The simplest statement of Louisiana’s tort law is that an individual who becomes injured due to someone else’s negligence or fault has the right to demand compensation from the party at fault. Various situations can cause you to get hurt, but getting hurt alone does not automatically mean that you have a personal injury case.
To have a personal injury case, there must be a person or company who is responsible for your injuries. Here are a handful of examples of personal injury cases that can arise because of somebody else’s negligence.
Offshore Accidents
Offshore and maritime accidents can occur due to poorly-maintained equipment, untrained or poorly trained employees, failure to follow maritime standards, ignoring weather patterns, and failure to remedy dangerous conditions on vessels or other structures. An offshore worker has many remedies available to them through third-party claims against negligent companies, Jones Act claims against their employers (if they qualify as a seaman), unseaworthiness claims against vessel owners, Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act claims, and claims for maintenance and cure, just to name a few.
Car Accidents or Auto Accident Injury
Car accidents tend to be the most common example of personal injury cases in the United States. Car accidents can happen through any number of causes, including speeding, reckless driving, failure to yield, and general carelessness. Auto accidents can lead to claims against the driver, the driver’s employer, the insurance company insuring the driver or its employer, or even the uninsured/underinsured motorist policy held by the victim (in the situation where there is either not enough insurance or no insurance at all).
Slip and Fall Accidents
It is uncommon to slip and fall as we go about our activities in our daily lives. These accidents can occur on the street, in retail shops, in restaurants, or basically, anywhere we go on a daily basis. Slip and falls injuries are the most common causes of injuries after car accidents. They can be difficult to prove so making sure there is support for the existence of the condition that you claim made you slip and fall is critical.
Industrial Accidents
Industrial operations include work in refineries, chemical plants, and other fabrication and manufacturing operations. Workers who are at these facilities help make products that we use every single day but expose themselves to the risk of an industrial accident in the process. Facility owners and third-party contractors working at these facilities may be liable for injuries that result from failure to properly train personnel, failure to implement safeguards to protect workers from injuries, continuing to use outdated and overly dangerous equipment, and/or failure to follow government regulations.
Work Accidents
Injured workers or employees are typically able to file workers’ compensation claims in Louisiana and recover medical and wage benefits. In addition to workers comp claims, however, injured workers may also have claims against third parties unrelated to their employers if those third parties cause them to suffer injuries on the job. Figuring out the relationship among the various parties can be difficult so getting the help of an injury lawyer is always advised to make sure that you fully protect your rights.
Hit and Run Accidents
Traffic laws mandate drivers to stop at the scene of an accident, provide identification, and help injured persons. However, some unscrupulous drivers flee the scene after collisions. Even though a driver tries to run from the accident scene, it is still possible to track them down using camera footage, interviewing witnesses, and coordinating efforts with law enforcement officers. It is also worth remembering that if you suffer a hit and run accident, your insured/underinsured motorist coverage may still come into play and allow for you to recover for your damages.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists face grave dangers despite taking the right responsibility and precautions while they are on the road. Motorcyclists are 26 times more likely to die from road accidents than other motorists caused by other drivers on the road. Motorcycle accidents, much like car and truck accidents, can be caused by inattentive drivers and the failure to follow speed and traffic laws.
Wrongful Death Claims
Any of the above accidents may lead to the death of the victim. If that is the case, the deceased’s family may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim. This allows for compensation to be awarded because of the loss of that person, including lost wages that would’ve gone to those the deceased was supporting and for the suffering caused to the family by the loss of a beloved family member.
Contact a Louisiana Personal Injury Lawyer Today
For help with a personal injury case of any kind, contact us and reach Mike Mahone, an experienced New Orleans personal injury attorney at The Mahone Firm. There is zero charge
