Kenny Habetz Injury Law is proud to serve Crowley, Lafayette, and communities across Acadiana with dedicated representation for victims of assault. Being physically attacked by another person is traumatic, and the aftermath often brings medical bills, lost wages, and lasting emotional scars.
If you were hurt in an assault in Louisiana, you may have the right to pursue compensation through a civil lawsuit separate from any criminal case against your attacker.
Many people assume that if someone assaults them, the only path to justice is through the criminal court system. That’s not the whole picture. Louisiana law allows victims of intentional acts like assault and battery to file a civil personal injury claim against the person who hurt them – and, in some cases, against a third party whose negligence made the attack possible.
- Criminal court prosecutes the attacker on behalf of the state, seeking fines or jail time
- Civil court allows the victim to seek financial compensation for medical costs, lost income, and pain and suffering
A criminal conviction is not required to win a personal injury case, and a lack of criminal charges doesn’t mean you have no civil claim. The standard of proof in civil court (preponderance of the evidence) is lower than in criminal court (beyond a reasonable doubt), which means victims can often recover damages even when a criminal case stalls or never moves forward.
Common Challenges People Face With Assault Injury Cases
Pursuing a claim after an assault comes with unique obstacles that don’t usually arise in car accident or slip-and-fall cases:
- Identifying every liable party. The attacker is the most obvious defendant, but property owners, bar operators, landlords, or security companies may share responsibility if inadequate security or negligence contributed to the attack.
- Collectability. An individual attacker may not have money or insurance to pay a judgment. This is why identifying a negligent third party such as a bar that overserved a visibly intoxicated patron who later became violent can be critical to actually recovering compensation.
- Insurance company pushback. Some homeowners or commercial general liability policies contain exclusions for “intentional acts,” and insurers frequently use these clauses to deny claims. An experienced Lafayette negligent security lawyer can determine whether coverage still applies, particularly when negligent security or supervision is involved.
- Emotional trauma alongside physical injury. Assault victims often deal with anxiety, PTSD, and fear in addition to physical wounds, all of which are compensable but require thorough documentation.
How to Know When You Should Contact a Lawyer for an Assault Injury
If you were injured because of another person’s intentional or reckless conduct, it’s worth a conversation with a lawyer as soon as possible, especially if:
- You required medical treatment, hospitalization, or ongoing care
- The assault happened on someone else’s property (a bar, apartment complex, workplace, or business) — consulting a Lafayette premises liability lawyer can help determine liability
- Security was absent, inadequate, or the location had a history of violent incidents
- You’ve missed work or lost income because of your injuries
- An insurance company has already denied a claim or is refusing to respond
Understanding Louisiana’s Filing Deadlines
Louisiana law sets strict deadlines, called prescriptive periods, for filing a personal injury lawsuit. For injuries occurring on or after July 1, 2024, most personal injury claims including many assault and battery cases generally have a two-year prescriptive period from the date of injury. Claims involving crimes of violence carry their own specific rules under Louisiana law, and injuries that occurred before July 1, 2024 remain subject to the older one-year deadline. Because these rules involve exceptions and can be easy to miscalculate, it’s important to speak with a Louisiana attorney promptly rather than assume you have more time than you actually do.
Steps to Take After an Assault Injury
Immediately after the incident:
- Seek medical attention, even if injuries seem minor at first
- Report the assault to law enforcement and obtain a copy of the police report
- Photograph visible injuries and the location where the assault occurred
- Identify and get contact information for any witnesses
In the days and weeks that follow:
- Keep a record of medical appointments, treatments, and out-of-pocket costs
- Avoid discussing the incident on social media
- Do not give a statement to an insurance company without legal guidance
- Contact a Lafayette personal injury lawyer to evaluate whether a third party may share liability and to ensure you properly mitigate damages
Why Kenny Habetz Injury Law Is the Trusted Advocate for Assault Victims
Assault cases require an attorney who understands both the emotional weight of what happened and the legal complexity of proving liability against multiple potential parties. Kenny Habetz Injury Law has built a reputation across Crowley, Lafayette, and the greater Acadiana region for standing beside injury victims with compassion and determination.
Our team investigates the full circumstances of the attack, including whether a property owner, employer, or business failed to provide reasonable security. We work directly with local courts, including the Lafayette Parish Courthouse and Acadia Parish Courthouse, and we understand the community we serve because we’re part of it.
What sets our approach apart:
- Free consultations with no obligation
- No fee unless we win your case
- Direct access to Kenny Habetz and a team that treats every client like family
- A track record of holding negligent property owners and third parties accountable, not just the individual attacker
Injured in an assault? Go Kenny for the representation you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions About Assault Injury Claims
Can I sue someone for assault even if they’re also facing criminal charges? Yes. Civil and criminal cases proceed separately, and pursuing a civil claim does not depend on the outcome of the criminal case.
What if the person who attacked me has no money? This is why identifying additional liable parties, such as a property owner or business with inadequate security, matters. An attorney can investigate whether anyone else contributed to unsafe conditions.
Will my case go to trial? Many personal injury cases settle before trial, but Kenny Habetz Injury Law prepares every case as if it will go before a judge or jury, which strengthens negotiating leverage with insurance companies.
How much does it cost to hire a lawyer? Kenny Habetz Injury Law works on a contingency fee basis; there’s no fee unless we win your case.
What compensation can I recover? Depending on the facts of your case, you may be entitled to crime victim compensation alongside both economic damages (medical expenses and lost wages) and non-economic damages for pain, suffering, and emotional trauma.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
For years, Louisiana families have turned to Kenny Habetz Injury Law when they needed a trusted advocate after being hurt through no fault of their own. If you or a loved one was injured in an assault or suffered a loss requiring wrongful death damages anywhere in Crowley, Lafayette, Baton Rouge, or the surrounding Acadiana communities, don’t wait to protect your rights.
Call Kenny Habetz Injury Law today for a free consultation, or schedule your free case review online. When you’ve been hurt by someone else’s violence, Go Kenny.
