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Were you in an unintentional injury accident in Louisiana? Do you have a personal injury and don’t know how you’ll pay for treatment? Does the thought of having to raise money for unexpected expenses stress you out? After all, expecting the unexpected is harder than it sounds. How can you expect the unexpected? Isn’t an accident, by definition, unexpected? Unexpected accidents and the injuries caused by them can be inconvenient at best and life-altering at worst. Who wants to pay for an ambulance ride when you did nothing wrong? Who wants to pay for an unexpected visit to the emergency room? Or who wants to pay the deductible to have their vehicle fixed because the person that hit you is contesting fault? It can be overwhelming and frustrating, but getting the help you need is essential.
We get it! You were not expecting these problems, and you do not know what to do. You wish you could hire a lawyer, but the last thing you need or can afford is another bill. Fear not! Many Louisiana personal injury lawyers are willing to review and possibly handle your case on a contingency basis. That means that there are no upfront, out-of-pocket legal fees for you to pay, and you only must pay the lawyer if you win your legal case. If you win your case, the lawyer will be entitled to a percentage of the monetary award that you receive. Notably, the type of contingency fee and percentage of the monetary award that the lawyer receives may vary from lawyer to lawyer, so you should speak with the lawyer regarding his or her fee prior to undergoing representation. A written contract should be signed to memorialize the terms of any agreement for representation in a personal injury case. Additionally, if you win, you will generally be responsible for court fees, expert witness fees, and other expenses expended by the lawyer in pursuing your case. But if you are hurt and believe you may have a personal injury case, you should contact an accident attorney immediately for a free consultation. Personal injuries cases include, but are not limited to, injuries that result from the following:
In such a tough time, you need someone that will fight for you, not someone that’s going to kick you while you're down or add fuel to the fire. You should not be prevented from pursuing a viable claim simply because you cannot afford to hire a lawyer upfront. A contingency contract allows you to obtain a lawyer without needing money upfront for legal representation. Call A Louisiana Personal Injury Attorney Yes, accidents are unexpected, and they cost money, but you should not have to pay unless you get paid. You should not have to be burdened by the financial stress caused by an accident that is not your fault. Let the Law Offices of Philip B. Adams fight for you and get you the recovery that you deserve. We are an experienced Louisiana personal injury law firm that fights for our clients and aggressively seeks compensation for them. No matter the cause of your personal injury, we work to ensure that your case is handled promptly and professionally. If you, a friend, or a family member believes that you have a personal injury case, please do not hesitate to contact the Law Offices of Philip B. Adams today! We are Louisiana accident attorneys and represent clients throughout the state. If you want to learn more information about our firm, feel free to give us a call at 318-230-7199 to set up a consultation to discuss your injury. Has a family or household member ever hit, burned, stabbed, or otherwise harmed you? If so, you may be the victim of a domestic abuse battery. Louisiana law under La. R.S. 14:35.3 defines domestic abuse battery as “the intentional use of force or violence committed by one household member or family member upon the person of another household member or family member.” Based on LA Rev Stat. 14:35.3, if you have suffered domestic abuse by a family or household member, that individual may be prosecuted in a criminal case. However, if you suffered injuries, physical or emotional, you could also sue for your personal injuries even if your family or household member was not prosecuted.
In Louisiana, according to LA Civ Code Art. 2315.8, you may be awarded general, special, and exemplary damages if you sue for your injuries and prove that they were caused by a wanton and reckless disregard for your rights and safety through acts of domestic abuse that resulted in serious bodily injury or severe emotional and mental distress to you. Again, the law allows you to pursue your cause of action regardless of whether your abuser was prosecuted for his or her acts. Even if you do not want to see your family or household member criminally prosecuted, you can pursue them civilly to recover your damages. You may be able to recover your medical bills based on your treatment for your physical injuries. Additionally, you may be able to recover your therapy bills based on your treatment for your emotional injuries as well. Moreover, you may be able to receive exemplary damages specifically meant to punish the offender for their actions. Suffering domestic abuse can leave you feeling isolated and alone, but you have options. If you want to explore your options, you should call a Louisiana personal injury attorney to discuss the matter. Call Law Offices of Philip B. Adams Not all personal injuries result from accidents. The effects of wanton and reckless acts by family or household members may feel like an "insult to injury" because family is supposed to love and protect you - not hurt you. You have endured enough and should not have to bear the burden or the expense of damages that were caused by the wanton and reckless disregard for you and your safety. Let the Law Offices of Philip B. Adams review your case and determine whether you have a viable cause of action. We are experienced personal injury attorneys dedicated to fighting for our clients and seeking necessary relief for them. If you, a friend, or a family member want to know if you have a viable personal injury case based on domestic abuse battery, please do not hesitate to contact the Law Offices of Philip B. Adams today! We are a Louisiana personal injury law firm and represent clients throughout the state. We are zealous advocates. If you want to learn more information about our firm, you can contact us at 318-230-7199 to set up a consultation. Imagine sitting in court fighting for your freedom, and you hear, “The Prosecution would like to introduce a video taken from the defendant’s social media page.” It’s not a situation that you want to be in, but it happens in criminal cases with increasing frequency.
Social media has become a part of many people’s lives, as millions of adults use social media regularly. They post pictures, videos, and/or information for all to see. But, although social media can be fun or helpful, it can also create problems for some of its users. Social media can play a significant role in a criminal case. A video of you talking or making statements on your social media can possibly be used against you in a court of law. However, Louisiana’s hearsay rule is a rule against out-of-court statements being entered into evidence at a trial. Not every out-of-court statement is considered hearsay. To learn more, the Louisiana criminal defense attorney at The Law Offices of Philip B. Adams details more on this below. The Rule Louisiana Code of Evidence Rule 801(d)(2) states explicitly that personal, adopted, or authorized admissions are not hearsay. Rule 801(d) goes on to explain that a statement is not hearsay if it is offered against a party and is: a) His/Her own statement, in either his/her individual or a representative capacity b) A statement of which he/her has manifested his/her adoption or belief in its truth c) A statement by a person authorized by him/her to make a statement concerning the subject What Does That Mean? That means that if you are charged with a crime, it is possible that statements that may be relevant to the charged offense, which are made by you, adopted by you, or made by a person with your permission, and posted on your social media, can potentially be used in court against you as evidence and shown to the judge or jury. So it’s a good idea to not admit on your social media to participating in criminal activity. Don’t talk about beating someone up, don’t talk about stealing, don’t talk about weapons you have, and don’t explain financial hacks that you use, which may be fraudulent. You get where this is going – just don’t unless you want it to be used against you in court. Additionally, and it should go without saying, never post a video of you committing a crime. However, if you find yourself in a situation where your social media is possibly going to be used against you, a good lawyer can be invaluable. Call a Louisiana Criminal Defense Attorney Today The Law Offices of Philip B. Adams are experienced Louisiana criminal lawyers who are proficient in the rules of evidence and understand how to raise the critical issues regarding potentially prejudicial evidence retrieved from social media. We are here to fight for your rights and fight to keep things posted on your social media out of the trial. We have a strong criminal defense practice, and our firm has represented individuals in criminal cases throughout the state of Louisiana for years. To learn more information about our firm, contact us to set up a consultation. “Do you take this person to be your lawfully wedded spouse to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?” Those statements, or some iteration of them, are commonly known as wedding vows. Arguably, marriage confers many benefits upon the people who choose to get married. Those benefits may be emotional, financial, tangible, or intangible. Out of all the benefits that marriage can convey that being in a dating relationship may not, it’s one that can specifically affect a criminal case, and it’s called the spousal witness privilege.
A spousal witness privilege conveys a privilege to married couples that single parties do not enjoy. Article 505 of the Louisiana Code of Evidence states that a witness spouse has the privilege not to testify against their other spouse in a criminal case or in commitment or interdiction proceedings. That means that even if your spouse has relevant or valuable information that the prosecution wants to use in your criminal case, your spouse cannot be compelled to testify against you. Indeed, the law confers to your spouse an extra layer of protection that can be used to protect you in a criminal case that it does not give to your girlfriend/boyfriend. However, the privilege is not without limits. The privilege only persists while you are married. It terminates if you receive an annulment of the marriage, legal separation, or divorce from your spouse. So, if your spouse knows or is privy to information about you that may be criminal in nature, you may want to ensure that you maintain a happy marriage. Moreover, the privilege does not apply if your criminal charge involves a crime against the person of your spouse or against the person of a child that you share. Thus, if you are charged with kidnapping, assault, battery, or other crimes against the person of your spouse or a child, the privilege may not be a workable option. Either way, if you find yourself in trouble with the law and your spouse is a potential witness, you should call a Louisiana criminal defense attorney to weigh your options and possible defenses. Call a Louisiana Criminal Defense Attorney Today The Law Offices of Philip B. Adams are experienced criminal lawyers in Louisiana who understand and believe in the sanctity of marriage. The criminal justice system should not be used to cause the destruction of your family. What you discuss with your spouse and the confidences that you share with your spouse are yours to keep. Your spouse knows more about you than any other person. Many of the things that your spouse knows are private and should be kept that way. We are here to fight for your rights, marriage, and privileges. We have a strong criminal defense practice, and since this firm's inception, our firm has been fighting to keep families together throughout the state of Louisiana. To learn more information about our firm, contact us to set up a consultation. Whether it’s a car accident, boating accident, slip-and-fall accident, work-related accident, etc., many personal injury cases are caused by the negligence of someone. But what exactly is negligence, and how do you prove it? Generally, a person will be deemed to be negligent if he or she failed to exercise the standard of care that a reasonable individual would have exercised in a similar situation or circumstance. Due to the fact-intensive inquiry necessary, in most cases, negligence is determined on a case-by-case basis.
If you were injured by a negligent party, you may be entitled to financial compensation. The Louisiana personal injury lawyer at The Law Offices of Philip B. Adams can help. How Do You Prove Negligence? To prove negligence, a plaintiff must first establish that the defendant owed him or her a duty of care. Second, the plaintiff must establish that the defendant breached that duty by his or her actions or inaction. Third, the plaintiff must show that the defendant’s breach of duty was the cause, in fact, of the plaintiff’s injury. Basically, that means that the plaintiff must establish that the injury would not have happened but for the defendant’s breach of his or her duty. In addition to showing the defendant was the cause in fact of the injury, the plaintiff must also show that the defendant’s breach caused the injury and not something else. Fourth, and finally, the plaintiff must establish that he or she was injured and suffered a loss of some sort. For example, let’s say you are stopped at a red light when someone rear-ends you. In order to prove that the driver that rear-ended you was negligent, you must show that the driver had a duty to stop before hitting you or that the driver owed some other duty. You must show that the driver breached that duty when he or she failed to stop prior to hitting you. You must establish that your injury would not have happened but for the driver’s failure to stop. Additionally, you must show that the driver’s failure to stop caused your injury as opposed to something else. Finally, you must establish that you were injured and suffered a loss. This is just one example of how a plaintiff would go about establishing negligence in a car accident case, but there are many more. The details matter, and establishing negligence is no simple task if you do not have the proper training and know-how. But fear not! A good personal injury attorney can review the facts of your accident and determine whether you have a case. Moreover, he or she can help guide you through the process of establishing negligence, if necessary. Call A Louisiana Personal Injury Attorney Today! If you or a loved one has been in a car accident or any other accident that you believe occurred because of the negligence of another, we are here to help. The lawyers at the Law Offices of Philip B. Adams are experienced Shreveport personal injury attorneys. We can help you assess your negligence claim and your potential damages. We are located in Shreveport, Louisiana, and we represent clients throughout the state of Louisiana. If you want to learn more information about our firm, you can contact us at 318-230-7199 to set up a consultation. Did you know that it is possible to kidnap your own child? Although it sounds a little outrageous and may seem a bit counterintuitive, it’s true. Child custody cases can sometimes turn ugly when two parents are fighting over who gets legal custody of a child. Wrangling over a child's custody can be an emotional experience.
Sometimes, you may feel compelled to go to the extreme to prevent losing in court. Furthermore, when you’re out of options and disagree with the court’s ruling, you may feel that the only thing left to do is to leave the state with your child without permission. Although such an action will most certainly lead to repercussions in your custody case, it is important to know that the action is also considered a criminal act and may subject you to repercussions in criminal court. The experienced Louisiana criminal defense attorney at The Law Offices of Philip B. Adams explains more on kidnapping below. What is the Law? Under Louisiana kidnapping law, a parent can be charged with simple kidnapping of his or her own child if:
Notably, the original custody case in which custody was granted does not have to have been in Louisiana for this Louisiana criminal law to apply. As long as custody was awarded to a custodial parent by any state court of competent jurisdiction, it is illegal for a non-custodial parent to take his or her child from the State of Louisiana without the custodial parent and/or guardian’s permission or consent. Also, as noted above, it is also illegal for a non-custodial parent to entice his or her child to leave the State without permission from the custodial parent and/or guardian as well. What Are the Consequences of Simple Kidnapping? The charge of simple kidnapping is punishable by a fine of not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000.00), or imprisonment with or without hard labor for not more than five (5) years, or both. Thus, taking your child out of state without permission from the custodial parent and/or guardian is a serious offense with potentially serious consequences. If you find yourself in a situation in which you are charged with kidnapping your child, you should seek legal representation right away. A good lawyer will listen to your side of the story and work with you to prepare your defense based on the facts of your case. Call a Louisiana Criminal Defense Attorney Today The Law Offices of Philip B. Adams are experienced and seasoned criminal lawyers in Louisiana who understand that children need their parents, and parents in bad situations need good advocates. When you need advocacy, we are here to fight for your rights and defend you every step of the way. Our firm has been serving the community and fighting to keep families together throughout the state of Louisiana. If you want to learn more information about our firm, you can contact us to set up a consultation. A dog has commonly been referred to as a person’s best friend. They can be loyal companions, and many of us treat them like family members, but not all dogs are friendly. Some dogs are vicious, dangerous, and have the propensity to bite even when unprovoked. If you are unlucky enough to run into a vicious dog, what happens if it bites you? Well, you should go to a doctor and get treated for your injuries of course. After that, you should consider your legal options.
Louisiana has a dog bite law that states, among other things, that “the owner of an animal is answerable for the damage caused by the animal.” Pursuant to the law, if you can show that the dog posed an unreasonable risk of harm, the owner will be presumed at fault because he or she failed to stop a preventable injury. The dog owner will be held strictly liable unless he or she can show that the injury was solely attributable to some third party and was in no way attributable to the owner. Or the owner must show that the injury was due to some unpredictable event. Thus, pursuing a cause of action according to the Louisiana dog bite law is a viable option. In addition to the dog bite law, an owner may be held liable under a theory of negligence. Under a negligence theory, a plaintiff must prove
You have choices. To decide an appropriate course of action, you should consult with an attorney. But what kind of attorney? A personal injury attorney in Louisiana. Personal injury attorneys do not just handle car accidents. Many of them handle a variety of cases in which people are injured, including cases in which dogs bite people. People being bitten by dogs is not uncommon. You are not alone, and you deserve to be made whole. The pain you feel is real, and so are your medical bills if you require medical treatment. Additionally, if the traumatic experience caused you emotional damage, which requires therapy, you may also be able to recover for those expenses as well. Call A Louisiana Personal Injury Attorney Today If a dog bit you, a friend, or a family member, and you want to know if you can sue for your damages, do not hesitate to contact the Law Offices of Philip B. Adams today! We represent clients throughout the state of Louisiana and assist victims of injury accidents, including dog bites. You may have been bitten, but now it's time to bite back! To learn more about our firm, you can call us at 318-230-7199. You are welcome to arrange a consultation with an experienced Shreveport personal injury lawyer to discuss your dog bite injury experience. Beyoncé has a viral song called "Drunk in Love," which speaks about the thrills of being, well, drunk in love. The song is catchy, and it makes the thought of being drunk and enjoying life sound wonderful. Hopefully, like Beyoncé, you can afford a driver to avoid the possibility of a DWI because although being drunk in love may sound fun, being drunk in jail can be a horrible experience. Driving under the influence (DWI), more formally known as operating a vehicle while intoxicated (OWI), is a crime in the State of Louisiana, and it can lead to a variety of unfortunate repercussions--one of which is jail.
If you were arrested for a DUI in Louisiana, please reach out to the Louisiana criminal defense attorney Philip B. Adams immediately to secure the support you need to protect your rights. When Can You Be Charged with a DUI/OWI? As an initial matter, although most of us think of DUI/OWI in the context of driving cars, you can be charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated if you are operating a car, boat, or any other means of conveyance if adequate circumstances exist. What Are the Circumstances? A person can be charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated if any of the following circumstances exist: (a) The driver of the vehicle is under the influence of alcoholic beverages. (b) The driver of the vehicle's blood alcohol concentration is 0.08 percent or more. (c) The driver of the vehicle is under the influence of any controlled dangerous substance listed in Schedule I, II, III, IV, or V as outlined in R.S. 40:964. (d)(i) The driver of the vehicle is under the influence of both alcohol and one or more drugs that are not controlled dangerous substances and that are legally obtainable with or without a prescription. Thus, it is essential to note that there is more than one way to be charged with DUI/OWI. Additionally, it is also important to note that you can be charged with DUI/OWI not only when you have consumed alcohol but also if you have consumed certain drugs as well. Other Factors to Consider The penalty for DUI/OWI can depend on a variety of factors. Consider the following questions:
These are all critical questions that can change the outcome of your case if you are convicted. As a result, it is key to have good legal counsel to help guide you through the process. Call a Louisiana Criminal Defense Attorney Today Being charged with a DUI/OWI can be a costly and burdensome endeavor. However, having a competent lawyer can potentially make a difference in your case's outcome. The Law Offices of Philip B. Adams has an experienced Louisiana criminal defense lawyer who has handled many cases dealing with DUI/OUI. We are located in Shreveport, Louisiana, and we represent clients throughout the state of Louisiana. If you want to learn more about our firm, you can contact us at 318-230-7199 to schedule a free, initial consultation. Were you injured while you were located on someone’s property? Was your injury due to some issue or defect on the property, like a hole in the porch, a break in the concrete walkway, a ceiling collapse, or some other condition on the property? If so, you may have a lawsuit based on Louisiana’s premises liability law. To learn more, you can reach out to the Lousiana personal injury attorney at the Law Offices of Philip B. Adams. In the state of Louisiana, the building owner is answerable for the damage caused by a defective condition on his or her property if the condition is caused by neglect or if the condition is the result of a defect in the property’s original construction. However, the defective conditions’ mere existence on a property is insufficient for recovery. Pursuant to the law, a defendant owner is only answerable for the damages if it can be proved that:
So, ask yourself:
Suppose your answer to these questions is yes. In that case, you should consult a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to determine whether you have a cause of action based on premises liability. Notably, you may not know whether the owner knew or should have known about the hazard or whether the owner failed to correct it, but those are questions that a good lawyer can help you answer. You do not have to figure it all out alone. Help is within reach and can be just a phone call away. Call Law Offices of Philip B. Adams Yes, accidents happen, but some accidents are preventable. You should not have to bear the burden or the expense of an accident caused by a hazard on someone’s property without recourse. Let the Law Offices of Philip B. Adams fight for you and get you what you deserve. Mr. Adams is an experienced personal injury lawyer in Louisiana dedicated to fighting for his clients and seeking adequate compensation for them. Whether you were injured on someone’s property or in some other type of accident, he can handle it! If you, a friend, or a family member want to know if you have a viable premises liability case, please do not hesitate to contact the Law Offices of Philip B. Adams today! He is an experienced Louisiana accident attorney and represents clients throughout the state. He will work to leave no stone unturned. If you want to learn more about his firm, you can visit his website or call 318-230-7199 to set up a consultation. Any arrest can be traumatic, even shocking. It is a scary situation to be in when law enforcement is questioning you and, further, when they are putting you in handcuffs. It is only natural to be thinking of ways to get out of a sticky situation like an arrest, and as a result, you may decide to do certain things that you think could help your situation. This is especially true if you have drugs or alcohol in your system and are not thinking clearly during a DUI arrest. Drugs and alcohol can cloud your mind. With fewer inhibitions, you may be more motivated to act in a way that you think is helpful when, in fact, it is incredibly harmful for you.
Suppose you were arrested in Louisiana for a DUI. In that case, it is not only the criminal penalties that could arise from a conviction that you need to worry about but also the far-reaching adverse life implications of an arrest record and a potentially suspended license. In this situation, you must get the help you need to secure the best outcome possible for your circumstances. The Louisiana criminal defense attorney at the Law Offices of Philip B. Adams can help you after an arrest. What Not To Do After a DUI Arrest After any arrest, being cooperative with law enforcement is usually recommended. When arrested for DUI, there are things that should be avoided to reduce the potential that the situation becomes worse and more complicated with additional criminal charges. Do Not Resist Arrest You may not agree with the arrest or you may be frightened by the thought of being arrested. Since being arrested is not a guarantee that you will be convicted of crimes, being compliant and calm in this situation is the best way to go. Never flee when you are being pulled over, and restrain yourself. Do not get physical with law enforcement. Do Not Be Too Chatty You have rights, including the right not to self-incriminate. Although the police may ask you questions, you do not have to answer them. The only information you should provide a police officer is your credentials, i.e., your driver’s license, name, vehicle registration, and insurance. Do Not Give an Attitude Speaking in a condescending tone or with an attitude and being combative usually doesn’t work out too well and typically will make an already bad situation worse. This behavior puts you at risk of being hit with more charges, resulting in higher bail, more stress for you, and more work for your lawyer. So minding your manners as much as possible is in your best interest. Listen and Follow Orders Keeping your cool is incredibly important, and while you are doing so, listen to the officer, so you know what the officer wants you to do. Follow all lawful orders given to you. Speak to a Louisiana DUI Attorney Today Everything you say impacts the severity of your arrest situation and charges. After an arrest, you should not only follow these tips, but you should also get in touch with an attorney to protect yourself and provide legal guidance. The Shreveport, LA DUI attorney at the Law Offices of Philip B. Adams can help you with your DUI arrest. Please call 318-230-7199 today to schedule a consultation. |
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