When Robert Williams, Jr. and Tyson Smith got into an altercation that resulted in a broken jaw for Williams, the Williams family brought a lawsuit against both Tyson Smith and the Northeast Louisiana Marine Institute, Inc. (NLMI). NLMI is an alternative school in Tallulah, LA. The event occurred one January…
Louisiana Personal Injury Lawyer Blog
Fighting for Discovery Can Be an Uphill Battle Against Corporations
When a lawsuit is brought the positions of the parties are frequently unequal. This is often the case for products liability suits, which involve an injured consumer or user of a product seeking to recover damages from the maker or seller of the product. Being a large and sometimes repeat…
Slight Standard of Causation is all That is Needed in Jones Act Cases
A recent Louisiana Court of Appeals decision provides a good discussion of the burden of proof required in Jones Act cases. James Bancroft worked as a seaman on the M/V Captain Nick owned by Mitchell Offshore Marine when the ship collided with the Pan Am Caribe. Mr. Bancroft was thrown…
Lawsuit Filed Over Alleged Defective GE Electric Range
A fire broke out in 2008 within the Denham Springs, Louisiana, home of Thomas and Janice Campbell that laid devastation to the house and left the couple looking for answers. The fire investigator determined the fire’s cause was a defective range in the Campbell’s kitchen. The investigator determined the burners…
Tragedy Reminds Louisiana Residents of Dangers With Semi Trucks
On May 7, 2010, the Donaldsonville community was saddened when 20 year-old Ryan Johnson was killed in a car accident when his car flipped after he collided with a semi-truck on LA 70. While this loss is tragic, it is also a reminder that accidents involving semi trucks should be…
Happy Fourth of July Weekend
On behalf of the Berniard Law Firm we would like to wish everyone a happy Fourth of July Weekend. Please be sure to have a fun, and safe, holiday. This blog will resume posting on Monday.
Insurance Companies Battle Over Who Picks Up the Tab After a Car Wreck in Monroe
Amber Bridges was driving her parents’ 2002 Hyundai Sonata without their permission when she was involved in an accident with a 1992 GMC pickup truck owned by Tommy McClain at the intersection of Millhaven Road and Highway 594. She was attempting to turn left onto Millhaven road and was issued a…
Court of Appeals Examines the Scope of Employment Requirement for Vicarious Liability
In a recent Louisiana Court of Appeals decision, Janika Johnson appealed a verdict in favor of Gilley Enterprises, owner of a Monroe McDonalds. Johnson, as a customer at the McDonald’s in 2006, was involved in an altercation with an employee. There was a history of ill feeling between Johnson and…
Jones Act Case Dismissed in Federal Court: Norco Tankerman will not be Able to Collect From his Employer
In October 2007, a Norco tankerman was injured aboard the M/V DUSTIN CENAC at dock #2 of the Valero Corporation’s facility in Norco. The tankerman was completing the loading procedure of the barge when the Valero dock man prematurely began lifting the loading arm and he was pinned between the…
Four People Injured in One-Vehicle Natchitoches Crash: What Happens When Passengers Get Hurt?
Early in the morning hours of Saturday, February 6th, 20 year old Jamane M. County of Montgomery was driving a 2002 Honda Civic South on U.S. Highway 71 when he lost control of the car. According to an article on thetowntalk.com, The car ran off the right side of the…