Gretna Personal Injury Lawyer

Trusted Gretna Personal Injury Attorney

Recovering from unexpected injuries can go beyond your physical healing, especially when the case involves another party’s negligence or intentional misconduct. A Gretna personal injury lawyer can help.  

Under Louisiana’s personal injury laws, injured parties have grounds to file a claim and recover damages for their losses. This includes direct costs and other losses related to the incident. Filing a claim and securing fair compensation can be challenging without professional assistance.

Since we opened our doors in 1995, Ron Austin Law has been representing Louisianans through complex personal injury claims. From car accidents to defective medical devices to industrial workplace accidents, we’ve seen it all. Whether it’s negotiating fair settlement deals with insurance adjusters or handling more formal procedures in the courtroom, we’re prepared to see you through your case. 

When to File a Personal Injury Claim in Gretna

Accidents can happen anywhere, including at home, at work, or on the go. It’s estimated that more than 450,000 Louisianans are taken to emergency departments and 22,000 are hospitalized for injuries every year. It’s not enough simply to sustain an injury to be able to recover damages through a personal injury claim. 

You must be able to establish fault through valid legal grounds under Louisiana law. Many situations may qualify as a personal injury case. 

Common grounds include negligence, intentional misconduct, and strict liability. Our Gretna personal injury attorneys have experience navigating claims involving:

• Defective products. No matter the type of product, designers, manufacturers, and marketers are responsible for upholding certain standards of quality and for giving proper warnings and disclosures when necessary. Everything from defective hair products to malfunctioning medical devices can be grounds for a personal injury claim.
• Environmental incidents. The oil and gas industry is prominent in Louisiana, which sometimes comes at the expense of its land and people. If you’re negatively affected by contamination related to the activities of a Louisiana business, an environmental accident attorney from Ron Austin Law can help. 
• Industrial workplace accidents. Louisiana has a big industrial sector, employing workers in manufacturing facilities, petrochemical plants, refineries, and offshore rigs. Industrial work is inherently more dangerous than many other professions. 
• Maritime accidents. Louisiana’s marine economy employs approximately 87,381 Louisianans across more than 4,590 businesses. Offshore workers are typically covered under one of two federal statutes instead of state workers’ compensation benefits. Our Gretna personal injury attorneys have experience navigating injury cases involving the Jones Act and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA).
• Motor vehicle accidents. Traffic accidents cause many non-fatal and fatal injuries in Louisiana every year. There were 3,123 injury crashes and 23 fatal crashes reported in Jefferson Parish alone in 2024. These crashes can involve other passenger vehicles as well as truckers, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians. 
• Premises liability incidents. Louisiana property owners are responsible for keeping customers and other visitors on their property safe and healthy. They can be held responsible for injuries and any other forms of harm that come to guests. Premises liability claims in Louisiana can involve animal attacks, negligent security, and slip-and-fall accidents.

It’s important to understand your rights based on your position and the details of the accident. Talk to a Gretna personal injury attorney to learn more about your recovery options. Although these are the most common types of accidents we see, this list is by no means exhaustive.

Filing a personal injury claim allows individuals to recover damages for their losses by pursuing legal action against the at-fault party. The process may look a little different depending on the nature of the accident and the scope of your injuries. It’s helpful to have a Gretna personal injury attorney on your side who has experience navigating cases like yours. 

Louisiana’s Modified Comparative Fault Laws

Historically, Louisiana followed a pure comparative fault law, allowing injured parties to recover damages for losses regardless of their shared fault in the incident. Recently, the state shifted to a modified comparative fault law instead. 

Under Louisiana’s modified comparative fault law, injured parties still have significant rights when it comes to filing a personal injury claim. However, they cannot recover damages if they are the majority party at fault. 

Furthermore, any percentage of fault that a claimant has in an accident can reduce their total settlement. This is why it’s so important to be able to establish fault and demonstrate the scope of your losses through your claim. A Gretna personal injury lawyer can work with you to gather the necessary evidence to support your claim after an accident in Louisiana.

A Gretna Personal Injury Lawyer You Can Trust

For over 30 years, Ron Austin Law has been helping injured Louisianans recover the compensation they’re owed after suffering serious losses. Moreover, our skilled attorneys bring over 88 years of combined legal experience that we’re ready to put to work to make you whole again. Over the years, we’ve successfully recovered more than $1 billion through settlements and judgments.*

As a nationally recognized leader in personal injury and mass torts, Ron Austin Law is a valuable ally to have on your side. Attorney Ron Austin is also the Bellwether Co-Chair of the Plaintiff Steering Committee and is AV Preeminent® peer-rated through Martindale.** 

Our attorneys aren’t afraid to go up against tough insurance adjusters, and we’re familiar with handling litigation in the courtroom, too. As a local firm, our experience spans multiple districts and states. Whether your case is seen through the 2nd Parish Court or the 24th Judicial District Court, you can rest assured a local attorney is on your side. 

No matter how complicated matters seem, our team is dedicated to seeking justice for individuals and families throughout Louisiana when they’re dealing with serious losses. 

FAQs

Who Can Be at Fault in a Personal Injury Case in Gretna?

Many people can be at fault in a personal injury case in Gretna. A number of different incidents can result in personal injury cases, including environmental incidents, industrial accidents, offshore accidents, premises liability incidents, and traffic accidents. 

Common at-fault parties in these cases include:

• Businesses/corporations
• Construction companies
• Drivers
• Employers
• Government entities
• Motorcyclists
• Pedestrians and cyclists
• Property owners and managers
• Third-party contractors
• Other liable individuals

A Gretna personal injury attorney can help you identify all liable parties.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Gretna?

How long you have to file a personal injury claim in Gretna may vary depending on the facts of the case. Under Louisiana law, you typically have two years to file a claim after an accident. That said, the statute of limitations is different for specific types of claims. 

For example, you typically only have one year to file a workers’ compensation claim, and the process is different, too. Medical malpractice claims also have different rules and timelines. 

What Damages Can I Recover Through a Personal Injury Claim in Gretna?

What damages you can recover through a personal injury claim in Gretna depends on the scope of your losses and the strength of your claim, as well as who you’re filing against and the facts of the case. 

Injured parties can recover economic and non-economic damages through a personal injury claim. Workers’ comp claims, on the other hand, typically only cover lost wages, medical expenses, and death benefits. Damages may be capped when filing against healthcare workers or government employees.

What Happens If the Victim in a Gretna Personal Injury Case Dies?

What happens if the victim in a Gretna personal injury case dies is up to the victim’s surviving family members. Louisiana follows a strict order or priority for who can open a wrongful death case, starting with the victim’s spouse and children.

This typically involves filing a wrongful death claim to recover damages related to the family’s losses as well as a survival action for compensation on behalf of the victim’s suffering and other losses prior to their death.

Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Gretna and Get Started on Your Claim 

The aftermath of an accident can be overwhelming and chaotic. It’s up to you to remain calm and follow the proper steps to recover the compensation you’re rightfully owed. 

Fortunately, you don’t have to do it on your own. In fact, it’s recommended that you hire a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible if you’re planning to file a claim. 

With the right legal support, you can focus on securing the fullest possible recovery and rest assured you’re avoiding common mistakes throughout the claims process. Our team at Ron Austin Law has been supporting Louisianans through complex injury claims since 1995. Moreover, our attorneys bring nearly nine decades of legal experience combined that we’re ready to put to work for you. 

If you want to discuss your case in more detail, our attorneys are here to listen. Contact the office to set up an initial consultation for your case today. We’re conveniently located on the West Bank of the Mississippi right off US-90 and near I-10. You can find us by the 24th Judicial District Courthouse.

*Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case is different and must be evaluated on its own merits.

**Awards and recognition are not guarantees of future results. Selection criteria vary by organization.