Woman Settles Neck Injury Case After Rear-End Accident
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OUTCOME: The case settled for $500,000, and the client was thankful for William’s help and reassurance.
Our client was driving west on a four-lane road. She was stopped in traffic, sitting in the right-hand lane, and another driver, also traveling west, had slowed down for the upcoming stopped traffic. H...owever, the driver mistakenly believed the westbound traffic was about to move and did not come to a stop. Instead, the driver continued at the same speed and rear-ended our client’s vehicle while she was still stopped. The responding police cited the driver of the other vehicle at the scene for careless operation causing the car accident.
Although the wreck occurred at a low speed, our client suffered very severe neck injuries in the impact and saw a doctor to begin treatment. Ultimately, she required surgery to help with her ongoing neck issues. After the accident, she was in a lot of pain, and she was worried about returning to work. She was employed as a social worker, and the injury made it very difficult and painful for her to perform her regular job duties. She felt uncertain about her future and faced mounting medical bills for her treatment.
The client contacted Attorney William Neblett, of Neblett, Beard & Arsenault, for help with her accident case. William talked with the client and helped her understand her rights in Louisiana and what to expect from the legal process. William discussed the available options and helped the client file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver’s insurance company. He worked to make sure she had everything she needed while he built a strong case to support her claims. Ultimately, the case settled for $500,000, and the client was thankful for William’s help and reassurance. The settlement helped compensate her for her injuries, medical bills, and lost wages, and she was happy to be able to move on with her life.
Medical malpractice
Man Receives Settlement After Doctor Destroys Bladder
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OUTCOME: The client’s case resolved for a total of $481,000, which compensated him for his medical bills, ongoing medical needs, and the permanent damage done to his social and personal life.
Our client was struggling with symptoms of an enlarged prostate and was concerned about an elevated result on a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test. He saw a doctor and was treated with medication, wh...ich controlled his symptoms for some time. However, after a few years, his symptoms appeared to worsen again. The doctor eventually ordered a holmium laser ablation of the prostate (HoLAP) procedure, which is a minimally invasive laser surgery meant to remove excess prostate tissue and alleviate symptoms. The procedure is often performed outpatient and generally offers a fast recovery. However, the patient did not know that something went terribly wrong.
After the procedure, the client reported intense pain and remained in the hospital for an additional day. After his release, the client had continued problems with nausea and incontinence, prompting him to visit the emergency room a few weeks later. Treatment and catheter placement was tried over the course of several weeks, but the client was still running a temperature and having trouble with leakage and feelings of urgency. Less than a month after the initial procedure, the client returned to the emergency room with pain and nausea and underwent a cystoscopy, a ureteroscopy, and stenting of both ureters. The procedure found massive sloughing of the bladder mucosa. In the months that followed, the client continued to struggle with urinary issues and bladder sloughing. He underwent several more cystoscopies and attempted treatments, suffering a bladder perforation in the process.
Eventually, the client saw a different doctor for a second opinion. This new doctor found that the client’s bladder had somehow been completely destroyed. As a result, the client underwent an ileal loop procedure, which diverts urine through a stoma on the abdomen and into an external pouch. The client, despite treatment, continues to have issues with leakage and managing medical appliances, making it difficult and embarrassing to travel or attend social events.
The client’s original doctor was unable to explain what happened during the procedure to cause the damage. The doctor believed that the laser equipment had functioned properly and that the surgery went well. However, it was found that the doctor had never received formal training in HoLAP procedures. The training he did receive consisted of a presentation during a dinner sponsored by the manufacturer and a video on DVD.
The client needed answers about what happened to him and why. He turned to Attorney William Neblett for help, who began investigating his case immediately. Although the doctor attempted to blame several potential issues, including low irrigant flow during the procedure and potential thermal injury, it became clear that the doctor simply didn’t know why our client’s bladder was destroyed. No matter the reason for the outcome, we argued that the doctor was in charge of the client’s care while performing the procedure and should be responsible for the long-term complications that resulted.
To support our client’s claim of medical malpractice, we took depositions from the doctor, company representatives, and others involved in the case, and we brought in an expert on medical negligence. Ultimately, our client’s case resolved for a total of $481,000, which compensated him for his medical bills, ongoing medical needs, and the permanent damage done to his social and personal life.
The client needed answers to be able to move on with his life, and he needed financial help with the extensive medical bills that resulted from the surgical mistake. Taking legal action was the client’s only chance to find out what really happened and get the compensation he needed. Attorney William Neblett was unwilling to give up, even when it became clear that there might never be answers about what really happened and left no stone unturned in order to get a good result for our client. He believed in the case, and he was instrumental in helping this client and his family move on after suffering from life-changing medical negligence.
Car accident
Client Suffers Severe Injuries in Rear End Accident and Is Unable to Return to Work
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OUTCOME: With William’s experienced help, the client’s case settled for $350,000 before going to trial, and the client was pleased with the result.
In May 2003, our client was driving on a busy interstate highway in Louisiana. She turned onto an off ramp, and she came to a stop while waiting for traffic to pass at the exit. Another driver approach...ed her from behind and did not come to a stop. The driver instead rear-ended our client’s car as she was waiting in traffic, and our client was very seriously hurt in the car accident.
Our client sustained severe and disabling injuries to her head, neck, shoulder, arm, and hands. Her neck injury was particularly severe and was responsible for much of the pain and limitation she experienced in her daily life after the accident. The client received ongoing medical treatment for her injuries, and she eventually underwent a neck surgery recommended by her doctors.
Beyond adding the burden of costly medical bills, the accident also jeopardized the client’s future ability to provide for herself financially. Before the accident, she had just started a promising new job as a salesperson. Now, with her injuries and limitations, she was unable to return to work.
The client reached out to Attorney William Neblett to talk about her case. They discussed her options together, and William helped her file a personal injury claim against the driver’s insurance company. To help support her case, William obtained relevant medical records, employment documents, and other evidence. He brought in economic experts to help calculate her potential earnings and support her claims for lost wages.
With William’s experienced help, the client’s case settled for $350,000 before going to trial, and the client was pleased with the result. With her case resolved and legal goals met, she would have the compensation she needed to recover as fully as possible from the accident.
Personal injury
High School Senior Accidentally Shot By Friend
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OUTCOME: Their case settled for $305,000, and the compensation gave their family a chance to pay off medical costs, move on with their lives, and pay for the young man’s college education, without depending on a scholarship.
Our client, a 17-year-old high school senior, was over at a friend’s house to socialize. At some point during that visit, the homeowner’s son brought out his father’s gun, and the gun was accidentally ...fired. Tragically, the gun was loaded at the time. The bullet hit our client in the chest, piercing one of his lungs.
The boy was rushed to the hospital with the bullet still in his chest, and he required an initial surgery. Although he stabilized, he was in great pain and short of breath, especially during the first month of his recovery. Eventually, it was determined that a bullet fragment had remained embedded in his chest and worked its way around into his back. A second surgery was performed to remove the fragment and help alleviate his symptoms.
Although his recovery was underway, the family was still plagued with worries about our client’s future. Before the accident, the young man had dreams of going to college on a baseball scholarship. It was now clear that his injury and shortness of breath would prevent that dream from becoming a reality—and the additional financial strain on the family could prevent him from getting a college education entirely.
The boy’s parents were overwhelmed. The families knew each other through their sons’ friendship, and there were several factors that complicated their case and made it very difficult for them to take any kind of legal action on their own, especially at a time when they needed to be focused on their son’s recovery. They decided to reach out to Attorney William Neblett at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault for help.
Attorney William Neblett worked closely with the family, counseling them throughout the legal process, so they knew what to expect. He deeply sympathized with the family and the terrible situation they were facing. He knew they needed help recovering through the legal system, and he wanted to work hard to make sure they had everything they needed. He immediately started investigating what happened, determining who was legally responsible for the accident, and helping the family deal with liens. After filing a case against the homeowner’s insurance company, he continued to work hard to support the family’s claims and show the far-reaching impact the accident had on their lives.
In all, their case settled for $305,000. The compensation gave their family a chance to pay off medical costs, move on with their lives, and pay for the young man’s college education, without depending on a scholarship.
Trucking accident
Man Compensated For Injuries After 18-Wheeler Accident
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OUTCOME: The client’s case settled for $234,000, and the client was thankful for William’s help and guidance through a difficult time.
Our client—a retired, elderly gentleman—was driving on a roadway near the exit ramp for an interstate highway, traveling north using the inside lane. A truck merged off the highway from the exit ramp, ...declined to stop at the yield sign at the exit, and entered the outside northbound lane of the roadway. The truck driver then attempted to merge into the inside lane, where our client was traveling, to make a turn into a truck stop. Our client saw the truck pull into the lane in front of him but did not have time to stop before the vehicles collided. The police responded to the accident, and the truck driver was cited for improper lane change. Our client was transported to the hospital for treatment.
At the hospital, the doctors discovered that the client suffered a serious neck injury in the accident, which was causing pain and limitation. Our client received medical treatment for his neck injury and eventually needed neck surgery which brought him some relief.
The client contacted Attorney William Neblett shortly after the accident for help recovering compensation for his injuries and expenses. William talked with the client and helped him file a personal injury claim. To make sure that the client could get needed medical care, William helped arrange for Medicare to pay the client’s medical bills while his case against the trucking company’s insurance company was ongoing. He reassured the client as his case moved through the legal process and made sure the client was prepared for each step.
Personal injury cases against trucking companies can be very complicated, and our client’s case was additionally complicated by an unrelated intervening injury after his initial injuries in the truck accident. Although the trucking company disputed its liability and attempted to blame the client for the accident and his injuries, William presented facts and evidence to support the client’s claims. William also supported the client’s injury claims with testimony from the client’s doctor. The client’s case ultimately settled for $234,000, and the client was thankful for William’s help and guidance through a difficult time.
Trucking accident
Complicated Accident Case Settled For Injured Truck Driver
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OUTCOME: The client’s case settled for $150,000, and his workers’ compensation issues were completely resolved.
Our client was a resident of Louisiana employed as a long-haul 18-wheeler truck driver. His job often took him out of state for deliveries. While driving in Washington state, he was rear-ended by anoth...er big truck as he slowed for the traffic in front of him. The resulting rear-end collision between the two heavy vehicles left our client with serious back injuries.
After the accident, our client was seen by a doctor, and he followed up with recommended treatment. While he was thankful to learn that he wouldn’t have to undergo surgery for his injuries, he still had a long road to medical recovery. He was off work for a year and a half while he healed, and he also had trouble with bulging spinal discs after the accident. He was receiving workers’ compensation, but he had trouble supporting his family while he was unable to work. He was also in was in a great deal of pain. Although his doctor did not place him under formal restrictions once he had completed treatment, the results of a functional capacity exam showed that he should not return to work as a long-haul trucker.
The client reached out to Attorney William Neblett for help with his legal recovery. William reviewed the details of the accident and helped answer the client’s questions. William reassured him that, although his case was complex, he had options for pursuing the compensation he deserved.
There were several factors that made the client’s case extremely complicated from a legal standpoint. It involved the workers’ compensation insurance company in Indiana, where he was employed, as well as the liability insurance for the defendant company in the state of Washington. Because the client was a Louisiana resident, there were different sets of state laws involved in the case.
The trucking company’s insurance company argued that, since our client hadn’t needed back surgery, he was not hurt as badly as he claimed and could return to work. However, William presented facts that supported our client’s claims of injury and continued to negotiate for a fair settlement.
Another concern in the client’s case was the workers’ compensation lien. Bringing this to resolution involved a lot of back and forth with the workers’ compensation insurance company in Indiana. To help our client get the best outcome, William coordinated with the workers’ compensation adjuster to reduce the subrogation amount.
Ultimately, our client’s case settled for $150,000, and his workers’ compensation issues were completely resolved. He was very happy with the outcome of the case, which allowed him to focus on taking care of his family and financial obligations. Although he chose not to return to his previous line of work, the settlement in this case allowed him to enroll in school and continue with his education. William was also pleased with the outcome. “I was happy we could get him a good result so he could continue his education,” he said.
Personal injury
Negligence During Crossbow Repair Shatters Man’s Hand
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OUTCOME: The case settled for a total of $124,200, including the store’s policy limit, liability from the crossbow manufacturer, and payments from the store owner’s own pocket.
Our client, an offshore supervisor, was looking forward to doing some hunting while home on break. He got a brand-new crossbow, but it didn’t seem to be functioning correctly when he tried it out. He c...ocked it and pulled the trigger, but it seemed the safety mechanism was jammed. The client took the crossbow into the repair shop for the defect.
While in the repair shop, the attendant asked the client to hold a screwdriver on the firing mechanism. The attendant was holding the string with a string puller, but he lost control of it. The client—still holding the screwdriver in place—was hit when the string released, which shattered the bones in his hand.
The client was treated by a hand specialist and needed two surgeries to help repair the damage done by the crossbow. Unfortunately, even after the surgeries, he still struggled with limited mobility in his hand and a loss of strength. This limited his ability to fulfill his duties at work, forcing him to find another line of work. He was out of work for a little under two years due to his injury, and he was unable to return to his high-income career as an offshore supervisor.
The client immediately contacted Neblett, Beard & Arsenault and talked with Attorney William Neblett. As luck would have it, William was an experienced bow hunter, so he had an immediate understanding of what the client described. However, the client’s case would be complicated because the store had limited insurance coverage, and there was an additional product liability claim against the manufacturer of the defective bow. The insurance policy carried by the store was limited to $100,000, and the store threatened to file bankruptcy if the client didn’t accept an offer of the policy limit.
Attorney William Neblett knew that the client deserved appropriate compensation for an injury that threatened his ability to live his life and care for his family. Ultimately, our attorneys were able to build a strong case for the client. In the end, the case settled for a total of $124,200, including the store’s policy limit, liability from the crossbow manufacturer, and payments from the store owner’s own pocket. In addition, our attorneys negotiated an agreement to have the client’s lost wages paid while his case was still ongoing, allowing him to pay some of his bills as they accrued.
Our client was able to eventually find another job in another line of work, and the compensation allowed him to pay off his extensive medical bills and move on with his life. Throughout the case, Attorney William Neblett understood the client’s position and worked to prove that he had been put in a bad situation through no fault of his own. With skill, knowledge, and persistence, we were able to get a good result on behalf of our client.
Car accident
Teen Basketball Player Killed By Hit-And-Run Driver
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OUTCOME: Her case resolved for $112,000. Although money can’t bring back her son, the compensation she received allowed her to find some relief and begin moving forward with her life.
A young man—a high-school student and member of the basketball team—was walking home from a party one night. As he walked along the shoulder of the road, he was tragically hit by a driver. The woman dr...iving the car stopped initially, and her own son recognized the young man she had hit as a classmate. However, the woman had been driving under the influence when she struck the young man. Instead of calling the police or an ambulance, she drove away. The young man she left at the scene died from his injuries.
Although the driver did not initially admit to the accident, the police eventually located her through the damage to her car. She confessed and was ultimately tried in criminal court, but the young man’s family attended the trial and asked the court not to send the woman to jail for what happened.
The young man’s mother had lost her husband and another child previously, making this tragedy especially overwhelming for the family. She was having a difficult time getting help in the aftermath, and the driver who had hit her son was underinsured. The mother was overwhelmed and needed to find someone who could help her make sense of her rights and get the legal process started. She contacted Attorney William Neblett with Neblett, Beard & Arsenault to get answers.
Along with building her legal case and determining her options for compensation, Attorney William Neblett took extra time to counsel the client and comfort her. He wanted to make it as easy as possible for her to get through this traumatic time. The whole staff at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault talked with her and offered support as her case progressed.
With the experienced help of our attorneys, her case ultimately resolved for a total of $112,000, including the driver’s insurance policy limits, her own underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage, and medical payments. Although money can’t bring back her son, the compensation she received allowed her to find some relief and begin moving forward with her life. With these financial resources and practical help from Neblett, Beard & Arsenault, she was also able to memorialize her son by starting a scholarship in his name.
Car accident
Pedestrian Hurt By Hit-And-Run Driver
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OUTCOME: With William’s legal guidance and skillful negotiation, the client’s personal injury case ultimately settled for $76,813.50 in her favor.
Our client was walking through a parking lot with her daughter after exiting a store, when a driver backed out from a parking space. The car struck our client in the legs as she was walking, causing he...r to lose balance and attempt to brace herself from falling. According to a witness, the driver then stopped, shouted at the two pedestrians, and drove away without exchanging contact or insurance information. Thankfully, our client and her daughter were still able to get the license plate number of the driver’s car and contact the police following this pedestrian accident.
When the police arrived, the client stated she had pain in her left leg. Because her injuries seemed relatively minor at the scene of the accident, she chose not to go to the emergency room. However, she planned to see her own doctor soon.
After the accident, the client began to experience a great deal of increased back pain, discomfort, and difficulty performing daily tasks. She made an appointment with her doctor, explaining her symptoms and what had happened in the accident. The client had a history of prior back surgery, and the doctor determined that the jolt of the accident had aggravated her pre-existing back issues. The doctor administered an injection, which helped alleviate some of the client’s pain and discomfort.
When she realized the extent of her injuries and the difficulty of her situation, the client contacted Attorney William Neblett, of Neblett, Beard & Arsenault. William talked one-on-one with the client and reassured her. He helped her collect crucial evidence for the case, including video footage from the store where the accident happened. William helped the client track down the hit-and-run driver and file a personal injury lawsuit to recover her medical expenses and other losses. The police also issued a ticket to the driver of the hit-and-run accident.
With William’s legal guidance and skillful negotiation, the client’s personal injury case ultimately settled for $76,813.50 in her favor. The client was satisfied with the result and happy to be able to pay her medical bills and expenses.
Car accident
Family Caretaker Suffers Severe Neck Injury In Car Accident
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OUTCOME: Our client received a total of $305,000 in compensation for her accident injuries, and she was relieved to move on with her life.
Our client, a 70-year-old woman in retirement, was driving in the left lane of a one-way street. Another driver, a man from out of town, was traveling in the same direction in the right lane. The man h...ad programmed the directions to a local restaurant into his GPS, and he was following those directions as he drove. As both vehicles neared an intersection with a cross street, the man followed the GPS directions to turn left across traffic. He collided with our client’s vehicle in the left lane, striking it with enough force to knock her car out of the lane and down a side street.
Our client suffered injuries to her neck and back in the accident, and her neck injuries were particularly severe. She was in a great deal of pain, and her injuries made it difficult for her to continue the usual activities of her daily life. At the time, she was caregiver for family members.
Our client’s doctors recommended she have surgery on her neck to help relieve her symptoms, but she did not feel she could afford the long recovery time when family members were relying on her support. She made the difficult decision to put off the surgery, at least until she could no longer bear the pain.
The woman knew about our law firm from our reputation in the community, and she reached out to Attorney William Neblett for help with her injury case. William answered her questions, addressed her fears, and went to work on her case.
The accident involved an out-of-town driver, and the potential worth of her case was high. Because of these circumstances, the case against the other driver’s liability insurance was filed in state court but removed to federal court.
William talked with the client often, and he took time to help her understand what was happening at each step of her case. He focused firmly on her needs and preferences throughout the process, and he continued to negotiate on her behalf for a fair settlement.
With William’s experience and negotiation skills on her side, our client’s case against the driver’s liability insurance ultimately settled in her favor. In the end, she received a total of $305,000 in compensation for her accident injuries, and she was relieved to move on with her life. The settlement meant she could pay for her own medical care and continue to care for her family. The neck surgery resolved the majority of her pain and other symptoms, and she was very happy with the outcome William helped her obtain.
William was also happy with the result and pleased that he could help his client move on with her life. “She is a very sweet woman,” he said, “and I was very grateful that she could get her surgery.”
