Top Best Personal Injury Lawyers | 16138 Available
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Understanding Personal Injury Law
Personal injury law allows individuals who have been harmed because of another person's negligence to seek financial compensation. These cases arise when a person or business fails to act with reasonable care and another person suffers injury as a result. Personal injury attorneys represent accident victims and help them recover damages for medical bills lost wages and pain and suffering.
In the United States personal injury claims are governed by state tort law. Victims may pursue compensation through insurance claims or civil lawsuits. Lawyers investigate accidents gather medical records interview witnesses and negotiate with insurance companies. Because insurers often attempt to minimize payouts, legal representation can significantly improve the chances of obtaining fair compensation.
Serious injuries may lead to long term medical treatment disability or permanent changes in lifestyle. Lawyers help ensure compensation accounts for current and future medical costs rehabilitation and lost earning capacity.
Common Personal Injury Cases
- Car and truck accidents
- Slip and fall incidents
- Workplace injuries
- Defective products
- Dog bites
- Medical malpractice
Each type of case requires evidence such as accident reports photographs medical records and expert testimony.
When You Should Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
Victims should consider contacting a lawyer when injuries require medical treatment or when insurance companies dispute liability. Legal advice is especially important when injuries cause long term disability or significant financial loss.
How the Legal Process Works
- Initial consultation and case evaluation
- Investigation and evidence gathering
- Insurance negotiations
- Filing a lawsuit if necessary
- Settlement or trial
Cost of Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
Most personal injury attorneys work on contingency fees meaning clients pay no upfront legal fees. Lawyers typically receive between twenty five and forty percent of the recovered settlement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a personal injury lawyer do?
Personal injury lawyers investigate accidents gather evidence negotiate settlements and represent clients in court.
How long do personal injury cases take?
Some cases settle within months while complex cases involving serious injuries may take years.
What compensation can victims recover?
Victims may recover damages for medical expenses lost wages rehabilitation costs and pain and suffering.
Do most cases go to trial?
Most personal injury claims settle before trial through negotiation.
When should I hire a lawyer?
It is best to contact a lawyer soon after an accident so evidence can be preserved and legal deadlines are not missed.
16138 Personal Injury Lawyers Found
Drawing upon more than 20 years of experience, N. Craig Richardson is committed to protecting the interests of the people living in and around Lake Charles as they work through the personal injury claims process. Though there is nothing that can be done to change the stress and pain you have already experienced, N. Craig Richardson will work with you directly to develop and litigate your claim at each and every step of the way and make sure you feel comfortable, taken care of, and “in the loop” throughout your case.. In far too many instances, the odds are stacked against individuals who are filing personal injury claims—particularly those involving large insurance companies. With the experience he’s gained while representing large insurance companies in the past, Richardson is uniquely positioned to help you level the playing field by anticipating the kinds of defensive strategies that may be used against you.. Knowing that the challenges of every case will be unique to the individual client, N. Craig Richardson provides the kind of highly personalized services that make every client feel like his top priority. Too many times with very large firms, clients get lost. They feel like just a number. They feel like they are not even able to talk to their lawyer. That is not the case with N. Craig Richardson. Our clients are treated with the utmost respect and given the attention that they need.. N. Craig Richardson’s Background. A native of Louisiana, Richardson was educated at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette and Louisiana State University, where he earned his Juris Doctor (J.D.) in 1994. Since then, Richardson has been admitted to practice law in each of the following courts: all Louisiana State Courts; the United States District Court Southern District of Texas; the United States Court of Appeals 5th Circuit; and the United States District Courts for the Eastern, Middle, and Western Districts
Michael grew up in Lake Charles, where he graduated valedictorian of Barbe High School in 1984. He obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Texas at Austin in 1989.. In 1992, He graduated from Arizona State Law School earning his degree of Juris Doctor. Michael is a member of the Louisiana Bar Association, State Bar of Texas, and Louisiana Association for Justice.. In addition to settling thousands of personal injury cases, Michael has successfully tried over one hundred cases in state and federal courts, including approximately 30 jury trials.. In one such case, a jury awarded his client the largest individual personal injury verdict reported in the state of Louisiana, over $26 million. In another case a jury awarded his client over $10 million.. Michael has obtained judgments totaling over $250 million dollars on behalf of his clients in cases in which he served as lead counsel or co-counsel.. Michael had been rated AV Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell®. This peer review rating is the highest and most prestigious rating awarded to lawyers for legal knowledge and ethics in practice.
Myles believes in serving his community and has dedicated his life to making Louisiana safer. As a state and federal prosecutor for over 15 years, Myles worked tirelessly to prosecute killers, rapists, child abusers, frauds, and corrupt public officials. He learned early on that success comes from a mix of hard work and passion for the victims in his cases.. While working on behalf of the community, he developed sharp courtroom and litigation skills honed by trying over 90 jury trials and handling hundreds of court hearings. Myles now uses these skills on behalf of those who need them most: his clients who have been wronged by the indifference and carelessness of others.. Myles was also honored to serve as Resident Legal Advisor at the U.S. Embassies in both Honduras and Mexico where he worked with foreign governments to combat international crime, and he loves to practice his language skills with Spanish speaking clients and witnesses.. Myles understands that his client’s health means more than dollars and cents. When multiple hip surgeries limited him physically as a child, Myles and his family felt the stress of one’s wellbeing in danger. These surgeries made Myles understand the fear and stress that come with injury, and the worry if your body will perform like it did before. This empathy makes Myles a strong advocate on behalf of his suffering clients.. For Myles, working with people that he respects and that share his values is a luxury. That’s why he left government service to work for a law firm with deep roots in Louisiana and a history of fighting passionately for the underdog.
W. Taylor Hale was born and raised in Lake Charles, Louisiana. He graduated from St. Louis Catholic High School, attended Louisiana State University and earned his B.S., cum laude, from McNeese State University. Taylor earned his Juris Doctorate from Loyola Law School in New Orleans, serving on the Editorial Board of the Loyola Law Review as Articles Editor and graduating at the top of his class. Taylor’s law review comment, A Critical Misdiagnosis: Re-Evaluating Louisiana Medical Malpractice Act, was selected for publication in the Fall 2007 edition of the Loyola Law Review. During his time at Loyola, he was the recipient of the Lemle & Kelleher, LLP Scholarship in 2007-2008.. Immediately upon graduation from law school, Taylor accepted a job at the New Orleans insurance defense firm Phelps Dunbar LLP, where he gained extensive experience defending personal injury and maritime claims.. Taylor returned to Lake Charles and since this time he has devoted his practice to helping the wrongfully injured receive the compensation they deserve. The knowledge Taylor gained from working for a defense firm and defending personal injury claims allows Taylor to provide valuable insight to your personal injury claim.. In 2015, Taylor was selected to the Rising Stars List by Super Lawyers magazine (Top Attorneys under 40 in Louisiana) in the area of Plaintiff’s Personal Injury Law. This recognition is conferred upon no more than 2.5% of attorneys in Louisiana that have practiced 10 years or less.. In 2012, Taylor was named a Top Trial Lawyer in America and is a Life Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, which requires a settlement or verdict over one million dollars on behalf of his clients for membership. Taylor has successfully represented both plaintiffs and defendants in personal injury and maritime cases. His practice focuses on serious personal injury and maritime law. He has litigated a variety of personal injury cases including those involving automotive/trucking liability, premises liability, industrial/workplace safety, and products liability. In his maritime practice, he has handled numerous cases involving the Jones Act, OCSLA, LHWCA, DOHSA, and general maritime law.Taylor is admitted to practice in all of the state and federal district and appellate courts of Louisiana and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Taylor served as Treasurer of the Young Lawyer’s Section of the Southwest Louisiana Bar Association and as co-chairman of Holiday Helping Hands. He is a member of the American Bar Association, Louisiana State Bar Association, and Louisiana Association for Justice. In his spare time, he enjoys fishing, hunting, grilling, and spending time with his family.. Taylor was recently named to the Million Dollar Advocates Forum which requires a settlement or verdict over one million dollars on behalf of his clients for membership.
After graduating from law school in 1977, Steve entered solo practice and for eight years handled virtually every type of case imaginable – from murder cases to divorces to wrongful death civil actions. After eight years, Steve ran for and was elected Judge for the Ward 4 Sulphur City Court. At that point in his practice, Steve began limiting his cases to those involving personal injury.. During the 18 years that Steve served as Judge, he maintained a heavy caseload of personal injury cases in his private practice by working long hours. In 2002, Steve retired from the Judgeship and now practices full-time handling serious injury and death cases. The knowledge and experience that Steve gained through serving as a judge for 18 years is an invaluable asset to him in representing victims in serious injury and death cases. Steve understands firsthand not only the workings of a court from both the attorney’s viewpoint and the judge’s viewpoint, but he knows what it takes to impress a judge with the merits of a particular case.
Kristie attended Louisiana State University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree with a major in Mass Communications and a minor in Business Administration. Kristie joined Lundy LLP, formerly Lundy, Lundy, Soileau & South, in 1996, as a paralegal in the Lake Charles office, then transferred to the firm’s office in Jackson, Mississippi.. Kristie attended Mississippi College School of Law earning her Juris Doctorate degree in 2007, graduating in the top 15% of her class.. During law school, Kristie served as a Guardian ad Litem and was a Law School Bar Association Officer. After being admitted to the Mississippi and Louisiana Bars in 2008, she began her work as an attorney at Lundy LLP.. Kristie’s practice areas include personal injury, product liability, toxic tort, mass tort and class action. Kristie has been particularly active through the years with the firm’s environmental cases, which not only provided an opportunity to perform in an area she enjoys, but also to work closely with clients who were members of affected neighborhoods, forming relationships while working toward a resolution to better their circumstances.. Currently, Kristie is actively involved with the Talcum Powder Litigation, representing women and the families of women who have used Johnson & Johnson’s Baby Powder and Shower to Shower talcum powder products for years and were diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She was appointed to the Plaintiffs’ Steering Committee for consolidated Multi-District Litigation (MDL), In Re: Johnson & Johnson Talcum Powder Products Marketing, Sales Practices and Products Liability Litigation, pending in federal court in United States District for the District of New Jersey in Trenton.