Lafayette Personal Injury, Criminal Law And Family Law Blog

Medical malpractice: Doctor accused of withholding medication

On behalf of Chris Villemarette, Trial Lawyer posted in personal injury on Tuesday, February 19, 2019.

Most medical professionals in Louisiana want what is best for their patients. The trouble is that, sometimes, their opinion of what is best isn't accurate to what a patient truly needs. The repercussions are not just physical but can be emotional as well. This may be the case for one woman from out of state who filed a medical malpractice claim alleging that her doctor gave her unnecessary injection therapy.

The woman who filed the suit says that about five years ago, she started a pain therapy regimen at the doctor's office. She was prescribed oxycodone along with a nerve-root block injection that had to be administered at the office. She continued to be prescribed the injections and medication each month, and she was fearful that if she refused the injections, she would not get her medication. The doctor in her suit started treating her a few months ago, and the woman claims that when she turned down the injections, he refused to give her the medication he had been prescribing her. She alleges that the injections caused her pain and suffering because of the testing required before each injection.

The most common types of car accident injuries

On behalf of Chris Villemarette, Trial Lawyer on Thursday, February 14, 2019.

If you are suffering due to injuries that occurred in a car accident in Louisiana, you may be wondering about the value of your claim. By conducting thorough research, you should be able to understand what types of damages to which you will be entitled so that you can take action and gain the compensation that you deserve.

The damages to which you will be entitled will depend on the extent of the injuries that you have suffered. You may have suffered a combination of both physical and mental injuries, and it is important to be aware of this when making a claim. Many people fail to even realize that they have suffered mentally as a result of a car accident. They miss the opportunity to gain significant sums of compensation that could potentially help them with the costs of therapy and counseling.

Family law problems do not always stop when divorce is final

On behalf of Chris Villemarette, Trial Lawyer posted in family law on Monday, February 11, 2019.

Louisiana parents who go through divorce often find it difficult to get along and work together, making it quite complicated to make a co-parenting plan work well. The hard feelings do not necessarily go away simply because the divorce is final, making it important for a parent to know how to cope with a difficult co-parent and family law complications. This is also a good way to protect the emotional interests of the children and keep them from experiencing continued upheaval.

When the other parent is making it difficult to abide by the terms of the parenting plan peacefully and reasonably, it may be necessary to commit to making personal boundaries. This can be physical boundaries, but it can also include emotional ones as well. An example of this is to set the boundary of refusing to engage when the co-parent is being unreasonable and argumentative.

Personal injury: Pedestrian deaths up across the country

On behalf of Chris Villemarette, Trial Lawyer posted in personal injury on Tuesday, February 5, 2019.

Though walking is often touted as an easy and simple form of exercise, it is not always a safe activity. Louisiana families may be shocked to hear that a recent study showed a sharp increase in the amount of fatalities among pedestrians all over the nation. This kind of personal injury incident can have a significant affect on the victim and his or her loved ones, and understanding the findings of the study may be a step in preventing one.

The study revealed that over 49,000 pedestrians lost their lives from 2008 to 2017, which is more than 13 people each day. Overall, the report found that there was a 35 percent increase in pedestrian deaths during the past 10 years. The state of Louisiana was ranked the fourth deadliest in the nation. One bit of good news was that traffic crashes with fatalities went down slightly in 2017. Still, 2016 and 2017 were the deadliest for pedestrians since 1990.

Criminal charges, including DWI, brought against Louisiana driver

On behalf of Chris Villemarette, Trial Lawyer posted in criminal defense on Wednesday, January 30, 2019.

Life can have its ups and downs for any person. Some ups can be great, and some downs can have substantial negative impacts on individuals' lives. When a person is in a downward spiral, he or she could even wind up facing legal issues that involve criminal charges for DWI.

Alcohol abuse is a prevalent issue in Louisiana and across the country, and one man who was recently taken into custody could have such a problem. It was reported that a 47-year-old man was arrested on allegations of driving while intoxicated as a fourth offense. Police officers stated that the man exhibited clear signs of intoxication, but details were not given in the report regarding what those indications may have been.

Rear-end car accidents offer few escape options

On behalf of Chris Villemarette, Trial Lawyer posted in car accidents on Monday, January 21, 2019.

There are many times when a driver can control a situation to avoid an accident. Reducing speed, changing lanes or taking evasive action can take a vehicle out of the equation enough that no harm comes to the driver or passengers. However, one category of car accidents may leave drivers helpless to protect themselves from the negligence of others, and that is the rear-end collision.

Louisiana police recently investigated a multi-vehicle accident that resulted in the death of a passenger in one vehicle. Five cars were stopped at a traffic light when a sixth vehicle came up behind them, failed to stop and caused a chain reaction after striking the last vehicle. The 41-year-old driver of the sixth vehicle suffered injuries as well as one other driver. Unfortunately, a 77-year-old man suffered fatal injuries.

Recovery after car accidents: Where to seek support

On behalf of Chris Villemarette, Trial Lawyer posted in car accidents on Thursday, January 17, 2019.

Louisiana highways are dangerous. When car accidents occur, victims often suffer serious or even fatal injuries. Those who survive their injuries may suffer serious emotional, physical or financial distress.

If you or your loved one suffer injury because a driver was distracted, intoxicated or acting reckless behind the wheel, why should you have to bear the full financial burden associated with the incident? It is no secret that medical care is expensive, even when treating minor injuries. Having to take time off work during recovery, obtain car repairs or perhaps even purchasing a new vehicle can cause financial stress that intensifies post-accident suffering.

Maximizing your personal injury compensation in Louisiana

On behalf of Chris Villemarette, Trial Lawyer on Wednesday, January 16, 2019.

Many people fail to take certain steps after suffering from an accident in the state of Louisiana, and, as a result, they do not get the maximum amount of compensation that they deserve. If you have been injured in an accident, it is important that you take the right actions after the incident so that you do not lose out on gaining back damages.

Being involved in an accident can be a very upsetting experience, and it can also affect many aspects of your life, especially if your injuries were serious. It is important that you place a full emphasis on making a recovery before engaging in an insurance or legal claim.

Family law disputes may require digital protection

On behalf of Chris Villemarette, Trial Lawyer posted in family law on Monday, January 7, 2019.

Even an amicable divorce can turn quickly as spouses fight to obtain what they feel is a fair resolution to their conflicts. If there is much on the line, Louisiana spouses may resort to tactics that invade the privacy of their partners in order to obtain information that will enhance their family law case or simply satisfy their curiosity. Spouses who fear former partners will use technology to spy on their activities would do well to take steps to secure their digital interests.

Even tech-savvy spouses may not realize how vulnerable they are to privacy breaches. For example, those who own smart appliances may unknowingly allow those devices to track their locations. Spouses who share computers, social media accounts or passwords may be at risk for the invasion of their privacy from a controlling partner.

Many questions as to cause of personal injury accident

On behalf of Chris Villemarette, Trial Lawyer posted in personal injury on Sunday, December 30, 2018.

Highway driving can be stressful. A driver's attention diverted from the road for even a brief moment may lead to tragic consequences. When highway speeds exceed 70 mph, the slightest contact with another vehicle can cause a driver to lose control of a vehicle, resulting in a personal injury accident. A recent accident in Louisiana demonstrates this fact and leaves a community grieving.

A 66-year-old man was traveling east in the middle lane of a three-lane stretch of interstate. A second vehicle in the left lane overtook the first vehicle. However, before the second vehicle could pass, the driver of the first vehicle inexplicably crossed into the left lane. His car struck the front of the passing vehicle, causing both cars to leave the roadway. They traveled across the grassy median into the westbound traffic where the first vehicle struck a third car.