Tomeny Secures $2.5 Million Dollar Verdict Against DOTD
April 15, 2015 3:23 P.M.
For Immediate Release
Video coverage at: https://www.wbrz.com/news/second-2-5-million-verdict-for-a-crash-at-poorly-designed-intersection/.
Port Allen- A second West Baton Rouge jury has awarded over $2.5 million dollar verdict due to fatalities at the intersection of Sugar Plantation Parkway and LA 1 today.
The total jury verdict to Tammy Chauvin, Cecil Bizette and Jeannette Kline’s is $2,528,024 against the State of Louisiana, Department of Transportation and Development.
Tammy Chauvin was the daughter of Albert and Jean Boudreaux who were killed in a car accident at the intersection of Sugar Plantation Parkway and LA 1 in Addis, Louisiana on December 17, 2011. Cecil Bizette and Jeanette Kline were the children of Thelma Bizette who was also a passenger in the vehicle. This is the same intersection where Les Miles’ sister, Ann Hope Browne, was killed on April 22, 2011, which also resulted in $2,500,000 damages verdict.
As it did in the Browne matter, the jury found the State of Louisiana, DOTD 40% at fault for causing the accident. The jury found that the intersection was defective on December 17, 2011, at the time of the crash, that the State of Louisiana, DOTD had actual or constructive notice of the defect, that LA DOTD had reasonable time to correct the defect but failed to do so.
The jury also found Jean Boudreaux 60% for her comparative fault in pulling out of Sugar Plantation Parkway while her view was obstructed by a right turning motorist.
The DOTD added a traffic signal at this intersection on March 5, 2012 after these three fatalities occurred in December, 2011. “DOTD representatives still refer to this signal as ‘temporary’ but hopefully this will convince them that the Addis Community deserves a safe intersection and they will make this light permanent after this second verdict.”
Louisiana law provides a maximum recovery of $500,000 in general damages per decedent in suits against the State of Louisiana.
Contact:
Frank Tomeny III
Tomeny | Best Injury Lawyers
9191 Siegen Lane, #7
Baton Rouge, LA 70810 225.324.1528
frank@tomenybest.com
tomenybest.com
