Sustaining injuries and losses due to someone else’s negligence is an overwhelming experience. It can leave you in pain and out of work with piling up medical debt.
Fortunately, personal injury laws allow you to file a civil action and collect compensation to cover the damages from the at-fault party. A settlement could reimburse you for medical care, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Schedule a consultation with a Morgan City personal injury lawyer from Damon J. Baldone & Associates for more information.
Common Personal Injury Cases Our Team Handles
No matter how careful we are, unfortunately, we can never fully escape the possibility of experiencing an accident and injuries. Some of the more common personal injury cases our firm handles include:
- Bus and boat accidents
- Car, truck, and motorcycle wrecks
- Childhood injuries
- Defective product injuries, including dangerous and defective medication and medical devices
- Dog Bites
- Medical malpractice
- Nursing home abuse
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
- Premise liability cases
- Workplace accidents
- Wrongful death
Our Morgan City personal injury attorneys could review the case specifics to help determine if there is cause for a lawsuit and help build a solid claim for damages.
Essential Personal Injury Statutes to Understand
There are a handful of essential statutes to be aware of when considering filing a personal injury lawsuit in Louisiana. Some of these include the statute of limitations, the comparative fault rule, strict liability for dog bites, and the at-fault car insurance rule.
The Statute of Limitations
The personal injury statute of limitations is a regulation setting the maximum amount of time a person has to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. According to Louisiana Civil Code § 3492, the petitioner or their attorney must commence legal action within one year of the incident.
The Comparative Fault Rule
If the civil court finds that the plaintiff or other third parties share liability for the accident and resulting damages, they will not bar recovery. Instead, under the comparative fault rule, the court will reduce the settlement amount by the percentage of fault assigned to other parties. For example, if the total award for damages is $100,000 and the court determines the plaintiff is 10 percent at fault and another third party is 10 percent at fault, the recovery amount would be reduced to $80,000.
Strict Liability for Dog Bites
Louisiana civil laws follow the strict liability rule for dog bites and animal attacks. When a person sustains damages in an unprovoked attack, the pet owner is liable for the damages regardless of the animal’s background.
Louisiana is an At-Fault Car Insurance State
Morgan City motorists must carry a minimum amount of auto insurance coverage to travel on public roads and highways. When accidents occur, the at-fault driver’s policy covers the damages for other drivers involved in the collision.
A seasoned personal injury attorney in Morgan City could answer questions about the statutes and other relevant legal information during a consultation.
Call a Morgan City Personal Injury Attorney for Dedicated Legal Guidance
An accident can happen out of nowhere and change the course of your life. You should not be responsible for paying the financial damages when you experience harm because of another person’s thoughtless actions.
An award for compensation could cover your out-of-pocket expenses and help you get your life back on track. A hard-working Morgan City personal injury lawyer from our firm has extensive experience with investigation, negotiations, and litigation and could help you collect the settlement amount you deserve. Call soon to schedule an appointment and review your case.
