Have you been injured because of a mistake by a medical professional in Breaux Bridge, LA? You might have a legal claim against them for medical malpractice. This means that you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain & suffering, and more. Call Kenny Habetz Injury Law at (337) 399-9000 to schedule a free consultation.
These cases can be extremely complex and notoriously difficult to win. You need an experienced personal injury lawyer in your corner who knows how to win these complicated cases.
Our Breaux Bridge medical malpractice lawyers have over a decade of experience helping injury victims after all types of accidents. We have recovered millions of dollars for our clients. Let us go to work for you and help you get full and fair compensation for all your injuries.
How Kenny Habetz Injury Law Can Help After a Medical Error in Breaux Bridge
Preparing and litigating a medical malpractice case in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana takes extensive experience and a breadth of resources. Kenny Habetz Injury Law has both, and our Breaux Bridge medical malpractice attorneys are ready to get started helping you today by:
- Investigating what happened to identify all potential defendants
- Using medical experts who can testify about what should or should not have happened
- Gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses to help bolster your claim
- Handling all discussions and negotiations with the hospital and its insurance company
- Negotiating a top-dollar settlement while fully preparing your case for trial, should that be necessary
Members of our legal team have been recognized by the National Trial Lawyers, the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and other prestigious legal organizations. Contact our law firm today to schedule a free consultation with a Breaux Bridge personal injury lawyer.
Louisiana Medical Malpractice Laws
Louisiana has strict medical malpractice laws that govern these types of cases. Certain protections are in place to help prevent frivolous lawsuits against doctors and hospitals. First, these claims can typically be brought for breach of contract, negligence, or failure to provide appropriate aid or treatment.
However, these claims must be reviewed by a medical panel before a lawsuit can be filed. The medical panel must determine that the claim is valid, and then the lawsuit will be allowed to proceed.
To learn more about the specifics of medical malpractice suits in Louisiana, contact Kenny Habetz Injury Law. Just because these rules are in place does not mean that you should not proceed with a valid claim. Let us worry about the legal aspects of your claim while you focus on getting back on your feet.
What Is My Medical Malpractice Case Worth?
Medical malpractice cases often involve significant injuries, and these cases can sometimes be worth a large sum of money. We understand that money can never replace your health or mental well-being, but it can help ease some of the financial stress of your future. The factors that have the most impact on the value of your case are:
- The severity and extent of your injuries
- How your injuries have affected your daily life
- How your relationships have been affected by your injuries
- Whether you will be able to work again
- Any permanent damage caused by the situation
- The amount of your previous and future medical bills
Hospitals and doctors often carry large insurance policies to cover these situations, which can increase the potential value of your claim as well. The best way to determine how much your case is worth is to get help from an experienced lawyer.
What Kinds of Damages Are Available to Accident Victims?
Victims of medical malpractice are generally entitled to recover two types of damages – economic damages and non-economic damages. These damages compensate victims who have suffered both financial losses and physical and emotional trauma.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are purely financial in nature, and it is easy to prove the value of these damages. Bills, receipts, invoices, and other documents can be used as evidence to show the specific dollar amount of these losses. Some common examples of economic damages include:
- Cost of additional medical treatments that may be necessary
- Lost wages
- Future lost earnings capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Recovery for economic damages is typically “dollar for dollar.” For example, if your injury caused you to incur $5,000 in medical bills, you would be entitled to $5,000 of economic damages.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are much more subjective and can be worth anywhere from 1.5 to 5 times the value of your economic damages. These damages compensate victims for the physical and psychological effects of their injuries. Common examples are:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Diminished quality of life
- Anxiety
- PTSD
Non-economic damages in these cases are generally capped at $500,000. We can help you evaluate all your damages and get the compensation you deserve.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Medical Malpractice Lawyer?
Medical malpractice cases often take a lot of resources to successfully prepare and litigate. We understand that you may have concerns about the cost of hiring a lawyer. After all, you probably have extensive medical bills and may be missing time from work.
Thankfully, you can hire us without paying anything upfront. Most medical malpractice lawyers use contingency fees when they represent clients in these types of cases. When using this type of fee, the lawyer takes their payment as a portion of any recovery awarded to the client.
The Louisiana Rules of Professional Conduct specify that contingency fees should be in writing and signed by the client. The agreement should clearly state the fee’s calculation method and mention any other expenses that may be deducted from the recovery.
Contingency fees in medical malpractice cases often range from 33% to 40% of the total recovery, depending on:
- The complexity of the case itself
- The lawyer’s success rate
- The lawyer’s experience level
- How the case is resolved – settlement or trial
We will never charge you a fee unless we win your case. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and let us get started.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Being Blamed For a Medical Malpractice Incident in Louisiana?
It might seem wrong to blame the victim for their injuries after a medical malpractice situation. However, that does not mean the insurance company or hospital won’t try. “Blame the victim” tactics are quite common in personal injury cases, and medical malpractice is no different.
Thankfully, Louisiana follows a pure comparative fault system. This allows victims to recover compensation even if they are found to be partially at fault for their injuries. However, their compensation will simply be reduced by their portion of the fault. For instance, a victim who is found to be 30% responsible for their injuries could still recover 70% of their damages from the defendant.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Medical Malpractice Injuries
Cases of medical malpractice can leave victims struggling with the effects of severe injuries. In most cases, you are already receiving medical treatment for some condition, and medical malpractice only makes things worse. Some common injuries sustained in these cases include:
- Brain damage
- Improper amputations
- Cancer
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Spinal cord injuries
- Wrongful death
The team at Kenny Habetz Injury Law will work with medical experts to understand all your injuries. We will fight diligently to get you the compensation you are owed after one of these horrific accidents.
What Causes Most Medical Malpractice Incidents in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana?
Accidents happen, but the negligence of a healthcare provider is often what leads to medical malpractice. Hospitals and other facilities are busy, but giving each patient the attention and care they deserve is crucial. Devastating injuries are often caused by mistakes, such as:
- Misdiagnosis or failure to treat
- Emergency room mistakes
- Tools or other items left inside a patient during surgery
- Amputating the wrong limb
- Hospital-acquired infections
We can help investigate the cause of your accident to identify all responsible parties. Schedule a free consultation today to let us help you get the justice you deserve.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Medical Malpractice Incident in Louisiana?
The statute of limitations in Louisiana is a little complicated when it comes to medical malpractice. Typically, you must file your lawsuit within one year from the date you discover or should have discovered your injury. However, not all injuries resulting from medical malpractice are immediately apparent.
Even in cases involving injuries that are discovered later, your claim must be filed no later than three years from the date the malpractice occurred. Missing either of these deadlines can cause you to lose all your rights to recover compensation. This is why it is so important to contact an experienced medical malpractice lawyer as soon after your injury as possible.
Contact Our Breaux Bridge Medical Malpractice Lawyers for a Free Consultation
Have you been injured due to medical malpractice in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana? Contact Kenny Habetz Injury Law today to schedule a free consultation with a Breaux Bridge medical malpractice lawyer. Let us help take away some of the uncertainty of the situation by handling every detail of your legal claim. Call us now to get the help you deserve.
