Medical Malpractice Attorneys in New Orleans & Louisiana

When you seek medical care, you are placing your life in the hands of professionals. When that trust is betrayed by a surgical error, a misdiagnosis, or a failure to provide the standard of care, the consequences are life-altering. Medical malpractice in Louisiana is governed by unique and rigorous procedural hurdles, including the requirement to present your case before a Medical Review Panel before even entering a courtroom.

Navigating this landscape in 2026 requires more than just legal knowledge; it requires an attorney who stays ahead of evolving reforms. With the 2025 repeal of the Housley Presumption, the burden of proof has shifted significantly—you must now provide affirmative, expert medical evidence to link your injuries directly to the provider’s negligence. As a Louisiana Super Lawyer for 14 consecutive years with an AV Preeminent® rating, Jeffrey Berniard has the professional standing and resources to take on hospital systems and insurance carriers. We understand the ‘case within a case’ and fight to ensure that medical errors don’t result in a lifetime of uncompensated hardship for your family.

When Medical Professionals Break Your Trust

Almost everyone will need to seek the advice and treatment of a medical professional at some point in life. Whether for a common cold, a prescription, or complex surgery, we trust doctors and nurses with our lives. We expect top-shelf treatment.

Unfortunately, medical malpractice is shockingly common. In Louisiana, medical errors can turn a routine visit into a life-altering tragedy. At the Berniard Law Firm, we know that when a healthcare professional fails to meet the standard of care, the results can be devastating.

Common Types of Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice comes in many forms. It is not just about a surgeon’s slip of the hand; it includes systemic failures to protect patients. We handle cases involving:

• Failure to Diagnose: If a doctor fails to identify an illness early, a treatable condition may progress to a terminal stage.
• Misdiagnosis: Treating a patient for the wrong condition can lead to dangerous side effects while the real illness goes unchecked.
• Surgical Errors: These are often the most terrifying cases—surgeons operating on the wrong body part, leaving instruments inside a patient, or causing accidental damage to internal organs.
• Medication Errors: Inaccurate prescriptions or dosage errors can cause severe allergic reactions, overdose, or new medical emergencies.

The Hidden Dangers & Strict Deadlines

One of the most concerning aspects of medical malpractice is that patients often do not know immediately that an error has occurred. It may be months or years before the negative consequences become clear.

However, time is working against you. In Louisiana, malpractice claims are subject to strict time constraints known as the statute of limitations. If you do not file your claim in time, you will be barred from seeking justice forever. Even if you only recently discovered the error, it is vital to consult an attorney immediately to preserve your rights.

Why You Need an Experienced Malpractice Lawyer

Medical malpractice cases are among the most complex areas of law. Judges and juries are trained in the law, not medicine. To win a case, we must bridge that gap.

At the Berniard Law Firm, we work with top medical experts to prove:

1. The Standard of Care: What a competent doctor should have done in the same situation.
2. The Breach: How your doctor failed to meet that standard.
3. Causation: How that failure directly caused your injury or financial loss.

We use expert testimony to make complex medical data understandable for the court, ensuring the truth of your suffering is heard.

Seeking Justice and Compensation

The goal of a medical malpractice claim is to make you “whole” again. While no amount of money can undo a physical tragedy, financial compensation is essential for:

• Paying for corrective surgeries and future medical treatment.
• Covering lost wages and loss of earning capacity.
• Compensating for pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.

While a successful lawsuit does not automatically strip a doctor of their license, it provides the satisfaction of holding them accountable.

Speak With a Medical Malpractice Attorney Today

If you or a loved one has suffered due to medical negligence, do not wait. Contact the Berniard Law Firm today at (504) 521-6000 for a free consultation. We are ready to fight for the compensation you deserve.