The Workers’ Comp Bar: Why Most Employees Can’t Sue In Louisiana, the “Workers’ Comp Bar” usually prevents employees from suing their employers for work-related injuries. In exchange for “guaranteed” medical and wage benefits, the employee gives up the right to sue for pain, suffering, and punitive damages. However, as the case of Royce Thomas v.
Most victims of asbestos exposure believe that winning their case is a matter of medical records and work history. However, in the complex world of Louisiana law, your case can be dismissed before a single medical report is read—simply because it was filed in the wrong Parish. Understanding the ‘procedural rules of venue’ is not
The Venue Trap: Choosing the Proper Parish for Your Lawsuit In Louisiana, “Venue” is more than just a convenience; it is a jurisdictional requirement. Under LSA-C.C.P. art. 41, you must generally file your suit in the parish where the defendant lives, is located, or conducts business. As the Pickett case demonstrates, choosing the wrong parish
A mesothelioma diagnosis is heartbreaking, but in a Louisiana courtroom, it is only half of the story. Many families are shocked to learn that their loved one’s own medical records—where they told their doctor exactly where they worked—are often worthless as legal evidence. The landmark case of Vodanovich v. A.P. Green Industries set a strict
For over eighty years, the paper mill in West Monroe has been an economic engine for North Louisiana. But for many of the men and women who kept the machines running, that prosperity came at a deadly price. The landmark case of Walter Graves, a mill worker diagnosed with mesothelioma after four decades of service,
The Westlake Asbestos Incident: How Conoco Soil Reached Louisiana Lawns When asbestos is mentioned, we often think of shipyards and refineries. However, as the families of Westlake, Louisiana, discovered, the danger can literally land on your front lawn. The landmark case of Bonnette v. Conoco, Inc. changed the way we look at environmental contamination, proving
Asbestos and Mesothelioma are terms frequently seen in national headlines, but for many residents of New Orleans, they represent a very personal and local reality. Whether through our city’s industrial history or the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, asbestos exposure continues to impact the health and legal rights of our community. To protect your family, it
Jeffrey Berniard is a specialized injury attorney with over 21 years of experience fighting for Louisiana families.