Lake Charles Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
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and Award Winning Lawyers Since 2014
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Date Last Updated: September 3, 2026
A catastrophic injury in Lake Charles can leave you facing years of medical care and major changes to daily life. Whether the injury occurs while working at the Port of Lake Charles or while traveling along I-10, the effects can extend far beyond the accident itself.
If you were injured due to someone else’s negligence, our Louisiana catastrophic injury lawyers can help you understand your rights and pursue the financial support you need to recover and move forward.
Trusted Legal Representation for Catastrophic Injury Victims in Lake Charles
Our Lake Charles catastrophic injury lawyers represent clients throughout Southwest Louisiana, helping them pursue the compensation they need to rebuild after life-changing injuries.
We know the challenges catastrophic accidents create for families. Our firm leverages its experience and resources to handle these complex cases and stands up for clients when insurance companies refuse to offer fair compensation. We take pride in supporting people during their most difficult times, whether by helping them access medical care or by pursuing a favorable settlement on their behalf.
Ramez Shamieh, our founding partner, is proud to serve Lake Charles, the community where he was born and raised. He has helped thousands of clients obtain millions in settlements and verdicts. When you trust us with your personal injury case, we’ll treat you like family, and you can rest assured that we have your best interests in mind at every turn.
Ramez Shamieh,
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.
Our Case Results
- $9.5 million settlement: Secured for the family of a construction worker who fell 30 feet to his death due to inadequate training and a lack of proper safety equipment.
- $8 million settlement: Recovered in a personal injury case involving a university that covered up hazing and allowed sexual assaults to continue.
- $5 million settlement: Obtained in a negligent security case after an employee was murdered during a robbery despite repeatedly requesting additional security measures.
- $5 million settlement: Recovered for a plaintiff who required double knee replacement surgery after a distracted construction worker pulled out of a construction zone and caused a collision.
- $3 million settlement: Obtained in a workers’ compensation breach of contract dispute.
- $2.4 million settlement: Recovered for a pedestrian who suffered serious injuries after being struck by a truck driven by a negligent motorist.
What Is a Catastrophic Injury?
A catastrophic injury is one that causes permanent or long-term impairment or disability, affecting a person’s ability to work or perform daily activities. Examples include traumatic brain injuries, limb loss, severe burns, broken bones, and paralysis.
How Do Catastrophic Injuries Differ From Other Personal Injury Claims?
Catastrophic injury claims differ from other personal injury claims because they often involve long-term or permanent care needs. After initial treatment, victims may require rehabilitation, assistive devices, home modifications, or personal care for years or even for the rest of their lives. They may also miss work during recovery or lose the ability to earn the same income in the future. Calculating these future medical and financial losses can make the claim more complex than a case involving an injury expected to heal quickly.
Types of Catastrophic Injury Cases We Handle in Lake Charles
Our Lake Charles attorneys represent victims who suffer severe injuries because of another party’s negligence, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Severe burn injuries
- Amputations and limb loss
- Multiple fractures and crush injuries
- Permanent organ damage
- Catastrophic injuries to children
- Wrongful death
Compensation Available in a Catastrophic Injury Claim in Lake Charles
A catastrophic injury claim is intended to recover compensation not just for the losses you experience now, but also those you may experience in the years to come. Depending on your injuries, you may recover damages for:
- Medical expenses: Treatment, rehabilitation, prescription medications, and equipment
- Lost wages and future income: Income lost while recovering and reduced earning capacity if you cannot return to your previous job
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for your physical pain and emotional impact
- Costs of accessibility accommodations: Adaptive equipment, specialized transportation, mobility and speech aids, and communication devices
- Home modifications: Access ramps, wheelchair-friendly bathrooms and kitchens, and other necessary renovations
- Wrongful death damages: Funeral costs, loss of support, future inheritance, and loss of companionship
Because catastrophic injuries often have lifelong consequences, calculating these damages requires careful planning. Your attorney can consult with medical and financial professionals to evaluate your future needs and determine the value of your long-term damages.
What is the Statute of Limitations for Catastrophic Injuries Under Louisiana Law?
For accidents that occurred on or after July 1, 2024, Louisiana law typically gives you two years to file a personal injury claim, including those involving catastrophic injuries. If your accident happened before July 1, 2024, you face a stricter, one-year deadline.
However, there are limited exceptions that may provide you with more time to file your claim. Most notably, if a minor is injured, the clock does not start running until the minor turns 18, allowing them extra time to pursue a claim.
An attorney will help you understand Louisiana’s statute of limitations and any exceptions that might be relevant to your case. Reaching out as soon as possible improves your chances of protecting your rights and meeting all legal deadlines.
How is Fault Determined in a Catastrophic Injury Claim?
In a catastrophic injury claim, liability is determined by examining who caused the accident and whether their actions contributed to your injuries. Evidence such as accident reports, witness statements, medical records, and other documentation can help establish fault.
Louisiana follows a modified comparative fault system, which means more than one person can share responsibility for an accident. Your ability to recover compensation depends on how much fault you share.
- 50% or less at fault: You may recover compensation, but your award can be reduced based on your percentage of fault.
- More than 50% at fault: You generally cannot recover damages.
For example, if you are found 30% responsible for an accident and your total damages are $100,000, your recovery may be reduced to $70,000. A Lake Charles catastrophic injury lawyer can build a case that supports your account of the accident and challenge unfair claims about your responsibility.
Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries in Lake Charles
Catastrophic injuries in Lake Charles are often tied to the area’s industrial and transportation landscape. The city is home to petrochemical facilities, refineries, manufacturing operations, and a busy shipping industry. Meanwhile, major routes such as Interstate 10 and U.S. Highway 171 carry substantial traffic, increasing the risk for vehicle accidents.
Common types of accidents that cause catastrophic injuries include:
- Car accidents: Head-on crashes, intersection accidents, high-speed collisions, and distracted driving crashes
- Commercial truck accidents: Jackknife crashes, rollover accidents, underride collisions, and truck crashes caused by driver fatigue
- Motorcycle accidents: Lane-change collisions, road hazards, rear-end crashes
- Industrial and refinery accidents: Workplace fires, explosions, chemical exposure incidents, machinery failures, and equipment accidents
- Offshore and maritime incidents: Falls overboard, crane accidents, equipment failures, fires, and machinery accidents
- Construction accidents: Scaffolding collapses, equipment accidents, and falling-object and struck-by incidents
- Dangerous property conditions: Slip and fall accidents, trip hazards, unsafe stairs, poor lighting, and defective property conditions
Speak With a Lake Charles Catastrophic Injury Lawyer Today
After a catastrophic injury, even simple responsibilities can become harder to manage. Adding a legal claim to everything else you are dealing with may feel like too much. Our family-focused firm is here to help carry that burden.
We take a personal approach to every case because we know that no two families are affected the same way. Our attorneys act quickly to preserve evidence that may protect your claim and pursue compensation that accounts for the care you need now and in the future.
To schedule a free consultation with one of our catastrophic injury lawyers, fill out our online contact form or call (337) 435-8071 today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Is a Catastrophic Injury Claim Worth?
The value of a catastrophic injury claim depends on the severity of your injuries, the cost of your medical care, your lost income, and how the injury affects your future. Many catastrophic injuries require lifelong treatment, ongoing rehabilitation, or long-term care, which can increase the value of a claim. An attorney can evaluate your losses and determine the compensation you may be entitled to pursue.
How Long Do These Cases Typically Take?
There is no standard timeline for a catastrophic injury case. The length of your claim depends on multiple factors, including the severity of your injuries and whether the case settles or goes to trial. Your attorney can provide updates throughout the process and work to resolve your case as efficiently as possible while aiming for full and fair compensation.
What if My Loved One Cannot Make Legal Decisions?
If your loved one cannot make legal decisions because of a catastrophic injury, you may still be able to take legal action on their behalf. Depending on the circumstances, a court-appointed representative or another authorized individual may be able to pursue a personal injury claim on their behalf. An attorney can explain your options and help you determine who can act on your loved one’s behalf.