Lake Charles Personal Injury Lawyers

Office Location: 400 Poydras Tower, #1975, New Orleans, 70130

Why Choose Us as Your Lake Charles Personal Injury Attorney

You have a lot of options for finding a personal injury lawyer in Lake Charles, but you want to ensure you work with an attorney who will take an active interest in your case and fight hard to help you get the full and fair compensation you deserve.

As part of our commitment to delivering superior client services, we promise always put your needs first. Our lawyers will provide you with the information you need to make the most informed decisions, and our legal team has decades of combined legal experience and in-depth knowledge of Louisiana’s personal injury laws. We will work tirelessly to help you obtain a full financial recovery so you can focus on your physical recovery.

We are available to address your questions and concerns regarding your injury claim 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We can also come to your home or visit you in the hospital if you cannot make it to our office. Our attorneys and support staff are trained to provide the highest level of customer service, and we will treat you with the same care and respect we would a member of our own family.

Our attorneys have received national recognition as among the best personal injury lawyers in America from prominent legal organizations, such as the National Trial Lawyers Association and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. We have also received superb, 10.0 client ratings on Avvo, along with numerous testimonials and top reviews from our clients.

Serving Louisiana for more than 20 years, our law firm has established a reputation for excellence, and our lawyers have obtained a long record of securing successful outcomes for our clients.

To find out how we can help you recover compensation for the injuries and losses you suffered because of another party’s reckless, careless, or negligent actions, call Stewart J. Guss Personal Injury Lawyers at 800-898-4877 or contact us online to request a free consultation.

Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle

You can suffer severe, life-altering injuries in Lake Charles from a variety of causes. Over the past 20 years, our attorneys have worked with clients who have been injured due to:

• Car accidents
• Trucking accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Bike accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Drunk driving accidents
• Construction site and workplace accidents
• Nursing home and elder abuse
• Slip and fall accidents
• Wrongful death

Additionally, our law firm handles offshore accidents, aviation accidents, industrial accidents, and more. The attorneys at Stewart J. Guss Personal Injury Lawyers can handle virtually any personal injury case resulting from negligence or wrongdoing.

Contact us today if you sustained serious injuries in an accident that was not your fault to find out your options.

Common Injuries Sustained by Accident Victims

At Stewart J. Guss Personal Injury Lawyers, we have helped thousands of clients obtain rightful compensation from a negligent party. Some of the most common injuries we have seen include:

Traumatic brain injuries. A TBI can range from a mild concussion to a serious and permanent impairment. These are some of the most dangerous injuries because symptoms do not manifest right away or are difficult to recognize. A TBI can happen during any accident. These injuries are often found in those who have suffered a slip and fall or a motor vehicle collision.

Fractures and broken bones. Although doctors treat broken bones every day, they are still serious injuries and can lead to other long-term problems like chronic nerve pain, limited mobility, and arthritis.

Soft tissue damage. This type of injury is especially common in elder abuse and nursing home neglect cases. Many of these victims will have bedsores and other soft tissue damage due to lack of attention and immobility. These injuries can lead to many more serious issues down the line, and for this reason, it is ESSENTIAL to seek help if you suspect a case of elder abuse.

Spinal cord injuries. In order for your body to receive messages from your brain, the spinal cord must be working properly. Therefore, any damage to this pathway can result in a life-changing injury. Serious spinal cord damage can lead to partial or complete and permanent paralysis. This is one of the most dangerous injuries, as the spinal cord is delicate and essential to your body functioning properly.

Burns. A burn injury can happen in a number of situations, from car or truck accidents to working at a restaurant or construction site. These injuries can be incredibly painful and if not treated properly and quickly, can lead to other serious complications.

Other common injuries include deep cuts and lacerations, head injuries, neck and shoulder injuries, organ damage and internal bleeding, and other serious harm. Victims may also suffer PTSD symptoms or emotional distress following a serious accident or catastrophic injury.

If you sustained injuries in an accident, you should keep a detailed record of all your symptoms. Be sure to explain what you are experiencing when you visit your doctor and make sure to follow their medical advice and the recovery plan they put together for you.

You should also collect all your medical records and documentation regarding your injury and treatment. These will help to establish the extent of your injury when you start to put your claim together.

Why You Need to Speak with a Lake Charles Personal Injury Lawyer ASAP

All states have statutes of limitations for filing personal injury lawsuits and recovering damages. Unfortunately, Louisiana is one of the shortest. Louisiana law allows you only ONE year from the date of your accident to file suit in civil court.

If the statute of limitations passes and you did not file, the court will likely dismiss your case, and you will have no other legal recourse to recover compensation.

Therefore, it is vital you contact a personal injury lawyer immediately after suffering injuries in an accident caused by someone else.

Speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney sooner than later can help you in the following ways:

1. A lawyer can evaluate your claim and determine if you can even pursue compensation.
2. An attorney can gather evidence and establish the other party’s liability for your injuries.
3. A lawyer can file your claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company and deal with all paperwork and negotiations so you don’t have to.
4. An attorney can file your lawsuit in court under Louisiana’s statute of limitations and fight for you at trial to help you get the maximum compensation you deserve.

Having an experienced Lake Charles personal injury attorney handle your injury claim from the start offers many benefits. They will know Louisiana law and how to deal with insurance companies, and they should know civil courts and procedures.

An attorney can help you avoid mistakes that can jeopardize your chances of obtaining compensation. They can also assert your rights and advocate for you each step of the way to increase your odds of getting the highest financial recovery possible.

Don’t ignore your rights, and don’t delay in pursuing the compensation you need. Start the conversation as soon as possible, even if you’re not sure what to say. Our legal team can help guide you through this process.

What Should I Do After an Accident in Lake Charles?

If you have serious or life-threatening injuries, call the paramedics right away. Your top priority is your own health and safety, as well as your loved ones’ well-being.

See a Doctor

Even if you don’t think your injuries are serious, you should still see a doctor promptly and get a medical evaluation. Sometimes, certain injuries do not present symptoms right away, such as soft-tissue injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and other internal injuries. Also, you will need a record of receiving medical treatment to file an injury claim.

You should also continue the suggested treatment that your doctor has advised. If you stop treatment before completion, the insurance companies will try to attest that you must not be seriously injured. This will help them reduce the value of your claim, or even deny it completely.

Report the Accident to Authorities

Louisiana law requires you to report an accident to law enforcement when the accident involves injuries or fatalities, or property damage exceeds $500. A law enforcement officer will file an official accident report, which you will eventually include in your personal injury claim.

You do not have to provide any additional information to the police other than basic information. Never admit you were at fault. You should also not talk to the other driver except to exchange insurance and contact information, and you shouldn’t apologize for the accident.

If the accident occurred at work, you should report the incident to your supervisor or HR representative. You should follow their recommendations or requirements, but you should not accept any undue blame.

Report the Accident to the Insurance Company

For motor vehicle accidents, you should contact both the at-fault party’s insurance company and your own. Here again, you should provide only basic information regarding the accident and your injuries, and you should never admit fault for causing the crash.

Call a Lawyer

As soon as you are able, you should contact a personal injury lawyer. You should consult an attorney before reporting the accident to the insurance companies so that you don’t say anything that the insurance company can use against you later.

Don’t Accept a Settlement Offer Too Soon

Your attorney will evaluate the extent of your injuries based on your medical records, doctor’s notes, treatment plan, and other information. They will also have to calculate the total amount of damages your injuries have caused, along with how your injuries will continue to affect your life and future.

If you accept a settlement from the insurance company, you cannot pursue additional compensation for your injuries. You may miss out on monetary compensation to help you with future medical costs and other related expenses if you accept an initial settlement from the insurer.

Although they might try to do so, DO NOT let the insurance companies pressure you into settling for less than you deserve. We recommend the following when dealing with insurance companies after an accident:

• Refrain from providing them with a statement.Even if it is clear that another party was at fault for your injury, insurance companies will often attempt to get you to provide a statement describing your version of what happened during the accident.

  Although you might be tempted to tell your story, thinking that it will help support your claim, the truth is that anything you say can hurt your chances of receiving a fair settlement.

  The insurance company will look for ways to minimize the damages. They may dispute the facts, or they may use your words against you to blame you for the accident. You may also say something that might come back to harm your case.

  Don’t give them the opportunity to undermine your claim or blame you for your injuries. Wait until you consult with your personal injury lawyer before offering a statement. Then you and your attorney can put together a strategic plan of action on how to deal with the insurance companies.

• Don’t sign anything without speaking to our team of lawyers and legal professionals.Just as it is advisable to keep from speaking to a representative at the insurance agency, it is also a good idea to speak with our team of attorneys and legal professionals before you sign any documents.

  Without having a clear understanding of the entire picture, even a seemingly innocuous document can become a hurtful piece of evidence that damages your case.

  A personal injury lawyer can work on your behalf and will advise you on which documents are ok to sign and which should be put off for now.

• Remember that insurance companies will attempt to minimize your compensation. It’s common practice for insurance companies to initially offer you a settlement that is much less than your claim is worth. In some cases, this first offer won’t even be enough to cover the medical expenses you’ve already incurred, let alone the cost of ongoing medical treatment necessary for your recovery.
• Hire an experienced personal injury law firm to represent you.Insurance companies have legal teams dedicated to finding holes in your claim. Their overall goal is to minimize the amount of compensation they offer you. Remember, the insurance company is still a business that is looking to maintain its profit margins.

  In order to have the best chance of receiving the monetary damages you deserve, it is advisable to speak with a team of Lake Charles lawyers and legal professionals who have experience working through issues with insurance companies.

The attorneys at Stewart J. Guss Personal Injury Lawyers can identify common defense tactics that insurance companies use. We will use our skills to work around these motives and hold the insurance company accountable.

How Much Compensation Do You Deserve?

When you’re injured in an accident, the financial impact can start to feel stressful with your first trip to the hospital. Depending on the severity of your injuries, and predicted recovery time, the costs of healing from an injury can be astronomical.

There are certain economic damages that are attributed to many injury cases. These can include:

• A ride to the hospital in an ambulance
• Overnight stays at the hospital
• Medical evaluations and treatment
• Surgery
• Ongoing physical therapy
• Prescriptions
• Medical devices and in-home adaptations

Factoring economic damages is relatively straightforward, as there is usually a paper trail that is easy to follow. Calculating non-economic damages can be a bit more challenging. These damages could include:

• Loss of consortium
• Depression due to social isolation
• Disability or disfigurement

Non-economic damages are more subjective and difficult to quantify. An experienced personal injury law firm can become an invaluable resource when you are attempting to calculate these damages. A personal injury attorney can provide a realistic estimate of your damages, and, if needed, hire experts to attest to their calculations. It can be easy to gloss over these damages, but over time, these non-economic damages can last much longer than your actual physical injuries.

Speak with a Lake Charles, Louisiana, Personal Injury Law Firm Today

The attorneys at Stewart J. Guss Personal Injury Lawyers have extensive experience working on a wide range of personal injury cases throughout the Lake Charles area. We are proud of being able to help so many in our communities, as well as our strong track record of obtaining substantial compensation for our clients.

We take all of our personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis, so you will not owe us a DIME unless we recover compensation for you. Our legal intake department is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so call us today at 800-898-4877 or contact us online to get a free case evaluation.

See what past clients have to say:

Review: 5/5
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

“As a relatively new resident of Houston, I did not know of an attorney to contact for a personal injury suit. I randomly went through the yellow pages contacting two attorneys that had rejected my case prior to me contacting Stewart Guss. Stewart took my case on and settled for far more than I had anticipated. The silver lining of this is that I will now have enough money to go back to school for retraining, so I will be able to reenter the workforce in a new capacity. The paralegal, Angela, was kind and supportive throughout the process. If I did not understand the legal jargon, I did not hesitate to ask, and was never once made to feel that I was incompetent. Thank you Stewart and Angela for giving me a new lease on live.”

-Sally T.