In Cameron Parish, the marsh is a way of life and not just a place. For Max’s client, a high school athlete with his whole future ahead of him, a day out on a small watercraft was supposed to be a moment of peace. Instead, it became a nightmare that would take years to escape.
Without warning, a massive dredge bucket fell from a Wildlife and Fisheries barge, crushing his leg. The impact resulted in a devastating compound fracture. In that one heartbeat, the cheering crowds of his high school sports career went silent. The Friday night lights were replaced by the cold glow of hospital rooms and a grueling, multi-year road to recovery.
How The "Immunity" Excuse Can Affect Liability
When you’re up against the State of Louisiana, they don’t just bring lawyers. They bring a shield. The defense argued that they were “immune” from the consequences of their negligence because the barge was engaged in hurricane preparedness activities.
They wanted this young teenager to believe that because the state was doing “important work,” his life, his pain, and his shattered athletic dreams didn’t count. They tried to use the law as a loophole to walk away from a young man who could no longer walk onto a field.
A Win for the Future
The jury saw the truth. They rejected the state’s claim of immunity and awarded damages, holding the negligent parties fully accountable.
Although no amount of money can return a young man’s senior season or the games he missed, this victory gave him the resources to heal and progress. At Shamieh Law, our team members like Max, pride themselves on staying with you until the very end. We don’t just handle cases; we help restore lives. Contact us today if you have been hurt in an accident.
When the State tries to tell you that your life is collateral damage for their ‘important work,’ we’re here to tell them they’re wrong. We fight for the person, not the paycheck.
