Lafayette Personal Injury Lawyer

Lafayette Personal Injury Attorney

It’s frustrating to be injured, and it’s even more upsetting when the injury was caused by another person’s carelessness. As well as physical and emotional strain, you are likely dealing with financial stress from medical bills, recovery costs, and missing work.

If a person or another party is at fault for your injuries, a Lafayette personal injury lawyer can help you file a personal injury claim to recover the financial damages you suffered as a result.

The Law Offices of R. Scott Iles is dedicated to representing injured people. Injuries occur in settings that range from public roads, commercial facilities, the workplace, hospitals, or even at home.

Implications and ultimate responsibility for personal injuries depend on a number of factors, including the actual location of the injury and the circumstances surrounding the injury. These complicated issues are most effectively handled by an experienced Lafayette personal injury attorney.

Representing Individuals Suffering From Personal Injuries

At the Law Offices of R. Scott Iles, our qualified attorney can determine if you have a viable personal injury claim and what damages you could be compensated for. Our firm in Lafayette, LA has worked in personal injury law for more than 30 years. Scott has the legal experience and ability required to quickly assess an injury claim and properly ensure that injured individuals’ legal rights are protected.

The firm also has an in-depth understanding of insurance company procedures and policies that is critical in properly handling a personal injury claim. Personal injury claims require effective negotiation with insurance providers to obtain the most compensation possible for a settlement. Insurance companies want to provide as little compensation as possible, and our team has the necessary experience to know what your claim is worth when we enter negotiations.

If an insurance company is unwilling to provide you with the compensation you deserve in a settlement, our team can take your case to litigation. Scott has extensive courtroom experience and a successful track record in court. This experience can benefit you, and you’re likely to receive more compensation from your claim.

Insurance companies know the firm’s reputation for ensuring that clients are properly compensated for their injuries. This is beneficial during settlement negotiations, as insurance providers know that our team does not back down if the settlement does not cover your damages. This can make insurers more willing to provide you with that compensation before having to engage in the expensive and public process of litigation.

It’s important to retain legal services from an attorney who has experience in the type of claim you are facing. This means that they are likely to understand the unique requirements of that type of case.

The Law Offices of R. Scott Iles commonly handles personal injury claims related to motor vehicle collisions, medical malpractice, nursing home injuries, workplace injuries Louisiana Workers’ Compensation and federal Longshore and Harborworkers’ Compensation Act, premises liability, offshore injuries, slip and fall incidents, wrongful death, 18 wheeler/trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, chemical exposure injuries, burn injuries, electrical injuries/electrocution, and other claims.

Personal Injury Claims We Handle

There are several types of accidents that can result in severe property damage, physical pain and suffering, and emotional trauma. Some common types of personal injury claims include:

Car Accidents

Car accidents are one of the most common forms of personal injury in the country. If another driver was driving recklessly or negligently, and this caused the accident, they can be held liable for it. Drivers who ignore traffic signs, fail to look when merging, or drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol could be legally and financially liable for an accident that resulted from their actions.

Car accidents can cause spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and other catastrophic injuries. Depending on the severity of the crash, car accidents often cause wrongful death. Injured parties or surviving family members can get financial compensation from the at-fault party.

After a car accident, drivers in Louisiana typically file car insurance claims with the insurance company of the at-fault driver. However, these insurance claims may not always be sufficient to cover damages. Some drivers may not carry car insurance, and the injured party may not have enough coverage from their own insurance carrier. In these situations, a personal injury claim could help injured parties cover the remaining personal and property damages from the accident.

Truck Accidents

Vehicle accidents involving commercial vehicles, 18-wheelers, and other large trucks can be especially devastating. When a small passenger car is in an accident with a large truck, those in the car are much more likely to suffer catastrophic injuries and death. The injuries in a truck accident are very likely going to exceed a car insurance claim. A personal injury claim can recover the excess damages.

Truck accidents are also more complicated than typical car accidents because they could involve multiple at-fault parties. Although the driver of a commercial vehicle could be at fault, the actions of employees are also the responsibility of their employers.

Additionally, if a trucking company is requiring drivers to complete impossible schedules, they could be held liable for an accident resulting from overworked, fatigued, or speeding truck drivers. Maintenance crews that clear trucks to be on the road could also be liable for faulty vehicle components or improper maintenance.

Motorcycle Accidents

Accidents between motorcycles and other vehicles on the road are incredibly harmful to motorcyclists. Motorcycles have fewer safety features and no exterior protection from a crash. Motorcyclists in an accident will suffer the impact of the crash and the impact with the ground if they are thrown from their vehicle.

These accidents are more likely to result in catastrophic injuries, such as:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Neck and spine injuries
• Severe lacerations
• Internal organ damage
• Broken bones
• Burns

When another driver is at fault for the accident, a personal injury claim can cover a motorcyclist’s extreme damages.

Slip-and-Fall Accidents and Premises Liability

Owners of property that is open and available to the public have a duty to maintain a safe and hazard-free environment. Private property owners have the same responsibility when they invite others onto their property. If hazards are not addressed in a reasonable amount of time, property owners can be held liable for any harm.

One of the most common forms of premises liability is slip-and-fall claims. These accidents can be caused by:

• Slippery floors
• Improperly lit pathways
• Broken or uneven ground
• Improper railings

They can cause injuries like broken or fractured bones and concussions. Injured parties can file a premises liability claim against property owners who should have known about and addressed property hazards.

Workplace Injuries

For most employees who are injured on the job, a workers’ compensation claim is the only form of compensation available. However, there are some unique situations where employees can file a personal injury claim instead of a workers’ compensation claim, or they are able to file both claims.

A personal injury claim can cover some additional damages not available in a workers’ comp claim, such as full lost wages instead of partial wages, along with noneconomic damages, which are also not available in a workers’ compensation claim.

Employers in Louisiana are required to carry workers’ compensation insurance. If they don’t, employees can file a personal injury claim for their damages on the job. Employees can also file a personal injury claim if their workplace injury was caused by the intentional actions of their employer. If a third party caused the employee’s injury, the employee can file for workers’ compensation and file a personal injury claim against the third party.

Offshore Injuries

There are many maritime jobs in Southern Louisiana, including longshoremen, dock workers, and employees on offshore oil rigs. Offshore oil rigs are an especially dangerous form of employment.

Injuries while working offshore can be caused by negligence, such as badly maintained machinery, failure of training, and improper protective gear. Although dangerous weather offshore is not the fault of human negligence, the failure of an employer to respond to dangerous conditions can be considered negligence.

Injuries on an offshore rig could result in a workers’ compensation claim or a personal injury claim. Offshore workers can obtain compensation through other means under the Jones Act in certain circumstances. It is important to work with an attorney who has experience with these complicated claims to ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.

Medical Malpractice

Healthcare providers owe their patients a duty of care, but they can cause long-term injuries, illnesses, and death when they act negligently. Errors during surgery, misdiagnosis, and prescription mistakes can cause catastrophic harm to patients and their families.

Medical malpractice cases are some of the most complex personal injury claims due to the extra legal protections provided to healthcare professionals.

Nursing Home Injuries

Nursing home negligence is unfortunately common. Nurses and other staff at nursing homes should be caring for residents who are unable to care for themselves. Nursing home neglect can result in individuals falling frequently, leaving the premises, or becoming dehydrated and malnourished. Nursing homes should be held accountable for the failures of their staff or their policies.

Elements of Negligence in a Personal Injury Claim

A party that caused your accident does not have to be purposefully trying to cause injury to be held liable for your injuries. Most personal injury claims operate on the theory of negligence. To prove negligence in a personal injury claim, you have to prove the following:

1. The other party owed you a duty of care.
2. The other party failed to uphold that duty of care.
3. This failure directly caused the accident that led to your injury.
4. You suffered legally recognizable damages as a result of the accident or injury.

Doctors owe a duty of care to the patients they have agreed to treat, and drivers on the road owe other drivers a duty of care. A successful negligence-based personal injury claim requires proof of all four elements of negligence. A personal injury attorney can help you find evidence for these elements.

Personal Injury Attorney in Lafayette

The team at the Law Offices of R. Scott Iles has worked for more than 30 years in personal injury claims, and we are proud to support injured individuals and families in the Lafayette area. Contact us today to learn how we can help with your claim.