What Do After a Scooter Accident in New Orleans

Posted on by bradeg

Electric and gas scooters are popular these days. They’re fun, affordable, and environmentally friendly. However, the popularity of scooters means there are more severe accidents. Scooter accidents are happening more often. JAMA Surgery reported that the number of e-scooter injuries in the US climbed from 4,582 in 2014 to 14,650 in 2018. 

 

Imagine if you’re hit by a driver when you’re on your scooter. You could be left with devastating injuries and a pile of medical bills. And you may not be able to work for months. What would you do? 

 

Below are essential steps to take if a driver hits you on your scooter. For more information, call a personal injury lawyer in New Orleans today.

 

Get Immediate Medical Attention 

After an auto accident, it’s essential to be seen by a doctor. But when you’re on a scooter or motorcycle, getting immediate medical attention is critical. 

 

You are entirely exposed to the violent forces of the collision on your scooter. You probably will be thrown off the scooter. You could slam into the vehicle that hit you, the ground, or both. There is a high probability you have serious injuries, which might include: 

  • Broken bones
  • Head trauma
  • Back injuries
  • Cuts and scrapes
  • Internal injuries
  • Joint injuries

 

Some scooter injuries may be apparent right away, but not always. For example, you could have internal bleeding or a concussion that you don’t notice for a day or two. That’s why it’s essential to get medical attention right away. 

The doctor will document all your injuries and ensure you get the treatment you need. Also, documenting your injuries immediately will help your personal injury attorney file a successful claim or lawsuit. 

 

Obtain the Police Report

The police should respond to the scooter accident. So you should ask for a copy of the police report at the crash scene. But if you’re too injured, you can contact the police later to receive a copy. You also can usually order a police report copy online. 

 

Even if you’re still in the hospital, now is the time to contact a scooter personal injury attorney. The sooner you get a lawyer the better. Even if the other driver was at fault, you still could say something that hurts your case. Therefore, you should only discuss the issue with your attorney present. 

 

Remember to choose an attorney with a lot of personal injury experience, ideally in scooter and motorcycle accident cases. 

 

Additional Scooter Accident Tips

After you have had medical attention and retained a lawyer, we recommend these guidelines: 

  • Don’t provide the other insurance company with a recorded statement unless your attorney is there. 
  • Don’t talk about your scooter accident on social media. 
  • Provide all of your medical bills and other accident-related documents to your attorney. 
  • If you are seriously injured and will miss a lot of work, give your attorney as much information about your job and salary as possible. Loss of future earnings can be a large part of a personal injury settlement. 

 

Call Us Today to speak with a New Orleans Personal Injury Lawyer

A scooter accident can leave you with debilitating injuries, medical bills, and lost wages. Egenberg Trial Lawyers can help you get compensation for your damages and other losses. Contact us today at (504) 229-2863. 

Do You Need to See a Doctor after a Slip and Fall?

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If you are asking whether you need to seek medical attention after any type of accident, a New Orleans personal injury attorney will tell you the answer is always yes, regardless of the circumstances. Simply put, medical treatment is the primary reason that insurance companies will seek settlements, and you are not likely to get any kind of settlement offer when you fail to see a doctor. 

 

You should never minimize the risk of any slip and fall accident because many falls have the potential to cause debilitating injuries, so prompt treatment is always a good idea. All falls deserve to be taken seriously, especially when they involve older adults.

 

The Importance of Medical Attention

The primary reason to seek medical care after a slip and fall concerns your health. Even when you feel fine after a fall, it is far from uncommon for people to suddenly feel twinges of pain or other discomfort days later because of injuries they were not aware they had sustained.

 

The bottom line is that you do not know how a slip and fall might have hurt you, so it is always a good idea to have a doctor perform a complete evaluation that ensures you did not suffer an injury that may present more lingering symptoms later on. Consider how many soft-tissue injuries present no visible signs of injury but end up causing extreme pain later on.

 

Beyond the immediate injury care, you also need to be mindful of what caused your fall and whether you could be at risk of falling again. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that falling once will double your chances of falling again, so you will want to get advice from your doctor or another medical professional about how you can best keep yourself safe.

 

The Importance of a Medical Record

Medical records will be crucially important for establishing that another party was at fault for your fall. The records help prove not only that a slip and fall accident caused your injuries but also contributed to your medical bills, lost income, and any other damages you are seeking. 

 

The burden of proof (meaning the obligation on a party in a dispute to provide sufficient evidence for its position) will be on you to demonstrate that you suffered compensable damages, and medical records can serve as:

  • Direct evidence of injuries with emergency room records, doctor’s notes, a diagnosis, recommended treatment, and other medical documentation can serve as important forms of evidence. 
  • Proof of damages that show an insurance company that you were seriously injured.
  • Indications of what an injury case is worth because medical records will include the exact prices of hospital stays, surgeries, rehabilitation, and prescriptions. 

 

The Health Insurance Portability and Account Act (HIPAA) allows you to request a copy of your medical records, and when you are not sure which records you will need, you should talk to a personal injury lawyer. You may have to sign a HIPAA request form that will allow the attorney to request the appropriate records on your behalf. 

 

Call Us Today to Schedule a Free Consultation with a New Orleans Personal Injury Attorney

Did you suffer serious injuries in a slip and fall accident in the greater New Orleans area? You will want to be sure you have Egenberg Trial Lawyers on your side for help recovering every last dollar that is available to you.

 

Our firm can conduct a thorough independent investigation into your fall and secure the evidence necessary to demonstrate another party was at fault before negotiating a full and fair settlement that covers all of your personal expenses or we can take the case to trial when necessary. Call (504) 229-3117 or contact us online to arrange a free consultation so we can take the time to discuss all of the details of your case with you and outline what steps you should take to achieve a full recovery.

Choosing the Right Personal Injury Attorney for You

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When you suffer injuries in any kind of accident, you deserve to know how much financial compensation you can receive and exactly how difficult it is going to be to recover that amount. Handling a personal injury claim by your lonesome can be a perilous journey to take, which is why many other victims often recommend that you be sure to hire a skilled personal injury lawyer to handle the case.

Many people will rely on referrals from friends and family, but you need to make sure the attorney you hire is actually adept at handling your kind of case, which could be remarkably different from the ones that other people you know were dealing with. Always reach out to a New Orleans personal injury lawyer with Egenberg Trial Lawyers for dedicated legal counsel on all types of personal injury matters.

 

Experience Matters

Egenberg Trial Lawyers has a team of attorneys who have decades of experience in the courtroom. Bradley Egenberg earned his Juris Doctor in 2004 and passed the Louisiana bar in 2005.

Ben Berman not only achieves successful judgments and settlements for clients at the trial court level, but has also written numerous winning briefs for the Courts of Appeals and Louisiana Supreme Court including one case in which the Supreme Court upheld Louisiana citizens’ rights to view the public records of organizations that receive contracts to perform essential government services. Aaron J. Hurd is an experienced litigator who represents clients in class and mass action proceedings in both state and federal courts. 

Simon Levitsky has experience in personal injury, maritime law, and first-party casualty insurance matters, while Blake Corley handles catastrophic personal injury, employment discrimination, clergy sexual abuse, and first-party insurance claims. Max Sternberg has experience with both motor vehicle accidents and first-party real property damage claims.

 

Know the Kinds of Cases They Handle

The team at Egenberg Trial Lawyers handles many different kinds of personal injury cases, including:

  • Car Accidents 
  • Truck Accidents 
  • 18-Wheeler Accidents
  • Motorcycle Accidents 
  • Pedestrian Accidents
  • Slip and Fall Accidents
  • Dog Bites 
  • Electrocutions
  • Defective Products
  • Intentional Torts
  • Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
  • Jones Act Claims
  • Wrongful Deaths

 

Ask What Representation Will Cost

The big problem for many people when it comes to hiring a lawyer is having to pay for an attorney but Egenberg Trial Lawyers is among the many personal injury lawyers in New Orleans who handle cases on a contingency-fee basis. This means you pay nothing upfront for legal counsel because we will only collect a portion of whatever judgment you ultimately receive.

 

Call Us Today to Schedule a Free Consultation with a New Orleans Personal Injury Attorney

If you or your loved one sustains serious injuries in any kind of accident in the greater New Orleans area, you deserve to have legal help navigating the complex system of hurdles involved in recovering damages. Egenberg Trial Lawyers can fight to make sure that you get every last dollar that is available to you and we will make sure that you are fully taken care of so you do not have to spend a single cent out of your own pocket.

Our firm knows how to take all the proper steps in our handling of these cases, so you can take comfort in knowing that you will have a true legal professional on your side and advocating for you every step of the way. Take the time to call (504) 229-2853 or contact us online so you can arrange a free consultation that will let us examine your case and go over all of the details so we will be able to provide the best possible legal representation.

Why Hire a NOLA Injury Attorney For Your Injury Claim?

Posted on by bradeg

When you suffer injuries in any kind of accident in the greater New Orleans area, there can be a temptation to think that you can handle the personal injury claim process on your own and recover financial compensation without having to pay a lawyer. The primary problem with this belief, however, is that many people end up having insurance companies take advantage of the lack of legal representation and forcing them to accept settlements that are far less than the victim actually needs and deserves.

There are many reasons you will want to retain legal counsel when you have a personal injury case in Louisiana. When you sustain any kind of serious injuries in an accident that was the result of another party’s negligence, make sure you speak to an experienced New Orleans personal injury attorney.

Getting the Best Possible Medical Care

When you suffer severe injuries, you need to understand that caring for the injuries can require both a lot of time and money. You should not compromise on getting the best possible medical treatment so you are able to make a full recovery or, at the very least, get as close as possible to your original state.

A lawyer is going to be able to work with medical professionals to ensure that you are able to receive all of the treatment that will be necessary for recovering from your injuries. More importantly, the attorney can also make sure the negligent party covers all of your medical expenses so you do not pay any of these costs out of your own pocket.

Help Expediting Your Claim

You should be aware that the personal injury claim process has the potential to drag out for several months or possibly even years in some cases. Insurance companies have a habit of creating all kinds of red tape that only adds more and more delays to recovering compensation.

When you hire a lawyer, they will know how to get around these obstructions and maintain focus on the goal of getting you money as soon as possible. If an insurer becomes unwilling to settle a case outside of court, the attorney can file a lawsuit to take the case to trial.

Negotiating the Best Available Settlement

It is not uncommon for many injury victims to be taken aback by the first settlement offer they receive from an insurance company, but accepting this offer without consulting a lawyer is almost always a mistake. The initial offer is a decidedly lowball amount that is nowhere near what you actually should be getting.

When you have an attorney, they are going to be able to calculate what your case is actually worth and be able to fight to recover something that is much closer to that amount than you are likely to accomplish on your own. A lawyer is also going to be able to help you if you need to recover money beyond the limits of a negligent party’s insurance policy.

You Do Not Pay Unless You Win

The biggest advantage to hiring a personal injury attorney is that they will not charge you anything upfront for their services. Instead, a personal injury lawyer will be handling your case on a contingency fee basis, which means they only recover compensation when you do first.

People who are sweating about whether they can afford an attorney should know that they have nothing to worry about in personal injury cases. You will be able to relax and allow the lawyer to work.

Call Us Today to Schedule a Free Consultation with a New Orleans Personal Injury Attorney

If you or your loved one sustain injuries in any kind of accident that was the result of another party’s negligence in New Orleans, then you should make sure your first phone call is to a skilled lawyer. Egenberg Trial Lawyers handles cases throughout Louisiana, Texas, and the Gulf Coast region.Our firm offers decades of experience handling these types of claims and handles everything from common automobile accidents to 18-wheeler crashes to slip and fall accidents. Call (504) 229-2853 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation that will let us dig into the details of your case and talk about how we can help.

4 Ways Personal Injury Lawyers Help Victims

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When a person is injured in any kind of accident, there will often be some immediate questioning of whether an attorney is really needed or not. In some cases, victims believe that fault is clear-cut and that obtaining compensation should be easy.

The truth, however, is that lawyers provide a valuable insurance policy in most personal injury cases because people with legal representation routinely take home more money than individuals who handle their cases on their own. Here are four simple reasons you should always consider hiring a personal injury attorney when you have been involved in any kind of accident caused by another party’s negligence.

 

Determining Whether Victims Have a Claim

Proving a personal injury claim is going to involve proving in court that another party was negligent and that negligence caused your injuries. Certain kinds of claims are less complicated than others, as automobile accidents are much more straightforward than medical malpractice, which can be especially complicated.

When you speak to a lawyer about your case, one of the first things they will do in response is to conduct their own independent investigation into the accident. Many kinds of claims may also require the use of experts in a given field to lend credence to a victim’s claims.

 

Assessing Damages

Many people think their cases are worth a lot of money, but you will risk your lawsuit not being taken seriously if you handle a claim on your own and ask for too much. Damages are typically divided into economic damages and non-economic damages.

Economic damages are much easier to calculate because they are the actual bills resulting from an injury, and things like medical bills and property damage can easily be proven. Non-economic damages such as pain and suffering or emotional distress do not have an intrinsically tangible value, so they are far more subjective and need to be carefully requested.

A lawyer is going to know how to accurately measure all of your damages, making sure that you are not just compensated for medical bills you have already paid but future ones as well. The attorney will also be able to interview a victim about how their life has changed to accurately convey why non-economic damages should be awarded, and there may even possibly be cause for punitive damages in a very limited number of cases.

 

Filing a Complete Claim With Supporting Documentation

Another big reason to hire a lawyer is so you can be confident that your case is actually complete when it is filed. An attorney is going to know how to put all of the facts together in a claim so that all of the evidence needed is presented and you are fully prepared to take your case to court.

The lawyer is also going to know all of the supporting documentation required to help your claim succeed, whether it is police reports, photos of the scene, witness statements, opinions of expert witnesses, or medical records. An attorney is going to be able to compile all of this information in a way that is most effective in getting you compensation.

 

Negotiating a Settlement

While many people envision their cases going to trial, the truth is that very few personal injury cases actually make it that far. Instead, insurance companies or the negligent parties often agree to settle cases before trial because trials can be very expensive, and they also carry the risk of a victim being awarded greater damages.

People should never try to negotiate settlements on their own because they often end up leaving a lot of money on the table. A lawyer is going to know exactly what your case is worth and will fight to achieve an outcome that matches what was expected.

 

Call Us Today to Speak with a New Orleans Personal Injury Lawyer

Egenberg Trial Lawyers has handled scores of personal injury cases in Lousiana, Texas, and other locations on the Gulf Coast. We will be happy to discuss all of your options with you as soon as you call (504) 229-2853 or contact us online to take advantage of a free consultation.

 

The Lifetime Costs of Traumatic Brain Injuries

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There is a wide range of outcomes when talking about lifetime costs of TBIs. It all depends on the extent of your injury and your future prognosis. One study has placed the average lifetime costs of TBI treatment at between $85,000 and $3 million. This is just the cost of treatment. There are additional costs that would raise the value of your financial recovery. Before you file a claim for a TBI, it is important to understand all the ways that these injuries can cause you harm, both now and in the future. 

Medical Care for Traumatic Brain Injuries Is Very Expensive

The most obvious cost of a TBI is in the medical care that you may need. Rehabilitation is possible, depending on the extent of your treatment and how early you begin aggressive intervention. This could include neurological surgery and extensive rehabilitation. You may need an entire team of doctors to provide medical care, led by a neurologist. These costs can remain with you for a lifetime, especially when you will not be able to make a full recovery.

The rehabilitation that could be needed for years could include:

  • Physical therapy
  • Occupational therapy
  • Speech therapy

In addition, a patient would need extensive psychological counseling because TBIs can cause emotional changes, such as depression and anxiety. Medical care costs can reach into the millions for a lifetime, and you must recover these costs now. 

Lifetime Costs of a Traumatic Brain Injury Includes Lost Wages

Studies also show that the employment prospects for someone with a TBI are far worse than they were before the injury. One study has the rate of unemployment among people with TBIs at more than five times higher than the expected rate. The overall unemployment rate for people with TBIs is over 40%.

This adds up to perhaps a lifetime of lost wages, as many TBI patients lack the capacity to work again. Even those who do may not be able to earn what they previously made because of their limitations from the injury. If someone was injured early in their professional career, the damages from lost wages could reach into the millions of dollars.

Further, the family could also suffer lost wages. If a family member must stop working to care for their injured loved one, this is also harm that the defendant must pay. Your lawyer will consult with a vocational expert to establish the exact amount of lost wages from an injury to get a starting point to negotiate with the insurance company. 

Another major part of TBI costs are the people necessary to care for a TBI patient. When someone is not able to do everything for themselves, they will need care to help with the activities of daily life. This could include home health care and other aids. This can be a major expense that the family must bear to make their life more manageable.

 

Your Lifetime of Complications Raises the Costs of Your TBI

These are just the economic costs for financial damages that have come out of your pocket. In reality, the lifetime costs of a TBI are far higher because of what you may go through from your injury. These are the non-economic costs that could be every bit as high as your lost wages and medical bills.

The main non-economic damage that will drive the lifetime costs of a TBI higher is the pain and suffering that you will endure. When you will never be the same after a TBI, there are a number of effects that stretch beyond physical pain and discomfort. Going through life limited by a TBI will also cause many emotional impacts. Having a reduced quality of life, along with the stress of a TBI, can cause the following:

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Loss of memory
  • Irritability 

You can also receive compensation for the emotional distress aspect of your TBI. This includes distress from both the incident that caused the injury as well as the continuing harm that you suffer.

You Need to Learn About the Extent of Your Costs After Your Traumatic Brain Injury

It is crucial that you have as much information about the lifetime costs of a TBI as possible after your injury. You will only have one chance to settle or recover compensation for your TBI. You do not want to do it before you know how you may be affected over the course of your lifetime. Accepting a settlement will require you to sign a release agreement that will keep you from coming back for more money if you do not recover enough money now. 

You may wonder how it is possible to know the lifetime costs of my TBI now. This is where your personal injury lawyer comes into the picture. It takes skill and experience to know how much a TBI is worth, especially when so much of the damage happens in the future. We will work with experts to help put a value on your case. We will consult with the following:

  • Medical experts who can help establish the degree of severity of your injury
  • Life care planning experts who could describe the amount of care that will be necessary to help the TBI victim in the future
  • Economic experts who can explain how inflation will affect the value of the claim (since you are recovering money for years into the future)
  • Vocational experts to establish how the TBI has impacted your ability to make money now and in the future

 

New Orleans Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers 

At Egenberg Trial Attorneys, we know how to value complex damages such as TBIs. We know what your claim is worth, and we do not hesitate to stand up and fight for you to get everything that you legally deserve after your TBI. Call us today at (504) 229-5700 or contact us online to arrange  a free consultation to discuss your case. You will owe us nothing out of your pocket for legal services, as we are only paid if you win.

LA Wrongful Death FAQ

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What Is the Difference Between a Wrongful Death Case and a Survival Action?

A wrongful death case is the claim that the family has after their loved one has died to pay them back for their own losses that they suffered. When their loved one dies, they suffer their own damages. Wrongful death cases are governed by a specific law that states who can file the case. It is a right that belongs to the family.

A survival action is the personal injury case that is brought on behalf of the deceased person for what they suffered before they died. It is their own personal injury claim that they could have filed on their own had they lived. This is a claim that belongs to the estate, and the proceeds of the survival action are divided according to the terms of the estate.

 

Can I Sue a Company for a Wrongful Death?

The law in Louisiana is that employees are considered to be agents of their company when they are doing their jobs. Anything that they do on the job is considered to be an act of the company, such that the company is liable if one of its employees causes damages. Further, if you buy a defective product from a company, the company itself is liable for any injuries. 

Corporate settlements and jury awards tend to be larger than if you are filing a lawsuit against an individual for something such as a fatal car accident. These companies maintain large insurance policies and have much higher cash reserves to pay settlements and verdicts. However, the higher dollar amounts involved may also mean that these cases are harder fought.

 

What Should I Do if I Receive a Wrongful Death Settlement Offer?

The insurance company knows full well how much your claim is worth once they have done their research and run it through their own army of professionals. At first, you should be wary of early settlement offers that they make. These often have two purposes:

  • To test you to see what you are willing to take
  • To save money by trying to get you to accept less than you legally deserve

This is why you should be careful about accepting a settlement offer too quickly. Have your lawyer review the figures to see whether this settlement offer is reasonable and how much lower than fair value it is. You can always reject the settlement offer. If that happens, you can either counter with your own offer or go to court and file a lawsuit.

 

Will My Wrongful Death Case Include Punitive Damages?

No. Wrongful death settlements do not include punitive damages. This is only the right that belongs to the person who passed away. The estate can file a survival action to recover for the damages that the deceased suffered before they died. This legal claim can include punitive damages, so the person or company that caused the death would not get away with extreme conduct that killed someone and caused them a great deal of suffering before their death. You are more likely to see this in a medical malpractice or product liability case. 

 

What Happens if the Family Does Not Agree on How to Divide the Proceeds of a Wrongful Death Case?

With one wrongful death claim, it is up to the family to work together to decide how to split the proceeds of any money that they receive. They must discuss it amongst themselves based on the needs of each individual person. In a best-case scenario, the family is able to agree on the distribution to each person. Unfortunately, not all families are able to come to this level of agreement. In that case, the court will decide the division of the case. They will look at the needs of each person who is a part of the lawsuit, and allocate them a certain percentage of an award. If there is no agreement on how to split a settlement, each person should consult with a lawyer. The family should consider mediation to help keep them out of court. When you bring a survival action, you do not need to worry about negotiating the division, since it is done in accordance with the percentages included in the will. 

 

What Damages Can a Family Recover in a Wrongful Death Action?

The family is able to recover for their own damages that they suffered in losing their loved one. Had the person lived, they would have contributed to the family through both their presence and their earning power. Some of the wrongful death damages will include:

  • Lost wages that the deceased family member would have earned
  • Compensation for the loss of support that the deceased person would have provided, both in companionship and guidance
  • Loss of consortium damages
  • Payment for the grief and the family’s pain and suffering from losing their loved one

In a wrongful death case, these damages can be considerable. This is why you should have an attorney value your claim and negotiate the settlement agreement with the defendant and their insurance company.

 

How Much Will a Wrongful Death Attorney Cost Out of My Pocket?

You would not need to lay out any money to hire a wrongful death attorney. In order to understand why there is no risk to you, we will explain how a personal injury attorney is paid. Your lawyer is only compensated if your case is successful, meaning that you have received money in the form of a settlement or jury award. We do not ask for a retainer, nor will we send you bills for our time while the case is pending. Once your claim settles, we receive a percentage of your proceeds based on the representation agreement that you sign when you first hire us. If you do not win, we do not get paid for the time that we put into your case. This is why you have every reason in the world to get legal help.

Injuries at Summer Festivals in New Orleans

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Many people focus their New Orleans plans around Mardi Gras festivities or the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. However, this great city offers so much to do throughout the summer months. Whether you live in New Orleans or are here on vacation, many summer festivals provide great food, music, and more. The following festivals can help you make the most of the hot summer months:

  • Oyster Festival
  • Cajun-Zydeco Festival
  • Essence Festival
  • Running of the Bulls
  • Bastille Day Fête
  • Tales of the Cocktail
  • Satchmo Summerfest
  • White Linen Night
  • Dirty Linen Night
  • Red Dress Run
  • Southern Decadence

Whether you want to eat good food, have some craft cocktails, listen to some jazz, or simply be out in the crowd, festival season is a good time to celebrate.

As at any concert or event, accidents and injuries may interrupt the good times that participants are enjoying. They can create a jarring experience—and you may not know what to do if such an accident happens. First, always make sure you get medical treatment for your injuries. Then, contact a respected New Orleans law firm that handles personal injury cases.

Who Is Responsible for Festival Injuries?

As with any type of accident, the primary question after a summer festival injury is whether someone else can be held accountable for your medical bills and other losses. Our attorneys evaluate each case on an individual basis to best advise you of your rights and the best course of action.

  • Individuals – Other people can cause accidents and injuries in many ways. Many festival-goers indulge in some alcoholic beverages, which can only increase the chances that they may cause injuries to others. People may try to drive their cars and may cause drunk driving crashes in parking lots or while leaving the festival. Intoxicated people may become agitated and start fights with others at a festival. These are only some ways that other individuals may be responsible for your injuries.
  • Organizations – In many cases, the organization or venue running the event can also be held liable. For example, if a festival employee was negligent and caused an accident, the employer may also be liable for the actions of the employee. In addition, festival producers and venue owners are required to ensure that the premises of the festival are safe for visitors, which means eliminating any dangerous conditions. They should also provide adequate security for guests. If someone is injured due to a hazard at a festival or due to inadequate security, the organization can be held accountable.

Consult an Experienced New Orleans Personal Injury Attorney Today

The legal team at Egenberg, APLC, hopes that everyone in The Big Easy has a safe and enjoyable summer filled with festivals and other activities. However, if an accident does occur, we are here to help you and your family. These claims can be complex and time is short. If you would like to start discussing a possible case for free, call (504) 229-5700 or contact us online.

The Dangers of Drunk Boaters

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Driving a boat while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is not only illegal, it’s inherently risky. Drunk boating accidents are especially dangerous because passengers are typically not wearing a safety belt and the boat can be traveling at high speeds. This is such a widespread issue that the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) has instituted a boat safety campaign to educate boaters on the importance of maintaining control of their craft. Even with a variety of safety course options available, it’s still likely that there will be accidents related to drunk boaters this summer. These accidents can be dangerous or even deadly.

Common Boat Accident Injuries

When you’re out on the water, a mile away from the shore, even a minor injury can become critical. Add alcohol to the mix and the chance of incurring an injury is elevated. One of the biggest issues with a drunk boating injury is that people who are inebriated might not be able to respond correctly or might delay their response. When you’re out on the water, this can make the situation even worse. Common accidents caused by drunk boaters include:

  • Broken bones
  • Deep lacerations (these are especially common in motorboat accidents)
  • Whiplash
  • Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Drowning
  • A collapsed lung due to water intake

If you are injured in a boating accident, your first step should be to seek immediate medical attention. Certain injuries might not present symptoms for hours or even days after the accident. For this reason, it’s essential to visit a medical professional who can assess and properly treat your injuries.

An Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

If you’ve been injured in a boat accident, you should focus on your physical recovery. Follow doctor’s orders and find the right attorney to help with recovering from the parties at fault. An attorney can bring a claim against a drunk boat operator or any other negligent parties. They can handle communications and negotiations with the insurance company so you don’t settle for less than fair compensation. A personal injury lawyer can also work to collect the necessary documentation to support your case, such as medical records, the official police report, and any applicable witness testimony. If necessary, an attorney can also bring litigation to collect compensation on your behalf.

Call a New Orleans Personal Injury Attorney Today

When you’re in a boating accident, injuries sustained might be just the start of your problems. Expensive medical bills, extended recovery time, and weeks away from your job can add to your stress. At the law office of Egenberg, APLC, our legal team is well-versed in this type of claim, and we are here to support and guide you through this difficult process. Call us today at 504-229-5700 to schedule a free initial consultation. We will review the details of your case and help you determine your best next steps. You can also contact us online.

Common Injuries From Electrical Accidents

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Accidents that involve electricity are dangerous, unpredictable, and can result in serious injuries. Because electrical hazards are common in certain workplaces, the US Department of Labor has published a guide to help protect those who work around electricity. This guide is also helpful for anyone who wants to know how to avoid electrical injuries.

Where to Watch for Electrical Accidents

Although an electrical accident can happen anywhere, certain scenarios pose especially high risks. Common locations of dangerous electrical accidents include:

  • Industrial manufacturing sites – electrical accidents are common in manufacturing workplaces with high voltage machinery. These accidents typically occur due to inadequate safety measures, failure to properly maintain equipment, and improper training or supervision of workers.
  • Construction sites – may have ungrounded live wires left unattended, as well as high voltage. Never enter a construction site without authorization or allow children to play around construction sites.
  • Near water – whether by the pool or the bathroom sink, electrical devices and circuits pose additional dangers near water. Hair dryers in particular use a surprisingly high voltage and can cause electrocution when exposed to water.
  • Overloaded power strips – if you do not have enough accessible outlets, it’s tempting to plug everything into one power strip. However, doing so causes a risk of an electrical fire.

Electrical Accident Injuries

Regardless of how an accident occurs, the electrical injuries can be severe. Common injuries in electrical accidents include:

  • Burns – electrical burns can be extremely serious, sometimes requiring amputation. Current may travel deep into bones and tissues, causing irreparable internal damage.
  • Electrocution, brain damage, and death – these are terrifying but unfortunately common results of electric shock, especially if the current passes through the accident victim’s head to the ground.
  • Nerve and/or tissue damage – these injuries can take a long time to heal or be permanent.
  • Heart failure – an electric shock can cause your heart to stop momentarily or permanently.

These injuries are especially dangerous for young children, who suffer serous injuries even from low voltage accidents. If you or a family member has been injured in an electrical accident, seek medical attention right away. Ensure a medical professional performs a thorough examination to determine if there are any unseen injuries or symptoms that could lead to critical issues in the future. Make sure to follow doctor’s orders and watch for any signs of infection or other complications.

A New Orleans, LA Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

Sustaining an electrical injury can be devastating and cause permanent damage. If you have been hurt in an electrical accident that may have been someone else’s fault, or took place on someone else’s property, it’s important to understand your rights to just compensation. At Egenberg, APLC, we pride ourselves on advocating for the rights of accident victims and helping them recover just compensation for their injuries. To learn more about your options, reach out to schedule a free initial consultation. Call us at 504-229-5700 or contact us online today.

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