Lake Charles Personal Injury Lawyer
40+ Years
of Combined Experience
5.0 Google Rating
with over 400 Reviews
Over $125M
Won for Clients That Have Become Family
Content Reviewed By:
Date Last Updated: January 10, 2025
A personal injury is a physical, psychological, or emotional harm you experience because of someone else’s actions or negligence. For example, a victim who sustains a brain injury in a car accident with a driver who was texting can hold that driver liable for their suffering and expenses. If you have been injured in a Louisiana accident, Shamieh Law will fight for you. A Lake Charles personal injury lawyer will help you seek the justice and compensation you deserve.
What Makes Shamieh Law Stand Out As the Go-To Personal Injury Law Firm in Lake Charles
Personal injury victims can trust our Lake Charles personal injury firm because we know and love the area—it’s our hometown. Our founder, Ramez Shamieh, grew up and attended school in Lake Charles, so as a firm, we support and interact with the local community. We also sponsor Barbe Soccer Field so local kids can enjoy it as much as Ramez Shamieh did.
Winning With Awareness
At Shamieh Law, our core philosophy is “Winning With Awareness.” It involves treating all people with compassion, dignity, and respect while also seeking the best possible client results.
Our Lake Charles roots make us fight even harder for residents harmed by others’ negligence. We handle several types of personal injury cases across Lake Charles and Calcasieu Parish and have the skills and resources to fight for you, too.
Professional Recognition
Over the years, our award-winning attorneys have received recognition from many prestigious professional publications and organizations, including the following:
- Super Lawyers
- Texas Lawyer
- The National Trial Lawyers Top 100
- The Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- The American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys
If you need a Lake Charles personal injury attorney, you can trust our lawyers to take your concerns seriously and handle your case with the utmost professionalism.
Owner and Personal Injury Lawyer
Ramez F. Shamieh is recognized as one of the premier trial lawyers in Texas and Louisiana. He has been featured in numerous publications, including USA Today, ESPN, Fox, and CBS, for his advocacy and justice for people across the country.
Shamieh Law’s Lake Charles Reviews
Client satisfaction is our number one priority. We work hard to earn the trust and respect of our clients. Our client testimonials give great insight into what it’s like to work with our personal injury lawyers in Lake Charles:
“I had never been involved in a car accident. I was in shock, clueless, and in a lot of pain! Shamieh Law was professional, and they helped me at every step along the way. They took care of my settlement. I’m pleased and satisfied with the results. I highly recommend them.” – Rulli
“Very attentive to any and all questions and issues. So far, they have been able to help alleviate any of my worries or apprehensions regarding my case.” – Clinton
“I had a bad accident that required plenty of medical work. Shamieh Law and its team went to work and took care of all my issues. I walked away with a very fair payout. Their services were perfect.” – Corey
Our Lake Charles Personal Injury Case Results
Our firm has recovered millions of dollars for personal injury victims in Lake Charles and beyond. Here are just a few of our most noteworthy settlements and verdicts:
- $1,000,000 for a sexual assault victim
- $800,000 for a client who was T-boned at a stop sign and suffered a traumatic brain injury
- $600,000 for a rear-end collision victim who needed surgery to replace a cervical disc
- $250,000 for a client who was rear-ended by an 18-wheeler and needed surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff
- $250,000 for a client who needed surgery after a slip-and-fall incident on an unsafe curb
- $225,000 for the victim of an 18-wheeler hit-and-run accident who needed injections after suffering multiple disc herniations
- $200,000 for a client who fell two stories through a skylight
Damages in Personal Injury Cases
As a personal injury victim, you might be eligible for different types of damages. Understanding what compensation is available is essential when filing your claim.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the financial losses you suffered from your accident. These are quantifiable expenses you can prove with receipts, bills, and pay stubs. The damages you might receive include the following:
- Medical expenses, such as hospital bills and medication costs
- Property damage
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Modifications to your home or vehicle
To calculate your economic damages, your Louisiana personal injury lawyer will consider all of these types of damages and any additional losses you have incurred.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate you for intangible losses that don’t have an assigned financial value, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disfigurement
- Loss of companionship
These damages are more difficult to calculate, but they often comprise a large portion of a victim’s settlement or verdict. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney can review all your case’s details to determine how much compensation you should seek.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are less common than economic and non-economic damages and are usually only awarded in extreme cases. Situations that might merit punitive damages include the following:
- Domestic violence
- A car accident caused by egregious conduct, such as drunk driving
- An intentional physical attack
- A defective or dangerous product that harms multiple people
Louisiana courts sometimes award punitive damages to punish the defendant and discourage others from acting similarly.
What Should I Know About My Personal Injury Case in Lake Charles?
Important Time Frames To Know in a Personal Injury Case
Every personal injury case is different, making it impossible to say exactly how long your case will take. However, all victims should understand that they only have two years from the accident date to file a claim under Louisiana’s personal injury statute of limitations. Filing after this date generally results in your case’s dismissal. After filing, the amount of time it takes to resolve your claim depends on the circumstances and whether it ends in a settlement or goes to trial, which is typically a significantly longer process.
Liability in Louisiana Personal Injury Cases
To receive compensation in a Lake Charles personal injury case, you must show that the defendant was partially or fully responsible for your injuries. To do that, your attorney must prove that the defendant had a legal duty to act in a way that wouldn’t harm others, did not uphold that responsibility, and directly caused the accident that harmed you.
However, multiple people are sometimes to blame for an accident. Under Louisiana’s comparative fault law, the damages you receive for your accident will change based on whether you shared any fault. During your case, the court will determine the share of responsibility for everyone involved and adjust the damages accordingly.
For example, imagine you were driving down I-10 when another driver cut you off as you moved toward an exit ramp. They were speeding, but you failed to signal. If a court finds that you were 20 percent at fault for an accident in which you suffered $1,000,000 in damages, your compensation would be $800,000.
Personal Injury Case Types Shamieh Law Specializes In
Our firm’s attorneys have worked with clients involved in many different kinds of accidents. These are the most common personal injuries that we see.
Car Accidents
Car accidents are among the most common personal injury claims. In 2023 alone, 2,655 people were injured in Calcasieu Parish car accidents. If a driver is distracted, speeding, driving recklessly, or violating other traffic laws and causes an accident that harms you, our car accident lawyers will offer guidance as you file your claim.
Drunk Driving Accidents
Crashes involving drunk drivers caused 116 injuries and 13 fatalities in Calcasieu Parish in 2023. The parish’s 444 DWI arrests that year represented an almost 18 percent increase over 2022. Despite efforts to curb the number of drunk drivers, they continue to put people at risk. Our accomplished Lake Charles drunk driving accident lawyers will help you build your case.
Truck Accidents
In 2023, 2,191 people suffered injuries in commercial truck accidents in Calcasieu Parish. Trucks are especially dangerous because of their size and the potential for incidents like jackknife accidents, rollovers, and head-on collisions. A truck accident lawyer with Shamieh Law will collect evidence, negotiate with the driver’s insurance company, and file paperwork for your claim.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents are particularly dangerous in terms of physical injuries. Of the 77 motorcycle accidents in Calcasieu Parish in 2023, 53 resulted in injuries and 9 in fatalities. The lack of protection for motorcycle riders and passengers can cause fractures, traumatic brain injuries, and back and neck injuries. Our experienced Lake Charles motorcycle accident lawyers will demonstrate the full extent of your injuries and your crash’s emotional impact to pursue full and fair compensation.
Slip and Fall Accidents
A wet floor or icy sidewalk can pose a danger in a variety of places, including your workplace, store parking lots, and hotels. If property owners fail to maintain their premises and keep them safe, they are liable for any injuries resulting from their negligence. Our Lakes Charles slip and fall accident lawyers can help you navigate the legal process as you seek compensation for your injuries.
Pedestrian Accidents
If a car, truck, motorcycle, or other vehicle hits a pedestrian while crossing the street or walking on the sidewalk, the victim can hold the driver accountable for any resulting harm. Our firm’s pedestrian accident lawyers will gather evidence from witnesses, police reports, and medical records to support your case.
Uber and Lyft Accident Lawyers
If you’re an Uber or Lyft passenger during a car accident, you might have several options for seeking compensation. Experienced lawyers for rideshare accidents can explain different avenues available to you, including filing a claim with the rideshare company’s insurance or suing the car’s driver.
Boat Accidents
Drowning, lacerations from propellers, and burns are a few of the injuries that can occur during a boat accident. If the person operating the boat that caused your accident was negligent or reckless, they are liable for your injuries. A boat accident lawyer will look carefully at your case and explain what damages you can pursue.
Brain Injuries
Brain injuries are potentially life-altering and can significantly decrease the quality of a person’s life. In particular, these types of cases often involve long-term medical care, therapy, and home modifications, all of which qualify as economic damages. One of our brain injury lawyers will work with you to calculate your current and future financial losses.
Burn Injuries
Whether a burn occurs during a fire or from chemical exposure, victims can experience severe pain and permanent disfigurement. A burn injury lawyer will help you calculate both economic and non-economic damages, including medical expenses for hospitalizations, skin grafts, and physical therapy.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can have lasting effects on a person’s mobility, sometimes making it difficult or impossible for them to continue working and maintain personal relationships. When you work with one of our firm’s spinal cord injury lawyers, you will receive guidance on how to seek compensation and emotional support as you begin your recovery.
Wrongful Death
If you have lost a spouse, child, or another family member because of someone else’s reckless or negligent behavior, you can file a wrongful death claim. You might be eligible to recover damages for funeral expenses, pain and suffering, and other financial losses. Our firm’s Lake Charles wrongful death lawyers approach wrongful death cases with compassion and determination, recognizing that this is one of the most difficult periods of your life.
Shamieh Law is Here To Help You
Personal injury claims are stressful, especially when you’re also working through your physical and emotional recovery. A Lake Charles personal injury attorney with our firm will help alleviate your anxiety and support you throughout the legal process.
Contact us for a free consultation to review the details of your case.
