The Cochran Firm Legal Blog

The fastest growing segment of the population in the United States is the elderly. Since more Americans are living longer, nursing homes are needed and relied upon by more and more families to care for our loved ones who can no longer care for themselves. Sadly, too many nursing homes have betrayed the trust we have placed in them. In some cases, the very people who were supposed to protect the vulnerable elderly are neglecting and abusing them. The Cochran Firm's Metairie, Louisiana attorneys stand ready to hear the details of your case if a loved one has suffered harm due to negligent or abusive care in a nursing facility.

Although victims of nursing home abuse often are unable to communicate instances of abuse, there are warning signs to alert family and friends of what is happening. Unexplained weight loss, loss of mobility, bedsores, bruises, cuts, broken bones, overmedication, unsanitary conditions, missing personal possessions or suspicious activity in financial accounts are all indicators of possible abuse.

Discovering a loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect is devastating for family members, but it is important to realize there are laws that hold the abusers legally accountable.

The experienced nursing home abuse attorneys at The Cochran Firm have been protecting the rights of our clients for many years in this challenging and emotional area of the law. We will fight aggressively for those harmed by others and hold the abusers legally liable for their actions.

If you suspect a family member has been the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect in the Metairie, Louisiana area, please contact the experienced nursing home abuse attorneys at The Cochran Firm today. Our Metairie, Louisiana attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means we do not get paid unless you are awarded a settlement or award by the judge and/or jury.

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A family of 5 died in a fatal auto accident caused by a Louisiana man who was driving at 98 mph, according to a crash data recorder. The Louisiana man crashed into the family’s minivan killing the two parents, a 12-year-old daughter, and two foster children who were 5 and 6 years old.

The Louisiana man claimed he was driving at a safe speed when the auto accident occurred. He was given a prison sentence of 15 years for the manslaughter of the five victims. The Louisiana man suffered a spinal injury and a traumatic brain injury.

Losing a loved one unexpectedly in an auto accident can bring your entire world to a halt. You may not know what your next legal steps should be and grief can make it difficult to make these decisions. An experienced Metairie auto accident lawyer at the Cochran Firm will guide you through the legal process and help you claim compensation for:

• Pain and suffering
• Medical bills
• Loss of companionship
• Lost wages
• And more
  

If you lost a loved one in a fatal auto accident in Metairie, Louisiana, please contact the Cochran Firm to schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced auto accident attorney.

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Automobile accidents and the serious injuries and deaths they cause can change your life and the lives of those you love forever in one chaotic moment. Victims of automobile accidents suffer pain and disfigurement and often need extensive medical care and treatment and are unable to work for long periods of time or may become disabled for life.

Automobile accidents can happen because of driver carelessness, defects in the car design, hazardous road or weather conditions and various other factors. You may have suffered a whiplash injury or an injury to your spinal cord, a broken leg or even lost a limb.

Automobile accident victims in Louisiana are allowed to name an insurance company in a lawsuit because Louisiana is a "direct action" state. The ability to name an insurance company in a lawsuit is very helpful to the injured party because it tells a judge or jury that there is insurance to cover the damages. Louisiana also has a one year statute of limitations for filing an automobile accident claim.
The Louisiana automobile accident attorneys at The Cochran Firm will fully investigate your claim and also understand your need to get your medical bills paid and the loss of your income financially compensated.

If you live in Metairie, Louisiana or the surrounding area, and you or someone you love was injured or killed in an automobile accident, please contact the experienced automobile accident attorneys at The Cochran Firm today.

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What is considered to be a "legitimate claim" in the aftermath of the Gulf oil spill? A so-called legitimate claim as defined by the CEO of British Petroleum (BP) may be very different from what is considered a legitimate claim sought by a bayou shrimper, restaurant owner or resort manager on the Gulf Coast.

Although BP is said to have paid out $80 million dollars to over 10,000 people in Louisiana, Florida, Alabama and Mississippi, it appears to residents of the Gulf Coast that BP's oil is spilling out at a much faster rate than BP's cash.

The environmental and toxic substance attorneys at The Cochran Firm who are handling claims for our clients regarding the Gulf oil spill know the nature of industries and businesses along the Gulf Coast can bring in good sums of money in a very short period of time during the season. However, people find it difficult to provide evidence in the form of bank statements, pay stubs and the like to back up their claims. Restaurants and resorts see receipts dwindling, but how is it possible to prove the oil spill alone is at fault?

For these reasons, it is important to have experienced legal representation from the skilled attorneys at The Cochran Firm on your side in your legal battle that is sure to take place as claims start pouring into BP.

If you live in and around the Metairie, Louisiana area and you have been adversely affected by the Gulf oil spill, please contact the Louisiana oil spill attorneys at The Cochran Firm without delay to protect your legal rights and make certain you get the financial compensation you need to sustain your way of life while battling this disaster of historic proportions.

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Industries and businesses impacted by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill resulting from the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion are entitled to collect damages for loss of income and profits, and medical expenses due to oil spill related health problems.

Commercial fishing, tourism and other oil drilling enterprises are just a few of the industries that have already taken or are expected to take an economic hit because of the disaster in the Gulf. The oil spill has formed a huge expanse of thick toxic sludge that is contaminating an ever expanding area of the coastlines of Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida. Healthcare providers in Louisiana have reported that workers involved in clean-up operations are already experiencing respiratory problems, headaches and nausea.

The expected economic and environmental impact of this oil spill is expected to affect the people of the Gulf coast for years to come. In light of these dire predictions, how can you protect your future quality of life for you and your loved ones? The experienced environmental and toxic substances attorneys at The Cochran Firm can help you in your fight against those responsible for this disaster. We have the resources required to assist the victims of the Gulf oil spill and are prepared to ensure your legal rights are protected in this battle.

If you live in the area of Louisiana affected by the Deepwater Horizon oil rig disaster, please contact the Metairie, Louisiana office of The Cochran Firm today to schedule a confidential consultation at no cost to you with our environmental and toxic substance attorneys to learn how you can protect your legal rights and get the financial compensation you deserve.

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When a physician is found responsible in a medical malpractice lawsuit, the patient is financially compensated for the harm they have suffered. These payments are referred to as damages.

Money paid for medical bills, rehabilitation expenses, prescription drugs, nursing home care, domestic services, loss of current and future income and living expenses is called compensatory damages. Under this guideline you can also recover damages for physical pain and suffering, mental and emotional suffering, disfigurement and the loss of enjoyment of life.

It is difficult to assess a monetary value on pain and suffering, but experienced medical malpractice attorneys are trained to investigate the circumstances of your case and come to terms with a just calculation.

A second type of damages assessed in a medical malpractice judgment is called punitive damages. This is money awarded to the patient in order to actually punish the physician for their negligent actions.

Medical malpractice lawsuits have deadlines for filing. Those deadlines are called statutes of limitations and may be as short as one year. It is vitally important to consult an experienced medical malpractice attorney to be certain you are within the time limit required to file your case.

If you or someone you love was the victim of medical malpractice, please contact a medical malpractice attorney at the Metairie, Louisiana office of The Cochran Firm today.

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The fastest growing segment of the population in the United States is the elderly. Since more Americans are living longer, nursing homes are needed and relied upon by more and more families to care for our loved ones who can no longer care for themselves. Sadly, too many nursing homes have betrayed the trust we have placed in them. The very people who were supposed to protect the vulnerable elderly are neglecting and abusing them.

Although victims of nursing home abuse often are unable to communicate instances of abuse, there are warning signs to alert family and friends of what is happening. Unexplained weight loss, loss of mobility, bedsores, bruises, cuts, broken bones, overmedication, unsanitary conditions, missing personal possessions or suspicious activity in financial accounts are all indicators of possible abuse.

Discovering a loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect is devastating for family members, but it is important to realize there are laws that hold the abusers legally accountable.

The experienced nursing home abuse attorneys at The Cochran Firm have been protecting the rights of our clients for many years in this challenging and emotional area of the law. We will fight aggressively for those harmed by others and hold the abusers legally liable for their actions.

If you suspect a family member has been the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect in the Metairie, Louisiana area, please contact the experienced nursing home abuse attorneys at The Cochran Firm today.

Labels: Metairie

In the legal community, slip and fall accidents are considered to be premises liability cases, an area of law that deals with the responsibility of property and business owners to provide a safe environment for individuals who come onto their properties and into their businesses.

If you are injured in a slip and fall accident you are required by law to prove either the owner of the property or business caused the hazardous condition to exist, or the owner knew about the hazardous condition and did nothing to correct it, or the owner should have reasonably known about the hazardous condition and failed to correct it.

Owner negligence can result in wet or unlevel floor hazards, snow and ice accumulations, potholes, missing or damaged handrails on steps or decking, broken sidewalks and inadequate lighting. Slip and fall accidents can cause permanent and severe injuries and some falls have proven to be fatal.

Our highly skilled Louisiana premises liability attorneys at The Cochran Firm are dedicated to obtaining justice for our clients who have been injured in a slip and fall accident, and are willing to use all our resources to make certain you get a fair and just settlement from those responsible for your injuries.

If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a slip and fall accident, please contact The Cochran Firm today to learn how to protect your legal rights and get the financial compensation you deserve.

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Defective drugs are responsible for serious injuries and deaths every year in the United States because the drug companies choose to place profits above the safety and well-being of the American consumer.

All prescription medications have some side-effects, but serious injury and death are not side-effects you expect from a prescription medication that is supposed to alleviate a medical condition. Defective drugs have caused heart attacks, strokes, kidney and liver failure, pulmonary dysfunction, blood clots and wrongful death.

Defective drugs have been found in all categories including medication for arthritis pain, cholesterol lowering drugs, sleeping pills, oral contraceptives, anti-depressants, diet drugs, some vaccines, and various other classifications of drugs.

If you or someone you care about has been impacted by a defective drug because a drug company has failed to deliver a safe product to the consumer, you are probably eligible for financial compensation for your injuries due to the drug manufacturer’s negligence.

The Cochran Firm has the expertise and knowledge and history of taking defective drug cases to a successful conclusion for their injured clients.

If you have been injured by a defective drug, or suffered the loss of a loved one from a defective drug, please contact the Metairie, Louisiana area office of The Cochran Firm today to learn what your options are and how you can hold those responsible accountable for your injuries and losses.

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Describing an alcohol or drug-related collision as an accident is really inaccurate because that impaired driver made a deliberate choice to drive under the influence and put other people's lives at risk. Driving drunk or under the influence of illegal or prescription drugs greatly increases the risk of a serious accident involving injuries and fatalities and everyone who gets behind the wheel of a vehicle knows that.

A driving under the influence (DUI) automobile accident is one of the most senseless tragedies that could have been totally avoided if only another choice had been made. A startling statistic states that a so-called "first time drunk driver" offender has actually driven drunk almost ninety times before being caught.

If you were injured by a drunk driver, you have the legal right to seek financial compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering and punitive damages under Louisiana law from the drunk driver. If a loved one was killed by a drunk driver, our Louisiana DUI accident attorneys at The Cochran Firm can protect your family's legal rights to a wrongful death claim.

If you live in Metairie, Louisiana or the surrounding area, and you have been victimized by a drunk driver, please contact The Cochran Firm today so you can have the benefit of our highly skilled lawyers working to ensure those responsible for your losses are held accountable.

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Many homeowners in Louisiana are abandoning their homes after reporting foul odors, health concerns like headaches, respiratory problems, nosebleeds and eye irritation, and the corrosion of wiring, copper pipes and appliances due to toxic defective Chinese drywall that was used in the construction of these homes.

The defective Chinese drywall has higher than normal levels of the hazardous substances strontium and sulfur. To make matters worse, some homeowner insurance companies are canceling the homeowners insurance on these homes citing a failure on the part of the homeowner to maintain the home in a livable condition. This is a classic “catch 22” situation.

Louisiana’s defective Chinese drywall problem has not yet peaked and shows signs of getting worse. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita were responsible for thousands of homes being rebuilt with the defective Chinese drywall and now those same people whose homes were destroyed have become victims of a different kind of disaster. However, citizens of Louisiana are protected to some extent by a consumer protection law unique to Louisiana.

If you or a family member or friend suspects your home contains defective Chinese drywall, you need the help of The Cochran Firm, a leading products liability and personal injury law firm that is committed to holding the international companies responsible for this disaster accountable.

If you live in and around Metairie, Louisiana please contact The Cochran Firm today and learn how the law in Louisiana can assist you in your efforts to obtain justice and protect your legal rights in your fight against the manufacturers and distributors of defective Chinese drywall.

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The unexpected and frightening experience of being involved in an automobile accident can happen to even the most careful driver, so it would be very helpful if you had a plan of action in place to deal with the aftermath of such a stress and anxiety filled event.

If you are involved in an automobile accident it is vitally important to remain calm so you can think and react in a logical and reasonable way. If there are injuries involved, call 911 immediately and contact the police. Do not leave the scene of the accident until the police arrive and do not make any statements or sign anything regarding the accident without your own legal representation.

Dealing with the aftermath of an automobile accident that leaves you physically injured and psychologically and financially overwhelmed can be devastating and confusing. The experienced automobile accident attorneys at The Cochran Firm can assist you in coping with the process of recovering your losses and resuming your life when you feel hurt and unable to handle the stresses of the process alone.

If you or someone you care about has been injured in an automobile accident, and you find it difficult dealing with the stresses and legal issues of the aftermath, please contact the Metairie, Louisiana office of The Cochran Firm today and allow their experienced attorneys to guide you through the legal process to obtain the financial compensation you deserve.

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Whether it is a dispute over a rent increase, a late rental payment, responsibility for repairs, the return of a security deposit or damage caused by a pet, both tenants and landlords have rights and responsibilities under the law.

Landlord-tenant disputes are a common occurrence and could be avoided if both tenant and landlord knew what their rights and responsibilities were. Tenants should pay their rent on time, exert care in the treatment of the property, dispose of trash properly and not take in additional occupants without the landlord's knowledge and permission. Landlords should maintain a habitable property, make and pay for repairs, not cut-off the tenant's utilities and not discriminate when it comes to renting the property for any reason.

The only way to avoid landlord-tenant disputes in the future is to put everything in writing so there is no question about your rights and responsibilities before you rent a property so each party is clear as to what is expected of them. The Cochran Firm has experienced attorneys who can advise you about your rights and responsibilities so you can come to an agreement that is satisfactory for all concerned.

We encourage you to contact the Metairie, Louisiana office of The Cochran Firm today so one of our experienced landlord-tenant dispute lawyers can advise you of the best way to resolve your problem in a way that is agreeable to all concerned.

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Research reveals that the major cause of motorcycle accidents is the failure of other motorists to detect motorcycles in traffic.

Statistics prove that over 70% of collisions are a result of a motorist not having seen a motorcyclist. Other causative factors include bad road conditions, speeding, riding skills and experience levels, and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

Researchers at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report that speeding, aggressive driving and driver distractions by motorists are major factors in motorcycle accidents along with negligence on the part of the motorcycle rider.

When motorcyclists take the safety precaution of wearing personal protective gear, they lessen the risk of serious injury in case of an accident, but even cautious riders can have the misfortune to be involved in an accident.

Motorcycle accidents often result in life-threatening injuries such as spinal cord injuries, head injuries, amputations and even death. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident you may be eligible for financial compensation in the form of payment for your medical expenses, loss of present and future income, rehabilitation costs and other expenses related to your injuries.

If you live in Metairie, Louisiana and you have suffered injuries from a motorcycle accident or know of someone who has, please contact the Metairie, Louisiana office of The Cochran Firm today to learn about what financial compensation you may be entitled to.

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Wrongful death is a legal term to describe a death that should not have happened. A wrongful death claim makes the assertion that someone has died because of the misconduct or negligence of an individual or individuals and that the survivors of the deceased are entitled to financial compensation because of that death.

A wrongful death can be the result of an automobile or truck accident, a criminal assault in a shopping mall parking lot, medical or surgical malpractice, a fall, nursing home abuse or a work-related injury all resulting in death.

A wrongful death claim is a very complex matter to prove, since evidence must be gathered to support the claim, possible witnesses must be interviewed and deposed and medical records, police reports and expert testimony must be obtained. An experienced wrongful death attorney will assist you in the process by protecting your legal rights and making certain justice is served.

If you live in Metairie, Louisiana or the surrounding area and someone you love has died because of the misconduct or negligence of another individual, please contact the experienced wrongful death lawyers at the Metairie, Louisiana office of The Cochran Firm today to schedule a confidential consultation, at no cost to you to protect your legal rights and obtain the financial compensation you deserve.

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The third leading cause of death in the United States right after heart disease and cancer is medical malpractice. This statistic is mentioned in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) in an article that reports that 250,000 Americans die each year because of medical malpractice and negligence.

Misdiagnoses, failure to diagnose or a delayed diagnosis were the leading allegations in lawsuits related to medical malpractice in cases of breast cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, heart attack and appendicitis. A misdiagnosis, failure to diagnose or a delayed diagnosis can cause a delay in treatment, the incorrect treatment, unnecessary surgery, in some cases life-altering disability and even death.

Compensation in the case of medical malpractice or negligence can include damages for pain and suffering, medical expenses, long term care costs, loss of income and loss of future earning potential, and in the case of a death, the survivors and heirs can be compensated for their losses also.

If you live in Metairie, Louisiana or the surrounding area, and you or a loved one has been the victim of medical malpractice, please contact an experienced medical malpractice attorney at the Metairie, Louisiana office of The Cochran Firm today to schedule a confidential consultation to protect your legal rights and the rights of those you love.

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Construction sites are statistically very dangerous places. Thousands of construction workers are injured on the job in this country every year. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates over one thousand construction workers suffer fatal injuries annually.

Some common causes for construction site accidents are inadequate safety procedures, negligence, defective machinery and equipment and violations of OSHA regulations. Injuries at a construction site can range from bruises and lacerations to broken bones, head and spinal injuries, severe burns, crush injuries, electrocution, loss of limbs, paralysis and death.

Falls are the most common causes of injuries at construction sites. Workers fall off scaffolding, ladders, roofs and down elevator shafts. Construction site safety is the responsibility of the owners of the property, contractors, architects and the manufacturers of the construction machinery and equipment. Although there are strict guidelines governing the workplace on a construction site, workers are seriously injured and killed every day. Construction site accidents involve complicated liability laws that an experienced attorney can explain to you.

If you live in Metairie, Louisiana or the surrounding area and you or someone you care about was injured or killed on a construction site, please contact the Metairie, Louisiana office of The Cochran Firm today to schedule a confidential consultation with an experienced construction site accident lawyer, at no cost to you, to protect your legal rights.

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• Pain and Suffering
• Mental Anguish and Fear
• Disabling Injuries
• Necessary Medical Expenses
• Lost Time at Work
• Other Related Damages

• An Auto Accident
• Medical Malpractice
• A Defective Product
• Nursing Home Abuse

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