Average Premises Liability Settlement in Lake Charles, LA (2025)

Many who are considering filing a premises liability claim want to know the average premises liability settlement in Lake Charles, LA. However, there is no useful average settlement figure, as your settlement total will completely depend on the specifics of your case. With the right lawyer by your side, you could obtain a settlement that reflects the true impact of your injury.

What Is Premises Liability?

Premises liability is the legal principle whereby negligent property owners can be held responsible for a person’s injury if they didn’t take steps to prevent it.

The kinds of hazards involved could be obvious, like part of a ceiling falling on your head or pipes sticking out of the walls. They could also be smaller issues, like a slippery floor, rickety stairs, or even a badly lit area. If any of these kinds of hazards leads to an accident, the property owner could be held responsible for damages, and that means they could owe you money to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

What Affects the Settlement?

Several factors are considered when determining a settlement amount in Lake Charles. Some of these include:

1. The Severity of the Injury: The more serious the injury, the higher your settlement may be.
2. Liability Determinations: To make your case, you’ll need to prove how the property owner didn’t do what they should to keep everyone safe. This means showing how they knew (or should have known) about the issues that needed to be fixed, but they didn’t do anything about them.
3. Medical Costs (Past and Future): If your injury needs ongoing treatment, surgeries, or rehab, this will affect your settlement total.
4. Lost Wages (and Lost Career): Injuries can have a devastating effect on your work life. If you’re out of work for a few weeks, or your injury keeps you from ever doing the same job again, you could be entitled to compensation for these losses.
5. Emotional Distress: Injuries can cause anxiety, depression, or PTSD, and that emotional impact should be considered when calculating your settlement.
6. The Insurance Company: The insurance company has a large role in calculating your final settlement amount. Some property owners have good policies, while others don’t, which is another reason to have a good lawyer; they know how to investigate every aspect of the situation and make sure you’re getting the most from any available insurance.

Knowing what can affect that final figure can help you set realistic expectations for your settlement. The more you know, the better your chances are of getting the amount you need to cover all your losses.

How a Lawyer Can Maximize Your Settlement in Lake Charles, LA

Many people think they can handle insurance companies on their own, but putting in a claim and waiting for them to issue a payment does not often result in a fair settlement. A good lawyer can go after the highest settlement possible, and they do it by:

1. Investigating and Gathering Evidence: Your attorney can investigate the scene, talk to witnesses, and gather all the evidence to prove that the property owner was negligent. Photos, maintenance records, and even expert testimony can all be used to show that the property owner failed to maintain a safe environment.
2. Negotiating: Insurance companies are in the business of saving money, so don’t expect a high offer right off the bat. An experienced lawyer can use their negotiation skills to push back against lowball offers and advocate for a fair payout.
3. Valuing Your Damages: Sometimes, people get so focused on medical bills that they forget to consider any other kinds of damages. A good lawyer examines the true scope of your losses—your lost wages, emotional distress, future treatment, and anything else that needs to be covered—and they’ll make sure every little detail is accounted for so you get compensated for everything you’ve been through.
4. Going to Court (If Necessary): Most cases do settle outside of court, but if the insurance company in your case doesn’t want to cooperate during negotiations, an experienced lawyer won’t hesitate to take the case to trial.

From gathering solid evidence to negotiating with insurance companies, premises liability lawyers—like those here at Sanchez Burke, LLC—can make sure you get every penny you deserve.

FAQs

Can I Still File a Claim If I’m Partially to Blame for the Accident?

Yes, you can. Louisiana follows what’s called a “comparative fault” rule. This means, even if you’re found to have some fault for the accident, you can still file a claim. However, your settlement will be reduced by how much blame you carry. For example, if you’re 20% responsible, your payout could be reduced by 20%. A good lawyer can work to reduce your fault rating in these cases.

How Much Time Do I Have to File My Claim?

In Louisiana, you have one or two years to file your premises liability claim, depending on the date of your premises liability incident. If you miss that deadline, you could forfeit your right to pursue any form of compensation from the at-fault party. Because of this, you should begin your case and contact a lawyer as soon as possible.

Do I Have to Prove How the Owner Knew About the Danger?

Yes, you do. To maximize your compensation, you need to show that the property owner knew about the hazard and ignored it. Even if they genuinely didn’t know, you can still argue that they should have known. In that situation, you need to prove that they neglected to properly inspect their properties. An experienced lawyer can examine maintenance records and other documentation to establish the property owner’s negligence.

What If the Property Owner Doesn’t Have Insurance?

If the property owner doesn’t have insurance, you can still try to recover damages by going after the property owner’s personal assets. You might also find some means of recovery by going through your own insurance. There are always options, and an experienced lawyer can review them to seek the compensation you need to move forward with your life.

Contact Us Today

If you’ve been injured on someone’s property, the team at Sanchez Burke, LLC, can review your case, determine your options, and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Contact us today to arrange an initial consultation with our firm.