Lake Charles Assault Injury Lawyer

Were you assaulted in Lake Charles, Louisiana? If so, you might be entitled to financial compensation. At Hale Injury Lawyers our Lake Charles assault injury lawyers have 61 years of combined experience and have won tens of millions for our clients. Contact us today at (337) 426-1071 for a free initial consultation.

Whether or not your attacker is facing criminal charges, you may be able to file a claim against them in civil court and recover money damages based on your pain and suffering, financial expenses, emotional distress, loss of quality of life, and more.

We’re one of Louisiana’s most successful and compassionate personal injury law firms. We care deeply about standing up for the rights of those injured by someone else’s wrongdoing and will work hard to secure maximum compensation on your behalf. Call our Lake Charles office to learn more about your rights and options.

How Hale Injury Lawyers Can Help With Your Civil Assault Claim in Lake Charles, Louisiana

How Hale Injury Lawyers Can Help With Your Civil Assault Claim in Lake Charles, Louisiana

Being the victim of an assault is one of the more traumatic experiences imaginable. You may be dealing with debilitating physical pain, mental anguish, emotional impacts, and financial losses all at once. The law does allow you to take legal action against your assailant and/or anyone else who enabled the attack to happen, but you might need an attorney to help you through the litigation process.

Hale Injury Lawyers is qualified to help you from start to finish. Our Lake Charles personal injury attorneys are experienced at trial, which is important for these cases because filing a lawsuit is more likely. Some of the awards we’ve received include recognition by The National Trial Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and more. When you hire our attorneys to help you after an assault, we’ll:

  • Identify every liable party
  • Determine your legal rights and options
  • Evaluate all of your damages
  • Hire leading experts to help further
  • Handle all the communications and paperwork
  • Negotiate on your behalf for a full settlement
  • File a lawsuit in Calcasieu Parish if needed

Contact us today in Lake Charles, LA, for more information about our legal services. During your free consultation, we can discuss some preliminary legal advice. 

Assault Law in Louisiana

In Louisiana, assault is defined as “an attempt to commit a battery, or the intentional placing of another in reasonable apprehension of receiving a battery.” Under this definition, a person can still be charged with assault even if the victim is not actually injured.

Simple assault and aggravated assault are both illegal under Louisiana state law. Aggravated assault refers to assaults committed with a “dangerous weapon,” whereas there does not need to be a weapon present for simple assault. 

These are both criminal offenses that carry penalties such as fines, jail time, and possibly more, depending on the case. However, committing assault can also make the attacker vulnerable to a civil lawsuit as well that is separate from any criminal proceedings. Through this lawsuit, you can demand monetary compensation from your attacker and other at-fault parties (such as a negligent bar or nightclub that allowed the attack to happen).

Importantly, you can win your civil claim no matter whether your assailant is found guilty in criminal court. The burden of proof in civil cases is usually “by a preponderance of the evidence,” whereas in criminal cases, it is “beyond a reasonable doubt.” This means that your evidence doesn’t need to be as strong to win your case in civil court.

If you were assaulted in Lake Charles, contact our lawyers. We can help you determine the best next steps regarding any legal claims at that time.

How Much Is My Lake Charles Assault Injury Case Worth?

By and large, your case’s unique facts and circumstances will dictate how much it is worth. Our legal team conducts a detailed evaluation of every case we take on so that we can demand as much money on your behalf as possible. The factors we’ll consider during the process include:

  • The kinds of injuries you have sustained
  • How serious your injuries are
  • The pain and suffering you’ve experienced
  • Whether you will make a full recovery and be able to return to work
  • Insurance policy terms/limits, if applicable
  • Your age at the time of the assault
  • The financial losses you’ve incurred

It’s possible that your lawyer’s skills could also make a difference, as not every attorney is equally skilled at negotiating settlements and utilizing resources like experts.

What Damages Can I Recover by Filing an Assault Injury Claim in Lake Charles, LA?

You can recover both economic and non-economic damages after an assault in Lake Charles. Punitive damages are very limited under Louisiana law but may be available in specific cases.

Economic damages represent your financial losses, such as:

  • Medical bills and equipment
  • Rehabilitation and therapy
  • In-home care services
  • Any related out-of-pocket expenses

Non-economic damages compensate for your subjective losses, including:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Conditions like PTSD and anxiety
  • Disability and inconvenience
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

Punitive damages could be an option if your case involves domestic violence, a drunk driver, hazing, or happened in another state that allows these damages. Otherwise, punitive damages generally aren’t available in Louisiana personal injury cases.

What if I’m Being Blamed for My Assault Injuries in Lake Charles?

Louisiana follows a “pure comparative negligence” standard, which is the most victim-friendly among the various frameworks states have adopted. With pure comparative negligence, you can almost always still recover compensation even if you share some of the blame.

However, your damages can be reduced based on your assessed percentage of fault. For example, sharing 30% of the blame can reduce your damages by 30%. 

As despicable as it may be, it is likely that the opposing party will try to blame you for your assault injuries. They will do this in an effort to escape liability for your claim. If you hire an experienced assault injury lawyer in Lake Charles, they can advocate for you and respond to allegations of blame.

We’ll Fight for Compensation Based on All of Your Injuries

Assaults can lead to a wide range of serious injuries. You deserve maximum compensation from your attacker no matter the kinds of harm they’ve caused you to endure. Our attorneys are prepared to help you file a claim after suffering any of the following:

Even if your injuries aren’t listed here, call us for a free consultation. We’ll do everything we can to put as much money into your pocket as possible.

How Much Does It Cost To Hire an Assault Injury Lawyer in Lake Charles?

Most assault injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. You won’t pay any money upfront, by the hour, or for a flat rate. Instead, you will only have to pay your lawyer for their work if they successfully handle your case. 

In most cases, your attorney will receive around 33% of your jury verdict or settlement. However, the percentage can vary – you will sign an agreement ahead of time so that you won’t be caught off guard. You owe zero attorney’s fees if your lawyer doesn’t win money for you.

With a contingency fee, you can afford to hire any attorney you want without regard to your financial circumstances. In addition, your lawyer will aim to increase what your claim is worth as much as they can.

How Much Time Do I Have To File an Assault Injury Claim in Louisiana?

Louisiana recently changed the law to allow you two years from the date of your assault to file a lawsuit. This is still one of the shortest statutes of limitations that any state has, so you’ll need to take legal action quickly. If you don’t file your lawsuit on time, the court can dismiss your case.

There are only exceptions to this time limit for rare cases. Contact our legal team as soon as you possibly can for help filing your claim correctly and on time.

Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Trusted Lake Charles Assault Injury Attorneys

Were you assaulted in Lake Charles, Louisiana? No matter the circumstances surrounding the incident, you may be owed compensation from the responsible party or parties. Hale Injury Lawyers can get started on your case as soon as you’re ready.

Our Lake Charles assault injury attorneys have won tens of millions for victims, and we’re confident we can win your case as well. Call today to schedule a free consultation. 

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