Should I File Suit or Not?

	I want to be compensated for my injuries but I'm not the "suing kind." If your mother was like mine, she taught you to apologize if you hurt someone and to pay for the things you damage or break. But, in today's politically correct environment there are some corporations, political groups and insurance companies that try to make people who are hurt in accidents feel guilty about seeking compensation for their injury and losses. Truth is, there is no "suing kind," and very few of my clients are interested in suing anyone. More often, my clients say, "I don't want to sue anyone, but my spouse or child has been seriously hurt and no one knows how this accident has affected our life together. It's just not right that our family has to go through this and not be treated fairly by the adjuster." They are right! Civil tort law is based on a simple concept eloquently captured in the first paragraph of article 2315 of the Louisiana Civil Code: "Every act whatever of man that causes damage to another obliges him by whose fault it happened to repair it." My job as a Personal Injury Lawyer is simple: Obtain the maximum recovery of monetary damages for my clients that is permitted under the law and consistent with the ideals of Justice. "This isn't about greed, frivilous claims, ambulance chasing or the lawsuit lottery. Its about making a defendant live up to the moral obligation to repair the damge done. Its about helping someone recover reasonable and adequate compensation for the injuries and losses they suffered." The truth most cases settle before it is necessary to file a lawsuit. And, the majority of those cases that do require the filing of a lawsuit also settle long before trial. Only a handful of cases ever go to trial. But big corporations, insurance companies and the government don't just roll over and pay a substantial claim for damages when their employees or insured hurt someone. Usually the adjuster must be confronted by a determined lawyer presenting a meritorious claim, backed up by a thorough investigation revealing solid evidence of negligence and adequate documentation of the client's damages before an adequate settlement can be obtained. "In meritorious cases where a defendant refuses to settle, you should not be afraid or feel ashamed to invoke the civil justice system. That is what it exists for. If it becomes necessary to prosecute your claim in court you can be sure I will pursue your rights in an aggressive but professional manner."