• posted: Aug. 26, 2025
• Mark W. Smith
• Accident,  Law,  Mark.W.Smith,  Hands Free,  Penalties

Louisiana drivers are facing a major change to the rules of the road. A new (and stricter) "hands-free" cell phone law went into effect on August 1st, and enforcement will be Read More

• posted: Jul. 30, 2025
• Mark W. Smith
• No Pay No Play,  Louisiana Personal Injury Attorney,  Uninsured Driver,  Accident Injury

The law states that if you are an owner or operator of a vehicle involved in an accident and you do not have the required liability insurance, you can be barred from recovering certain damages, even if the other driver was 100% at fault. Read More

• posted: Jul. 01, 2025
• Mark W. Smith
• SSDI,  SSDI Denied,  Disability Benefits

At Mark W. Smith & Associates, we guide Louisiana residents through the complex SSDI appeals process on a regular basis. This blog explains what happens after a denial and why the hearing stage is so critical. Read More

• posted: May 30, 2025
• Mark W. Smith
• Mark W. Smith,  Injury,  Lawyer,  Slip and Fall Incidents,  Mark W. Smith & Associates,  Attorneys,  Louisiana Attorney,  Slip & Fall,  Slip & Fall Accidents

In Louisiana, property owners have a responsibility to keep their premises reasonably safe. And when they fail to do so, the consequences can be quite serious.  At Mark W. Smith & Read More

• posted: Apr. 28, 2025
• Mark W. Smith
• Mark W. Smith,  Injury,  Lawyer,  Attorney,  Mark W. Smith & Associates,  Defective Premises,  Rental Market,  Rental Property

Scrambling for a new apartment is exciting in some ways, but it comes with risks. Navigating the competitive rental market leads many folks to overlook crucial details, and unfortunately, that Read More

• posted: Mar. 28, 2025
• Mark W. Smith
• Mark W. Smith,  Slip and Fall Incidents,  Mark W. Smith & Associates,  Property Owners,  International Claims,  Louisiana Lawyer,  Premises Liability,  Injured Abroad,  Vacation Safety

Spring break always brings renewed attention to the potential risks of traveling abroad. At this time of year, as they plan vacations and international trips, many folks are wondering: “What are Read More

• posted: Feb. 28, 2025
• Mark W. Smith
• Mark W. Smith,  Mark W. Smith & Associates,  Direct Action,  Insurance,  Louisiana Direct Action Statute,  Personal Injury Case,  Direct Action Statute

Picture this: you get in a car accident, and you’re injured in the aftermath. At first, it seems like everything is going the way it should. The negligent party gives Read More

• posted: Jan. 24, 2025
• Mark W. Smith
• Substantial Gainful Activity,  Mark W. Smith & Associates,  SSDI,  SSDI Benefits,  Cost of Living,  Trial Work Period

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has announced several key alterations to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for 2025. And at Mark W. Smith & Associates, we want you informed and Read More

• posted: Dec. 30, 2024
• Mark W. Smith
• Mark W. Smith,  Nursing Home,  Nursing Home Abuse,  Mark W. Smith & Associates,  Nursing Home Neglect

As our population ages, the need for quality nursing home care grows. Unfortunately, despite that growing need, or perhaps because of it, cases of nursing home abuse and neglect are more common Read More

• posted: Dec. 03, 2024
• Mark W. Smith
• Mark W. Smith,  Social Security Disability,  Mark W. Smith & Associates,  Social Security Disability Claims,  SSD Claim,  Social Media

For many, social media has become an integral part of daily life. Most of us share our thoughts, experiences, and photos with friends and family, often without a second thought. Read More

• posted: Oct. 28, 2024
• Mark W. Smith
• Mark W. Smith,  Car Accidents,  Louisiana,  Mark W. Smith & Associates,  Medical Malpractice,  Wrongful Death,  Workplace Accidents

Losing a loved one is devastating, but when that loss is the result of another person's negligence or intentional misconduct, those left behind can seek justice through wrongful death claims.  Wrongful Read More

• posted: Sep. 30, 2024
• Mark W. Smith
• Mark W. Smith,  Louisiana,  Mark W. Smith & Associates,  Louisiana Law,  Attractive Nuisance Doctrine,  Children,  Property Owners,  Attractive Nuisance

In Louisiana, property owners generally do not owe a legal duty to trespassers, so they don’t need to ensure the safety of said intruders, regardless of age. However, there is Read More

• posted: Sep. 03, 2024
• Mark W. Smith
• Mark W. Smith,  Hurricane Season,  Lawyer,  Attorney,  Mark W. Smith & Associates,  Hurricane,  Hurricane Damage,  Property Damage,  Legal Representation,  Law,  Claims

Hurricanes can cause widespread destruction and leave individuals facing significant property damage. Navigating the complexities of seeking compensation can be overwhelming, especially during such an emotionally distressing time. To avoid common Read More

• posted: Jul. 30, 2024
• Mark W. Smith
• Mark W. Smith & Associates,  Negligence,  Defective Premises Case,  Attorneys at Law,  Duty of Care,  Breach of Duty,  Causation,  Damages,  Economic Damages,  Non-economic Damages,  Evidence

If you've been injured on someone else's property due to a hazardous condition, you may have a defective premises claim. Proving negligence is necessary to recover damages, and we at Read More

• posted: Jul. 01, 2024
• Mark W. Smith
• Mark W. Smith,  Mark W. Smith & Associates,  Medical Malpractice,  Medical Negligence,  Anesthesia,  Surgery,  Legal Advice

When you go in for surgery, you are putting your life in the hands of doctors whose job it is to protect it. However, when mistakes happen, you could be Read More

• posted: May 29, 2024
• Mark W. Smith
• Mark W. Smith,  Injury,  Mark W. Smith and Associates,  Injuries,  Electric Vehicles,  Vehicle Accident

The world of personal injury law is constantly adapting to keep pace with technological advancements, especially on our roads. Here at Mark W. Smith and Associates, we stay at the forefront Read More