You can file a personal injury claim when a person or company harms you because of negligence or recklessness. This claim helps you recover financially, and many individuals want to know the average personal injury settlement in Louisiana. There are many elements to consider in your unique case.
Different Types of Personal Injury Claim Averages
The type of claim you are filing influences the compensation value. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has assessed the average cost per person of injuries based on expenses for medical care, impaired quality of life, and work loss. Some of the average costs in 2023 for nonfatal injuries in the U.S. included:
- Unintentional falls: These injuries cost nearly $141,500 per person for incidents resulting in an emergency department (ED) visit, along with over $268,200 per person for hospitalization. Falls may result in a premises liability claim.
- Motor vehicle occupant: The CDC reported that unintentional injuries in vehicle collisions led to nearly $98,200 for ED visits and over $266,700 for hospitalization on average. In 2024, there were over 146,200 vehicle collisions in Louisiana.
- Dog bites: Dog attacks cost over $9,200 per person for ED visits and nearly $113,600 per person for hospitalization.
- Machinery: Accidents involving machinery cost individuals nearly $40,700 per person in ED visits and over $193,300 for hospitalizations. These accidents can happen because of dangerous products or unsafe workplaces.
- Bicyclists, motorcyclists, and pedestrians in accidents: The CDC reported that the costs for these injuries ranged from nearly $80,000 to over $88,000 for ED visits and between $262,000 and nearly $313,700 on average for hospitalizations.
While these averages can give you an idea of the damages you can recover, they will not tell you what a fair settlement for your damages is. Your unique incident results in unique injuries and costs, so it could therefore be much higher or lower than these values.
Damages in a Settlement
Most injury claims can recover damages like:
- Medical bills, both current and future
- Lost income and benefits
- Reduced earning potential, including job loss
- Property damage
- Other out-of-pocket costs related to the injury
- Intangible damages, like physical pain and suffering, and reduced enjoyment of life
- Exemplary damages in rare cases
The damages you suffered in an accident represent the most compensation you can obtain in most cases. However, several factors can increase or decrease the amount you can recover.
Other Factors Influencing a Settlement
The final value of a claim can be affected by:
- The evidence backing your claim
- Fault determinations
- Whether you were partially at fault under the state’s comparative fault laws, which are even more restrictive starting in January 2026
- Whether any damages caps apply to your case, such as for non-economic damages in medical malpractice claims
- The insurance coverage limits of the at-fault party’s insurer, which could prevent you from fully recovering
- If there are multiple at-fault parties, this can help solve insurance limits by allowing you to recover partial compensation from multiple insurance claims
- Reporting the accident and getting treatment, which provides essential documentation
- If fault is contested by the insurance company
One of the most important influencing factors is whether you work with experienced legal representation. You are likely to underestimate what damages you deserve, potentially not realizing the value of non-economic losses or the future medical bills you may have to deal with. A personal injury attorney has significant experience in these cases, and they can fight for your financial interests.
Our Case Results
At Gauthier Amedee, some of our top results from cases include:
- A $5 million verdict for a car accident resulting in brain damage
- A $4.4 million verdict for personal injury
- A $1.5 million verdict for premises liability for falling merchandise
These case results can give you an idea of potential settlements and verdicts, but they cannot guarantee an outcome for your specific case.
FAQs
How Much Do Most Personal Injury Cases Settle For?
How much a personal injury case will settle for depends on your injuries, your other damages, and whether you hire an attorney. More serious injuries tend to have higher compensation, as costs like medical bills and lost income are higher.
Many factors can increase or decrease the compensation you are owed. However, an attorney can more easily recover the compensation owed and fight against an insurance company that undermines your case.
What Is a Reasonable Settlement Amount for an Injury?
A reasonable settlement amount for an injury relies on your type of injuries, the damages they caused you, and many other unique factors. No two injury settlements are the same, as each accident and resulting damages are different. You must consider both the immediate and long-term costs of your injury, like medical bills and lost wages, as well as the intangible losses, like pain and suffering.
How Much Can You Get for Pain and Suffering in Louisiana?
How much you can get for pain and suffering in Louisiana is not one set amount. Instead, the value can depend on factors like the:
- Number of days your injury affects you
- Value of your economic damages
- Pain and suffering damages awarded in personal injury cases similar to yours
Some types of claims in Louisiana may also limit compensation for non-economic and pain and suffering damages.
How Does It Help to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
When filing a personal injury claim, it helps to work with a personal injury lawyer because they can greatly improve the likelihood of recovering the most compensation available. An attorney can investigate the incident leading to your injury, gather evidence to create a strong claim, and deal with an insurer for you. If the insurer won’t settle fairly, your lawyer can take the case to court. Your attorney assesses the damages you are owed, and they do not settle for a low offer.
Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Louisiana
It is essential that you work with a skilled attorney who knows how to deal with insurance companies and get the evidence you need to support your claim. At Gauthier Amedee, we have over 40 years of experience in personal injury cases, and we understand the complexities of Louisiana personal injury laws. Contact our firm today.
