Did you or a family member suffer a catastrophic injury in Lafayette, LA? Our team at Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers can help. Call (337) 473-2991 today to learn more about how a Lafayette catastrophic injury lawyer can help you maximize the value of your claim.
Our attorneys bring over 50 years of collective legal experience to the table. We’ve successfully recovered tens of millions of dollars for our efforts.
Catastrophic injury cases are often heavily contested because they frequently involve significant settlements. The stakes are high, and our team is here to help. Contact our Lafayette personal injury attorneys today to arrange a time to discuss your case.
Why Call Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers to Help Me Recover Compensation After a Catastrophic Injury in Lafayette?
At Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers, we know how important your financial recovery is to your future. You may rely on the compensation we recover for decades after a catastrophic injury in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Our Lafayette personal injury lawyers have the proven track record of success you want in your corner. We’re proud to provide small-firm attention and support while earning big-firm results for our clients.
Members of our team have been recognized by:
- Super Lawyers, as “Rising Stars”
- Avvo, with its Client’s Choice Award
- The American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys, as one of the 10 Best Attorneys for Client Satisfaction
Our Lafayette catastrophic injury attorneys have proven our skill both in the courtroom and at the negotiating table. We never shy away from taking a case to trial if the insurance offer isn’t fair. To learn more about how we can assist with your case, please call for a complimentary consultation today.
What Qualifies as a Catastrophic Injury?
When it comes to catastrophic injuries, no exact definition exists. The key factor is the impact the injury has on the victim’s life. In short, catastrophic injuries are fundamentally life-changing.
Many victims do recover and go on to live full lives. The impacts of the injury, however, will likely have profoundly changed the course of your life. Many victims face lifelong medical needs and assistance and may be unable to return to their prior employment. Some can never work again.
How Much Is My Lafayette Catastrophic Injury Case Worth?
It depends on the facts of your case. Before we can offer a dollar-value estimate, we’ll have to review the facts carefully. There’s no simple answer to this question, even though you’ve suffered the most serious injuries imaginable.
As we assess your case value, our attorneys will carefully evaluate:
- The precise nature of the harm you’ve suffered
- Your current medical treatment costs
- Your future medical needs
- Whether you’ll ever be able to live independently again
- How your quality of life has changed
- Whether you’ll ever be able to perform any type of work and earn a living
- Expected future costs associated with ongoing treatment and care
- The circumstances surrounding the injury, including whether you’re being blamed
- Available sources of compensation, including insurance coverage
Expert testimony is often crucial in catastrophic injury cases. Because your injuries were so severe, you’ll continue to incur injury-related costs well into the future. Projecting those costs can be tricky–and next to impossible without the help of respected experts.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Catastrophic Injury Victims in Lafayette?
Your overall compensation award should include money to cover your economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages cover your quantifiable financial losses, both past and projected future, including:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity once you reach maximum medical improvement
- Medicines and medical devices
- Physical therapy
- Vocational therapy and rehabilitation to prepare you for a new line of work
- Mental health treatment
- Long-term care
- Home and vehicle modifications
- Specialized treatments
- Property damage
Non-economic damages cover losses that are much more personal and difficult to prove, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Chronic pain
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Reduced quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Damage to relationships
After a catastrophic injury, you may require support for years to come. Your compensation award must account for all of your needs. Consult with an experienced lawyer who can carefully evaluate your needs and help you understand how much you deserve.
How Much Money Does It Cost to Hire a Lawyer to Handle a Catastrophic Injury Case in Louisiana?
Nothing up front. Contingency fee arrangements are the most common fee structure for personal injury law firms.
Here’s what to expect in terms of our attorneys’ fees at Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers:
- We charge zero fees to secure our legal services.
- You’ll agree to pay a set percentage of your settlement or verdict.
- You never have to cover attorneys’ fees if your attorney fails to recover compensation.
Our attorneys are confident in our ability to secure top results for our clients. That’s why we base our fees entirely on getting those results.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Being Blamed for My Catastrophic Injury in Louisiana?
First, don’t panic if someone is trying to pin the blame on you. It’s a common insurance tactic. The more blame they can shift to you, the less they have to pay.
As of 2025, you typically do not lose your right to damages unless you were 100% responsible. Under Louisiana’s pure comparative negligence laws, your damages will likely be reduced to the extent you share fault. Because this law is changing soon, you should consult an attorney as soon as possible after your injury to ensure you have the most current information.
Without experienced legal representation, you risk letting the other side off the hook. Allegations of shared fault are often unsubstantiated. If you’re being blamed, call our lawyers for help fighting back today.
Common Catastrophic Injuries in Lafayette, Louisiana
Some examples of injuries that have the potential to be catastrophic and life-altering include:
- Severe traumatic brain injuries
- Paralysis
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Chest and thoracic injuries
- Severe burns
- Vision loss
- Hearing loss
- Internal organ damage and failure
- Multiple and complex fractures, including non-healing fractures
These injuries often result in permanent disability. It can be challenging to grasp the potential impact on your life.
As you focus on your recovery, let our Lafayette catastrophic injury attorneys handle the fight for compensation on your behalf. If someone else caused your injuries, count on our attorneys to do everything possible to maximize the amount of compensation you receive.
Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries in Louisiana
Many catastrophic injuries occur in accidents, including motor vehicle accidents. Acts of violence and other types of trauma can also result in life-changing injuries.
Some common causes of catastrophic injuries include:
- Car accidents
- Firearm violence
- Dangerous property conditions
- Slip and fall accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Bus accidents
- Uber or Lyft accidents
- Boating accidents
- Construction accidents
- Industrial accidents
- Other types of workplace accidents
- Falls from heights
- Electric shock
- Sports and recreation accidents
- Defective products
- Medical malpractice
- Domestic violence and other intentional criminal assaults
We’re here to help regardless of the underlying circumstances. If someone else caused your injuries, we’ll work tirelessly to hold them accountable.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Catastrophic Injury in Louisiana?
It’s important to know that you don’t have an unlimited amount of time to take legal action. Even if your injuries were catastrophic, you must file your lawsuit within two years of the date the injury occurred.
Under Louisiana law, you can lose your right to damages entirely once the statute of limitations expires. Exceptions to the rule are extremely rare, and it’s always possible that you could have even less time to take legal action. It’s critical to act quickly to preserve both evidence and your right to compensation.
What Do I Have to Prove to Recover Compensation After a Catastrophic Injury in Louisiana?
Most personal injury victims must prove the defendant was negligent to recover damages. Negligence is the legal ground for most accident claims.
Four elements are generally required to prove a negligence claim:
- Duty of care: the defendant owed you a duty of care
- Breach: by failing to exercise reasonable caution, they breached that duty
- Causation: the breach directly caused your injuries
- Damages: you’ve suffered physical, mental, and/or financial losses due to the injury
A successful negligence claim should be backed by strong evidence. While you’re focused on putting your life back together, we’ll be searching for any evidence that can be used to prove your case.
Contact a Skilled Lafayette Catastrophic Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation Today
After a catastrophic injury, you don’t have to handle a legal battle on your own. Our legal team is here to handle your case from start to finish. That way, you can focus on your recovery with the peace of mind that an experienced Lafayette catastrophic injury lawyer is protecting your interests.
Call Mansfield Melancon Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers to arrange your free case evaluation today. Once we hear your story, we can help you identify and evaluate all of your legal options.