Louisiana Lawyer Blog

Henderson Traffic Ticket Class Action

September 7, 2013 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

A class action suit seeking over $2 million in damages alleges that Henderson police officers were paid to ticket motorists along I-10 under an illegal ticket quote system. The suit alleges that these police officers were paid $15 for every ticket issued to drivers on I-10 and that some of these officers were issuing tickets on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge, which is outside of their jurisdiction. Criminal charges of public payroll fraud, filing false public records, and malfeasance were filed against the town’s police chief and his assistant. They both pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Gulf Platform Explosion Kills Three: $180 Million Sought

August 30, 2013 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

An explosion at an offshore oil platform on the Gulf of Mexico in November 2012 killed three workers and severely injured two others. A consultant who carefully reviewed the deadly accident concluded that the explosion was the fault of unsafe welding practices by a subcontractor of Grand Isle Shipyards, Inc. The report alleges that the subcontractor, DNR Offshore and Crewing Services, and Grand Isle Shipyards did not properly carry out welding processes and failed to stop work when unexpected conditions arose. The two injured workers and their spouses filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in New Orleans, seeking $80 million in compensatory damages in addition to $100 million in punitive damages.

Workplace accidents commonly occur in places such as offshore oil rigs and chemical plants due to the heavy machinery involved and the presence of flammable chemicals. Employers must take every possible precaution to ensure a safe working environment for their employees to avoid tragedy. Workplace fires and explosions can lead to death or catastrophic injuries, such as limb-loss or severe burns.

$5.1 Million Verdict Awarded to Cow Island Residents

August 23, 2013 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

A Vermillion Parish jury awarded $5.1 million to Cow Island residents to help pay for the cleanup of soil and groundwater heavily contaminated with arsenic. The case arose after a Cow Island resident was diagnosed with cancer, making him the second in his rectory to be diagnosed with the deadly disease. A quick test of the water wells in the area found a level of arsenic that grossly exceeded the maximum levels allowed in drinking water. Richard Broussard, an attorney from Broussard, David & Moroux and one of the lead attorneys in this case, stated that the contamination was a result of cattle dipping vats being poured on the ground for decades.

New Orleans Accident: Workers injured in scaffold collapse

August 15, 2013 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

Two construction workers suffered injuries when the scaffolding they were working on at the Drury Inn on Poydras Street collapsed, trapping both under the wreckage until the fire department arrived. Both men had just exited the structure when the collapse occurred, knocking one worker “twenty yards over” when a board slid off the structure and struck the man. Police blocked off the surrounding area until an inspector ensured that the scaffolding was secured. Both men were transported to the hospital with injuries, although none critical or fatal.

Walker Woman Killed in Collision Involving Two 18-Wheelers in Walker

August 8, 2013 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

A fatal three-vehicle accident involving two tractor-trailer trucks claimed the life of a Walker woman and left her husband in critical condition. One of the 18-wheelers attempted to change lanes on I-12 late Tuesday night when it struck the Volkswagen convertible carrying the two victims. The collision with the truck sent the convertible into the path of a second 18-wheeler. The woman died at the scene of the accident and her husband was taken to Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center in critical condition. Neither of the two tractor-trailer truck drivers suffered injuries and an investigation of the crash is underway.

West Bank Accident: 16 Injured as 18-Wheeler Collides with Bus and Catches Fire

August 1, 2013 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

A tanker truck flipped on its side and collided with an RTA bus carrying numerous passengers in Algiers, sending many to the hospital with injuries. The 18-wheeler swerved to avoid hitting the bus when it tipped on its side and collided with the driver’s side of the bus, pushing the bus into a taxicab. The truck quickly burst into flames, but the two truck occupants left the scene unharmed.

18-wheeler truck and bus accidents can be especially dangerous for motorists considering the size of those vehicles and the tremendous force exerted when they collide with smaller motor vehicles.

Lake Pontchartrain Accident Sends One Car into Lake

July 2, 2013 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

A four-vehicle pileup on the 24-mile bridge that connects Jefferson Parish and St. Tammany Parish resulted in one vehicle and its occupant falling into Lake Pontchartrain. Fortunately, emergency workers on the scene rescued the occupant from the lake with no serious injuries. The occupants of the other three vehicles did not report serious injuries as well.

Multi-vehicle accidents usually become problematic when trying to ascertain fault and apportion liability. Insurance carriers may refuse to assist if they claim that you were partially responsible for the accident, which may leave you with astronomical medical bills and other costs. If you are involved in an accident of this nature, you should immediately consult an experienced personal injury attorney who can assess the accident and protect your rights.

The attorneys at Broussard, David & Moroux have the expertise and experience necessary to take on these insurance companies and give you the relief that you deserve. If you or a loved one has suffered harm as a result of a motor vehicle accident, contact the attorneys at Broussard, David & Moroux to discuss your legal rights at (337) 233-2323 (local) or (888) 337-2323 (toll-free).

Boating Accident Leaves One Dead

June 25, 2013 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

A boat crashed near Pilottown, killing one and injuring another. The injured were taken via helicopter to New Orleans for medical treatment and the survivor’s condition is critical.

As the summer months approach and the heat intensifies in Louisiana, many people will be taking their boats on the water to beat the heat. While boats are a great source of entertainment and family fun, they can also be the source of devastating accidents.

Train Derailment Injuries Many- Investigation Underway

June 18, 2013 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

The National Transportation Safety Board is currently investigating a recent derailment outside New York City. Of particular interest to the Board is if the rail was broken before or during the accident causing injuries to many.

Seventy-two people were hospitalized when the train left the rail and hit another train. The damage is extensive and will delay travel and commuting for the foreseeable future while debris is cleared and an investigation takes place.

Geismar Plant Explosion Kills Two, Injures 76

June 17, 2013 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

An explosion at the Williams Olefins chemical plant in Geismar, Louisiana, claimed one worker’s life and left seventy-seven others injured. The explosion occurred in an area of the plant that was producing propylene, a highly flammable gas. One of the deceased victims was an operator at the plant and had been employed there since October. The other deceased victim was a 47-year-old man who later died in the hospital from his injuries.

Workplace accidents are more likely to occur in refineries and plants due to the volatile nature of the chemicals and the operation of heavy machinery. It is of utmost importance for the employers at these worksites to create a safe working environment for their employees in order to avoid dangerous situations that may lead to tragedy. Workplace fires and explosions can lead to death or life-altering injuries, such as burns or loss of limbs.