New Orleans
When you seek medical care, you trust that your provider will meet the accepted standard of care.
When that trust is broken by negligence, the consequences can be devastating and permanent.
The Voorhies Law Firm represents patients and families harmed by medical negligence across New Orleans and Louisiana, in a legal process that looks very different from an ordinary injury claim.
Medical malpractice occurs when a healthcare provider’s treatment falls below the accepted standard of care and causes harm.
This can include:
Louisiana handles medical malpractice claims very differently from ordinary personal injury claims, through the Louisiana Medical Malpractice Act.
Before you can sue a qualified healthcare provider for malpractice in Louisiana, your claim generally must first go before a Medical Review Panel, which is made up of one attorney and three healthcare providers.
This panel reviews the evidence and decides on whether the care fell below the accepted standard. Filing suit before completing this process will typically get your case dismissed as premature, so this step is not optional.
For claims against “qualified” healthcare providers, Louisiana law caps total recoverable damages at $500,000, not including future medical care and related benefits, which are handled separately. A qualified provider is generally not personally liable for more than $100,000 of that total, with the remainder covered through the Louisiana Patient’s Compensation Fund. Because the cap applies only to “qualified” providers, part of building a strong medical malpractice case is confirming whether every provider involved actually qualifies under the Act.
Medical malpractice claims (La. R.S. 9:5628) follows a different prescriptive rule than most personal injury claims. Generally one year from the date of the act or one year from when you discovered it, but never more than three years from the date of the alleged malpractice, regardless of when it’s discovered. This three-year outer limit is one of the most important, and least forgiving, deadlines in Louisiana law, so acting promptly matters.
STEP 1
Free consultation.
We listen to what happened and give you an honest read on your options, with no cost and no obligation.
STEP 2
Medical record review.
We work with qualified medical experts to evaluate whether the care you received fell below the accepted standard.
STEP 3
Medical Review Panel.
For qualified healthcare providers, Louisiana law requires your claim to go before a panel of one attorney and three healthcare providers before a lawsuit can be filed.
STEP 4
Damage calculation.
We account for medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any future care you may need, understanding how Louisiana’s damages cap applies to your claim.
STEP 5
Filing suit.
If the panel process doesn’t resolve your claim fairly, we file suit within the applicable deadline.
STEP 6
Discovery and, if necessary, trial.
We build your case with the right expert testimony for the courtroom.
STEP 7
Resolution.
You receive your compensation, whether through settlement or verdict, coordinated with the Patient’s Compensation Fund where applicable.
We represent patients and families in cases involving:
Behind every medical malpractice case is a person who trusted their care team and was let down during the moments that it mattered most.
Our job is to help them build what comes after.
We’ve spent fourteen years going up against hospitals, insurers, and the Patient’s Compensation Fund in Louisiana, and we don’t care who’s on the other side. Across all of our practice areas, we’ve recovered over $100 million for our clients.
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in your case; results depend on the specific facts and circumstances involved, including Louisiana’s damages cap.
Richard P. Voorhies III leads a New Orleans legal team that was built around direct, personal attention. We’ve gone up against various insurance companies and the corporations that back them in Louisiana.
We don’t care who’s on the other side, what we do care about is making sure that you walk away with everything you’re rightfully owed.
Generally, yes, for claims against qualified healthcare providers. Louisiana law requires your claim to be reviewed by a panel of one attorney and three healthcare providers before a lawsuit can proceed. There are limited exceptions, which an attorney can evaluate for your situation.
For claims against qualified healthcare providers, Louisiana caps total damages at $500,000, not counting future medical care, which is handled separately. This is different from most other personal injury claims, where no such cap applies.
Generally one year from the date of the act or one year from discovery, but never more than three years from the date of the alleged malpractice, under La. R.S. 9:5628. This three-year outer limit applies even if you didn’t discover the harm until later.
A qualified provider has bought into Louisiana’s Patient’s Compensation Fund system by proving financial responsibility and paying an annual surcharge. If a provider isn’t qualified, the review panel requirement and damages cap don’t apply, and different rules may govern your claim.
Nothing upfront. We handle medical malpractice cases on a contingency fee basis, so we only get paid if we recover compensation for you.
