why those who have been negatively affected by medical malpractice have the right to take legal action and claim compensatory damages. The following are some of the most common reasons why people make medical malpractice claims.

Louisiana motor vehicle accidents: 1 killed, 4 injured in wreck

On behalf of Gaar Law Firm posted in motor vehicle accidents on Thursday, November 14, 2019.

Louisiana police are in the process of investigating a crash that left one person dead and four others injured. This event occurred late in the morning of Nov. 5, in Calcasieu Parish. As is protocol following motor vehicle accidents like this, law enforcement authorities are looking into whether impairment was a factor in this incident.

According to reports, a 31-year-old male was driving his SUV eastbound on Gauthier Road when he ran a stop sign and struck a vehicle that was heading southbound on LA Highway 397. The driver of the SUV and his two passengers suffered moderate injuries and were transported to a hospital in Lake Charles. The driver of the impacted vehicle -- a 50-year-old male, and his passenger -- an 82-year-old female were also hurt and taken to a medical facility for treatment. Sadly, the elderly woman later died from her injuries. The current conditions of all others involved have not been reported.

Louisiana truck accidents: The problem with overloading trucks

On behalf of Gaar Law Firm posted in Truck Accidents on Thursday, November 7, 2019.

The trucking industry is highly regulated and for good reason. However, this doesn't stop some trucking companies in Louisiana and elsewhere, or their employees, from pushing boundaries and crossing lines. When they fail to follow the established guidelines, truck accidents may result.

One issue that has likely contributed to a number of truck accidents in the state of Louisiana is truck weight. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the weight of cargo on commercial haulers is not to exceed the amount of weight they are designed to carry. Different trucks can carry different amounts.

When a single-vehicle crash claims a passenger's life

On behalf of Gaar Law Firm posted in wrongful death on Friday, November 1, 2019.

Fatal motor vehicle accidents are, sadly, all too common in Louisiana and elsewhere. When they occur, the surviving family members of the victims may seek compensation for their losses if negligence is suspected of having contributed to the event. Despite what some people may think, this is true even if your loved one's life was lost while as a passenger in a single-vehicle crash.

A driver is responsible for every person in his or her vehicle. Passengers may be there willingly, but they are not in control. They depend on their drivers to get them to their destination safely.

Why victims of motor vehicle accidents might want to seek relief

On behalf of Gaar Law Firm posted in motor vehicle accidents on Thursday, October 24, 2019.

Were you involved in a car accident recently? If so, you are probably coming to realize how much that event is going to cost you, and it might be more than you thought it would be. Victims of motor vehicle accidents not only find themselves out a lot of money -- due to medical bills, property repair or replacement, and lost wages, among other things -- they also suffer physically and sometimes emotionally, which can have an extremely negative impact on their lives. What insurance offers victims of motor vehicle accidents is often not enough. For this reason, it may be worth seeking relief by filing claims in a Louisiana civil court.

Every car accident case is different. In minor fender-benders, working with insurance alone or addressing the matter privately may be sufficient. In more serious cases, however, you might be lucky to get just enough to replace your car and barely cover your medical bills. Insurance providers may not take into account how motor vehicle accidents affect victims long-term.

Talcum powder use and cancer risk linked

On behalf of Gaar Law Firm on Monday, October 21, 2019.

Earlier this summer, a group of research scientists and physicians from Michigan's Wayne State University announced their findings regarding the link between the use of talcum powder and diagnoses of ovarian cancer.

Their research confirms years of speculation in the scientific and medical communities that women who used talcum powder had higher incidences of the disease. Now, the reason behind the link has been revealed.

Louisiana wrongful death: At least 2 killed in Hard Rock accident

On behalf of Gaar Law Firm posted in wrongful death on Thursday, October 17, 2019.

Construction workers have tough jobs that are often dangerous. Sadly, as seen in the recent Hard Rock hotel accident, some of these hard-working individuals do not make it home at the end of the day. If negligence is believed to be a factor behind their deaths, their surviving family members may be entitled to seek compensation for their losses by filing wrongful death claims in a Louisiana civil court.

On Saturday, Oct. 12, a construction team was working on the new Hard Rock hotel in New Orleans when the unthinkable happened. For reasons yet to be explained, several upper floors collapsed, ultimately causing one side of the building to come crashing down to the ground. Several workers were hurt in the incident, and at least two were killed. As of the latest report, one person is still unaccounted for.

The ins and outs of filing a lawsuit following a birth injury

On behalf of Gaar Law Firm posted in birth injury on Thursday, October 10, 2019.

No matter how many preventative measures birthing facilities in Louisiana take, birth-related injuries still happen, and they happen more often than people think. If a mother or a child is harmed due to the actions or inactions of medical providers, compensation for any losses sustained may be sought through legal means. This week, this column will address the ins and outs of filing a lawsuit following a birth injury.

In order to pursue a medical malpractice claim, certain elements must exist in one's case. First, there has to be proof that the injury was the result of a medical provider acting below the standard of care. Second, the victim or his or her family must have experienced losses -- physical, financial or emotional -- as a result of provider negligence.

Seeking relief under maritime law

On behalf of Gaar Law Firm posted in admiralty & maritime law on Thursday, October 3, 2019.

Quite a few Louisiana residents are maritime workers. Their working conditions are often less than ideal and, in some cases, downright dangerous. Those who employ these workers are supposed to do certain things to keep their employees safe. Unfortunately, that does not always happen, and injuries occur. Under maritime law, those injured may seek relief for their resulting losses.

Recently, a man in another state filed a lawsuit against those he believes are responsible for his injuries. While working aboard a tugboat, the plaintiff slipped and fell, causing him to suffer injuries to his neck, back, knee and other areas of his body. The injuries were severe enough that he required surgery to repair some of the damage, along with other medical treatments.

When drug abuse leads to motor vehicle accidents

On behalf of Gaar Law Firm posted in motor vehicle accidents on Friday, September 27, 2019.

Driving under the influence and driving while intoxicated: these phrases often heard in Louisiana are typically tied to drunk drivers. However, not all impaired driving cases have to do with alcohol. Sadly, many have to do with drug abuse. Drug abuse and driving do not go well together, and this combination commonly leads to motor vehicle accidents. Were you injured, or did you lose a loved one in a collision with a drugged-up driver?

The state of Louisiana, like all other states, has a drug problem. Too many people here use legal and illegal substances in a manner that clouds their judgment and puts others at risk. When it comes to driving in particular, drugged drivers not only struggle to make good decisions when behind the wheel, their motor coordination and reaction timing are vastly compromised. This makes them more likely to be involved in auto accidents.