The Berniard Law Firm was featured in Legal Newsline’s Louisiana Record for representing Roseland residents after the Smitty’s Supply chemical plant fire. Legal Newsline’s Louisiana Record recently featured the Berniard Law Firm for filing a class action lawsuit on behalf of more than 100 Roseland residents affected by the Smitty’s…
Attorney Jeff Berniard, founder of the Berniard Law Firm, was recently featured on WGNO News for his leadership in filing a class action lawsuit on behalf of families affected by the Smitty’s Supply explosion and fire in Tangipahoa Parish. Watch the full news story here. Berniard was asked to provide…
On August 22, 2025, the Tangipahoa Parish community was shaken by the massive explosion and fire at Smitty’s Supply, Inc. The incident released thick, black smoke, ash, and oily residue across nearby neighborhoods and waterways, forcing residents to evacuate and leaving families with property damage, health concerns, and lingering uncertainty…
On August 22, 2025, residents of Roseland and surrounding Tangipahoa Parish woke up to a terrifying scene: a massive explosion and fire at Smitty’s Supply Inc., a lubricant manufacturing and distribution facility. The incident forced evacuations, sent thick black smoke into the air, and left homes, cars, and yards covered…
This case examines the requirements for proving merchant liability in slip and fall cases, emphasizing the importance of evidence and the burden of proof. Case Background Lamarr Pierite sued Dollar General, alleging he slipped and fell in a liquid substance at their store, causing injuries. After a trial, the court…
This case delves into a courtroom clash that spilled over into a legal battle, raising questions about the appropriateness of summary judgment when factual disputes remain at the heart of the matter. Case Background Felix DeJean, an attorney, got into a physical altercation with District Attorney Bradley Burget while discussing…
The following case deals with the important legal concept of prescription (similar to a statute of limitations) and the rules for adding new parties to a lawsuit after the deadline has passed. Case Background Randall Iles was injured in a car accident and sued his auto insurer, State Farm Mutual,…
The following case dives into the world of “slip and fall” lawsuits in Louisiana, where the law sets specific requirements for holding merchants liable for injuries on their premises. Case Background Gwendolyn Thibodeaux fell while shopping at a Super 1 Foods store in Lafayette. Although the fall was captured on…
The following case explores the concept of “permissive use” in the context of uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) insurance coverage. Specifically, it examines whether a son, given a company truck for work and personal use, had the authority to grant his father permission to drive the vehicle, thereby extending UM coverage to…
A celebratory night out turned into a nightmare for Reuben Ellis when he was shot in a parking lot after attending a friend’s wedding reception at Bella Noche nightclub. Ellis’s quest for justice led him to sue not only the nightclub but also the property owner, Plaza Holdings, LLC. This…