Louisiana Lawyer BlogBlake R. David’s $5.4 Million Win for Maritime Client Under the Jones Act
Maritime law governs activities on navigable waters and includes the Jones Act, a sector specifically created to protect seamen. The Jones Act federally regulates maritime commerce in the United States and, although originally intended to protect seamen, its effectiveness has eroded over the years due to various factors. Today, seamen face a perilous landscape if they are injured due to a company’s negligence while aboard a vessel.
Despite this challenging environment, our partner Blake David continues to represent clients in maritime cases that are covered by the Jones Act. Blake has moderated and lectured at many Louisiana maritime conferences over the last two decades, including the Louisiana Association for Justice’s(LAJ) High Stakes on the High Seas Maritime Law Conference and the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Admiralty Symposium (where Blake is chair). Blake and Jerome Moroux have served as the LAJ Maritime Section chair multiple times. This year, Blake was recognized by Acadiana Profile magazine as a 2024 Top Lawyer in Maritime Law. He, along with all the attorneys at Broussard, David & Moroux, continues to seek justice for our clients.
Blake represented our client who was seriously injured on a vessel due to the company’s negligence. The incident occurred when our client was working offshore, and the vessel collided with a piling, causing him to slam into the cab of the boat. The pilot coworker onboard was distracted and speeding.
During the trial, Blake demonstrated that the crew was not properly trained, the pilot was on the phone while operating the boat, and the company lacked proper safety policies for its employees. Despite the company’s opposition, Blake was able to help our seaman client successfully navigate the complexities of this Jones Act case through trial.
The jury awarded our client for his lost earnings, medical care, physical and mental pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment in life, totaling $5.4 million. Although the eroding landscape for seamen can make it difficult for some attorneys to take a case of this nature, our attorneys are experienced and equipped to navigate these offshore and maritime cases.
The attorneys at Broussard, David & Moroux have the knowledge and experience necessary to handle cases of this nature and will fight to obtain fair compensation for your injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered harm because of the fault of another, contact the attorneys at Broussard, David & Moroux to discuss your legal rights at (337) 233-2323 (local) or (888) 337-2323 (toll-free).