Louisiana Lawyer Blog

Lafayette Jury Awards $9 Billion in Punitive Damages

April 11, 2014 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

A jury in Lafayette has awarded $1.5 million in compensatory damages and $9 billion in punitive damages to a former user of the Actos diabetes medication after the jury determined that the drug was linked to the plaintiff’s bladder cancer. Both defendants, Takeda Pharmaceuticals Co. and Eli Lilly & Co., insists that their medication is safe and they plan to appeal the jury’s verdict. The plaintiff began taking Actos in 2006 to treat his Type 2 diabetes until 2011, when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration placed a warning on the medication’s labels stating that use of the drug for more than a year increases the risk of bladder cancer. The trial also featured Takeda officials destroying pertinent documents about the development and marketing of Actos, which prompted sanctions from U.S. District Judge Rebecca Doherty.

Twenty-Four Bicyclists Killed in Motor Vehicle Accidents in 2012; Highest Total in a Decade

March 21, 2014 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

While the number of motor vehicle drivers killed in Louisiana declined in 2012, twenty-four bicycle riders were killed in Louisiana in 2012, the highest number in ten years. East Baton Rouge Parish and St. John the Baptist Parish contained the most bicycle crash fatalities with five and three respectively. “Many of the crashes between bike riders and motor vehicles could be avoided,” stated Lt. Col. John LeBlanc, executive director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission.

Speeding Motorist Faces Charges in Fatal Ascension Parish Crash

March 10, 2014 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

State police consider excessive speed to be a factor in a fatal vehicular collision on La. 42 after a Port Vincent man over-corrected and struck his truck into a vehicle heading in the opposite direction. The victim was properly restrained in her vehicle but ultimately succumbed to her injuries on the way to the hospital. The speeding motorist was not restrained in his truck and is currently being treated for moderate injuries at a local hospital. Upon his release from the hospital, he will be booked in Ascension Parish Prison and charged with negligent homicide, careless operation, and not wearing a seat belt.

Truckers Hauling Hazardous Materials Ignore State Traffic Law

February 25, 2014 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

A state law was enacted fourteen years ago that designated Bluebonnet Drive in Baton Rouge as a roadway free of hazardous materials to provide the public a safe route in the event of an emergency. This law has not stopped truckers transporting hazardous materials such as gasoline from using this route as a short-cut on their daily drives. Cameras caught trucks hauling these materials multiple days in a row and citizens who live nearby the area have begun expressing their concerns. “It’s kind of scary to know that they do make their travels down this road,” stated a concerned citizen who regularly rides her bicycle down the roadway. State police have taken notice and stated that they continue to monitor the roadway to prevent truckers from breaking the law.

Class Action Suit Approved for State Workers Exposed to Contaminants

February 15, 2014 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

A judge approved of class-action status for former and state workers who allege that they were exposed to contaminants when they worked at the Baton Rouge building that housed the Louisiana Department of Revenue. Almost 300 current and former state employees have completed forms alleging that the building contained contaminants that lead to health problems, including respiratory issues and asthma and allergy-like symptoms. District Judge Janice Clark stated that class-action certification in this matter is “well-founded.”

Six-Year-Old Boy Killed in Hit-and-Run; Suspect Arrested

February 6, 2014 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

A six-year-old boy along with his nine-year-old sister were struck at a crosswalk at a Gentilly intersection by a man driving a Honda Crosstour, who immediately fled the scene after hitting the children with his vehicle. The boy died shortly after he was transported to a local hospital while his sister suffered only minor injuries. Local law enforcement acted swiftly and arrested the hit-and-run driver only a few hours later, charging him with manslaughter, attempted manslaughter, hit-and-run, and reckless operation of a motor vehicle.

Over 200 Accidents in Louisiana Due to Icy Weather on I-10; Two Killed

January 30, 2014 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

State police have worked on over 200 motor vehicle accidents on Interstate 10 after icy weather conditions consumed Southern Louisiana last Friday. Governor Bobby Jindal declared a “state of emergency” on Friday and local law enforcement urged citizens to stay off the road until the weather cleared up. Stretches of I-10 were closed until Saturday when conditions finally began to improve. Two people were killed when their vehicles lost control on separate icy I-10 overpasses on Friday.

Eight Children Injured in I-10 Bus Crash

January 24, 2014 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

Eight school children riding the school bus home suffered minor injuries after their bus collided with another vehicle. The children were transported to a local hospital where they were treated for their injuries. Police did not say which school the children attended and that the collision is still under investigation.

Pregnant Teen and Two Others Killed in Drunk Driving Accident that Occurred on Highway 343

January 17, 2014 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

A Duson man who investigators believe was driving drunk struck a vehicle head-on after attempting to pass another vehicle on Highway 343, killing three of the passengers inside, including a pregnant sixteen year-old woman. All three of the passengers along with the teenager’s unborn child were pronounced dead at the scene. The drunk driver was charged with three counts of vehicular homicide, third-degree feticide, and reckless driving.

West Texas Man Injured After Being Attacked by Five Pit Bulls

January 2, 2014 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

A West Texas man riding his bicycle suffered puncture wounds to his arms and legs after he was attacked by five unrestrained pit bulls. The man’s injuries were treated at the hospital and local deputies were able to locate the owner of one of the pit bulls.