Wrongful Death

Jerome H. Moroux and Emily C. Borgen obtain significant settlement in tragic wrongful death case

October 7, 2024 | by Jerome H. Moroux

On September 15, 2020, our 16-year-old client collapsed at high school football practice and died three days later from multiple organ failure caused by heat stroke. Although coaches and athletic trainers were present during the incident, they failed to follow generally accepted procedures for treatment of heat stroke, and lacked the necessary medical equipment to properly treat our client.

Jerome Moroux represented our client’s bereaved mother in her lawsuit against the school district and athletic trainers. During the case, we learned that the district failed to identify potential risks for larger players and did not properly acclimate them to the heat after resuming practices that had been delayed for several weeks due to the pandemic. The plaintiff collapsed just one day after the team began practicing in full pads.

With the help of his paralegals and Emily Borgen, Jerome’s efforts ultimately led to a substantial settlement for our client’s mother. While nothing could heal the loss of her son, Jerome remained persistent and passionate about obtaining justice for the family. Our firm possesses a strong conviction in fighting for our clients and what is right. We are deeply passionate about the cases brought into our office, which drives us to achieve the best results possible.

Pedestrian Safety Tips

November 16, 2022 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

During the evening of November 13, Lafayette Police Department responded to the scene of a vehicle crash involving a pedestrian on Bertrand Drive. The female pedestrian died on the scene as a result of her injuries.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 6,516 pedestrians were killed and an estimated 55,000 were injured nationwide in 2020. In light of these facts and the events of last weekend, Broussard, David & Moroux would like to remind both those driving and walking of tips to keep everyone safe on the roads.

For drivers, the following tips can help to protect pedestrians walking near roads:

Helicopter Crash in the Gulf of Mexico

October 28, 2022 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

The U.S. Coast Guard received a call at 6:35 P.M. on Wednesday from Westwind Helicopter Inc. personnel confirming a company helicopter crashed into the Gulf with three people aboard. The crash occurred 46 miles offshore near Morgan City.

The Coast Guard District Eight watchstanders coordinated the launch of a Coast Guard Air Station New Orleans MH-60 Jayhawk aircrew and diverted an Aviation Training Center Mobile HC-144 Ocean Sentry aircrew to assist. The Jayhawk aircrew arrived and found two crewmembers hanging onto life rafts. These two crewmembers were hoisted from the water. The body of a deceased third crewmember was found in the fuselage of the submerged helicopter.

The two surviving crewmembers were transferred to University Medical Center New Orleans and were last reported to be in critical condition. The cause of the incident is still under investigation.

Helicopter Hits Transmission Line in Heavy Fog Causing Pilot Fatality on I-10

December 20, 2021 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

On Tuesday, December 14, 2021, a helicopter crashed on the Interstate 10 bridge over the Bonnett Carre Spillway during fog after clipping an Entergy Louisiana transmission line. The pilot, Jason Hawley, was pronounced dead at the scene. The accident briefly cut electricity to over 20,000 customers in Kenner and Metairie and caused a multi-parish traffic jam on I-10. The Bell 407 chopper was headed from Gonzales to Lakefront Airport in New Orleans to pick up passengers that afternoon.

The National Transportation Safety Board will take the lead on the crash investigation with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Broussard, David & Moroux extends their condolences to Jason Hawley’s family and friends. Broussard, David & Moroux also wants to remind all pilots to take the necessary precautions that are needed during bad weather.

Distracted Driver Causes Accident Leading to Death of Sheriff’s Deputy

July 27, 2021 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

On Friday morning, Deputy Lonnie Thacker of the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s office responded to a two vehicle car accident on I-49 northbound. While sitting in the right lane with the emergency lights on, Deputy Thacker’s patrol vehicle was struck from behind by a Kia Sorento, causing both vehicles to veer off the road. Deputy Thacker was inside the vehicle at the time and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Sorento was taken to Oschner Hospital and reported only minor injuries.

The Caddo Sheriff’s office has turned over the investigation to the Louisiana State Police. Impairments are not expected to a contributing factor, but the State Police believe distraction to the driver is the cause of the accident.

Broussard, David & Moroux extends their condolences to Deputy Thacker’s family and friends as well as the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s office.

Two Fatal Crashes on Interstate 10 on the Same Day Close the Interstate in Both Directions

July 6, 2021 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

On July 6, 2021, Interstate 10 was the location of two fatal car crashes, which occurred about thirty miles from each other. For approximately two hours, I-10 experienced closures in both the east and west bound lanes.

The first occurred earlier in the day around 8:00am. Near mile marker 92 near Duson, an 18-wheeler truck going westbound crossed into the eastbound lane and struck a truck pulling a livestock trailer head on, causing the 18-wheeler to overturn into the median. This multi-car crash resulted in two fatalities and five injuries- the identities of the victims have not been reported at this time. All westbound lanes on I-10 near miler marker 92 were closed until about 4:00 that afternoon.

The second accident occurred around noon at mile marker 69 between Jennings and Egan. Though information of the crash has not been released, Louisiana State Police has reported that the interstate-closing crash in the eastbound lanes was fatal. After about two hours, the eastbound lanes were cleared.

Several workers injured after explosion in Gulf of Mexico

May 25, 2021 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

MORGAN CITY – As many as eight people were hurt in an explosion reported at a natural gas well in the Gulf of Mexico Tuesday afternoon.

Authorities said the incident was reported sometime before 3 o’clock after a well ignited. The victims reportedly suffered varying burn injuries in the explosion.

The patients were taken by boat to a dock in Morgan City. Helicopters were expected to land there to move those victims to a hospital.

Tragic Crash Claims Life of 6-year-old Child in Calcasieu Parish

May 5, 2021 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

An afternoon crash claimed the life of a 6-year-old child in Calcasieu Parish. A vehicle ran a stop sign and collided with an SUV cause the SUV to flip several time before landing in a ditch. The 6-year-old child was unrestrained in the SUV and was ejected from the vehicle during the crash. Drivers of both vehicles sustained minor injuries with the additional minor passengers in the SUV sustaining no injuries. Impairment is not suspected in this crash.

Broussard, David & Moroux offer their condolences and sympathy to the family and friends during this difficult time.

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).

Coast Guard Rescues 6 of 19 People on Capsized Boat off Louisiana Coast, Search Continues

April 14, 2021 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

Six of the nineteen people onboard a 129-foot commercial lift boat that capsized off the Louisiana coast Tuesday afternoon have been rescued so far. The vessel, the Seacor Power, had left port less than two hours before the accident and encountered rugged seas on its way out to the Gulf of Mexico.

The Coast Guard was on the scene within 30 minutes and several other good Samaritan vessels have been assisting the Coast Guard in the search and rescue operation.

Broussard, David & Moroux offers their thoughts and prayers to family and friends of the missing crewmembers in this difficult time and hope that all crewmembers are safely rescued.

Fatal Hit-and-Run Accident Leaves Bicyclist Dead in St. Landry Parish

March 29, 2021 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

24-year-old Ryan Fontenot was riding his bike eastbound on U.S. Highway 190 in the early morning hours last week when he was struck from behind by an unknown vehicle. While looking to make a left-hand turn into Acadian Medical Center from the turning lane, the unknown vehicle hit Mr. Fontenot and propelled him off of his bike and into the westbound lane where he was struck again, causing fatal injuries. Sadly, Mr. Fontenot was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver who struck Mr. Fontenot after he was ejected from the bike showed no alcohol in his system and no signs of impairment. However, the driver who initially hit Mr. Fontenot from the rear fled the scene immediately after the accident.

Though officers are unsure of the type of car that fled the scene, officers believe the hit-and-run vehicle is a ram pickup truck with damage to the left front bumper, headlamp, and fender.