Spinal Cord Injury

The injuries that happen in unexpected accidents may be catastrophic, including harm to the back and spinal cord. People who have suffered spinal cord injuries need aggressive legal representation as they seek to recover fair compensation for what has happened. The experienced Lafayette spinal cord injury lawyers at Broussard, David & Moroux can help if you or a family member has suffered this type of harm in an accident. Our personal injury attorneys have decades of combined trial experience. We are here to help you explore your options and assert your rights.

Personal injury lawsuits arise when a person who has been harmed by the negligence of an individual or entity brings a legal action to seek damages from the responsible party. There are several different situations in which these cases may arise, including automobile accidents, slip and falls, interactions with defective products, and medical malpractice.

Under Louisiana law, a person who has suffered a spinal cord injury usually will bring a negligence claim against the defendant. The goal is to prove that the defendant owed a legal duty to the victim, that the duty was breached, that the victim suffered harm, and that the breach of duty was the cause of the harm.

If the plaintiff can prove each of these elements by a preponderance of the evidence, they may be able to recover compensation for their costs and losses, such as the cost of past and future medical care, past lost wages and loss of future earning capacity, and pain and suffering. A victim’s spouse may also seek payment for loss of consortium. Spinal cord injuries often result in permanent loss of function and a need for extensive medical treatment and rehabilitative services. It is important that the plaintiff submit comprehensive evidence concerning past medical expenses and those that are reasonably anticipated to be necessary in the future. A seasoned spinal cord injury attorney at our Lafayette firm can help a victim gather medical records, enlist witnesses, and build a case of liability against the defendant.

The victim’s own fault may be considered in assessing damages in a negligence case. Louisiana is a pure comparative fault state. This means that a plaintiff will not be barred from recovering damages solely due to their own negligence. However, any damages award will be reduced in proportion to the percentage of fault attributed to the victim. For instance, if the jury attributes 20% of the fault in a car accident case to the plaintiff, a potential damages award of $150,000 would be reduced to $120,000.

It is very important that a person or family who has been affected by a spinal cord injury speak with an attorney as soon as possible after an accident caused by someone else’s wrongful, reckless, or careless conduct. The knowledgeable personal injury and wrongful death attorneys at Broussard, David & Moroux assist people in Lafayette, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, New Iberia, Eunice, Lake Charles, and Alexandria, as well as other areas in Lafayette, Orleans, East Baton Rouge, Iberia, St. Landry, Calcasieu, and Rapides Parishes. We are available to review your case at no charge. For a consultation with a Lafayette spinal cord injury attorney, call us at 888-337-2323 or contact us online.