We Will Seek Justice For Your Injuries

Injury & Wrongful Death Attorneys

Q: How much is my injury case worth?

Your injury case’s value is determined by factors unique to your situation, including the severity of your injuries, total medical expenses, lost income and earning capacity, lost benefits, property damage, necessary vehicle or home modifications, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Q: Is there a time limit for when I can file a personal injury claim?

Yes. In Louisiana, the statute of limitations for a personal injury claim is two years from the date of the accident or injury (for incidents occurring on or after July 1, 2024). Exceptions may apply for injuries to minors or injuries not discovered immediately, but missing the deadline generally prevents you from filing a claim.

Q: How much does it cost to hire a personal injury attorney?

Initial consultations are free. If the firm takes your case, they work on a contingency fee basis, meaning attorney fees are only paid if you receive financial compensation. The fee is typically a percentage of the final amount awarded.

Q: Even though I am hurting, can I just handle my injuries on my own with OTC medication?

No. Your injury may be worse than you realize. If you do not legally and medically document your pain through a thorough medical examination after an accident, it becomes very difficult to recover compensation for it.

Q: Why do I need to hire an experienced attorney for my case?

Personal injury cases are complex, particularly when dealing with catastrophic injuries requiring extensive long-term care. An experienced attorney ensures the extensive financial burdens of accumulated medical bills and lost income do not fall solely on you.

Q: When do I need an attorney?

As soon as possible. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts to injured parties. Experienced lawyers understand the true value of your case, recognize insurance tactics, negotiate better settlements, and can take your case to trial if a fair amount is not offered.

Q: How do I choose the best personal injury attorney?

Look for an attorney with specific experience in your area of law and a strong track record of success. The firm should have a solid reputation for professionalism in the community and demonstrate a clear willingness to take a case to trial if necessary to secure a fair settlement.

If the negligence of another party caused an accident, that person or that entity is accountable for the harm. A personal injury lawsuit must prove both liability (fault) and damages (losses). The legal team at The Townsley Law Firm is uniquely suited for that mission.

For 30 years, our attorneys have represented the injured in Calcasieu Parish and surrounding parishes of southwest Louisiana. Our attorneys bring important advantages to the table: proven courtroom skills, medical training, a network of experts and a team approach. Above all, when we take on a case – big or small – we commit the resources and energy necessary to maximize compensation.

Contact our personal injury law firm at 337-377-0584 or online for a free consultation. We represent seriously injured clients throughout the Lake Charles area. Se habla español.

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Personal Injury Claims

The Townsley Law Firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars on behalf of clients, with notable verdicts and settlements in a wide range of cases that includes motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, maritime/offshore accidents, workplace accidents and defective product injuries.

We have the experience and resources to handle big, complex cases and the proven ability to take on major insurance companies, employers, manufacturers and medical providers. We have handled every type of injury:

Spinal cord injuries (paralysis)
Loss of limb or loss of use
Traumatic brain injury
Facial injuries and dental damage
Severe burns and disfigurement
Wrongful death (fatal accidents)
Broken bones and fractures
Back and neck injuries
Internal damage to organs

Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury

Our personal injury law firm has decades of experience helping those in Louisiana get the compensation they need to move on with their lives. Below are answers to some of the most common personal injury questions we receive.

How much is my injury case worth?

Your injury case’s value will be determined by several factors unique to your case, such as:

The severity of your injuries and any need for long-term care
Your total medical expenses (hospital stays, surgeries, doctor appointments, medications, rehabilitative therapy, medical equipment, etc.)
Lost income and earning capacity
Lost benefits
Property damage to your vehicle
Modifications to your vehicle and home
Pain and suffering
Loss of enjoyment of life

We will take all of these losses into account when we value your case. Our goal will be obtaining full and fair compensation for you and your family.

Is there a time limit for when I can file a personal injury claim?

Yes, there is a time limit to file a personal injury claim. It is called the statute of limitations, and in Louisiana, it is just two years from the date of the accident or injury (that occurred on or after July 1, 2024). This is not much time, so it is better if you contact our law firm right away. If you miss the deadline, you likely will not be able to file a personal injury claim.

There are exceptions in place for injuries to minors and injuries that were not discovered at the time of the accident. The deadline to file may be extended in these situations. We will discuss this with you if it applies in your case.

How much does it cost to hire a personal injury attorney?

At The Townsley Law Firm, we offer free initial consultations for every client. If you hire us to take your case, we work on a contingency fee. That means we are only paid attorney fees if you receive compensation for your case. For most cases, we take a percentage of the amount you are awarded, but we will always explain the details to you before we undertake any work on your behalf.

Even though I am hurting, can I just handle my injuries on my own with OTC medication?

No. Your injury may be worse than you realize. If you don’t document your pain, it is difficult to make a recovery for it. We recommend receiving a thorough medical exam after an accident.

Why do I need to hire an experienced attorney for my case?

You need an experienced attorney because personal injury cases are complex and should not be handled by a layperson. This is especially true in cases of catastrophic injuries that require extensive medical treatment and related care. The cost of your medical bills alone will likely be more than you can pay, even with health insurance. When you add in lost income, you will see that you need knowledgeable, tenacious lawyers on your side so that the financial burden does not fall to you.

When do I need an attorney?

As soon as possible. In many injury cases, an insurance company covers the expenses owed by the responsible party. For example, in a motor vehicle accident, the negligent driver’s insurance company will often be responsible to pay the injured party for damages. Those insurance companies will do everything they can to pay as little as possible, but lawyers understand the value of your case and the tactics of the insurance companies and can often negotiate much better settlements than you can on your own. They can also take the case to trial if the company refuses to offer an acceptable amount. Without an attorney, you are at the mercy of the insurance company.

How do I choose the best personal injury attorney?

Choosing the best personal injury attorney for your case is critical to achieving the results you are looking for. You want an attorney experienced in the area of law involved, along with a strong track record of success. Make sure your attorney will aggressively pursue your interests. That means they must be willing to go to trial, if necessary. The threat of a costly trial can often encourage the other party to settle for a higher amount. Finally, you want a firm with a strong reputation in the community of professionalism and success.

If you suffered a serious injury or a family member died, contact our Lake Charles firm at 337-377-0584 for a free consultation.

Wrongful Death Claims

Losing a family member due to negligence is deeply traumatic, leaving you in grief, anger, and confusion. Alongside mourning, you are planning a funeral, handling medical bills and locating their will. It’s overwhelming to navigate this profound loss. Although nothing can erase the pain, family members are entitled to file a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible party when there is negligence.

Who Is Accountable In A Wrongful Death Lawsuit?

The circumstances surrounding lethal injuries vary, but here is a list of circumstances and who might be responsible:

Motor vehicle accidents: Other drivers or municipalities with poorly designed or maintained roads.
Truck accidents: Trucking lines and drivers, municipalities, equipment manufacturers and maintenance facilities.
Boating accidents: Watercraft owners and operators, boating and equipment manufacturers.
Railroad crossing accidents: Train operators, railroad lines, government entities and equipment manufacturers
Air crashes: Pilots, airlines, manufacturers, maintenance crews and air traffic controllers.
Medical malpractice: Doctors, nurses, hospitals, pharmacists and medical device manufacturers.
Defective products: Manufacturers, distributors, retailers and suppliers.
Premises liability: Property owners, managers, occupants and contractors.
On the job: In certain cases, employers, management, coworkers or manufacturers can be liable.

Proving Wrongful Death

To prove a wrongful death case, a lawyer must establish four key elements: duty, breach, causation and damages. First, they demonstrate that the defendant owed the deceased a legal duty of care. Then, they show that the defendant breached this duty through negligence or intentional harm. Next, the lawyer must prove causation, meaning the breach directly caused the death. Finally, they present evidence of damages, such as financial losses and emotional suffering experienced by the deceased’s family. This involves gathering medical records, eyewitness testimonies, expert opinions, and documentation of economic and noneconomic losses to build a compelling case.

Potential Compensation

In seeking relief, the victim’s family can compensation for the financial and emotional harm caused by the negligent party. There are three categories of compensation:

Economic compensation: This includes medical expenses incurred before death, funeral costs, loss of financial support and future income, and loss of benefits like pension plans and insurance coverage.
Noneconomic compensation: This includes the pain and suffering endured by the deceased before death, loss of companionship and guidance, surviving family members’ emotional distress and a spouse’s loss of consortium.
Punitive damages: In addition to negligence, punitive damages occur when the defendant’s conduct is found to be especially harmful, reckless, or egregious. In Louisiana, punitive damages are generally awarded in wrongful death cases when the circumstances involve specific statutory violations, such as driving under the influence.

In-House Medical Knowledge And Trial Experience

One thing that sets us apart is our unique understanding of the medical aspects of personal injuries. Our legal team includes lawyers with degrees and field experience in nursing and microbiology/pre-med. Rex Townsley has practiced in personal injury for over 35 years and Todd Townsley has extensive experience in medical negligence litigation.

Our collective medical insights help to connect clients with top doctors to get the treatment they need for maximum medical recovery. That knowledge also enables us to understand the degree of injury and what compensation our clients will need as we assemble a claim for damages.

We pursue comprehensive compensation for past and future medical care, nursing or assisted care, lost wages and future earnings, permanent disability, loss of enjoyment of life, pain and suffering, and the mental anguish of family members in the case of preventable death.

Free Consultation With A Compassionate Team

We truly care about our clients and their families, and we are sensitive to the emotional and psychological toll that accompanies a serious injury. We help with everything, from assisting clients with medical bills to dealing with insurance company adjusters.

Call 337-377-0584 or contact us online to discuss your case with our Lake Charles personal injury and wrongful death attorneys during a free consultation. Home and hospital visits are available. It is also important to us that you benefit from our representation and receive the money you need; we have reduced our attorney fees when they exceed the client’s recovery.