After helping his cousin fight the insurance company for her disability claim, Loyd J. Bourgeois said he saw how overwhelming, frustrating and sometimes unfair the legal system can be for those trying to get back on their feet.
“I knew I wanted to make a difference,” Bourgeois said
Bourgeois, a 1997 graduate of Hahnville High school and a graduate of both LSU and Tulane Law School, opened his injury and accident firm in Luling in 2010. Late last year, LSU ranked his firm as the No. 9 fastest growing LSU-alumni led business.
Bourgeois said he learned in September that his firm made the 2024 LSU100, which ranks the fastest growing alumni-led companies worldwide by calculating business’ compounded annual growth rate.
“We did not know of our No. 9 ranking until it was announced at the celebratory gala in November,” Bourgeois said. “Making the list was an honor, but being in the top 10 considering LSU’s impact was very surprising.”
Bourgeois said he hopes to provide his clients some relief and clarity in difficult situations.
“Personal injury law gives me the opportunity to stand beside everyday people and help them find some measure of financial justice for emotional and physical harms they suffered through no fault of their own,” he said.
But he said personal injury cases are often misunderstood.
“One common misconception is that individuals will always receive enough compensation to cover their losses, including medical bills, lost wages, and long-term care,” he said. “Initial offers may fall short of addressing the full scope of a victim’s needs, especially without proper guidance.”
He also said there is nothing wrong of shameful about using a policy that was specifically designed to provide people protections.
“In our community, many people feel that ‘suing’ just isn’t something they do,” he said. “They work hard, do the right thing, and faithfully pay their insurance premiums for years. But when someone is injured, they and their families deserve fair and full financial justice to help rebuild their lives and cover the losses they’ve suffered.”
Bourgeois said it’s also common for people to underestimate injuries that seem minor at first.
“We’re tough and resilient down here,” he said. “Many people think they can wait out their nagging pain and it will resolve with time. But these injuries can turn out to be more serious or long-term. Once an injured party has settled their claim, they cannot ever go back for more money if the injury was more serious than originally realized.”
Bourgeois’ firm focuses on car accidents, personal injury and Social Security disability claims. He attributed the firm’s growth and success to believing and trusting in his team.
“We have talented individuals who are focused on and motivated by helping others,” he said.
He said his engineering degree from LSU also helps to create more efficient processes that help resolve cases faster and lower costs for clients.
Bourgeois said he is looking forward to expanding his firm’s reach in the parish.
“My wife and I grew up here, went to school here, our kids grew up here and are in school here,” he said. “St. Charles Parish is special to us, and we are just thankful to be a part of it.”
