Reed K. Ellis

Blake R. David and Reed K. Ellis secure $2.4 Million Settlement for client in product liability case

November 5, 2024 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

A 63-year-old married mother of two, suffered an aggravation of her back and neurological condition after a medical device collapsed in her spine, leading to nerve damage in her arms and legs and severe muscle spasms. After her initial back surgery where the medical device was implanted, our client underwent a revision surgery, in addition to a series of injections and physical therapy.

Before the initial surgery, the client was hoping to recover in time to walk into her son’s graduation several months post-surgery. Her treating physicians recommended that she would require pain management, ongoing evaluations, future medical care, medications, and therapeutic services in the future due to the failed medical device.

The defendant vigorously disputed liability, medical causation, and damages with various liability and medical experts. The device had never been recalled, and the opposing expert witnesses denied that the device malfunctioned or collapsed at all. However, after mediation and on the eve of trial, the defendant settled the case for $2.4 million.

Blake R. David and Reed K. Ellis obtain $2M Settlement for Client Rear-ended in Vermilion Parish

August 28, 2024 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

On June 12, 2020, our client was on his delivery route as a local beverage distributor in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana, when his work vehicle was rear-ended by another truck which pushed him into the stopped car immediately in front of him. As a result, he sustained significant physical and mental injuries, including a documented traumatic brain injury, resulting in ongoing psychotherapy, medication dependency, and injection therapy.

Before the incident, the plaintiff was a healthy father and husband with goals to advance his career into upper management. Though he continued to work at a reduced capacity with the same employer, his treating physicians concluded that he was permanently impaired from this crash and required job accommodations and substantial future medical care.

Blake and Reed remained steadfast in their pursuit of justice for our client, meticulously gathering the evidence needed to build our client’s case. Their efforts ultimately led to a settlement of policy limits of $2 million before mediation or trial. The firm takes great pride in meeting our clients where they are and assisting them during difficult times. Service is one of the firm’s core values, and that service is epitomized by the selflessness and dedication shown by our attorneys and staff daily in thier relentless pursuit of justice in this case.

Jury Awards Plaintiff $4.9 Million for Injuries in a Motor Vehicle Crash

May 18, 2023 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

Broussard, David, & Moroux recently obtained a jury award of $4,900,000.00 on behalf of a 41-year-old wife and surgical technician from Acadia Parish. The plaintiff was injured on August 12, 2019 while on her way to work at Jennings American Legion Hospital. She was traveling down Highway 98 when a Diamond B. Construction pick-up truck ran a stop sign and crashed into the plaintiff’s Suburban, causing it to flip over several times and land upside down in a nearby ditch. As a result of the crash, she suffered immediate and extensive injuries to her neck and low back. Even though the construction worker admitted to fault at the scene, his employers refused to admit fault and contested liability through trial.

Following the crash, the plaintiff was immediately brought to the hospital. She suffered neck, mid back, and low back injuries. As a result of her injuries, she underwent a neck fusion and required a second neck surgery. She also suffered compression fractures in her midback and low back, as well as anxiety, depression, and headaches due to the accident. Her chronic pain required long-term treatment with pain management doctors and her surgeon testified would likely need adjacent segment surgery in the future.

After a four-day jury trial, the plaintiff was awarded $408,857 in past medical expenses, $800,000 in future medical expenses, $948,819 in lost earnings/capacity, and $2,500,000 in general damages. Her husband was also awarded $250,000 in loss of consortium. With judicial interest, the total judgment is $5.5MM.

18-Wheeler Failed to Check For On-Coming Traffic

November 14, 2022 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

On August 5, 2022, a Western District of Louisiana jury awarded $3,000,000 in a rural tractor-trailer crash and assigned 100% liability to US Xpress and its driver.

On February 14, 2018, a scaffolder was on his way to work early in the morning fog on U.S. 190 approaching the intersection of inferior LA 26. At the same time, an 18-wheeler was stopped at the stop sign on LA 26 waiting on another vehicle to pass on U.S. 190. However, as plaintiff approached the intersection, the truck pulled out directly in front of plaintiff, blocked his lane of travel, and caused plaintiff to slam into the trailer near the rear tandem wheels. US Xpress alleged that the plaintiff was speeding, inattentive, and failed to brake timely.

Plaintiff suffered a severe cut to his right, little finger that led to amputation of the finger. Plaintiff underwent surgeries to his right finger, neck, and back, and continues to suffer from headaches and associated psychological injury.

Jury Awards Over $3 Million to Plaintiff in 18-Wheeler Accident

August 11, 2022 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

On February 14, 2018, plaintiff W.B. was severely injured when an 18-wheeler failed to check for on-coming traffic. At the time of the incident, plaintiff was working as an industrial scaffolder, to support himself and his family, and lived an active lifestyle. WB suffered the loss of his right, little finger, a large laceration to his head, neck and back pain injury, and headaches. Bradley underwent surgeries to his right hand, neck, and back and continues to suffer from headaches.

Defendants attempted to place the blame on the plaintiff, arguing that he should have been the one to “brake sooner,” despite the fact that a left-turning motorist has the legal obligation to wait until it is completely safe to make their turn. Defense asked the jury for a verdict of $0 to $429,000. After a five-day trial, a jury returned a verdict on August 5, 2022, as follows:

Bradley was awarded $293,108 in past medical expenses; $500,000 in future medical expenses; $125,000 in past wages; $241,000 in future wages; $690,892 in past and future physical pain; $400,000 in past and future mental pain; $250,000 in loss enjoyment of life; and $500,000 in disfigurement. This equals a total of $3,000,000 in damages.