Our Personal Injury FAQ

Probably not.  If you are truly a Longshoreman or Dockworker and not a Jones Act Seaman, the Longshore and Harbor Workers Compensation Act (LHWCA) would likely apply to your case.  

But, deciding whether you could qualify as a Jones Act Seaman is critical to understanding your rights moving forward.  The Jones Act provides many rights that the LHWCA does not. 

Have You Been Injured On Your Louisiana Maritime Job?

If you've been injured at your maritime job or at sea, you need to speak with an experienced Jones Act attorney as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. I help clients throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.

Determining the appropriate place (venue) in which to file a wrongful death lawsuit in Louisiana depends on many factors.  Generally, if the death occurs in Louisiana, the lawsuit could be filed in State Court in the Parish where the incident occurred, or where any of the defendants reside or have their main offices.  If any of the defendants are citizens of a different state than the plaintiff, then the lawsuit may be filed in Federal Court.  

Also, keep in mind that in Louisiana, only certain relatives have the right to file a wrongful death or survival action on behalf of the decedent.  For instance, if the decedent left a wife and children, they would be able to file the claims and the decedent’s parents or siblings would not be able to do so.

Deciding where to file a wrongful death lawsuit is an important decision.  Filing in the wrong place can result in severe consequences and can even risk having the case thrown out of Court.  

Has Your Loved One Died Due To The Negligence Of Others?

If you lost a family member due to a negligent act you need to speak with an experienced Covington area wrongful death attorney as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. I help families throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.

Cargo loading accidents are very common in the maritime industry and can lead to serious injuries or even death.  Understanding what kind of claim you have is key in determining your rights.  

Cargo loading accidents can happen on a dock, pier, or even at sea.  If the incident occurs at sea, the Jones Act may apply if the injured person is considered a “seaman.”  Under the Jones Act, the injured seaman is entitled to maintenance (daily costs of room and board) and cure (medical expenses) until they reach maximum medical improvement.  A Jones Act seaman may also pursue a claim against his or her employer for future wage loss, disability, and general damages.  

If the cargo loading accident occurs while a ship is being loaded or unloaded on an inland dock or pier, the claim may fall under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA), which is a federal law.  Under the LHWCA, the injured worker is entitled to medical care and a percentage of their wages.  If a worker is permanently disabled, a payment schedule is used to calculate compensation.  

Understanding what kind of claim you have and knowing your rights is critical to protecting yourself and your loved ones in the event of a maritime accident.   

Have You Been Injured On Your Louisiana Maritime Job?

If you've been injured at your maritime job or at sea, you need to speak with an experienced Jones Act attorney as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. I help clients throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.

Motorcycle accidents often result in severe injuries.  It is important that our clients receive the necessary medical treatment for their injuries and we take pride in assisting them through the recovery process, every step of the way.  

Unfortunately, after a motorcycle accident, the at-fault insurance company is not legally required to “pay as you go” to the doctor.  Instead, they want to settle your entire claim in one lump sum.  Sometimes, the insurance adjuster will offer a small amount, knowing that a person cannot afford the medical treatment they really need.  

We understand that not everyone has health insurance to cover necessary doctor visits.  In such cases, we assist our clients in finding doctors who are dedicated to their recovery and who work with us to make sure our clients receive the treatment they need, even if they don’t have insurance.    

Have You Been Hurt In A Covington Area Motorcycle Accident?

If you've been injured in a motorcycle accident you need to speak with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. I help clients throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.

Big trucking companies and their insurance carriers often fight very hard against accident claims.  This is because truck accidents often result in significant injuries.  At our firm, we use several techniques to hold trucking companies responsible for accidents.

First, we make sure that the trucking company is put on notice that they should preserve any evidence which may be important to the case, including “black box” data, photographs of damage, toxicology reports, and driving records.  Tracking down the appropriate insurance company for the truck company can also be difficult.  

Second, we make sure the truck company and their insurance carrier are kept up to date as to the severity of our client’s injuries and their progress or lack of progress during recovery.  

If the truck company is not accepting responsibility for the wreck, we file a lawsuit against them, uncover more evidence, take depositions, and prepare our client’s case for trial.  

Big truck accident cases are often complex.  Having an experienced truck accident attorney on your side is important to the outcome of your case.  Call us today for a free and confidential consultation.  

Have You Been Injured In A Covington Area Truck Accident?

If you've been hurt in a semi-truck or large vehicle accident you need to speak with an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. I help clients throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.

The length of time it takes for an attorney to settle a wrongful death claim depends on many factors.  Two important factors include whether the at-fault insurance company is accepting liability (fault) for what happened and the amount of insurance available to compensate the victim’s family.  

When the at-fault insurance company refuses to accept fault for the accident, a lawsuit must be filed to dig into the facts and hold them accountable.  Unfortunately, quick settlements in wrongful death cases are often an indication that a very small amount of insurance is available to cover the loss.  

Wrongful death cases can be very complicated and may include multiple defendants and complex theories of liability.  It is important to have an experienced wrongful death attorney on your side.  At Grady J. Flattmann, Attorneys at Law, we pride ourselves on our compassionate approach to handling complicated wrongful death cases for grieving families.  Call us today to schedule your free and confidential consultation.  

Has Your Loved One Died Due To The Negligence Of Others?

If you lost a family member due to a negligent act you need to speak with an experienced Covington area wrongful death attorney as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. I help families throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.

Motorcyclists are often unfairly blamed when a wreck happens.  Common things drivers say when they are involved in a car versus motorcycle accident include: “he came out of nowhere,” “he was in my blind spot,” “he was weaving through traffic,” or “he was going too fast.”  Due to this unfair prejudice, motorcyclists sometimes find themselves having to prove that an accident wasn’t their fault.

Being very clear about how a wreck occurred, the positions of the vehicles, and the precise sequence of events can help the driver of a motorcycle prove that he or she was not at fault.  The insurance company will try to match up statements with the evidence to determine who is liable for the accident.  

Gathering evidence immediately following the accident is also very important.  Taking pictures and videos of the accident scene and gathering information from potential witnesses can be very helpful in proving that you were not at fault for the wreck.

Have You Been Hurt In A Covington Area Motorcycle Accident?

If you've been injured in a motorcycle accident you need to speak with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. I help clients throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.

The answer to this question depends on many factors, the most significant being the seriousness of one’s injuries.  Other factors we consider in assessing the value of a claim include the length of medical treatment, the amount of medical bills, future limitations or disabilities, and lost wages.  

The value of a truck accident claim may also grow over time if a person is continuing to suffer or treat for their injuries.  We take great pride in explaining our valuation process to our clients throughout the course of their case.    

Have You Been Injured In A Covington Area Truck Accident?

If you've been hurt in a semi-truck or large vehicle accident you need to speak with an experienced truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. I help clients throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.

The law regarding the types of damages that can be claimed following a motorcycle accident are the same as those regarding car accidents.  Following a motorcycle accident, the injured person has property damage claims and personal injury claims.  

Property damage claims include damage to the motorcycle and even damage to clothes or other possessions.  It also includes rental coverage during the time the motorcycle is being repaired.  

Personal injury claims include things like the person’s medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, future disability, mental anguish, and lost enjoyment of life.  

We take pride in making sure our clients understand their rights after being involved in an motorcycle accident.  

Have You Been Hurt In A Covington Area Motorcycle Accident?

If you've been injured in a motorcycle accident you need to speak with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. I help clients throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.

When a person who works on the water is injured, it is critical to know whether that person would be considered a Jones Act Seaman, Longshoreman, or otherwise.  Factors we consider in making this evaluation include the person’s job duties, how long they have been employed, whether they were permanently assigned to a vessel, and whether the accident took place when they were working in service to the vessel. 

If a person is considered a Seaman for purposes of the Jones Act, their employee must continue to pay room and board payments (maintenance) and their medical bills (cure).  

Additionally, a Jones Act Seaman is entitled to pursue claims for their pain and suffering and past and future lost wages.  If third parties are involved, the injured person could have additional claims as well.  

Maritime accident claims can be extremely complicated and are very fact dependent.  Having an experienced Maritime lawyer on your side could mean the difference between being fairly compensated and missing out on claims to which you may be entitled.   

Have You Been Injured On Your Louisiana Maritime Job?

If you've been injured at your maritime job or at sea, you need to speak with an experienced Jones Act attorney as soon as possible. Please contact me online or call my Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. I help clients throughout Louisiana including Mandeville, Slidell, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Hammond, New Orleans and Metairie.