If you’re injured due to another party’s negligence or misconduct, you may be able to recover damages for your losses. If you wish to file a personal injury claim after an accident in Terrebonne Parish, it’s important to understand Louisiana’s personal injury laws. A Terrebonne Parish personal injury lawyer from Ron Austin Law can help you navigate the claims process and secure compensation.
A Terrebonne Parish personal injury lawyer from Ron Austin Law can explain how Louisiana’s injury laws apply to your case, deal with the insurers, and pursue the full compensation you’re owed. Our team brings 88 years of combined experience, and we work on contingency, so you pay nothing unless we recover money for you.
Terrebonne Parish covers more than 2,000 square miles of bayou, marsh, and coastline, with Houma as the parish seat and economic hub. That geography and economy create injury risks that differ from urban New Orleans:
Crashes on state highways in the parish are typically investigated by Louisiana State Police Troop C, the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office, or the Houma Police Department. Getting that report early is one of the first things our team does.
Let our team assist you with your personal injury claim
Personal injury law covers a wide range of unique cases. It’s important to understand the details of your claim to know your options for recovering damages. Our team at Ron Austin Law has experience navigating a variety of cases, including:
No matter the nature of the claim you intend to file, it’s wise to hire a personal injury lawyer to help you through the claims process. Our team at Ron Austin Law brings nearly nine decades of diverse injury law experience that we’re ready to put to work for you.
Six state and federal rules shape almost every injury case filed in Terrebonne Parish:
| Rule | What it means for you | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Filing deadline (prescription) | 2 years from the injury for incidents on or after July 1, 2024; 1 year for most earlier incidents | La. Civ. Code art. 3493.1 |
| Medical malpractice deadline | 1 year from the act or its discovery, and no more than 3 years from the act | La. R.S. 9:5628 |
| Maritime / Jones Act deadline | Generally 3 years for maritime injury claims | 46 U.S.C. § 30106 |
| Comparative fault | For accidents on or after Jan. 1, 2026, you recover only if you are less than 51% at fault; your award is reduced by your share of fault | La. Civ. Code art. 2323 |
| Wrongful death | Claim belongs to the spouse and children first, then parents, then siblings, then grandparents | La. Civ. Code art. 2315.2 |
| Employer responsibility | Employers are liable for employees’ negligence on the job (for example, a trucking company for its driver) | La. Civ. Code art. 2320 |
Why the 2026 fault change matters: Insurance adjusters now have a stronger incentive to push more blame onto you. If they can move your share of fault from 45% to 51%, your recovery drops to zero. That makes early evidence, such as photos, witness statements, and vehicle data, more important than ever. Learn more about how comparative fault works in Louisiana.
Most cases settle, but we prepare every case as if it will go to trial. A typical case follows these steps:
If you think you have a personal injury claim, start gathering evidence right away. Good evidence shows the at-fault party and their insurer that your injuries are real and directly caused by the accident.
Keep copies of medical bills and records, the police or incident report, photos of the scene and your injuries, pay stubs showing lost income, and the names of any witnesses. An attorney can tell you which evidence matters most and help you obtain the rest, including records the other side controls. See our guide to the essential documents for a personal injury case.
Ron Austin Law represents injured people throughout Terrebonne Parish, including Houma, Bayou Cane, Bayou Blue, Gray, Schriever, Gibson, Chauvin, Montegut, Bourg, Dulac, Cocodrie, Theriot, and Pointe-aux-Chenes. We also help clients in neighboring Lafourche, St. Mary, and Assumption parishes and across the Westbank.
Our office is at 400 Manhattan Boulevard in Harvey, about an hour from Houma via US-90. You don’t need to make that drive to get started. We offer free consultations by phone and video, and our attorneys can meet you in Houma, at your home, or at the hospital when your injuries make travel difficult.
Our attorneys have recovered more than $1 billion for Louisiana clients, including a landmark $1 billion judgment against ExxonMobil and a $20.5 million settlement in the Make It Right class action. See more case results and read what our clients say.
The types of cases covered under Louisiana personal injury law typically involve some form of negligence or wrongdoing. The nature of how you sustained your injuries can affect the claims process, so it’s important to understand how personal injury laws pertain to your case.
Personal injury cases cover incidents involving:
How long you have to file a personal injury claim in Terrebonne Parish can vary depending on the nature of the claim. Generally speaking, you have two years to file a personal injury claim after an accident in Louisiana. However, medical malpractice claims must be filed within one year. If you do not file in time, you might lose out on the chance to receive any compensation from the accident.
The damages you can recover from a personal injury claim in Terrebonne Parish depend on the details of the accident. Your total settlement amount varies based on the scope of your injuries and the strength of the claim.
You can file to recover economic and non-economic damages. This covers direct losses like:
A Terrebonne Parish personal injury attorney can help with a personal injury claim in a number of different ways. When you hire a personal injury lawyer, you can count on them to help you understand your legal options and form a strategy for securing a fair settlement.
Moreover, your attorney can be there to negotiate the terms of your settlement and can represent you in court if litigation is needed.
Hiring a personal injury lawyer in Terrebonne Parish costs nothing upfront. Ron Austin Law works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay no legal fees unless we win your case. Our attorney’s fee is taken as a percentage of your final settlement or court award — so there is zero financial risk in getting started. This arrangement allows injured victims in Terrebonne Parish to access experienced legal representation regardless of their current financial situation. Call us today for a free consultation to discuss your case at no cost.
The steps you take immediately following an accident in Terrebonne Parish can significantly impact the strength of your personal injury claim. You should:
The sooner you act, the stronger your case will be. Ron Austin Law offers a free consultation to help you understand your options from day one.
Most Terrebonne Parish injury lawsuits are filed in the 32nd Judicial District Court, which sits at the parish courthouse in Houma. Maritime cases and some cases against out-of-state companies may be filed in federal court in the Eastern District of Louisiana. Your attorney chooses the court that gives your case the best legal footing.
Many personal injury claims settle within several months to a year once medical treatment is complete. Cases that go to litigation, involve serious injuries, or involve trucking or offshore companies can take one to three years. Settling before you understand your full medical prognosis can leave you with less than your claim is worth.
Terrebonne Parish residents have been trusting the local attorneys at Ron Austin Law to help them secure compensation after sustaining an injury. Our team brings 88 years of combined experience handling personal injury cases in Louisiana. We’ve recovered more than $1 billion for our customers in the past. If you’re ready to discuss your case in more detail, reach out to set up an appointment with a member of our team today.

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