Lafayette Personal Injury Attorneys

Understanding the Time Limits for Filing a Claim in Lafayette

Louisiana law requires that personal injury cases be filed within one year from the date of the injury. Claims submitted after this deadline are likely to be dismissed by the court. It is essential to contact an attorney and begin working on your case promptly. If you are unsure about your eligibility to file a claim, our law firm offers free, confidential advice to help.

Maximizing Your Compensation in Lafayette Personal Injury Claims

Understanding the types of compensation available is crucial when pursuing a personal injury claim. Claimants can seek both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages provide financial support for quantifiable expenses, while non-economic damages address intangible losses that affect quality of life. We have examples below.

Economic Damages

• Medical Expenses: Covers current and future medical bills, rehabilitation costs, and necessary medical equipment.
• Lost Wages: Compensation for income lost due to hospitalization or recovery periods.
• Loss of Future Earnings: If the injury results in a long-term or permanent disability, claimants can seek compensation for the potential loss of future income due to their inability to continue their line of work.

Non-Economic Damages

• Pain & Suffering: Compensation for physical pain and emotional distress caused by the injury.
• Loss of Consortium: Covers the loss of companionship, affection, and support from a spouse or family member.
• Emotional Distress: Compensation for psychological impact, including anxiety and depression.

Rebuilding Lives After Catastrophic Injuries in Lafayette

Catastrophic injuries are not minor injuries that can be healed quickly. These injuries require extensive medical treatment and often need rehabilitation; in some cases, the goal is not to return to a similar point in life but to adjust to an entirely new lifestyle. Our Lafayette catastrophic injury lawyers are passionate about helping those affected by injuries such as these. We take the time to truly understand the scope of the injury and what will be required to recover from it. Then, we work tirelessly to fight for the level of compensation that truly helps our clients take care of themselves and their families.

Our lawyers help clients in cases involving catastrophic injuries such as the following:

Legal Support for Spine Injury Victims in Lafayette, LA

Spinal cord injuries are among the most serious traumas, potentially causing partial or total paralysis. The spinal cord transmits information between the brain and body, so any damage can profoundly impact life. These injuries are typically permanent, requiring ongoing care and making it difficult for victims to earn a living. According to the National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center, a 25-year-old with quadriplegia may face about $4.7 million in lifetime expenses.

The injury's location and severity determine its impact. Cervical spine injuries can cause paralysis of the arms and legs, affect breathing, and disrupt other bodily functions. Lower spine injuries may result in paralysis of the legs and lower body. Additional effects include susceptibility to infection, breathing difficulties, and loss of bladder, bowel, and sexual function. A spine injury affects every part of a victim’s life, often requiring reliance on caregivers, family members, and assistive devices for daily functions. Severe cases may confine individuals to a wheelchair or result in paralysis.

Spinal cord injuries can result from direct trauma or unnatural twisting or pulling motions, leading to total or partial loss of sensation and motor function. Common causes include:

Our Lafayette spinal cord injury lawyers are here to help you get the support and care you need. We focus on the severe impact of spinal cord injuries, holding at-fault parties accountable and pursuing the financial compensation needed.

Lafayette's Premier Attorneys for Burn Injury Victims

Severe burns can occur in various situations, including explosions, electrical accidents, and auto accidents. These injuries result from exposure to heat, fire, chemicals, electricity, or the sun and can range from minor to life-threatening. Severe burns often affect muscles, nerve tissue, and bones, requiring immediate medical treatment to prevent complications.

Burn injuries are classified by severity:

• First-degree burns are the least severe and often do not require professional medical treatment. 
• Second-degree burns, while sometimes manageable without professional care, should always be assessed by a doctor, as they extend beyond the first layer of skin and can become infected. 
• Third- and fourth-degree burns are the most serious and life-threatening. These burns damage multiple layers of skin and can affect muscles and bones, necessitating extensive treatment.

The repercussions of severe burns are often lifelong. Even after physical recovery, individuals may experience difficulty moving and face emotional challenges related to disfigurement and severe scarring. For this reason, it is crucial to get the help of an experienced Lafayette burn injury attorney who can assess the situation and fight for fair compensation.

Helping the Victims of Traumatic Brain Injuries in Lafayette

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when a blow to the head or a sudden jolt damages the brain. Common causes include falls, traffic accidents, and explosions. While TBIs result from external trauma, acquired brain injuries develop from non-traumatic causes such as exposure to toxins, stroke, near-drowning, or a prolonged lack of oxygen. In both cases, injuries can be minor and be resolved with minimal intervention, while others are severe and affect a person’s ability to think, remember, and speak. They both manifest through various symptoms depending on the extent. 

Common signs of a brain injury include the following:

Negligence or wrongdoing often underlies these incidents, providing grounds for personal injury lawsuits. Our Lafayette personal injury law firm represents individuals who have suffered TBIs in Lafayette, Lafayette Parish, all of Louisiana, and the entire U.S. We know that these injuries often lead to expensive medical treatments, piling bills, and critical decisions about healthcare and insurance, making it seem impossible to rebuild and move on. At Arnold & Itkin, our Lafayette brain injury attorneys are dedicated to helping victims receive the compensation they deserve.

Our Lafayette Wrongful Death Law Firm Has Won $20 Billion

Losing a loved one is devastating, and navigating the legal aftermath can be overwhelming. A wrongful death claim is a civil action filed by the family of a deceased person whose death was caused by another's negligent or wrongful actions. These claims seek to hold the responsible parties accountable and provide financial compensation for the family's losses. In Louisiana, eligible individuals to file a wrongful death claim include children, siblings, parents, spouses or life partners, and other dependents. It is crucial to act quickly, as there is a one-year statute of limitations for these claims.

Our experienced wrongful death attorneys in Lafayette are dedicated to providing compassionate and effective legal representation during this difficult time. We thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding your loved one’s death to establish negligence or wrongdoing, identify all liable parties, and handle all aspects of filing the wrongful death claim within the statute of limitations. We pursue maximum compensation for economic and non-economic damages, including medical expenses, funeral costs, lost future earnings, pain and suffering, and loss of companionship. Throughout the legal process, we offer compassionate support and clear communication.

About Lafayette, LA

Named the “Happiest City in America,” Lafayette is located along the Vermilion River in southern Louisiana's Acadiana region. As the seat of Lafayette Parish, the city had an estimated population of 121,771 as of July 2020. Lafayette, spanning 55.65 square miles, has a diverse population, including many of Creole and Cajun descent, and an elevation of 36 to 49 feet above sea level. Unlike the surrounding wetlands, Lafayette rarely experiences flooding. 

Established as Vermilionville in the 1820s and incorporated in 1836, the city was initially an agricultural community. It was renamed in 1884 after General Lafayette, a key figure in the Revolutionary War. Lafayette remained agriculture-based until the 1940s when the discovery of oil transformed it into the state's oil and gas industry hub. The city's economy later diversified into aerospace, technology, banking, healthcare, social services, and retail. Employers include the Lafayette Parish School System, Walmart, Schlumberger, Lafayette General Health, and Wood Group Production Services.

Visitors can explore the historical village of Vermilionville, the Acadian Village, the Lafayette Science Museum, the Children’s Museum of Acadiana, and the Cajundome & Convention Center. Outdoor attractions include the Longfellow-Evangeline State Historic Site and birdwatching at Lake Martin Rookery.

Lafayette Links & Resources

Contact Our Lafayette Personal Injury Attorneys: (888) 493-1629

The road to recovery after a severe injury or the loss of a loved one is long and painful. The party or parties responsible for causing you harm should be held accountable, and that’s why we’re here. At Arnold & Itkin, our Lafayette injury attorneys believe in using the civil justice system for its intended purpose: to help people who have suffered harm through the negligent, irresponsible, and outright illegal conduct of others. Our dedication to results and commitment to never backing down has resulted in billions of dollars in settlements and verdicts for clients.

To learn how you can put our experience to work for you, all you need to do is call (888) 493-1629.