At The 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.

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.

Choosing the right 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.

It is important to know you only have 60 days from receipt of your denial letter to file an appeal. Once you receive your denial, we ask our clients to inform us sooner so our lawyers can request an appeal immediately.

A social security hearing is conducted by an administrative law judge (ALJ). At the hearing, the judge, as well as your representative, will be able to ask you questions regarding your case. During the hearing, there can also be testimony received from medical and/or vocational experts if needed. Your representative will be able to ask specific questions to the medical and/or vocational experts to help prove your case.

Usually the ALJ will not make a decision on the day of your hearing. You can expect a decision in the mail between two (2) to three (3) months from the day of your hearing.

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.

Yes. You must document the accident and demand an accident report be filled out. If you don’t document your accident, it is difficult to make a recovery. Remember, your injury may be worse than you realize.

Before someone can sue a hospital or doctor or other health care provider, Louisiana law says that the injured person has to go before a panel of three doctors who will state in an opinion whether they think the health care provider did something wrong. Then, an injured person can file suit. Consequently, the medical malpractice claim normally takes longer to resolve than any other type of injury claim.

The most you can recover in Louisiana is $500,000.00, and payment for your medical expenses. If future medical is needed, the Patient’s Compensation Fund or the state may elect to pay the future medical bills as they are incurred rather than pay them in a lump sum.

In order to qualify for SSD, your disability must fall under Social Security’s “disability” definition. Essentially, the injury or condition must prevent you from basic movements such as lifting or walking. Mental conditions from an injury like loss of memory also may help qualify you.

If approved for SSD, you may partake in programs like Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI). The difference between the two programs depends on whether your taxable income has funneled money into the Social Security system. If so, you might qualify for SSDI.

Unfortunately, many people who apply for SSD are denied. You should not let that stop you from applying. Our firm has a high success rate when it comes to appealing denied applications. <a href=”/contact/”>Contact us</a> now for more info regarding SSD denials.

An experienced attorney should accompany every SSD case. A lawyer can help you fight to ensure financial security and make your voice heard.

Most people who eventually sue for malpractice start their case by asking this question. Simply put, an investigation must take place. You are entitled to know what went wrong and there are people who can represent you.

There are more obvious signs that might trace to malpractice, such as irregular pain or bleeding following a procedure. There are also signs as simple as receiving incorrect medication or a doctor admitting they made a mistake in your diagnosis. While these can appear somewhat harmless, they could be signs of a bigger problem that ultimately entitles you to compensation.

If you believe you are a victim of medical malpractice and you are in serious pain, contact a trusted medical professional. Then, as soon as you are able, hire an attorney.

Medical malpractice claims vary. But due to the delicate nature of medical practices and the value of human life, settlements can be quite high.

If medical malpractice is suspected, claims must go through a medical review panel. See our <a href=”/medical-malpractice/”>medical malpractice page</a> for more information about this step. A lawyer will thoroughly examine every detail of the medical incident or incidents.

When you are in a car accident, you may be shaken up, or even injured, and find yourself not quite sure what to do next. If you have serious injuries, the most important thing you should do first is seek medical attention. If your injuries are not life-threatening, you should take a few important steps at the accident scene:

• Make sure no one else needs emergency medical attention
• Report the accident to the police and stay at the scene
• Exchange insurance information with the other driver, but do not speak to them any further regarding the accident
• Obtain the names and phone numbers of all drivers, passengers and witnesses
• Take photographs, if possible
• Report the accident to your insurance company
• Visit a doctor as soon as possible for a thorough exam

Yes. Nearly all types of civil lawsuits have a time limit on filing your claim, called a statute of limitations. In Louisiana, the statute of limitations on a car accident is one year for personal injury, property damage or wrongful death. Each insurance company may also have time limitations for filing claims with them, so you should always pursue claims right away.

Yes, they can. Louisiana law allows a passenger to sue a driver if the driver’s negligence caused an accident that injured the passenger. Keep in mind, however, that the driver’s insurance company pays the damages, not the driver personally.

Uninsured/Underinsured motorist insurance coverage is coverage you can purchase to protect you if you or members of your household are injured in an accident by a negligent driver with no insurance coverage or limited insurance coverage that would not cover your injuries. The majority of people carry a $15,000.00 liability limit which in a serious accident, would not even cover your medical bills.

No.

Deciding to settle your auto accident case is a big decision. Many factors go into a settlement offer and acceptance, which your attorney should thoroughly review with you so you have a clear understanding of what your settlement will and will not cover. Unfortunately, a settlement nearly always requires you to agree you will not pursue the other party for further damages. You may wish to discuss a structured settlement with your lawyer, where you would receive periodic payments over time rather than a lump sum. Having a trusted lawyer review a settlement offer before you accept it can make a big difference.