Wrongful Death

Acadiana Girl Killed, Another in Critical Condition After Recent Accidents

August 2, 2012 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

An 11 year-old girl died in a tragic car crash earlier this month on LA Highway 104. The accident occurred when the driver drove off the road and hit a tree. Police do not know what caused the driver to leave the road. The other passengers, a 12 year-old girl and 13 year-old boy suffered only minor injuries.

Another 15 year old girl is currently in critical condition after the driver of the vehicle she was riding in also left the road, hit a ditch, and flipped the vehicle. The accident occurred on LA 320 and is currently under investigation.

Drug Company To Pay $3 Billion in Fraud Settlement

July 26, 2012 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

GlaxoSmithKline will pay $3 billion dollars, the biggest single settlement of health fraud in U.S. history, for the unlawful marketing of two drugs and failing to provide necessary information to the Food and Drug Administration.

The drug company admitted to falsely representing that certain drugs, such as Paxil and Wellbutrin, were approved to treat issues beyond the drugs’ FDA approval. A United States attorney called the settlement “unprecedented in both size and scope.”

Broussard, David & Moroux represents clients who are injured by dangerous drugs. Our attorneys have experience taking on large corporations and fighting for the rights of injured consumers. An experienced lawyer can analyze the facts and circumstances surrounding your case and determine whether you have a successful claim against a pharmaceutical company. Products liability law provides theories for recovery in pharmaceutical litigation. In a typical lawsuit against a pharmaceutical company, an injured group of consumers intends to hold a negligent manufacturer legally responsible for their common injuries caused by their dangerous drug.

Louisiana Legislature Toughens Rules For Teen Drivers

July 19, 2012 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

Louisiana’s first-time drivers will now be legally required to undergo more classroom and behind-the-wheel training. State lawmakers passed this legislation last session with little opposition.

The new rules require 30 hours of classroom instruction and eight hours of behind-the-wheel instruction for 16-year-olds and 17-year-olds. In addition, 18-year-olds must undertake six hours of classroom instruction and eight hours of behind-the-wheel training. Lawmakers believe the legislation will make roads safer and lower insurance rates across the state.

Car accidents continue to be the leading cause of death among teenagers in the United States. Last year, car accidents claimed the lives of almost 6,000 teens. Statistics show that teens are more likely to speed, use cell phones and succumb to distractions inside and outside the vehicle.

Iberia Parish Plane Crash; Pilot Survives

July 5, 2012 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

A single-engine plane crashed in Iberia parish, injuring the pilot. No other passengers were on board. According to witnesses, the plane crashed while the pilot was practicing landings and takeoffs in an open field. Authorities suspect the pilot collided with a power line.

In the past 10 years, there has been a 20 percent increase in private plane crashes in the U.S. Industry studies suggest that the cause of these accidents include pilot error, inadequate training, overloading planes, relaxed maintenance standards and sudden changes in weather. Mechanical failure is also more common in private planes than commercial aircrafts.

Boat Crash Kills One; Intoxication Suspected Cause

June 28, 2012 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

Authorities arrested a boater after his fishing boat crashed into a pontoon boat, tragically killing a 9-year-old boy, injuring three others and leaving one teen missing. Authorities allege the man was intoxicated at the time of the collision. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources charged the man with boating under the influence of alcohol.

Studies suggest alcohol contributes to 34 percent of fatal boat accidents each year. Louisiana’s vehicular homicide penal statute applies to both motor vehicles and watercrafts. State law further carries strict criminal penalties for people who boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol, including hefty fines, driver’s license suspension and imprisonment.

Mississippi Factory Explosion Raises Questions about Plant Safety

June 14, 2012 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

A steam explosion at a fertilizer factory in Pascagoula, Mississippi last week tragically killed one worker and left two other workers injured. Authorities continue to search for the cause of the accident. This accident marks the second fatal explosion at a plant in this area in a two-week-period.

Factories, chemical plants and refineries pose unique dangers to workers. Because these jobs often involve complex machinery and dangerous chemicals, workplace safety should be an employer’s utmost priority. A workplace explosion or fire can lead to the loss of limbs, back injuries, life-changing burns or death. A serious injury can dramatically affect a worker’s ability to earn a living.

Gulf of Mexico Plane Crash

May 17, 2012 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

A small private plane crashed in the Gulf of Mexico last week, tragically killing the pilot, the sole person on board. While in flight, the pilot became unresponsive to air traffic control. The plane soon began to fly erratically in circles before crashing into the Gulf of Mexico. Investigators are still searching to determine the cause of the accident.

Statistics reveal that private planes are far more dangerous than commercial airlines. Private planes undergo less government regulation than commercial airlines, which can lead to a lack of routine maintenance and mechanical failures. In addition, private plane pilots also undergo less training than commercial pilots. With less training, private pilots are often unable to handle emergency situations and to respond to sudden changes in the weather.

Defective Bicycle Frame Cause of Fatal Crash

April 26, 2012 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

A Massachusetts cyclist died in a crash believed to be caused by a defect in the bicycle. Police believe the fork-the portion of the frame that holds the front wheel- separated from the bicycle, causing the crash and killing the father of three.

The fork on the bicycle was the subject of a recall in 2008 by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The manufacturers stated the forks were found to crack and break under certain conditions.

As consumers, we expect our products to be safe and free from dangerous defects. Unfortunately, each year thousands of people are seriously injured by defective products. Tragically, some of the most dangerous defective products are baby products and children’s toys. Products liability is an area of law that holds product designers, manufacturers, distributors and sellers responsible for unreasonably dangerous products under certain circumstances.

3 Year Old Louisiana Boy Dies Riding Tricycle

April 12, 2012 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

A three year old boy from Plain Dealing died when he was hit by a car while riding his tricycle. After being pushed off the road and into a ditch, he was pronounced dead at LSU Hospital in Shreveport.

Tragic deaths such as this can be heart-wrenching and devastating experiences for families. In addition to emotional pain from the loss of a loved one, surviving family members can also experience future financial hardship. Under these circumstances, a wrongful death claim may allow injured family members to recover.

BP Oil Spill Settlement Reached

March 8, 2012 | by Broussard, David & Moroux

BP recently reached an estimated $7.8 billion settlement with private individual and business plaintiffs this month. Out of the settlement, the parties agreed to allocate $2.3 billion to claimants from the seafood industry. However this settlement is uncapped and only reflects BP’s estimate of the damages.

A court will actively monitor the process, ensuring that BP pays damages to all legitimate claims including compensation for economic loss and medical claims. However, mystery continues to surround the terms and conditions of the agreement, which is expected to be released mid-April. The court-monitored settlement appears to be replacing the Gulf Coast Claims Facility, which has already paid out an estimated $6 billion in compensation to approximately 221,000 claimants out-of-court.

Some plaintiffs’ lawyers suggest that this transparent approach will ensure that thousands of individuals receive compensation for their injuries. Even more significant, reports indicate that depending on the details of the agreement, thousands of new people across the Gulf Coast may become eligible to receive compensation and care for physical and mental health problems caused by the disaster.