Over $20 Billion Won by Our Serious Injury Attorneys in Baton Rouge
Louisiana sees roughly 26,000 hospitalizations for unintentional injuries each year. The most common are burns and head injuries, with spinal cord injuries and losses of limb more likely among Louisiana workers. Tens of thousands of Louisiana residents experience a life-altering injury every year, in truck and other traffic accidents, work accidents, and beyond. When the injured need an advocate, they call the Baton Rouge catastrophic injury lawyers at Arnold & Itkin. Our firm has secured more than $20 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients, including multiple billions in the last year alone. Because we prepare every case for trial, few firms have our track record for serious injury claims.
If you’re facing medical bills and lifelong impairment, call our Louisiana catastrophic injury attorneys. Discuss your options in a free consultation: (888) 493-1629.
Our Louisiana catastrophic injury attorneys understand that it takes a great deal of effort and resources to serve our clients. Serious injuries alter lives forever and cause millions in medical expenses. We stand in solidarity with those who cannot (or should not) pay the immense costs brought on by their injuries. Arnold & Itkin understands what is required to hold wrongdoers accountable after a serious accident—and what it takes to make things right for survivors.
If you're concerned about the costs associated with medical care, lost wages, and other damages, our Baton Rouge serious injury lawyers are here to help.
Our Louisiana personal injury firm has consistently taken on the largest, highest-stakes cases—including the case of a mother who lost all mobility below her neck in an ambulance accident. For the sake of her and her children, our firm poured our resources into getting her family everything they needed for a secure future, from medical bills to hiring at-home care. We won $117 million on behalf of our client—the largest injury verdict in Louisiana history.
$357 million settlement for workers facing various lifelong afflictions after a work accident.
$193 million settlement for the victims of a catastrophic pipeline explosion.
$177.5 million settlement for victims of an industrial fire who experienced serious burn injuries.
Catastrophic Personal Injury Cases in Louisiana
Louisiana’s economy is critical for the whole country, but it comes at a cost. Commercial trucks, offshore work, plants, and refineries—these are primary drivers of serious accidents as much as they’re economic drivers. It’s our duty to make sure people who are injured by big companies get the medical and financial support they need to rebuild their lives.
Our recent cases show the various ways our firm advocates for Louisiana residents:
Catastrophic injuries are events that cause damage to the victim’s cognitive, physical, or sensory abilities. The word “catastrophic” is used to define these injuries because, when they occur, they have a profound and permanent effect on quality of life. Other than that, the category is broad, including everything from loss of vision or hearing to severe burns.
The following are examples of catastrophic injuries:
Burn Injuries Severe burns are painful and debilitating, presenting a significant risk for complications such as infection. Burn injuries can also cause significant scarring and disfigurement, impacting survivors both physically and psychologically.
Blunt Force Trauma Any forceful impact from an object to a specific part of the body. These injuries often have the most effect when they occur to the head. Work environments with careless and relaxed regulations are often a source of blunt force trauma.
Vision Loss & Other Eye Injuries This is one of the most common workplace injuries. Trauma to the eyes or exposure to harmful light or chemicals can result in permanent vision loss, often as a result of inadequate protective equipment for the eyes and face.
Spinal Cord Injuries These catastrophic injuries can result in loss of strength and mobility and even paralysis. Arnold & Itkin helped a mother who suffered spinal cord damage in a Louisiana ambulance accident, winning her a $117 million verdict.
Acoustic Trauma A tragic loss of hearing is an event that has the power to permanently change the way someone interacts with the world. Our attorneys are prepared to hold those responsible accountable for such a drastic change in life.
Neck & Back Injuries The number one source of pain reported by the American public, neck and back injuries often result from workplace accidents, falls, and motor vehicle collisions. They are also preventable; at-fault parties should be held accountable.
Brain Injuries Though not always visible from the outside, traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can result in the loss of motor abilities and cognitive functions, significantly altering every single aspect of a person's life. Ongoing care is often required.
Amputation Loss of limb is one of the most devastating injuries a person can suffer. Our firm has won record-setting verdicts and settlements for people who lost limbs in construction accidents, plant explosions, and other serious accidents.
After a Serious Injury: What You Can Do
Experiencing a catastrophic injury can be overwhelming, but knowing the steps to take can help ensure you receive the care and compensation you need. Whether taken on behalf of yourself or a loved one, they can make all the difference.
Every situation is different, but here are a few critical actions to take after a serious accident or injury:
Seek medical attention as soon as you can. Even if they are not immediately apparent, a medical evaluation is essential to identify and document all injuries. This will be vital for both treatment and any potential legal action.
Keep detailed records. This includes medical reports, treatment plans, receipts, and correspondence with insurance companies or other interested parties. Photographs of injuries and the scene can also be valuable evidence.
Contact an attorney. A local catastrophic injury attorney in Louisiana can help you understand your rights, navigate the legal system, and ensure that all paperwork and deadlines are handled correctly to maximize your recovery.
Follow your treatment plan. Stick to the treatment plan prescribed by your healthcare providers. Attending all medical appointments and following through with rehabilitation or therapy is crucial for your health and your claim.
Consider your long-term needs. Work with your medical team and attorney to understand the full scope of your needs after a catastrophic injury, including future medical expenses, home modifications, and ongoing therapy.
Keep a journal. Maintaining a journal detailing your pain, emotional state, and the impact of the injury on your daily life can be a powerful tool in demonstrating the extent of your suffering and how the injury has affected you.
Explore all sources of compensation. Your attorney should explore all possible avenues for compensation, whether your employer or a motorist, manufacturer, property owner, medical professional, or other party was to blame.
Potential Causes of Catastrophic Injuries in Louisiana
In Louisiana, catastrophic injuries have various causes. They happen at work, particularly industrial workplaces where heavy machinery, chemicals, and complex procedures are involved. They happen on the road, involving large 18-wheelers, motorcycles, pedestrians, sedans, or SUVs. They happen at theme parks, hotels, water parks, and other residential or commercial properties. Wherever they happen, they can often be traced to negligent and careless acts.
A plant owner that delays a turnaround to try to avoid production delays, a trucking company that pushes drivers to work without breaks, or a driver who gets behind the wheel while drunk can cause incidents that leave unsuspecting people with catastrophic injuries. These individuals and companies must be held accountable for their conduct.
Arnold & Itkin represents clients across Louisiana and nationwide in cases involving:
Trucking accidents
Industrial accidents
Plant and refinery accidents
Pipeline explosions
Offshore accidents
Maritime accidents
Construction accidents
Crane accidents
Defective products
Drowning accidents
Our Louisiana catastrophic injury firm takes on cases for injured factory workers, plant and refinery employees, oilfield workers, drivers, truckers, consumers, and all types of people who have suffered serious harm through no fault of their own. These cases are notoriously complex and difficult to litigate, but we are up to the challenge.
Non-Economic Damages for a Louisiana Catastrophic Injury Claim
The recovery of fair compensation after a catastrophic injury is a crucial part of rebuilding one’s life. It can take hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars to cover medical expenses, the loss of earnings and future wages, ongoing care, and the other costs associated with treating and living with a catastrophic injury.
That is why our Baton Rouge firm works tirelessly to recover settlements and awards that will provide for our clients for the rest of their lives.
An important component of catastrophic injury claims is non-economic damages, often known as “pain and suffering.” Pain and suffering refers to all the losses that can't be directly quantified—losses that are emotional, social, and psychological in nature. For instance, how do you measure the loss of being able to go on walks with your spouse ever again? The loss of a career you spent your whole life building? The loss of a child or a parent?
Pain and suffering losses from catastrophic injuries may include:
Loss of consortium
Loss of enjoyment
Loss of companionship
Loss of parental guidance
While economic damages help people recover wages or medical bills, pain and suffering claims help people get the resources they need to build a “new normal.” Figuring out what your life looks like in the wake of a serious accident takes more resources than we realize; fighting for your future means fighting for your ability to rebuild your life.
Seek Fair Compensation with a Trial-Tested Serious Injury Lawyer in Louisiana
Economic damages may make up a significant portion of a catastrophic injury case, because of the sheer cost of treatment and the need for ongoing care. The cost of treating a spinal cord injury, for example, may range from $300,000 to $1 million in the first year alone. The cost of lifetime care is often in the millions of dollars. As catastrophic injury attorneys in Baton Rouge, we are committed to helping clients across Louisiana maximize their recoveries.
A successful catastrophic personal injury lawsuit may include economic damages for:
Hospitalization
Outpatient care
Medication and medical supplies
Prosthetics
Assistive devices
Home modifications
Travel costs for medical care
Physical therapy
Lost wages
Loss of future wages
When we represent a seriously injured client, we work with medical professionals, economists, and experts in various fields to determine and prove what the case is worth. We then fight to secure a fair settlement or award that will actually cover all of the economic and non-economic losses our client has experienced and will face in the future.
About Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Located on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River, Baton Rouge is the capital of Louisiana and the seat of East Baton Rouge Parish. The area was settled by French colonists in 1721, who built a military and trading post at the site. It was incorporated in 1817 after tumultuous governance by France, Britain, Spain, and the Confederate States, among others. By the beginning of the Civil War, Baton Rouge had grown to a population of 5,500. Growth continued, but its biggest boom came with the petrochemical industry in the 1950s and 1960s. Baton Rouge was recognized as one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States in the early 2000s; as of July 2021, the city’s population was estimated at 222,185.
Today, the petrochemical industry (specifically manufacturing and production) is the most substantial supporter of Baton Rouge’s economy. Baton Rouge is also home to the largest inland port on the Mississippi River that can accommodate ocean-going vessels like cargo carriers and tankers. The fourth-largest oil refinery complex in the United States, ExxonMobil Baton Rouge, is located in the city. Baton Rouge is home to several research hospitals and medical campuses, including Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center, Ochsner Medical Center, Baton Rouge General Medical Center (Mid-City and Bluebonnet), and the Pennington Biomedical Research Center.
Catastrophic injuries transform the daily life of the victim and cause unnecessary monetary issues. Tragically, these injuries are a direct result of an individual or company who could and should have prevented them. Arnold & Itkin has a team of catastrophic injury lawyers in Louisiana who want to fight to give you a future. When life changes so drastically, we believe victims deserve the maximum amount of recovery possible.
People choose our Louisiana serious injury attorneys for many reasons:
We have won over $20 billion on behalf of our clients.
We secured the largest personal injury verdict in Louisiana history.
Our success relies on your recovery—you only pay if we win.
We fight for our clients like we would fight for our own families.
Contact us today at (888) 493-1629 to connect with an experienced attorney who can review your legal options.
CommonQuestions
How Is Compensation Determined for Catastrophic Injuries?
Compensation for catastrophic injuries is determined based on various factors, including the severity of the injury, the impact on the victim’s ability to work, medical expenses (both current and future), rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. In Louisiana, compensation can be sought through a personal injury lawsuit against the party responsible for the injury. A skilled serious injury lawyer in Baton Rouge can help ensure that all relevant factors are considered to maximize the compensation awarded.
How Long Do I Have to File a Catastrophic Injury Lawsuit in Louisiana?
In Louisiana, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit, including those involving catastrophic injuries, is generally two years from the date of the injury if the injury occurred on or after July 1, 2024 and one year from the date of the injury if it occurred before July 1, 2024. This means you have one to two years to initiate legal proceedings against the party responsible for your injury. Failing to file within this timeframe can result in losing your right to seek compensation, so it’s important to consult with an attorney as soon as possible to ensure your claim is filed on time.
What Medical Evidence Is Needed to Support a Serious Injury Lawsuit?
Supporting a catastrophic injury claim requires comprehensive medical evidence, including medical records, diagnostic test results, and detailed reports from treating physicians and specialists. Documentation of the injury’s impact on your daily life and ability to work is also crucial. Expert medical testimony may be necessary to explain the extent of the injury and its long-term consequences. An experienced Louisiana catastrophic injury attorney can help gather and present this evidence effectively.
Can Family Members Receive Compensation for a Loved One's Catastrophic Injury?
Although this will vary from case to case, family members may be able to receive compensation for a loved one’s catastrophic injury in certain circumstances. This can include compensation for loss of consortium, which refers to the loss of companionship, affection, and support due to the injury. Additionally, if the injured person is unable to care for themselves, family members may seek compensation for the costs of providing long-term care and support. Consulting with an attorney can help determine the appropriate types of compensation available to family members.
What Should I Do After Experiencing a Catastrophic Injury?
After sustaining a serious injury, the immediate priority is to seek medical attention. Once your condition is stabilized, it’s important to document the incident and your injuries as thoroughly as possible. This includes keeping detailed records of all medical treatments, obtaining copies of medical reports, and documenting any impacts on your daily life and ability to work. Contacting a catastrophic injury lawyer in Louisiana as soon as possible can help ensure that your rights are protected and that you take the necessary steps to pursue compensation.
