Lafayette Louisiana Personal Injury Law blog

Louisiana wrongful death: Child hit and killed by automobile

On behalf of Gaar Law Firm posted in wrongful death on Wednesday, September 11, 2019.

Police in Lake Charles were called to investigate an auto-pedestrian accident that, sadly, resulted in the death of a young child. This tragic event occurred Sept. 3, around 7 p.m., on L'Acadie Drive. If driver negligence is believed to have contributed to this incident, the child's surviving family members may be entitled to pursue compensation for their losses by filing a wrongful death claim in a Louisiana civil court.

According to reports, a vehicle pulling into a driveway in a residential area struck a 5-year-old. When police arrived, they found the child had already passed away. The victim's identity, as well as the driver's identity, have not been released to the public.

How sexual assaults affect survivors

On behalf of Gaar Law Firm posted in Personal Injury on Wednesday, September 4, 2019.

Every 98 seconds, someone is sexually assaulted. Both men and women are at risks. It's hard to cope when the perpetrator is still freely walking around you. Understanding the effects and injuries inflicted could help you figure out what kind of help you need.

Anyone who has gone through a situation where they've been violated by someone else can sympathize with the feelings brought on by that distasteful act. Apart from internally struggling with a range of emotions from anger to guilt, survivors may also find it hard to share what they've gone through to trusted friends and family members.

Less danger does not mean no danger

On behalf of Gaar Law Firm posted in Personal Injury on Friday, August 30, 2019.

E-cigarettes (E-cigs) have been out for a little while now. Also known as e-vaporizers, vape pens and electronic nicotine. E-cigs are battery powered devices which heat liquid solutions, until they become a vapor and used for inhalation.

Initially thought of as a fad, their use has only increased over the years. But that increase in use should come an increase in scrutiny. Are E-cigs all they are made out to be?

Motor vehicle accidents and soft-tissue injuries

On behalf of Gaar Law Firm posted in motor vehicle accidents on Wednesday, August 28, 2019.

When involved in a car accident, even if it seemed like a minor event, it is normal to walk away feeling sore, particularly in the neck and back areas. This pain may go away in a short period of time, or one might find that it lingers and increases in severity as the hours, days and weeks go by. The simple truth of the matter is, victims of motor vehicle accidents often experience soft-tissue injuries that can cause long-term problems. Those in Louisiana who have suffered such damages may be entitled to seek compensation for their losses.

A soft tissue injury is, by its most basic definition, damage to the body's soft areas -- such as muscle, ligaments and tendons. These injuries may show up as bruising, strains and/or sprains. One might experience soreness, stiffness and swelling -- among other things.

Understanding workers' compensation laws in Louisiana

On behalf of Gaar Law Firm on Thursday, August 22, 2019.

If you have been injured at work, you will suffer in many ways. First, the injury itself is likely to cause you significant pain for a substantial amount of time. You will also need to pay for medical expenses as a consequence of the injury, and these could be costly, especially if you do not have adequate health insurance. Third, the injury may leave you unable to perform your job in the short term or the long term.

This is why most workers in Louisiana are covered by workers' compensation. Workers' compensation is a type of insurance that comes into effect if a worker suffers financially as a result of an accident at work. If you have suffered due to an accident at work, you should take the time to understand the law in full.

Wrongful death: Trucker charged for role in fatal accident

On behalf of Gaar Law Firm posted in wrongful death on Thursday, August 22, 2019.

Police in Louisiana recently charged a truck driver for what they say was his role in a fatal accident. Three people -- including one toddler -- were killed in the accident and a teenager was injured. After such a devastating ordeal, it is possible that the victims' surviving family members may choose to seek compensation through wrongful death claims.

The wreck happened at about 11:30 a.m. on July 29, 2017. At the time, a 17-year-old teenage girl was behind the wheel of a pickup truck, driving three passengers between the ages of 3 and 45. According to police, the teenage driver had slowed the vehicle so that she could complete a right turn, but then ended up colliding with an 18-wheeler. All three passengers died while still at the scene of the accident. The teenage driver was transported to an area hospital to receive treatment for moderate injuries.

Maternal injury and death on the rise in negligent hospitals

On behalf of Gaar Law Firm on Tuesday, August 20, 2019.

When you are a new mother, you look forward to raising and taking care of your child. But sometimes, you can develop complications after birth. If doctors do not respond to these complications right away with proper treatment, they can cause you serious injury or death.

Most new mothers expect childbirth to be the most painful part of pregnancy. But for some Louisiana women, the pain may be after the birth. A USA Today report investigated the reasons behind the rising rate of maternal injury and death at hospitals in 13 states. The report found 120 hospitals across the country with significantly higher rates of maternal injury and death. Here is some of what they found:

Who is excluded from collecting LHWCA benefits?

On behalf of Gaar Law Firm posted in admiralty & maritime law on Friday, August 16, 2019.

The Longshore and Harbor Workers' Compensation Act was passed in 1927 to offer maritime workers compensation when they suffer injuries while on the job. At the time of its passing, such employees were struggling to collect workers' comp benefits offered under state laws. Over the years, the LHWCA has been amended to ensure those who really qualify for the benefits receive them. Some maritime workers in Louisiana may find they are excluded from collecting LHWCA benefits, however.

Before getting into who can and cannot collect these benefits, it's important to understand what the LHWCA actually covers. Currently, it provides for the losses of those who have suffered temporary or permanent disabilities while on the job or the losses suffered by the family members of employees who died as a result of job-related injuries. Such damages may include:

Cost of treatment
Treatment-related travel expenses
Job training
Lost wages
Lost benefits

Wrongful death: Crash at intersection claims life of 1

On behalf of Gaar Law Firm posted in wrongful death on Thursday, August 8, 2019.

When a motorcycle is involved, a collision that could otherwise lead to little more than minor damage to each vehicle could have disastrous consequences. Motor vehicle accidents involving motorcycles run a higher chance of leaving a rider with serious or even life-altering injuries. A recent collision in which a driver failed to adhere to a traffic sign at an intersection has led to the apparent wrongful death of a 39-year-old motorcycle rider in Louisiana.

Authorities responded to reports of the incident at around 5 p.m. on a recent Monday. According to reports, the crash occurred when the driver of an eastbound vehicle failed to observe to a stop sign prior to entering an intersection. The motorcycle rider was reportedly unable to react quickly enough to avoid collision and crashed into the vehicle shortly thereafter.

Louisiana wrongful death: Teen dies in single-vehicle crash

On behalf of Gaar Law Firm posted in wrongful death on Friday, August 2, 2019.

No parent wants to get the call that his or her teen has been involved in a car accident. Sadly, it happens all too often in the state of Louisiana. A recent crash claimed the life of an 18-year-old male. Under the right circumstances, this young man's surviving family members may be entitled to seek compensation for their losses by filing a wrongful death claim in civil court.

In mid-July, police were called to the scene of a single-vehicle crash that occurred in the Lake Charles area. When they arrived, they found a teenager outside of the vehicle on the ground. He had suffered what were described as moderate injuries and was transported to an area hospital for treatment. Sadly, he ultimately succumbed to those injuries.