Did you know that the average cost of a medically consulted workplace injury is over $40,000?
If you experience an injury through no fault of your own, you shouldn’t be on the hook to pay for it. When the responsible party refuses to pay for your damages, it may be time to file an injury lawsuit.
This process can be difficult, especially if you aren’t familiar with the laws in your area. If you’re in Lake Charles, an injury attorney can help you understand Louisiana’s laws on negligence and personal injury.
Keep reading to learn the basics of filing an injury lawsuit.
Establish Your Safety
First things first, take care of your physical health immediately after an accident. Check yourself for cuts, wounds, burns, bruises, and broken bones. Seek medical attention if necessary.
Document the Incident
As soon as you can, write down everything you can remember about the accident. Make a note of the date and time, and detail as much of the incident as you can. The more details you have, the easier it will be to make your case later, so err on the side of being too thorough at this stage.
Also, keep track of any symptoms or additional injuries that develop in the days and weeks after the accident. Again, track the date and time of each incident, plus the circumstances surrounding the injury or symptom flare-up. If you can, keep track of the cost of any medical treatment you pursue and any wages you lose from missing work due to the injury.
Consult With Your Attorney
As soon as you can, connect with an experienced personal injury attorney to help you with your case. In Louisiana, you only have one year after the date of the accident to file a lawsuit, so time is of the essence in this area.
Your attorney will want to hear all the details of the accident and your resulting injury. Be honest with your attorney and give as much detail as possible during these conversations.
During this part of the process, your attorney will be looking to set up a few key factors. First, they want to prove that the person or entity you’re filing the lawsuit against was responsible for your safety in some way. Then, they need to show that that party neglected to properly care for your safety and that their actions or negligence resulted in your injury.
Work Through Negotiations
Prior to filing a lawsuit, you and your legal team may first decide to file a claim with the responsible party and their insurance company.
Your attorney will write a letter detailing the damages you’ve suffered as a result of your injury. They’ll enumerate the evidence that proves they were at fault and detail your specific demands for compensation.
The other party has an opportunity to either settle or present a counteroffer. Legal teams may go back and forth for a while trying to reach an agreement suitable to both parties.
File a Lawsuit
If the negotiations go nowhere, it’s time for you and your attorney to file a lawsuit. Just like with any trial, there will be a discovery period, and the final verdict will be decided by a jury or judge.
File Your Injury Lawsuit Now
In the wake of a workplace accident or other personal injury, settlement isn’t always an option. In cases like this, a personal injury attorney can help you file an injury lawsuit and get the compensation you deserve.
Here at Wright Gray, we have decades of experience helping clients recover millions of dollars in personal injury cases. Our world-class team can help you with cases concerning accidents, slips and falls, wrongful deaths, and more.
Ready to get started? Contact us to schedule your free consultation.