$80,000 Knee Injury

When Amy suffered a severe slip and fall injury at a business in La Crosse, her life changed in an instant. What began as an ordinary day ended with a traumatic injury that required surgery, left her unable to work, and threatened everything she had spent her entire life building. Personal injury cases are about more than legal strategy and settlement negotiations. They’re about people facing some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

The Slip and Fall Accident and Its Devastating Impact

Amy’s fall resulted from an unsafe condition at a local business—the kind of hazardous situation that property owners have a responsibility to prevent. The injury was serious enough to require immediate surgery, and the recovery process that followed was long and painful. Despite her determination to heal, the reality of her situation was overwhelming.

As someone who had worked as a house cleaner, taking care of elderly clients who depended on her, Amy prided herself on her work ethic and independence. She had worked hard her entire life to own her home and car—tangible symbols of the stability she had created for herself. Now, unable to work and with no savings to fall back on, she faced the terrifying possibility of losing everything.  “I wasn’t sure if I was going to lose my house and my car and everything I owned because I worked my butt off my whole life to get here,” Amy recalled. “I was just sitting here losing my mind.”

Finding Help and Hope in Bye, Goff & Rohde

After seeing Bye, Goff & Rohde’s TV commercials and hearing about the firm’s reputation throughout the La Crosse community, Amy knew where to turn.

Attorney Brian Laule took on Amy’s case, fully aware of the challenges ahead. Slip and fall cases are notoriously difficult—many personal injury firms decline to take them because gathering evidence and proving causation against defendants can be extraordinarily complex. But Brian saw a client who deserved justice and an advocate who wouldn’t give up.

Addressing the Fear of Filing a Lawsuit

Amy wasn’t naturally inclined to sue anyone. “I’m kind of a doormat,” she admitted. “I’m always trying to make everybody happy. I didn’t want to file a lawsuit and upset anybody.” Brian helped her understand that businesses carry insurance precisely for situations like hers, and that protecting her future wasn’t about being confrontational—it was about holding the responsible parties accountable.

Before filing the lawsuit, the insurance company offered Amy virtually nothing. Brian knew they needed to take the case further. Throughout the legal process, Brian provided more than just legal expertise—he offered the personal support Amy needed during one of the most traumatic periods of her life. “You always had a moment for me, or you made a moment for me so that I could get it off my chest and not sit here and spin out of control,” Amy said. “Having somebody that was also a friend was very important because I had a traumatic injury and I had no idea which way it was gonna go.”

Amy had understandable fears about depositions, courtrooms, and facing a jury. Brian addressed each concern with patience and preparation. The entire case was handled remotely—depositions via Zoom from Amy’s home, extensive preparation through video conferences, and settlement mediation conducted by telephone and video. “It was a beautiful process,” Amy reflected. “I never had to be so nervous to go into a courtroom.”

Personal Injury Justice Achieved

After filing the lawsuit, conducting thorough depositions, and pushing through mediation, Brian secured an $80,000 settlement for Amy. The insurance company, which had offered virtually nothing before the lawsuit, finally stepped up and did right by her.

“It was the best moment because then I was like, oh my God, I can pay the bills,” Amy said. “That was big in my world at that moment.”

Life After Settlement

Today, Amy has transitioned from house cleaning to a new job that offers her freedom and flexibility. She works part-time and supplements her income with DoorDash, keeping a few of her favorite clients. “I can go DoorDash and make 100 bucks a day, so I’m not complaining,” she said. “It’s freedom. I don’t have to call in when I don’t want to go to work.”

Most importantly, Amy has hope for the future—something that seemed impossible during those dark days after her injury. When asked what she would tell friends about working with Brian and Bye, Goff & Rohde, her answer was immediate: “Without you, I don’t think I would have made it through the process at all.”