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When a serious injury disrupts your life, the path forward feels unclear. Medical bills arrive while you’re unable to work. Your family depends on you, but you’re managing physical pain, emotional stress, and uncertainty about recovery.
You hope insurance will cover your expenses, but coverage often falls short. You need legal help, but don’t know where to start. The other party’s insurance company avoids your calls or offers settlements far below your actual costs.
We understand these overwhelming pressures. At Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers, we help you navigate Louisiana’s legal system to recover compensation for injuries caused by someone else’s negligence. Whether you’ve been hurt in a car accident, workplace incident, or slip and fall, we provide the legal guidance you need, allowing you to focus on your healing.
When negligence, carelessness, or recklessness causes your injury, you need attorneys who understand Louisiana law and can present your case effectively to judges and juries. In an ideal world, the responsible party would voluntarily pay for the damage they caused. Unfortunately, most cases require proving your claim through the legal process.
We know Louisiana personal injury law thoroughly and have secured significant verdicts and settlements, including million-dollar recoveries that command respect from attorneys across the state. Our membership in prestigious peer-referred legal forums reflects our history of recovering substantial compensation for clients. Our clients have been generous with their praise, recognizing the results we achieve.
You’ll work with experienced Louisiana attorneys who have handled numerous personal injury cases over the years. We prepare every case thoroughly and never settle until you’re satisfied with the outcome. Regardless of the specific circumstances of your case, we have the expertise to handle it effectively. We believe this commitment sets us apart from other firms. Whether your case involves car accidents, truck accidents, or workplace injuries, we have the knowledge to handle it effectively.
Personal injury law covers harm caused by another person’s actions or failures to act. This concept is called negligence, which means failing to use reasonable care. In personal injury cases, you are the plaintiff seeking compensation, and the person who caused your injury is the defendant.
Louisiana personal injury law aims to restore you financially to where you would have been without the injury. This includes payment for medical expenses, lost income, and compensation for pain and suffering you’ve experienced.
According to the Louisiana Department of Health, accidental injuries are the leading cause of disability and death for people 44 years and younger. We help injured individuals recover compensation for various accident types, including:
Motor vehicle accidents involving cars, trucks, and motorcycles
Slip and fall accidents on unsafe property
Workplace injuries and occupational accidents
Medical malpractice and healthcare negligence
Product liability cases involving defective products
Wrongful death cases
Understanding how to file these claims properly is essential for success. We have the knowledge and dedicated team to ensure your case is filed correctly and within all deadlines, allowing you to receive appropriate compensation.
When negligence causes your injury, we must hold the responsible person accountable. Negligence occurs when someone fails to act as a reasonable person would in similar circumstances, resulting in injury. Louisiana law requires proof of four specific elements:
Duty of Care: The defendant had a legal obligation to act reasonably toward you. For example, drivers must follow traffic laws and operate vehicles safely.
Breach of Duty: The defendant failed to meet this standard of reasonable care. This might involve speeding, texting while driving, or failing to maintain safe property conditions.
Causation: The defendant’s breach directly caused your injury. We must show a clear connection between their actions and your harm.
Damages: You suffered actual harm requiring compensation. This includes medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Proving these elements requires thorough investigation and legal expertise. We review all evidence and establish clear causation from the defendant’s duty through to your injury. You should always have an attorney evaluate your case before pursuing negligence claims.
Product liability represents a special category where a defective product has injured you. These cases follow “strict liability” rules under Louisiana law, meaning we don’t need to prove duty or breach. Manufacturers and sellers are legally required to provide safe products, and injuries from defective products are presumed to be their responsibility.
Louisiana recognizes three types of product liability cases:
Design defects: The product’s design is inherently dangerous
Manufacturing defects: Errors occurred during production, making the product unsafe
Warning defects: Inadequate instructions or warnings about product risks
Product liability cases often become class action lawsuits or mass torts because defective products typically injure multiple people. When pharmaceutical companies like Vioxx faced liability, over 50,000 lawsuits were filed on behalf of injured patients.
Serious accidents affect you in multiple ways, all of which Louisiana law recognizes for compensation purposes. Understanding these injury types helps you realize the full scope of your claim.
Physical injuries include any damage to your body, ranging from minor cuts to catastrophic trauma requiring months or years of recovery. Some injuries aren’t immediately visible, such as closed-head trauma, which medical research now recognizes as potentially life-altering.
Common physical injuries include:
Broken bones and fractures
Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
Burns and scarring
Internal organ damage
Soft tissue injuries, including sprains and strains
Amputations and loss of limbs
Chronic pain conditions
Mental and emotional responses to accidents can be as debilitating as physical injuries. Louisiana courts recognize these “pain and suffering” damages, though they require careful documentation and expert testimony.
Common psychological injuries include:
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Depression and anxiety
Sleep disorders and nightmares
Loss of confidence and self-esteem
Fear of driving or returning to the accident location
Relationship strain and social withdrawal
After your accident, mounting bills and lost income create additional stress while you’re trying to heal. Louisiana law allows you to recover compensation for both measurable financial losses and the personal impact of your injuries.
Louisiana recognizes two main types of compensation, with a third type available in extreme cases.
Economic damages cover quantifiable financial losses resulting from your accident. Louisiana courts calculate these based on actual bills, lost wages, and future financial impacts. Economic damages include:
Medical Expenses: All healthcare costs related to your injury, including emergency room visits, surgery, hospitalization, rehabilitation, physical therapy, medications, and future medical care your doctors recommend.
Lost Income: Compensation for wages you’ve lost while unable to work, including salary, overtime, bonuses, and benefits. This also covers reduced earning capacity if your injuries limit your ability to work in the future.
Property Damage: Repair or replacement costs for damaged vehicles, personal property, or other items destroyed in the accident.
Other Financial Losses: Additional costs such as hiring help for household tasks you can’t perform, transportation to medical appointments, and modifications to your home for accessibility.
Non-economic damages compensate for the personal impact that can’t be calculated with bills or receipts. Louisiana courts typically use a multiplier between 1 and 5 times your economic damages, depending on injury severity and impact on your life.
Non-economic damages include:
Physical Pain and Suffering: Compensation for the actual pain you’ve experienced and will continue to experience due to your injuries.
Mental Anguish: Payment for emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and psychological trauma resulting from the accident and injuries.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation when injuries prevent you from participating in activities you previously enjoyed, such as sports, hobbies, or social activities.
Loss of Consortium: Payment to spouses for the loss of companionship, affection, and intimate relationship resulting from severe injuries.
Louisiana rarely awards punitive damages in personal injury cases, reserving them for situations involving particularly reckless or intentional conduct. These damages punish the defendant and deter similar behavior by others. Examples might include drunk driving accidents or cases involving deliberate safety violations.
We understand all types of recoverable damages under Louisiana law. We investigate thoroughly to present evidence supporting each category of compensation you deserve based on your specific losses and circumstances.
Louisiana recently changed its personal injury filing deadline, giving injured people more time to pursue compensation. As of July 1, 2024, you now have two years from your injury date to file a personal injury lawsuit under Louisiana Civil Code Article 3493.11. This change doubled the previous one-year deadline.
Important timing distinctions:
Injuries on or after July 1, 2024: Two years to file your lawsuit
Injuries before July 1, 2024: One year from injury date (old law still applies)
Exceptions that may extend or shorten the deadline:
Minors: If you were under 18 when injured, the two-year period typically doesn’t begin until your 18th birthday
Discovery rule: In cases where you couldn’t reasonably have known about your injury immediately, the deadline may start from when you discovered or should have discovered the harm
Wrongful death: Still requires filing within one year from the date of death
Medical malpractice: Generally, one year from discovery of malpractice, with a three-year maximum from the date of treatment
Government claims: May require formal notice within 30-180 days, depending on the agency involved
While two years provides more time than before, we still recommend contacting us immediately after any accident. Early action allows us to preserve evidence, interview witnesses while memories are fresh, and build the strongest possible case for your compensation.
We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning we’re paid a percentage of your final settlement or verdict. You pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. This arrangement allows us to represent anyone regardless of their financial situation.
We also advance all case expenses, including expert witness fees, medical record costs, and investigation expenses. These costs are only repaid if we win your case. This system ensures you receive quality legal representation without upfront costs during an already difficult financial time.
Your actions immediately after an accident can significantly impact your case. Here’s what we recommend:
Seek Medical Attention Immediately: Even if you feel okay, see a doctor promptly. Some injuries don’t manifest symptoms immediately, and medical documentation is crucial for your case.
Document the Scene: If possible, take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, property damage, and any hazardous conditions. Get contact information from witnesses and exchange insurance information with other parties.
Contact Authorities: Call the police for traffic accidents or report job-related injuries to workplace safety officials. Obtain the report number for your records.
Preserve Evidence: Keep all medical bills, receipts, and documentation related to your injury. Save damaged clothing or personal items that might serve as evidence.
Follow Medical Instructions: Attend all appointments, take prescribed medications, and follow your doctor’s restrictions. Get written notes if your doctor recommends time off work or activity limitations.
Avoid Insurance Discussions: Don’t provide recorded statements to insurance companies or discuss fault at the accident scene. Please refer all insurance inquiries to us once you have retained our services.
Contact Us Quickly: The sooner we begin investigating, the better we can preserve evidence and protect your rights under Louisiana’s one-year filing deadline.
We prepare every case as if it will go to trial, gathering comprehensive evidence and thoroughly interviewing witnesses. This preparation demonstrates to opposing counsel and insurance companies that we’re ready to litigate your case fully.
Due to our thorough preparation, most cases are settled without requiring a trial. Insurance companies and opposing attorneys recognize our readiness to go to court and often prefer negotiating fair settlements rather than facing litigation costs and uncertain trial outcomes.
However, if the other side won’t offer reasonable compensation reflecting your actual losses, we’re fully prepared to present your case to a jury. Our trial experience and preparation give you the best chance of success, whether your case settles or goes to court.
When someone else’s negligence injures you, Louisiana law provides pathways to recover the compensation you need to rebuild your life. While insurance companies should provide fair compensation, they often require external pressure, such as legal action, to offer appropriate settlements.
We make your legal case as stress-free as possible while you focus on recovery. Once we take your case, we handle all communication with opposing counsel and insurance companies. We keep you informed about your case progress and explain how each development affects your potential compensation.
Your attorney will be available 24/7 to answer questions or address concerns. Attorneys handle all our cases personally, with assistance from their staff members, ensuring nothing gets lost in communication. When you want to talk to your lawyer, they’ll be there to provide answers and guidance.
We offer free initial consultations with no obligation. During this meeting, we’ll evaluate your case, explain your rights under Louisiana law, and outline the compensation you may be entitled to recover.
If you need a personal injury attorney in Ruston, Louisiana, contact Morris & Dewett Injury Lawyers today. Call (318) 221-1508 or complete our contact form to schedule your free consultation. We’re here to help you navigate this difficult time and recover the compensation Louisiana law allows.
“We look at your case as a whole. Not just what’s happened since the wreck or since the time that your life has changed. But also, what it’s going to look like in the future.”
We understand you have many questions after your accident. Here are answers to the concerns we hear most often from Louisiana families:
"I quickly, learned two rules in this business.
First, defendants in an injury suit put up obstacles and barriers. They want the case to take as long as possible, because it wears the plaintiff down. I have learned that if you run at those barriers hard enough, and fast enough, many of them will disappear.
Second, "The fastest way to settle a case is to prepare for trial. Insurance companies know which firms will go to court, which will not, and who can win. It is important to choose a firm that is committed to the results you want.”
Our team of intake specialists is ready to listen to you and gather all the information for a free, confidential case evaluation. We will hear you out, take what you say seriously, and then round up with our legal team.
Our lawyers will provide you with no-obligation feedback on your case, usually on the same day, but no later than 24 hours. We will give you the appropriate course of action for your situation.
If your case is a good fit for our firm and you graciously allow us to represent you, our team will begin working immediately. We will investigate, send the appropriate letters to stop insurance companies from harassing you, and start your medical recovery.
Our internal process is transparent with high levels of communication from the opening of your case to the final handshake. Our firm will promptly return your phone calls and keep you informed. You will know the exact status of your case. Our case managers and attorneys are committed to making a difficult situation as stress-free as possible.
