Every year, thousands of people in Louisiana suffer injuries due to someone else’s negligence. These victims can file a lawsuit to obtain financial compensation for their damages related to the incident. However, determining when you have a viable claim and who bears responsibility for your injuries is often challenging. Depending on the circumstances of the case, you might experience physical injuries and emotional distress.
Discuss your case with a Raceland personal injury lawyer when you suffer injuries after an accident and believe another party’s recklessness played a role. Our dedicated attorneys could investigate the circumstances of your injury and determine if you have a claim.
Louisiana Personal Injury Law
Most injuries are caused by accidents and not someone’s intentional conduct; however, this does not mean that the person who caused an injury is not legally responsible for the damage they caused. In personal injury law, a cause of action is negligence, also known as failing to act with the same level of care that a reasonable person would have exercised under similar circumstances.
In this context, a person, a public or private entity, can be negligent—and the victim of that negligence can sue the responsible party for the injuries they sustained. However, to recover financial damages in a personal injury lawsuit, the plaintiff must demonstrate the existence of a legal duty, breach, causation, and damages.
In negligence cases, the person who bears legal responsibility likely did not intend to cause harm to the victim. However, the injured victim can still recover if they demonstrate a cause of action for negligence and prove that the defendant owed them a duty of care. For example, drivers on the road and property owners have a significant responsibility to protect others. A hardworking Raceland personal injury attorney could collect evidence that proves another party was responsible for a specific accident resulting in an injury.
Types of Personal Injury Claims
Personal injury is a broad category of the law that includes many different types of claims and injuries. Common examples include the following:
- Motor vehicle accidents, including car, truck, and motorcycle crashes
- Medical malpractice
- Products liability
- Slip and fall accidents or premises liability
- Wrongful death
When someone else’s negligence plays a role in an avoidable injury, contact a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer in Raceland for help.
Damages in a Personal Injury Lawsuit
After an injury, people often are burdened with expensive medical bills, lost wages, and even permanent disability. Filing a personal injury lawsuit is the first step toward obtaining compensation for these expenses. Damages refer to the payments victims receive when a defendant has breached their duty toward the injured person. Typically, damages in personal injury cases are general, special, or punitive and repay victims for the cost of their past and future medical care, lost income, and other related expenses. Injury victims can also seek compensation for their physical pain, suffering, or emotional trauma.
No matter what type of injury a person suffers, there is a limited amount of time after the accident when they can seek compensation. This rule, known as the statute of limitations, provides that plaintiffs in Louisiana have one year from the date of the injury to bring a lawsuit for damages. A seasoned legal professional could value an injured person’s claim and demand that the responsible parties fairly compensate the victim for their losses.
Hire a Raceland Personal Injury Attorney to Handle Your Claim
When you experience a serious injury through no fault of your own, contact a Raceland personal injury lawyer to handle your claim. An experienced local attorney understands the relevant laws and procedures governing personal injury lawsuits and could assist you with building a solid claim.
Most personal injury cases settle, but if your case goes to court, our team of legal experts is prepared to advocate on your behalf. Contact our office for a free consultation.
