Below are answers to some of the questions we hear most often at The Voorhies Law Firm.
Every case is different, so think of this as a starting point, not a substitute for talking with an attorney about your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
How much does it cost to work with The Voorhies Law Firm?
Nothing to start. Every consultation is free, and we take injury cases on contingency, which means our fee comes only from what we recover for you.
What should I do right after an accident or injury?
Get medical attention first, even if you feel okay, since some injuries don’t show symptoms right away. After that, document what you can, photos, witness names, and anything else available, and reach out to an attorney before speaking at length with an insurance adjuster.
How long do I have to file a claim in Louisiana?
It depends on the type of claim. Most personal injury cases now carry a two-year deadline, but medical malpractice, claims against a government entity, and insurance disputes each follow their own rules, some considerably shorter. It’s worth having your specific situation reviewed rather than assuming.
Personal Injury
I might be partly to blame for what happened. Can I still recover anything?
Often, yes. Louisiana lets you recover compensation as long as you’re found less than 51% at fault, though your award gets reduced by whatever share of fault is yours.
Will my case go to trial?
Most personal injury claims settle before trial, but we prepare every case as though it might not, since insurers negotiate more seriously when they know we’re ready to litigate.
Car Accidents
How long do I have after a car crash to bring a claim?
Generally two years from the crash date for wrecks on or after July 1, 2024. Older crashes may still fall under the prior one-year rule, so the date matters.
Do I have to prove the crash caused my specific injury?
Yes, and more so than in the past. As of mid-2025, Louisiana no longer lets you rely on a presumption that your symptoms were caused by the wreck just because you were healthy beforehand. Solid medical documentation from early on makes a real difference.
The other driver had no insurance. Now what?
Your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may be able to step in, assuming you have it and never rejected it in writing. It’s worth confirming what your policy actually includes.
Truck Accidents
Is a truck accident case handled differently than a regular car accident claim?
Substantially, yes. Federal trucking regulations set specific safety standards, insurance minimums run much higher than for an ordinary driver, and more than one party, the driver, the carrier, sometimes a broker, can share responsibility.
Can I go after the trucking company, not just the driver?
In most cases, yes. Companies are generally responsible for their drivers’ on-the-job conduct, and can face their own liability for hiring, training, or maintenance failures on top of that.
Medical Malpractice
Do I need to do anything before I can actually file a malpractice lawsuit?
Usually, yes. Louisiana requires most malpractice claims to go before a review panel of medical professionals and an attorney before a case can proceed to court.
Is there a limit on what I can recover in a malpractice case?
For qualified healthcare providers, total damages are capped at $500,000, not counting future medical care, which is handled separately and isn’t subject to that limit.
Maritime
I was hurt working on a boat or offshore. Does regular workers' comp cover me?
Usually not. Maritime workers are typically covered by federal laws like the Jones Act instead of standard workers’ compensation, which can actually work in your favor, since it lets you pursue a negligence claim against your employer rather than being limited to fixed benefits.
What is the Jones Act, and does it apply to my injury?
It’s a federal law that lets an injured seaman sue their employer for negligence, rather than being limited to land-based workers’ comp rules. Whether it applies depends on factors like whether you qualify as a ‘seaman’ and whether the injury happened in the course of your work on a vessel.
My accident happened on a lake, not the ocean. Does maritime law still apply?
It depends on whether the water counts as ‘navigable,’ generally meaning it connects to interstate or international commerce. A lake entirely within one state’s borders may not qualify, so this is worth having an attorney familiar with maritime jurisdiction take a look.
Toxic Exposure & Environmental Claims
I was exposed years ago and I'm only now getting sick. Is it too late to do anything?
Not necessarily. Because illnesses connected to chemical exposure can take years to surface, the filing clock often doesn’t start until the illness is discovered, or should reasonably have been, rather than at the moment of exposure.
How do you prove a specific chemical caused my illness?
It usually takes medical and scientific expert testimony connecting your exposure history to your diagnosis, along with documentation of the source, whether that’s an industrial facility, a workplace, or something else.
Hurricane Damage
How long do I have to file a hurricane damage claim in Louisiana?
Generally two years from the date of the storm, though it’s worth confirming your specific situation rather than assuming, since exceptions can apply.
My insurer says the damage existed before the storm. Is that a legitimate reason to deny my claim?
Not automatically. Insurers sometimes point to prior wear or old repairs to avoid paying out, but that doesn’t make the denial accurate. An attorney can help sort out what was actually pre-existing versus storm-caused.
Should I just accept my insurance company's damage estimate?
Not without a second opinion. The adjuster works for the insurer, not for you, and their estimate can run well below what repairs actually cost.
The Voorhies Law FirmLouisiana Personal Injury Attorneys
The Voorhies Law Firm was built on a simple belief: the attorneys you trust with the most serious moments of your life should give you their absolute best. For each case we take on, we bring together the right experts, the right healthcare providers, and a comprehensive understanding of not just what a client has lost, but what they will need for the rest of their lives.
When a case is complicated, many firms settle fast or walk away. We don’t. Whether it’s a catastrophic personal injury, a complex maritime claim, or a hurricane damage dispute with an insurer acting in bad faith, we take on the cases other firms won’t. And we go all the way to make sure our clients get everything they deserve.