A serious injury can change your life in an instant, leaving you with physical, emotional, and financial burdens that may take years to work through, if recovery is even possible. If you've been seriously injured because of someone else's negligence or wrongdoing, you may be entitled to compensation that addresses your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future needs.
At Frischhertz & Impastato, we represent victims of serious injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, severe burns, amputations, and more. If you believe someone else was at fault, reach out to our firm to discuss your situation and learn about your legal options.
There are no fees unless we recover compensation for you. Call (504) 276-6962 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
An injury is generally considered catastrophic when it significantly and permanently impacts a person's ability to return to their normal, pre-injury life. These injuries often have lasting physical or cognitive effects and can require years of ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, and therapy.
Catastrophic injuries can happen anywhere, but certain industries and situations carry a higher risk, especially in a city like New Orleans where maritime commerce, industrial facilities, and heavy vehicle traffic are common.
Every catastrophic injury case is different, and the compensation available depends on the details of your accident, your injuries, and how they've affected your life.
Compensation in these cases may account for:
Past and future medical expenses, including surgeries, hospital stays, and rehabilitation
Long-term or in-home nursing care
Lost wages and loss of future earning capacity
Home and vehicle modifications for accessibility
Pain and suffering
Loss of enjoyment of life
Emotional distress
Wrongful death damages, in fatal cases
We work with medical professionals, economists, and life-care planners as needed to help account for the full scope of what a catastrophic injury may cost a family over time.
Louisiana's Comparative Negligence Law
Louisiana follows a modified comparative negligence rule with a 51% bar, which means you can still pursue compensation if you were partially at fault for the accident that caused your injury, as long as you are less than 51% at fault. If you are found partly at fault, but no more than 50% at fault, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you're found to be 20% at fault, you could still recover 80% of the damages awarded. But if you are found to be 60% at fault, you cannot recover the remaining 40%, as your fault percentage surpasses the 51% bar.
Insurance companies understand this rule. They often try to shift blame onto injured victims to reduce what they pay out or eliminate payouts altogether, which is one reason having a knowledgeable legal team review your case can matter.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?
Louisiana law generally gives injury victims two years from the date of an accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is known as a prescriptive period, and there are limited exceptions that can pause or extend it depending on the circumstances. Note: if the injury occurred before July 1, 2024, the old one-year statute of limitations likely applies.
Because catastrophic injury cases often involve complex medical evidence and long-term prognoses, it's best to reach out to an attorney as soon as possible after an accident rather than waiting to see how your recovery progresses.
Steps to Take After a Catastrophic Injury
It can be difficult to know what to do in the days, weeks, and months that follow a major injury. But taking certain steps not only protects your rights but also your future claim.
If possible, try to do the following:
Get immediate medical attention and follow through with all recommended treatment and specialist referrals
Document everything, including photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any property damage
Avoid giving recorded statements to insurance adjusters before speaking with a catastrophic injury attorney
Keep records of medical bills, missed work, and other expenses related to the accident/your injury
Reach out to a personal injury attorney early, especially in cases involving long-term or permanent injuries
How We Approach Catastrophic Injury Cases
Our attorneys bring a combined 85+ years of experience to personal injury law, and we focus exclusively on representing injured people, never insurance companies or corporations. When you hire our firm, you get a full team working on your case, not just one attorney. Our catastrophic injury lawyers in New Orleans draw on their diverse backgrounds and extensive areas of focus to build a solid claim from every angle.
We've recovered over $700 million for our clients, and our attorneys have been recognized by respected legal organizations such as Super Lawyers, Lead Counsel, and Martindale-Hubbell. We prepare every case with the possibility of trial in mind, because that preparation often makes the difference in how a case resolves.
Start Your Claim Today
If you or a family member has suffered a catastrophic injury in New Orleans, our team is ready to review your case and walk you through your options. There are absolutely no fees unless we recover compensation for you, so you have nothing to lose in calling our firm.
A compilation of the Frischhertz & Impastato attorneys and staff at work and interacting with clients.
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