Settlement

$23,000,000.00

Boat Crash – Wrongful Death

Derek’s Story

Derek’s Story

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TRUTH + COURAGE

The recent victory in the case of Ron Warren, individually and on behalf of the estate of Derek Hebert vs. Teleflex, Inc., was the result of a wrongful death lawsuit filed on behalf of the surviving family members of Derek Hebert. Derek was a 20-year-old college student who was heading to celebrate Contraband Days on Lake Charles in a 21-foot boat on May 7, 2005.

Evidence presented at trial showed that the boat took a sudden and violent turn to the left which caused Derek and several other passengers to be thrown overboard. Sadly, Derek was almost immediately run over by the propeller of the boat, causing fatal injuries.

The case was originally tried in 2014 with a verdict for the defense; however, Plaintiff’s attorneys appealed that verdict on the grounds that Teleflex misled the court on the applicability of a 2006 owner’s manual to the involved 1998 product. A new trial was granted. At the new trial, the Plaintiffs were victorious, winning $125,000 in compensatory damages and an additional $23 million in punitive damages. Because the case was brought under general maritime law, punitive damages were available if the defendant acted with “wanton and reckless disregard for the rights and safety of others.”

HOW WE HELPED THE PLAINTIFF

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    Trial Skill

This was a case that was handled by other lawyers for 9 years before the first trial. After the first trial, the jury found for the Defendants and awarded -0- to Derek’s father. Luckily, the judge granted a new trial. Aaron and Randy were hired 3 weeks before the second trial and turned the case around in that short time to win 23 million dollars, one of the largest single plaintiff verdicts in Louisiana history.

CLIENT TESTIMONIAL

“I found the law firm to be very helpful and knowledgeable with handling my case. I could not have seen myself choosing another law firm. Putting my trust into them was never in question or doubt. I can say that they are truly one of a kind law firm and are real people when it comes to handling business.”

– Broussard Knoll Law Firm client

AARON BROUSSARD

Partner – Trial Lawyer

Aaron graduated from Sulphur High School in 1998 and graduated from McNeese four years later. He attended Tulane Law School in New Orleans and began practicing law at the age of 25.

In law school, Aaron was a lead member of Tulane’s National Moot Court Trial Team. He was also selected for Tulane’s Law Clinic which allows senior students to represent real clients while still in school. Aaron dedicated his law clinic experience to assisting victims of domestic violence in New Orleans. He also graduated with a Certificate of Specialization in Maritime Law.

Aaron is currently a member of the American Bar Association, the American Association for Justice, the Louisiana Association for Justice, and the Louisiana Bar Association.  Aaron gets to know clients on a personal level and never gives up. His clients very rarely call to see how their case is going because they already know. Aaron keeps his clients informed and up to date. Aaron is very selective about what cases he handles. Being selective allows Aaron to dedicate more time to each client and get better results in a shorter time. Aaron strives to provide great representation to good people.

“This was an extremely difficult case to handle in the courtroom. Having 30 years of experience as a trial judge made all the difference.”

AARON BROUSSARD Co-Lead Trial Attorney along with Randall Hart