Personal Injury Lawyer in Slidell, LA

Personal injuries can have devastating consequences on your life, leaving you with physical, emotional, and financial burdens depending on the case. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to someone else's negligence or recklessness, you may be entitled to compensation. Unfortunately, navigating the legal system can be overwhelming and confusing, especially when you're dealing with the aftermath of an accident. That's where a personal injury lawyer in Slidell, LA, can help.

At Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers, we understand the stress and challenges that come with being injured in an accident. Our team of experienced personal injury lawyers is committed to helping you get the compensation you deserve. We have a deep understanding of Louisiana's personal injury laws and a history of success with numerous clients in Slidell.

What Is Personal Injury Law?

The goal of personal injury law is to fully compensate victims when harm or damage is brought upon them by the conduct or inaction of another person or business. Injuries can be psychological or physical. A personal injury claim is built upon your right to ask the at-fault party for money to restore your health and well-being to their pre-injury state.

Personal injuries can occur in workplace accidents, motorcycle accidents, and more. The process for submitting a claim may differ depending on the accident.

To be entitled to compensation, you must show that the defendant was negligent. Therefore, you must establish their liability for your injuries. Your attorney must show that there is a strong enough connection between the breach of the duty of care and your injuries in order to establish this in your instance. Duty of care is basically the legal obligation of a person or organization to do everything necessary to avoid harming others.

Personal Injury Law Claims We Handle in Slidell

There are many types of personal injury claims you can make, and at Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers, we handle most of them. Personal injury law claims with which we can help you in Slidell, Louisiana include:

Common Injuries in Personal Injury Cases

Bodily and psychological injuries are the two main types of personal injuries for which you can file a claim. Both are equally serious. Below is an overview of the two.

Bodily Injuries

One of the most frequent reasons for physical harm in personal injury cases is car accidents. Anything from minor scrapes and bruises to shattered bones, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries can result from these accidents. Severe injuries may cause chronic conditions that require continuing regular medical care.

Physical harm, including broken bones, sprains, strains, as well as brain injuries, might also result from slip and fall incidents. Any property, including commercial establishments, private homes, and public areas, may be susceptible to these accidents.

Another often occurring source of physical harm in personal injury cases is workplace accidents, which commonly include severe brain injuries, back injuries, and injuries from repetitive stress. Employers have a duty of care to provide a safe working environment, and when they fail to do so, they can be held liable for their employee's injuries.

Psychological Injuries

Personal injury cases can also involve psychological injuries. These injuries can include emotional distress, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Psychological injuries can arise from a variety of accidents, including car accidents, workplace accidents, and assaults.

As a result of the traumatic encounter, vehicle accident victims may endure psychological problems such as anxiety and PTSD. Similarly, workplace accident victims may suffer psychological harm as a result of the trauma and stress of the incident.

It is significant to remember that psychological harm can be just as incapacitating as physical harm, and victims may be entitled to monetary reimbursement.

Damages Available to Slidell Accident Victims

When you win a personal injury case, you can be compensated for different types of damages — economic, non-economic, and punitive:

Economic Damages

Economic damages are those designed to compensate accident victims for their financial losses. These damages can include:

Medical costs - Accident victims may receive financial support for their medical costs, such as hospital bills, doctor visits, and prescription drugs.

Lost wages - An accident victim may be eligible to receive compensation for their lost pay if their injuries prevent them from working.

Property damage - If a victim's possessions, such as their car, are damaged in an accident, they may be entitled to financial compensation to cover the cost of restoring or replacing the damaged items.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are designed to compensate accident victims for their emotional and psychological losses. As a result of their injuries, accident victims may be entitled to financial recompense for the pain and suffering they have endured.

Emotional anguish - Traumatic events like accidents can lead to emotional suffering. Victims may be entitled to financial support for their suffering.

Loss of consortium - Damages suffered by an injured person’s spouse or family member as a result of their injuries are termed loss of consortium and can include the loss of companionship, affection, and support that the injured person would have provided. Also included is the loss of the ability to engage in sexual intimacy and to bear children.

Punitive Damages

In some circumstances, accident victims may be eligible for punitive damages. Punitive damages are intended to discourage repeat offenses by holding the offender accountable for their actions. Punitive damages are usually only granted where the at-fault party's actions were especially severe or deliberate.

Punitive damages are not meant to make up for the victim's losses. Rather, they are meant to punish the offender. This is the case because these damages are only awarded when the at-fault party disregards the safety of others in a malicious or extremely thoughtless manner. So, only in really unique situations.

It should be emphasized that punitive damages are not always awarded in personal injury cases. The threshold for proving the need for punitive damages is high, and not every case will meet the necessary criteria. You can also claim other types of damages at the same time as punitive damages.

The Personal Injury Claims Process in Slidell, LA

The process of filing a personal injury claim can be confusing. The step-by-step outline that follows will give you a better idea of what to expect:

1. Initial Consultation

You will meet with an accomplished personal injury lawyer at this consultation. This lawyer will assess your situation and give you legal counsel. You will have the chance to go through your case in detail and ask any questions you may have during the session. This phase is entirely free and provided by several personal injury law firms, including Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers.

Your attorney will first ask you about the accident's specifics – where it happened, how it happened, and who was involved. They will also ask you if you have ever received medical treatment for any accident-related injuries you may have sustained. It's critical to be as precise and thorough as you can during this conversation so that your lawyer completely comprehends the circumstances of your case.

Your lawyer will assess the merits of your claim and give you legal counsel following a discussion of the accident's specifics. They will inform you of your legal alternatives and whether they think your case has a good chance of success.

2. Filing the Claim

Getting all the relevant details about the accident is the first stage in making a claim. Included here are the police report, witness statements, medical records, and any other supporting documentation. This information will be examined by your lawyer, who will utilize it to strengthen your case.

3. Evidence Collection

Take pictures of any damage to your car, any wounds you received, and the scene if you can. Doing this as quickly as possible after the accident is crucial because, over time, evidence may be lost or destroyed.

If there were any accident witnesses, their testimony could be used to strengthen your claim. To offer a written or recorded statement outlining what they witnessed, your attorney may get in touch with them. Witness accounts, which offer an unbiased account of what transpired, can be very persuasive in defending your claim.

Another crucial piece of evidence in a personal injury case is medical records.

4. Writing a Demand Letter

Your lawyer will create a demand letter outlining the specifics of your case, the injuries you incurred, and the compensation you are seeking.

This letter serves as a formal request for payment from the accountable party or their insurance provider, outlining the specifics of your case. The insurance provider for the at-fault party will get this letter.

The demand letter will normally include a thorough account of the incident, a list of your injuries, and the damages you're requesting. Medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other costs associated with your injury may be included in these damages. Based on the evidence gathered and the severity of your injuries, your lawyer will assist you in deciding on a reasonable sum to claim.

5. Offers and Settlement Negotiations

Any counteroffers will be examined by you and your attorney to see if they are fair and reasonable. To establish a settlement that is satisfactory to both parties, they will assist you in negotiating with the accountable party or their insurance provider.

It is crucial to keep in mind that settlement discussions can take some time, and consulting with the opposing side several times may be needed before coming to an agreement. Your lawyer will keep you updated on the situation and advise you on how to react to any offers or counteroffers.

The use of mediation to aid in settlement negotiations is occasionally possible. In mediation, an impartial third person assists the parties in reaching a resolution. Without the requirement for a trial, this method of dispute resolution can be beneficial.

The responsible party or their insurance provider will issue a check for the agreed-upon sum if a settlement is made.

6. Filing a Lawsuit

If negotiations fail to result in a settlement, filing a lawsuit is the next stage in the process of resolving personal injury claims. A complaint explaining your case and asking for damages for your injuries is submitted to the proper court when you file a lawsuit.

Following the filing of the complaint, the at-fault party will be served with a copy of it and a summons compelling them to reply to the lawsuit within a certain amount of time. Typically, this statement will include a denial of guilt or an acknowledgment of liability along with justifications for why damages ought to be restricted or rejected.

7. Discovery and Mediation

Both parties gather evidence during this phase to back up their claims and defenses.

Each party can ask the other side for pertinent information through written discovery requests, such as medical records, accident reports, or insurance policies. Written inquiries known as interrogatories that must be answered under oath can be a helpful tool for elucidating important facts or case-related issues.

Depositions are another important part of the discovery process. An attorney for the opposing party will question a witness while under oath during a deposition, and a court reporter will be present to record the testimony.

8. The Trial

You and the defendant will have the chance to submit your evidence to a judge or jury during this last phase. They will eventually decide how the case will be resolved.

The jury selection phase of the trial begins with the attorneys questioning prospective jurors to gauge their suitability for the case. Opening statements begin the trial starts after the jury has been chosen. Here, each side outlines its arguments and the supporting data it intends to use.

Your argument may consist of witness testimony, the opinions of medical professionals, and other supporting documentation.

Lastly, both you and the defendant have the final opportunity to give your closing arguments. The judge will then give the jury instructions on the law and the case goes to the jury for deliberation. The jury’s decision determines whether you will receive compensation for your injuries and how much.

Slidell Personal Injury FAQs

How Do I Know If I Have a Personal Injury Case?

Not every injury warrants a personal injury case. In order to have a personal injury case, you must be able to prove that your injury was caused by someone else's negligence or intentional act. This means that the other party had a duty of care towards you and failed to meet that duty, resulting in your injury.

If you're unsure whether you have a personal injury case, it's best to consult with a personal injury lawyer. They will be able to review the facts of your case and determine whether you have a valid claim. It's important to do this as soon as possible, as there are strict time limits for filing a personal injury lawsuit. Waiting too long could result in you losing your right to recover damages.

When consulting with a personal injury lawyer, be prepared to provide them with as much information as possible about your injury and the circumstances surrounding it.

How Much Does a Slidell Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?

At Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers, we operate on a contingency fee basis, which means that you only pay us if we win your case. This system eliminates the financial risk of pursuing a personal injury claim and ensures that our clients can receive top-tier representation, regardless of their financial situation.

Under a contingency fee system, our fees are calculated as a percentage of the settlement or award that we secure on your behalf. This means that if we don't win your case, you won't owe us anything. Additionally, we don't charge any upfront consultation fees or expenses, so you won't have to worry about paying out of pocket for legal representation.

Contact a Slidell Personal Injury Attorney Today

A Slidell personal injury lawyer should be contacted right away if you have been hurt in an accident. If you wait too long to file a lawsuit, you risk losing important evidence, the statute of limitations will have passed, and you won't be able to get paid for your damages. Your best chance of obtaining just compensation for your injuries will be increased if you speak with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. This will assist you to understand your rights and available options.

All potential customers are eligible for a free initial consultation at Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers. We will hear your side of the story, assess the merits of your claim, and address any queries you may have regarding the court procedure during this session.