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
Accidents caused by someone else’s carelessness can have catastrophic effects on your life. If you suffered an injury due to a negligent party’s actions, you may be entitled to compensation for your physical, emotional, and financial losses. Our Lake Charles personal injury lawyers can help you get the compensation you need to get back on your feet. Call us at 337-477-7222 for your free consultation today.
Under Louisiana law, you have the right to recover compensation if another person is at fault for an injury you sustain. Whether you’ve been injured in a slip-and-fall, a motor vehicle accident, or an animal attack, Shamieh Law can help you and your family seek the compensation you deserve. When you entrust our team with your injury case, we’ll guide you through your legal options and help you down the path toward compensation.
Our Lake Charles personal injury lawyers have extensive experience defending the rights of injury victims. We are here to champion your interests, maximize your compensation, and seek justice on your behalf. Meanwhile, you can focus on what matters most: healing and rebuilding your life post-injury. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
Why Shamieh Law Is the Best Personal Injury Firm in Lake Charles for You
At Shamieh Law, we take a holistic approach to personal injury cases. We call our philosophy “Winning With Awareness, ” which means treating all people with compassion, dignity, and respect while seeking the best results possible for our clients. Our Lake Charles injury attorneys take pride in helping injury victims in their hour of need. Whether assisting with settlement negotiations or representing them in court, our clients can count on us to deliver excellent legal representation each and every time.
Founding partner Ramez Shamieh, a Lake Charles native, is proud to lead our firm in service of his community. He has hand-picked a top-tier team of attorneys, paralegals, and case managers to handle our clients’ cases with utmost care and attention. Our team has been recognized by numerous professional publications and organizations, including:
- Super Lawyers
- Texas Lawyer
- The National Trial Lawyers Top 100
- The Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- The American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys
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, including:
- “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 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.
Type of Personal Injury Cases We Take in Lake Charles, LA
Our personal injury legal team has experience handling a wide range of accident types, including:
Car Accidents
In 2022 alone, 3,169 people were injured in Calcasieu Parish car accidents. If you suffered an injury in a car crash, we can help you with the at-fault driver’s insurance company at every stage of your claim. From hit-and-run incidents to rideshare accidents, our Lake Charles car accident attorneys are equipped to handle all types of car accident cases.
Truck Accidents
In 2022, 3,170 people were injured in commercial vehicle accidents in Calcasieu Parish. Truck accidents often leave victims with catastrophic injuries due to the severity of these types of crashes. Our truck accident lawyers in Lake Charles have what it takes to stand up to large trucking companies and their insurers.
Motorcycle Accidents
In 2022, 66 people were injured in Calcasieu Parish motorcycle crashes. Motorcycle accidents can leave riders with severe injuries or even lead to death due to the lack of protection for motorcycle riders. Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Lake Charles can help you build a case that demonstrates the impact your crash has had on your life to help ensure you get the full and fair compensation you deserve.
Slip-and-Fall Accidents
Slips, trips, and falls occur in many settings, including workplaces, parking lots, stores, apartment complexes, hotels, and more. When property owners fail to meet their duty to keep their property safe, they are liable for any injuries that occur. Our Lake Charles slip and fall lawyers can investigate the cause, review the governing premises liability laws, and build a strong claim on your behalf.
Construction Accidents
Construction sites are inherently dangerous, but proper precautions can significantly reduce the likelihood of an accident. However, at many construction work sites across the city, failure to take these preventative measures leaves workers with injuries and lost wages. Our Lake Charles construction accident attorneys can identify where the at-fault party failed to implement adequate safety measures and build a strong case for compensation on your behalf.
Hurricane Damage Claims
According to the Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI), Hurricane Laura in 2020 left the city with an estimated $235 million in housing damages alone. A New York Times article cites the damage from Hurricane Laura and Hurricane Delta at more than $12 billion. Many Lake Charles residents spent months waiting for the desperately needed insurance benefits, with the LDI reporting more than 1,700 complaints. Our Lake Charles hurricane damage claims lawyers are here to help anyone affected by hurricanes in Louisiana get the benefits they are entitled to after a storm.
These are just a few of the case types we handle. Other include:
- Bus Accidents
- Train Accidents
- Plane Accidents
- Helicopter Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- ATV Accidents
- Boat Accidents
- Product Defects
- E-Cigarettes and Vape Pens
- Airbag Failure
- Animal Attacks
- Nursing Home Abuse
- Daycare Abuse
- Industrial Explosions
- Oil and Gas Accidents
- Forklift Accidents
- Electrocution Accidents
- Wrongful Death Accidents
Damages in Personal Injury Lawsuits in Louisiana
Most of the damages available in personal injury lawsuits are known as compensatory damages. As the name suggests, these damages aim to make up for the injuries and losses you have suffered in an accident. There are two main categories of compensatory damages: economic and non-economic. Though less common, punitive damages may also be available.
Economic Damages
Economic damages compensate for the concrete financial losses you incur due to your injuries. In most cases, they can be easily calculated and backed up with tangible evidence, such as receipts, bills, and pay stubs.
Medical expenses, which include costs associated with medical treatment, surgeries, hospital stays, medication, rehabilitation, and future medical needs, are among the most common economic damages. You may also be entitled to compensation for lost wages and lowered future earning capacity.
Non-Economic Damages
By contrast, non-economic damages compensate for intangible losses, such as pain, suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Because of their more subjective nature, they are more challenging to reduce to a monetary value. Even so, they can significantly raise the value of your case.
Punitive Damages
Some personal injury victims are also eligible to receive punitive damages. Courts award these damages to punish at-fault parties for egregious behavior and to deter others from engaging in similar misconduct. These damages are not always available and are typically reserved for extreme cases involving things like intentional harm or gross negligence.
Why Hire a Lawyer After a Serious Accident in Lake Charles?
You are not legally required to hire a lawyer for your personal injury case. However, working with a Lake Charles personal injury attorney is a wise move that can ultimately result in a higher payout.
One of the most significant ways our attorneys can help you is by gathering evidence. Our Lake Charles personal injury law firm has the resources to investigate your case thoroughly. We will collect all available evidence, interview witnesses, and collaborate with experts to build a strong case demonstrating the at-fault party’s liability.
Additionally, our attorneys are skilled negotiators who can engage with insurance companies, opposing parties, and their legal representatives to secure a fair settlement on your behalf. They know how to navigate the negotiation process and maximize your advantages. Further, if a fair out-of-court settlement cannot be reached and your case must go to trial, our legal team has the advocacy skills needed to present a strong case before a judge and jury.
Finally, dealing with a personal injury can be emotionally and physically taxing. While you focus on recovering from your injuries, let us focus on recovering the full and fair compensation you deserve.
Louisiana Negligence Laws That Can Impact Your Lake Charles Injury Case
Typically, injury victims must prove that the defendant was negligent in order to recover compensation through a Louisiana personal injury case. In other words, they must prove that the defendant owed a duty of reasonable care, breached that duty, and thereby caused the victim’s injuries and losses.
However, in cases where the defendant violated a safety regulation meant to protect against the specific harm suffered by the victim, proving negligence per se may suffice. This is because violating safety statutes (e.g., laws against drunk driving and running red lights) is inherently negligent.
In some cases, more than one person may be responsible for an accident. Under Louisiana’s comparative fault law, you may still recover compensation if you are partially at fault for your accident. However, your damages will be reduced in proportion to the percentage of fault assigned to you.
For example, suppose you are driving down I-10 when another driver cuts you off as you move 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 reduced to $800,000.
How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Louisiana?
Louisiana has a two-year statute of limitations governing most personal injury cases. This means that injury victims normally have two years from their date of injury to file a case seeking compensation from the at-fault party.
There are certain exceptions to this rule. However, because failure to comply with the correct deadline nearly always results in your case being dismissed in court, it is best to consult with an attorney before relying on them. Our personal injury lawyers in Lake Charles start gathering evidence on your case as soon as possible to ensure you don’t miss any important deadlines in your case.
Will Your Personal Injury Case Go to Trial?
In most cases, our Lake Charles injury attorneys resolve our cases without going to trial. We do this by negotiating with the at-fault party or their insurance company.
However, in cases where a fair out-of-court settlement cannot be reached, our firm has the skills and resources to take your case to court. Many factors will influence the decision of whether or not to take your case to trial. Of course, before making this all-important decision, our attorneys will make sure you are fully aware of the implications for your claim.
Get a Free Consultation with a Lake Charles Personal Injury Lawyer
You do not need to walk the path toward justice and compensation alone. If you or someone you love has been injured in Lake Charles due to the negligence of another person or entity, look no further. Shamieh Law is here to make sure you know your full legal rights and build the strongest possible claim on your behalf. We will listen to your story, evaluate the facts of your case, and help you determine the best path forward.
Contact us today by calling (337) 477-7222 or completing our online form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a member of our team. We work on a contingency basis, meaning there are no out-of-pocket fees to have us handle your case. If you don’t get paid, neither do we.
