Call us for a FREE case review 225-647-1700
A back or neck injury does not always announce itself right away. Whiplash, a herniated disc, or nerve damage in the neck can take days to turn into real pain. By the time it does, an insurance adjuster may have already called with a quick settlement offer.
That offer may not account for the physical therapy, injections, or surgery that can follow once the injury fully shows itself. A Livingston back and neck injury lawyer at Gauthier Amedee Injury Lawyers can help you understand what your claim may be worth before you sign anything.
Andre P. Gauthier, who has practiced personal injury law in Louisiana since 1992, has seen how these injuries can develop long after the first call from an adjuster. We know how unsettling it feels to deal with medical bills while you are still recovering.
Back and neck injuries after a crash or fall rarely look the same from one case to the next. The right legal approach depends on what actually happened to your spine.
Our firm looks at cases involving:
Each injury requires different medical care, and your medical records serve as key evidence in a claim for compensation.
Louisiana law puts a real deadline on back and neck injury claims. Under La. Civ. Code art. 3493.1, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for your injuries. Miss that window and you typically lose the right to recover anything at all, even if the injury turns out to be serious.
Louisiana also looks at how much each side contributed to the accident. Under La. Civ. Code art. 2323, the court reduces your compensation by your percentage of fault. For accidents on or after January 1, 2026, if you are found 51% or more responsible for the crash, you cannot recover damages at all.
That rule can matter in a rear-end collision or a multi-vehicle pileup on Interstate 12, where more than one driver’s actions might be in question. A Livingston back and neck injury lawyer can help sort through the evidence before an insurance company shifts more blame onto you than the facts support.
Civil lawsuits for back and neck injuries in Livingston Parish generally go through the 21st Judicial District Court. That court holds original jurisdiction over civil matters in Livingston, St. Helena, and Tangipahoa parishes. The courthouse sits at 20300 Government Blvd. in Livingston.
Yes, as long as you act within Louisiana’s filing deadline. Many back and neck injuries, like herniated discs, do not cause noticeable pain until days or weeks later. Seeing a doctor as soon as symptoms appear helps connect the injury to the accident in your medical records.
Medical treatment is not a legal requirement to file a claim, but it plays a major role in proving one. A doctor’s records connect your symptoms to the accident and document how serious the injury really is. Waiting too long to get care can give an insurance company a reason to question what caused it.
Louisiana requires drivers to carry liability insurance, but not everyone follows that rule. If you carry uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage on your own policy, that coverage may apply to a back or neck injury caused by an uninsured driver. Reviewing your policy is often the first step in these cases.
A back or neck injury can change how you move, work, and sleep for months after an accident. The sooner you understand your legal options, the better positioned you can be to protect them.
Our team can walk you through what your claim might involve. Reach out to schedule a free consultation.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Reading this page or contacting Gauthier Amedee Injury Lawyers does not create an attorney-client relationship.
As your dedicated and trusted Gonzales, LA, personal injury law firm, part of our responsibilities are defending your rights to
fair compensation against the aggressive, strong-arm tactics of insurance companies. We have spent decades fighting against
these tactics. We know how to stand up to them, that’s why we’re your Go2Laywers. The next time insurance adjusters come
calling, don’t talk to them. Direct them to your attorneys at Gauthier Amedee Injury Lawyers.
Fields Marked With An * Are Required
© Copyright 2026 Gauthier Amedee Injury Lawyers. All rights reserved.
Digital Marketing By: 
*Images are obtained under license from Canva and other third-party stock image providers, with attribution included where required.
