Personal Injury Lawyers in Houma
Fighting for You & Your Loved Ones
An injury that wasn’t your fault shouldn’t become an obstacle that prevents you from living life to the fullest. Here at Waitz & Downer, we believe that you deserve justice when accidents happen, especially when those accidents are the result of someone else's negligence. If you were hurt, or if your loved one passed away, our team of Houma personal injury lawyers is ready to fight for you. With a legacy of fighting for families throughout the Gulf Coast, we offer truly personalized legal representation and dedicated advocacy for people whose lives have been forever altered through no fault of their own.
With over 100 years of combined experience representing clients in the state of Louisiana, our firm has the knowledge and skill to represent you. Get help with your personal injury case today and take the first step toward a brighter future.
Contact us today to discuss your legal options after a serious injury. Call (985) 331-7832 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
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“Waitz and Downer has handled legal affairs for my family for years. My daughter was involved in a head on collision with a drunk driver. The insurance company did not want to pay for my daughter to purchase a new car, hers was totaled. Waitz and Downer handled the matter very professionally and things were settled very quickly.”- Lie Ann M.
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“Mary is sharp, professional, and friendly. She strives to meets the needs of her clients, and she truly invest in them and their cases. She is easily assessable, and she is exceptionally honest and trustworthy. She is an excellent attorney, and I highly recommend her!- Dana P.
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“Excellent law firm. Attorney Hunt Downer is a very down to earth guy who likes to keep it simple.”- Joseph G.
A Longstanding History of Service to the Gulf Coast
The law firm of Waitz & Downer was founded in 1971 by the late Joseph L. Waitz with the goal of providing legal representation to individuals and families across the Gulf Coast region who had suffered catastrophic losses in oilfield accidents, maritime accidents, auto accidents, and other devastating events. Over the decades, we have built a practice founded on honesty, integrity, and a deep, unwavering commitment to our clients. Rather than taking a high volume of cases and settling them as quickly as possible, we selectively take cases involving severe bodily injury and wrongful death, working meticulously to develop powerful, evidence-backed claims and seeking full compensation for those we represent.
At Waitz & Downer, we are not content to settle for the first offer. Instead, we are willing to do what it takes to get our clients the financial recovery they need for past, current, and future losses—even if that means going to trial.
It’s not just about compensation; it’s about justice and doing what’s right. It’s about accountability and sending a message, loud and clear, that negligence simply won’t be tolerated. It’s about standing up for our community, from Houma to all of Terrebonne Parish and beyond.
Whether you suffered a life-changing injury in a motor vehicle accident or at work, were harmed offshore due to lax safety standards, or lost a loved one in a tragic and preventable incident, our team can help. We invite you to reach out to our personal injury attorneys in Houma to learn more during a completely free consultation. When you choose Waitz & Downer, you don’t pay anything unless we recover compensation for you.
your support starts here
Standing with You from Day One
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Ellen D. Doskey AttorneyEllen Daigle Doskey has over 25 years of experience in the practice of law in Louisiana. Her private practice specializes in wills, successions, trusts, estate planning, and elder law. She also has expertise in researching and writing of briefs, memos, and appeals.
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Hunt Downer Jr. AttorneyWith over 50 years of experience practicing law and over a decade serving in the Louisiana House of Representatives, Hunt Downer is a trial and litigation attorney who specializes in plaintiff work and representing individuals in the oil, gas, and seafood industries.
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Mary Waitz Riviere AttorneyMary Waitz Riviere possesses a 30-year career in a variety of complex serious personal injury cases. She has a special love for maritime and offshore cases, is an outspoken defender and advocate of victims’ rights, and specializes in helping people obtain disability benefits.
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Hon. Joseph Waitz Jr. Attorney - Of CounselA proud native of the Bayou Region and graduate of Nicholls State University, Joseph L. Waitz has served as the District Attorney of Terrebonne Parish since 1997. He is passionate about children’s advocacy and cases involving impaired driving and has established multiple probation programs for select offenders. He is of counsel with Waitz & Downer.
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Joseph L. Waitz III AttorneySince joining the firm in 2014, Joseph Waitz III has represented numerous injured clients, and has achieved millions in judgments or settlements. Joseph believes in stern and aggressive representation of his clients in order to ensure that the maximum amount of money is recovered.
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Gary Williams Jr. AttorneyGary Williams Jr. has practiced law in the state of Louisiana since 2015, boasting six years as an Assistant District Attorney. He has experience with personal injury cases, wills, successions, contracts, and business litigations and currently stands as incoming president of the Terrebonne Parish Bar Association.
Why Clients Trust Our Houma Personal Injury Attorneys
With a legal team that hails from the Gulf Coast Region and knows well the workings of the region’s unique industries, Waitz & Downer is committed to treating clients like family. We offer a truly personal approach, meeting often with our clients and remaining reliably available to take their calls and answer their questions. We have stood by South Louisiana residents through some of the region’s most challenging times, from devastating oil spills to catastrophic hurricanes and everything in between.
We are proud to be a third-generation family law firm. At present, our team comprises the skill of former Louisiana Speaker of the House Hunt Downer and Mr. Waitz’s children: Terrebonne Parish District Attorney Joe Waitz, Jr., who is of counsel, and daughter Mary Waitz Riviere. The firm’s talent is rounded out by Mr. Waitz’s grandson Joseph Waitz, III, as well as attorneys Ellen Daigle Doskey and Gary Williams, Jr.
No matter how complicated your case or how difficult your situation may seem, we can help. If you were injured, and you believe someone else was at fault, reach out to our personal injury lawyers in Houma to get the compassionate and dedicated legal advocacy you need.
Reach us online or by phone at (985) 331-7832. We look forward to hearing from you and learning how we can assist with your case.
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Strength with Heart
Big-firm results, small-town heart—we treat every client like one of our own.
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We Stand Firm
From oilfields to open waters, we fight for the injured and the families left behind.
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One Shared MissionThree generations strong, our family’s legacy is protecting yours when tragedy strikes.
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Rooted in the Gulf Coast
Born from the region we serve, we stand with our neighbors through every storm and every fight for justice.