Settlement

OVER $1,000,000

Wrongful Death of Child – Battery

Devin’s Story

Devin’s Story

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EMPATHY + FOCUS

Broussard Knoll Law Firm obtained over $1 million (the entire insurance policy) for a mother and father who lost their adult son after he was punched and killed by a bouncer.

Our client’s son was at a nightclub in New Orleans when he was asked to leave by the staff. The bouncers removed him through an employee entrance onto a side street where he was surrounded by the bouncers. Another person dressed in plain clothes punched our client’s son, causing him to fall backwards and strike his head on the pavement. He died 5 days later.

The offender fled the scene but was later arrested at his home. The bar admitted the offender was a former employee but denied any responsibility for his actions on the night in question.

After Aaron Broussard took just two depositions, the insurance company paid the entire insurance policy limits of 1 million dollars.

Businesses, and especially bars, have a duty to provide a safe environment for their customers. Safety is the cost of doing business, but safety costs money. When businesses skim on safety to save money and someone gets hurt as a result, the business is responsible.

The bar in this tragic case knew this former bouncer was a dangerous man, but they knowingly allowed him to assist in removing a customer from the bar and watched him punch the defenseless victim. Then, to make matters worse, the bouncers brought the offender back inside the bar and told the police they did not know who he was.

The boy they killed was a bright young man from the east coast – a fly-fishing guide and instructor who traveled the world teaching people the art of fly fishing. He left behind a loving family and more friends than many people make in a lifetime.

HOW WE HELPED THE PLAINTIFF

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    Empathy

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    Focus

This case was all about pressure points. Experienced lawyers understand how to get the heart of a matter and put the insurance company under pressure to settle. In this case, we first had to establish the risk that the bar would be found responsible for the person who killed Devin. Next, we had to show that the potential damages far exceeded the available insurance funds. That combination puts pressure on an insurance company to settle the case and protect their insured, the bar owner in this case. Our experience allowed us to conclude this case quickly and precisely, whereas other less experienced attorneys may have fought this case for years and spent unnecessary money to get the same result.

CLIENT TESTIMONIAL

“After the initial conversation, I felt Aaron was a good fit. He was very informative and made me feel at ease. This was a very difficult and emotional time, and he showed great patience and compassion.”

– Jessica, Devin’s Mother

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 is one of those cases that will stay with me forever. I went to this boy’s childhood home in South Carolina. I wanted to see who he really was and where he was from. I wanted to meet his friends and be connected with who he really was. He has so much to offer this world and it is terrible that he died in such a senseless manner, all because a bouncer wanted to act tough.”

AARON BROUSSARD