Jones & Hill March 2018

What Comparative Negligence Means for Injured Workers The Value of Honesty

If you were raised like us, you understand the value of personal responsibility. It takes a lot of honesty and goodwill to own up to your own mistakes and make amends. In Louisiana, the law accommodates these values, since it’s what’s known

more uniform, it really comes down to subjectivity. This is a crucial factor to be aware of when pursuing a personal injury claim.

In our line of work, we are privileged to represent some of the most hardworking, honest folk you’ll ever meet in Louisiana, from farmhands to oil rig workers. More often than not, these people are willing to own up to their mistakes. Maybe they didn’t read the labels on a dangerous piece of equipment, or perhaps they neglected to seek care immediately following an injury. This honesty is crucial; you should always tell the truth in court. It’s also important that you don’t overstate your own liability. This is just one more reason why having a lawyer on your side is so valuable. Recovering from serious injuries is very expensive, not just because of the costs of treatment and medication, but because of lost wages as well. An experienced Louisiana personal injury attorney understands both the value of honesty and the ins and outs of comparative negligence. They can ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries.

as a comparative negligence state.

Comparative negligence is a fancy name for a simple concept. It means that when an accident occurs, everyone who contributed to it is held accountable. In personal injury cases, the jury will allocate a percentage of blame to all negligent parties, including the plaintiff. For example, if you cross a street against a traffic light and are hit by a driver talking on their cellphone, a court may find that your injuries are 20 percent your own fault. This means that the negligent driver would pay 80 percent of the compensation you were seeking, leaving you to cover the rest. While comparative negligence sounds fair on paper, it’s far more complicated and problematic in practice. How do you quantify personal responsibility? While there are formulas that help make this practice

TAKE A BREAK

This simple and delicious one-pot recipe is perfect for a weeknight. It only requires about 15 minutes of hands-on work, but will taste like you spent all day building flavors. It’s a hearty comfort food that’s sure to delight eaters of all ages. Braised Chicken and Spring Vegetables

Ingredients

4 large carrots, cut into sticks

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon sugar

8 small bone-in chicken thighs

2 tablespoons fresh

1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

12 radishes, halved

Directions

1. Heat olive oil in a large saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. 2. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Brown in pan for 6 to 7 minutes per side. 3. Remove chicken from pan and scrape off excess fat. Add broth and stir in radishes, carrots, and sugar. 4. Return chicken to pan, placing on top of vegetables. Gently simmer with lid on pan for 15 to 20 minutes. Finish with chives.

Recipe inspired by Real Simple

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