Personal Injury Law

Personal injury claims and lawsuits arise when people are injured by careless or intentional acts of others, or injured by products that are defective in some way.  When someone is determined to be legally responsible for injuring someone else, they are liable for the injury, and may be made to pay the injured person compensatory damages.  Compensatory damages attempt to put an injured person back in the position he or she was in before being injured.  In some cases, punitive damages are also awarded in these lawsuits.  Punitive damages are intended to punish wrongdoers and prevent them from harming others.  Our firm handles a variety of personal injury claims for clients located in the New Orleans area, including those arising out of:

• Automobile Accidents
• Trucking Accidents
• Use of Defective or Dangerous Products
• Slip and Fall Accidents
• Sexual Abuse
• Negligence
• Claims Arising from Injuries at Work
• Wrongful Death

Injuries suffered as a result of these types of accidents can be severe and life altering.  At the Law Offices of Deborah L. Faust, we understand that your immediate goals after going through such trauma are to get your medical bills paid and covered, make sure you do not suffer financially through any lost wages, and make sure your insurance company will pay for future treatment relating to your injury.  Our experienced attorneys will discuss your situation and go over the options available to you, as well as work with insurance companies and other parties involved in your case to make sure all your needs are handled quickly and appropriately.

Medical Malpractice Law

When most people go to the hospital, visit a doctor or stop at the pharmacy to pick up a prescription, they do not think about medical malpractice.  And for most, they never have to think about it because the doctors, nurses, hospital technicians, and other health care providers provide caring, professional service with a high standard of excellence for their patients.  However, medical errors resulting in death or injury do happen to someone every day.   When the mistakes of medical professionals are caused by negligence or misconduct and the mistakes injure you or someone you love, you may be able to collect payment for the injuries, medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages.

Examples of medical malpractice include:

• Failure to diagnose, or misdiagnosis of a disease or medical condition
• Failure to provide appropriate treatment for a medical condition
• Unreasonable delay in treating a diagnosed medical condition
• Failure to obtain “informed consent” from the patient by fully explaining the risks and benefits of a treatment or procedure

Medical malpractice law is a highly technical, specialized field.   In Louisiana, there are special procedures which must be followed in medical malpractice cases.  There are many complicated details to this procedure, and many traps for the inexperienced Louisiana attorney.  At the Law Offices of Deborah L. Faust, we have extensive experience with Louisiana medical malpractice cases.  We also understand the impact an unexpected injury or death resulting from medical malpractice can have on individuals and their families.  We focus on your needs, making every effort to eliminate the anxiety that comes along with any legal proceeding.

We have the education and experience necessary to substantiate your case and the extent of your damages.  We will review of all of your medical records and conduct a thorough investigation.  We will question the medical professionals who treated you and consult top experts in the medical field.  We will vigorously negotiate for a fair settlement before trial and just as vigorously argue your case at trial to obtain the highest award available.

Insurance Law

Insurance is a contract between the insurance company and the policyholder.  The policyholder pays a premium in exchange for the insurance company’s promise to reimburse the policyholder in the event a specified type of loss occurs.  Common types of insurance are automobile, motorcycle, and recreational vehicle insurance, homeowner’s insurance, health insurance and workers’ compensation insurance.

When a policyholder files a claim against an insurance policy, an insurance adjuster will usually handle the preliminary issues surrounding a claim or loss.  Since the adjuster works for the insurance company, his loyalty and primary responsibility is to the company.  In addition, the insurance company hires or has attorneys on staff to protect the company’s rights and interests.

At the Law Offices of Deborah L. Faust, we are committed to protecting your rights as a policyholder.  As legal professional experienced in insurance law, we will insure that the insurance company will negotiate in good faith and settle your claim fairly.  We will review your policy, help you document your loss or damage, advise you what your rights are under the policy, assist you to file a claim and represent you during settlement negotiations.  If your claim is denied or the proposed settlement is inadequate, we can advise you regarding your options to appeal the decision or pursue a case in civil court.