Articles Posted in Catastrophic Injury

When someone suffers a catastrophic injury like a  brain injury, spinal cord damage, or loss of limb, the impact can go beyond hospital bills and physical pain. At Broussard, David & Moroux, we’ve seen firsthand how these life changing injuries can affect every part of your life. Most people think of medical expenses and lost income, but what are some of the long-term costs that we don’t consider?

What Are Catastrophic Injuries?

Catastrophic injuries are those that permanently affect a person’s life. Whether it is maintaining quality of life in day to day life or having the ability to go back to work. Here are a few examples of injuries that may require lifetime treatment:

In January 2023, a serious rear-end collision on Highway 339 in Lafayette, Louisiana, left a local dump truck driver with significant injuries and mounting medical expenses. The accident occurred when a cement truck, operated by a commercial driver, failed to stop at a red light and slammed into the back of the our client’s vehicle, which was already at a complete stop.

The impact caused injuries to the plaintiff’s neck and right shoulder, requiring extensive medical treatment. He underwent three rounds of cervical epidural steroid injections at the C7-T1 level, followed by a disc replacement surgery at C5-C6 and carpal tunnel release surgery on his right hand. The total medical expenses exceeded $100,000.

Despite his injuries, our client continued working in a physically demanding job both before and after undergoing surgery.

As Louisiana students head back to school, it’s the perfect time for parents, drivers, and school staff to brush up on essential safety tips. At Broussard, David & Moroux, we care about protecting our community, especially its youngest. Here are a few key reminders to help keep everyone safe this school year:

  • Watch for School Zones: Slow down and obey posted speed limits. Speeding in school zones is not only dangerous—it’s illegal.
  • Be Alert for Pedestrians: Children may not always look both ways before crossing. Stay vigilant, especially near crosswalks and bus stops.

In early 2025, Blake R. David and Jerome H. Moroux secured more than $50 million in jury verdicts across three catastrophic injury trials. These results highlight the firm’s litigation success and its unwavering commitment to advocating for clients whose lives have been permanently altered by devastating accidents and catastrophic injury. While the nature and extent of the injuries varied, our team’s mission remained the same: seek justice for those in need who have entrusted us with the trajectory of their lives.

Blake R. David led two of the trials in close collaboration with referral counsel, a testament to the firm’s ability partner effectively with other attorneys to maximize outcomes for injured clients.

In April, a federal jury in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana unanimously awarded more than $38 million to a client who suffered a traumatic brain injury and a leg amputation following a head-on collision with a commercial truck. Just over a week earlier, a jury in the 12th Judicial District Court (Marksville – Avoyelles Parish) unanimously returned a $11.4 million judgment for two clients seriously injured in a car accident, both with surgery recommendations as a result (that has already been affirmed by the trial court).

BROUSSARD, DAVID & MOROUX | JUSTICE. OBTAINED.

The Fourth of July is one of the most dangerous days of the year for boating accidents.

At Broussard, David & Moroux, we know how quickly a holiday on the water can turn tragic. As dedicated catastrophic injury attorneys, here are a few ways you can enjoy your Independence Day safely.

The 2024 amendments to Louisiana’s direct action statute, La. R.S. 22:1269, have brought significant changes for those pursuing catastrophic injury claims. If you’re dealing with a catastrophic injury case, it’s crucial to understand how these changes might affect your legal options.

What’s Changed in Direct Action Laws for Catastrophic Injury Claims?

The 2024 amendments significantly change when and how you can sue an insurance company directly after a catastrophic injury. Here’s a breakdown of the most important updates:

In early 2021, a plaintiff shopping at a local retail store suffered a life-changing injury from what initially appeared to be a minor incident. While preparing to shop, she grabbed a shopping cart when an employee pushed several stacked carts into her right ankle. Although surveillance footage captured what seemed like a minimal bump, the aftermath told a different story.

Within days of the incident, the plaintiff began experiencing severe burning pain in her thoracic spine and right ankle. She was ultimately diagnosed with intercostal neuritis and an ankle contusion. As her condition worsened, she developed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS)—a chronic pain condition that caused significant temperature and color changes in her ankle. Despite undergoing multiple treatments, including thoracic spine injections and sympathetic nerve blocks, her symptoms persisted.

Legal Battle: Fighting for Justice and Compensation

Hayden Carlos gave a CLE presentation entitled “Boudin, Brisket & the Bar” at the Lafayette Bar Association’s CLE by the Hour, which highlighted the intersection of Texas and Louisiana jurisdictions in personal injury law.

“The same way boudin made in Texas and brisket smoked in Louisiana stand out against their native counterparts, so do attorneys who don’t have experience in both Texas and Louisiana when they try to handle cases that have issues stretching across both jurisdictions.” Says Hayden. “Its common for cases in Texas to involve Louisiana plaintiffs, defendants, and medical providers, and vice versa. But when the two states intersect, dozens of issues come up that require careful navigation. So it is always best to get an attorney experienced in both Texas and Louisiana personal injury practice to maximize value to the client.”

Hayden’s presentation underscored the importance of understanding not only the procedural differences between Texas and Louisiana law but also the nuanced legal cultures in each state. Attorneys must be well-versed in both systems to ensure the best possible outcome for clients.

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