Recent Cases

Prompt Maximum Recovery for Head, Neck and Back Injuries to Passenger from Car Wreck

A 23 year old sales associate for Wal-Mart was a passenger in a vehicle struck on the left side by a vehicle that pulled out of a parking lot and drove across the highway without first making sure it was safe to do so. As a result of the crash, our client received injuries to her head, neck, and back, including cervical and lumbar strain, tension headaches and muscle spasms. She was treated by a health provider for more than four months and had several thousand dollars in medical bills. The accident occurred in September, 2006 and was settled in May, 2007. No matter how minor injuries may seem, our attorneys work hard to ensure that our clients receive the maximum recovery in the quickest time possible. Not all cases can be resolved this quickly, but this case was completed in less than eight months.

Full Compensation and Insurance Recovery in Accident with An Uninsured Motorist

In February, 2006, on a dry, clear evening at approximately 7:00 p.m., our clients, a West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office deputy and his wife, were driving on North Lobdell Drive at its intersection with Greenwell Springs Road. Our clients, who had a green light, were making a left turn onto Greenwell Springs Road when their vehicle was struck on the right side by a man traveling southbound on North Lobdell, who also claimed to have a green light. The investigating officer was unable to determine fault. The individual who hit our clients' vehicle was uninsured, so a claim was made under their uninsured motorist policy. Both clients were seen in the emergency room. They required physical therapy for two months, and had an orthopedic consultation. The husband suffered cervical, thoracic and lumbar strain and injuries to his left shoulder and knee. He had previously had left knee surgery in 1994, but had recovered. His wife, in good health prior to the wreck, sustained cervical, thoracic and lumbar strain, injuries to both shoulders and chest, impact injury of her head resulting in headaches, and possible temporal mandibular jaw injury. The uninsured motorist insurance company made a partial settlement with our clients in December, 2006, and settled in full in May, 2007. Some people believe that they cannot make an insurance claim when the other driver at fault is uninsured, but our firm took the time to explain the law to our clients. They were able to fully exercise their legal rights under their uninsured motorist insurance policy and receive proper compensation.

Mental, Psychological and Quality of Life Damages Obtained for Injured Driver

A married older Dairy Manager was rear-ended in a four-vehicle accident in July, 2004. The posted speed limit on the road was 45 miles per hour, and the at fault vehicle is suspected of traveling at full speed before the accident. On impact our client was knocked unconscious briefly when his head hit the back panel of his truck. He was taken to the emergency room by ambulance. His most significant injuries were to his head, neck, right arm, and right knee. In addition, he suffered from headaches, memory loss and blurred vision for which he was treated by a neurologist, a neuropsychologist, and an ophthalmologist. He missed almost three weeks from work. Our client testified that his quality of life was dramatically worsened from his injuries. His romantic and intimate relationship with his wife was affected. His hobbies had included yard work, gardening and hunting, all of which he was unable to participate in following the accident. The case couldn't be resolved prior to the one-year prescription deadline and a lawsuit was filed. After prolonged negotiation, the case was finally settled successfully one month before trial. There are many kinds of damages in an injury case which involve more than obvious physical injuries diagnosed by a physician. Enjoyment of hobbies and relationships with loved ones can be harmed as well. Our attorneys take the time to get to know each client to make sure they get full compensation for all the damages suffered in an accident.

Extensive Medical Treatment and Expenses Payment After Low Speed Impact

A young woman was backing out carefully from a parking spot at WalMart when her car was struck in the rear by another driver. She came to Kleinpeter & Schwartzberg for advice about the accident. Despite the low speed of impact, our client suffered injuries and significant pain to her neck, shoulders and lower back. The patient required 4 months of physical therapy, and medications to relieve inflammation and pain. Medical care included x-rays of the neck, shoulders and lower spine. On careful examination it was found she had also injured the area surrounding the jaw bones, the temporal mandibular joint. She received a dental consult and conservative treatment. This October 2006 accident was settled in May 2007, and our client received compensation for her injuries and all her accident medical care expenses were paid by the other driver's insurer. Even low speed car wrecks may have significant consequences, and require careful evaluation.

Compensation for Physical Injuries, Medical Costs, Wage Loss and Property Damage Resolved Quickly

A lab technician was traveling south on Sherwood Forest Boulevard on a clear day in the afternoon, when a car just ahead suddenly turned left out of a grocery store lot, crossed all the northbound lanes and struck his car in the middle of the driver's side, badly denting the door and spraying the inside of the car with flying glass from the shattered window. Our client quickly blew his horn and tried to avoid the other car in the seconds before impact, but could not leave his lane because of heavy traffic around him. Baton Rouge City Police immediately investigated the accident and determined the other driver was at fault. They issued a moving violation for failing to yield to him, and no ticket to the lab technician. The lab technician who had been injured and suffered serious damage to his car asked Kleinpeter & Schwartzberg for legal help. He received medical treatment and physical therapy including moist heat, electrical stimulation, mechanical traction and ice packs. His symptoms of headache, neck and back pain, and a sore right shoulder resolved over a period of 6 months. The case has been settled and our client received compensation for his injury, lost wages for time missed at work, physical damage to his car, and medical care expenses related to the accident. Legal disputes about a car wreck may take a long time before they are finally settled, but when responsibility is clear and a client has good legal representation, a case may be resolved relatively quickly. Here the entire process was completed in 8 months.