Beall & Thies, LLC

$1.6M

Catastrophic Injuries

Our client was a 31 year old single mother who was traveling I-12 west near the Essen Lane Overpass. As she approached the overpass, an 18-wheeler contacted and tore down a low hanging wire causing it to become entangled in her car and violently pulled her car sideways. The wire then snapped from it’s mounting on a pole and repeatedly whipped about eventually totaling her car. She under went multiple surgical procedures, including a three-level spinal fusion and the implantation of an electrical spinal stimulation device. After trying to resume her regular employment as a legal secretary, she eventually had to stop working as pain and medication interfered with her ability to perform her job function. Our investigation revealed the State of Louisiana had abandoned the wire across the interstate 28 years before the accident. The wire should have been suspended at 20 feet above the ground. Applicable safety rules showed the State should have inspected the wire every year to insure it did not sag below 20 feet. It was learned the State never conducted these required inspections. The vertical clearance of the Essen Lane overpass was learned to be 16.1 feet. Therefore, the choice made by the State to not inspect the wire led to the wire sagging to a point below the entrance of the overpass....approximately 4 feet lower than it should have been. Following a week long trial, and despite the State’s attempt to point blame at the 18-wheeler, a jury returned the above verdict finding the State of Louisiana/DOTD 100% at-fault for our client’s injuries and making the above award to compensate for rendering her disabled.

$5.5M

Wrongful Death

What started the high-speed game of “ Cat and Mouse” will never be publicly known. What is known is the drivers of two vehicles became indifferent to the rules of the road and began participating a road rage incident that lasted for almost ten miles. It was a night along I-12 in Baton Rouge that will never be forgotten. Witnesses testified that a white truck sped up onto the rear of a green car and began flashing its lights. The green car refused to give way. When the white truck attempted to change lanes and pass, the green car moved over and refused to let the white truck pass. The two vehicles would speed up, then slow down, then speed up again. Other motorists traveling 70 miles per hours testified the green car and white truck “ blew by us like they were standing still”. As the vehicles whipped in and out of traffic they almost collided with other vehicles. Eventually, the green car moved to the right lane and the white truck was right on its bumper. At one point the white truck moved to the right and attempted to pass the green car on the shoulder. As the white truck sped up, so did the green car. When the white truck quickly jerked to the left and tried to get in front of the green car, the green car clipped the bumper of the white truck. This contact sent the white truck into a spin and across the grassy median of I-12. Once across the median and in the opposite lanes of traffic, the white truck collided with a tanker truck. The force of the collision sent the white truck ricocheting back into the path of a vehicle carrying a single mother, her three small children, and a co-worker. The collision between the white truck and the family car was described as “..something like an airplane crash.” Veteran State Troopers called it worst collision they had every seen, saying it looked like a “war zone.” The family car exploded into flames with everyone trapped inside. Witnesses testified they despite the screams for help, they could not reach the family due to the heat of the fire. The entire family perished in the burning car. The driver of the white truck was found to have a gallon bottle of whiskey with him. He admitted his BAC was at least .10 at the time of the collision. Neither the driver of the white truck nor the green car accepted any degree of responsibility and through the entire trial continued to point the finger at the other driver. The attorneys at BEALL & THIES, LLC proved at trial each was 50-50 at fault for the death of these innocent people.

$1.4M

Product Liability

Our client was a 28 yr old widow who had one child and was pregnant with another. Her husband had been in great physical shape, was active in sports, but did have a history of low back pain for which he was prescribed and took a specific medication. One evening, he awoke with bad chest pains and suddenly went into cardiac arrest. As our client was a registered nurse, she attempted CPR on her husband while awaiting for emergency medical responders. Unfortunately, the young man passed away. Our client found herself widowed, with a young daughter, and newborn infant. Her ability to keep her home and to provide for her daughters in the same manner as had her husband survived was now in question. Investigation revealed the drug he had been taken was manufactured by a well-known drug company and was marketed as a safe anti-inflammatory analgesic. We began to believe the company intentionally concealed serious cardiovascular risks associated with this particular drug. Multiple cases of heart problems began to surface across the country and the drug was removed from the market. On behalf of the young widow, her small daughter, and newborn infant, our law firm filed a lawsuit against the manufacturer alleging violation of Louisiana Product Liability Laws, in that the manufacturer placed an unreasonably dangerous drug into the market when it knew or should have known of the dangerous potential of cardiovascular problems, and for failing to warn of such known problems. The drug company denied any responsibility. The attorneys of Beall & Thies were able to assist in a recovery which secured the financial future for these two little girls, and well as insure this young mother had the resources to rebuild her life.

$1.4M

Wrongful Death

It has happened to us all - car trouble. We do what we are supposed to do and move to the shoulder. We call for help and wait. While waiting, we watch drivers speeding past us. We trust they are considering our safety and that all will be fine until help arrives. We especially trust the professional drivers of big trucks to operate and control their vehicles in a manner that will keep us from harm. On this particular summer day, that trust was broken. An 80,000 lb monster, moving at interstate speeds, was being driven by a man who should not have been behind the wheel. Fatigue, distraction, and/or a combination of the two operated to remove community safety as a priority. Decisions made by the driver and his company came together at the absolute wrong moment and caused the 40 ton truck to be out of control. The truck drifted over and destroyed the vehicle that was waiting for help to arrive. A mother would never return home from work. There were never any last good-byes. Never any last hugs. Things never said, that would have been said. Children were left without a parent. Lives were changed forever. This was not an accident. This was a breakdown in a system of safety that is designed to prevent this very type of harm from occurring. This was a choice and a breach of the trust we as a community placed in this driver and his company. The attorneys of Beall & Thies, LLC assisted in a recovery that established an annuity for these children, in hopes that those opportunities their mother may have provided for them, will still be there in the future. We cannot replace a mother’s love, but we were able to insure the future care for these children.

$1.3M

Wrongful Death

Illegal Left Turn Causes Death

$1.2M

Car Accidents

In testimony she referred to it as a “muscle car”. So, it came as no surprise to us that when a young girl decided to execute a dangerous lane change, she lost control of her “muscle car” causing it to collide with a local family’s RV. Out of control on a wet surface, the Camaro slid at highway speed and slammed into our clients’ motorhome. One moment the motorhome is returning from a family outing, and the next moment it was sent into a violent spin, where it almost began flipping. While the Dad was able to get the motorhome under control, his wife was thrown around the interior of the motor home. The “muscle car” driver attempted to blame the Dad, saying he came into her lane. Grandpa was riding in the passenger seat and said he actually saw the Camaro in the side mirror, sliding across the highway just before impact. The insurance company sided with the young girl and said her story was the correct one. However, after reviewing the physical evidence, an engineer from the Texas Transportation Institute at Texas A&M university concluded the “muscle car” losing control was the reason for this crash. A healthy, 43 yr old mother of 3 had her life changed forever that day. The entire family was changed. Mom underwent over 10 invasive procedures to address multiple disabling injuries. She has begun the process to have a medical device implanted into her spine to assist with daily function. The insurance company hired a doctor to say the Mom had suffered no injuries in this crash. Considering the overwhelming medical evidence, the Judge in this case ruled the Insurance Company Doctor’s opinion was so outrageous and so beyond credible that the doctor was not allowed to testify at trial. With thousands of dollars in past and continuing medical bills adding up, Attorney Russell Beall was able to make the insurance company pay over $ 1.2 MILLION DOLLARS to make up for the harms and losses suffered by this mother and her family. The outcome does not change the poor decision of the “muscle car” driver, but it will insure this mom gets the future medical care she needs.