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Lawsuits Filed on Behalf of Opioid-Addicted Children

May 11, 2018 News 0 Comments

The United States has been facing a serious epidemic of opioid abuse and addiction. According to the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 115 people in the U.S. die every day from an overdose of opioids.

Now, it is becoming clear that children born to parents addicted to opioids suffer severe consequences.

Class Action Suit Against Opioid Manufacturers and Distributors

A class action lawsuit was filed in late February on behalf of babies born in the state of Louisiana addicted to opioids. The defendants are manufacturers and distributors of opioids, including Johnson & Johnson, Purdue Pharma, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, and Teva Pharmaceuticals, among others.

The class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of a child born addicted to opioids and diagnosed with Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), which is common in children whose mothers abuse the drugs. The child is known by the initials K.E.R.

NAS can occur in babies who had chronic exposure to substances in the womb. Once the baby is born, they no longer have the exposure, and the abrupt cessation of the substances causes NAS.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, more than 21,700 babies were born nationwide with opioid withdrawal in 2012. Between the years 2000 and 2012, the number of children born with NAS rose fivefold.

Damages for Therapy, Related Effects Sought

K.E.R. is currently 3 years old. The child has needed speech, hearing, and behavioral therapy as a result of the long-term effects of chronic prenatal opioid exposure.

The child’s mother had been prescribed opioids, which are frequently prescribed as pain medication, to treat lower back pain caused by a vehicle accident prior to her pregnancy. She became addicted to opioids and continued to use during her pregnancy.

The class action suit seeks damages to cover long-term therapy and other treatment for K.E.R. and other babies born with NAS. The amount of damages sought are not currently known.

However, it is thought that the number of children with NAS in Louisiana is high. The suit estimates that 1 out of every 5 mothers on Medicaid, a Federal program for low-income people, took opioids during pregnancy.

Our state currently has over 1.4 million people enrolled in Medicaid.

Was Your Child Born Addicted to Opioids? Call Bart Bernard!

Opioid addiction has unfortunately touched an enormous number of lives in Louisiana. If you or a loved one has had a baby born with NAS, Bart Bernard is a seasoned Louisiana personal injury lawyer who can help.

Bart Bernard we will handle your situation with care, concern and the utmost professionalism. He is a veteran attorney with lots of experience helping clients recover damages for the life-altering side effects of dangerous prescription drugs.

Your initial consultation is free and we have offices in Baton Rouge and Lafayette for your convenience. Call today to see how much your case could be worth!

More information on lawsuits filed on behalf of infants born addicted to opioids:

  1. Adamson, Allan. “Lawsuit Seeks Money To Cover Treatment Of Babies Born Addicted To Opioids.” Tech Times. February 28, 2017. http://www.techtimes.com/articles/222035/20180228/lawsuit-seeks-money-to-cover-treatment-of-babies-born-addicted-to-opioids.htm
  2. Clark, Maria. “The family of a Louisiana infant born addicted to opioids is suing drug makers.” New Orleans Times-Picayune. February 27, 2018. http://www.nola.com/health/index.ssf/2018/02/lawsuit_filed_to_help_cover_he.html

Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers Expands!

March 5, 2018 News 0 Comments

The Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers is expanding its brand and client reach throughout Louisiana and has hired Eric Richard as the Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer of Louisiana.

“I am thrilled and honored to partner with Bart Bernard and to be entrusted to help grow the firm, expand the brand and execute on optimum client reach and services. Bart Bernard is an expert in his field. It is great to see how clients are treated as family with their best interest in mind. Bart Bernard is all about helping people, reaching out and giving back. This effort is only to maximize on his already impressive success with an aggressive approach to help take The Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers to another level, through many facets, approaches and strategies. Community outreach, involvement and giving back to our communities will remain a top priority. Bart simply cares about people. Bart loves people and is a great lawyer,” says Richard.

Bart Bernard says “Our office is dedicated to providing world class client service and to provide the best legal representation throughout the state of Louisiana. We hire only the best team to work for our clients thus adding Eric to our team was the right decision. We are constantly improving our system and striving for exceptional service. With Eric, he brings a vast knowledge in business and marketing which will not only be a benefit to our clients but also for the future of Bart Bernard Injury Lawyersyers.”

Richard joins the firm with more than 20 years of extensive experience in Brand Marketing, Advertising, Mass Market promotions, Consulting and Business Development, throughout Louisiana. Eric believes in taking aggressive and highly engaged approaches to forward the vision and purpose of an organization.

Bart Bernard is a personal injury attorney who stands by his slogan “I am with you every step of the way” during legal representation. He also has the experience and the vast network of experts to help you build a strong enough case to win. All legal counsel is on a contingency basis only, so you pay nothing except for a small pre-determined fee based on your winnings. Call 900-9000 any time, day or night, for more information on pursuing a legal claim for your personal injury.

Bart Bernard
Personal Injury Law Firm
900-9000
Anywhere in Louisiana

Bart Bernard Giving Back to Acadiana Families For The Holidays

December 17, 2017 News 0 Comments

Nominate a Family for our Christmas Giveaway !

Bart Bernard is spearheading a campaign aptly named  Christmas@BartBernard.com , to help make sure children in Acadiana have a great Christmas.

Bart Bernard recently featured in the “What’s Happening” segment on  KADN-TV News 15.    More information on the Christmas Giveaway here in this video:

Bart Bernard Christmas giveaway Acadiana

If you know a child that might be deserving of a Christmas gift this year, or a family that may need some help, we want to hear from you.   We’re collecting toys to distribute to children and helping to feed families in our community.    To find out how you can participate, donate, or nominate a child or children or family who might benefit from this program,  email the details  to christmas@bartbernard.com.

“This is an idea that someone gave us and we thought it was a great addition to the other annual campaigns that we currently run.  We’ve seen from the outpouring of responses that there is a real need for this here in Acadiana as many families have been hard hit by the recent economic conditions.  We also live here in this community, and we are committed to helping our neighbors this holiday season.”   

 

Bart Bernard Receives TWO “Best Lawyer” Awards from Times of Acadiana

November 9, 2017 News 0 Comments

times of acadiana best of 2017The people have spoken! Times of Acadiana readers have voted Bart Bernard “Best Personal Injury Lawyer in 2018”. In addition to “Best Personal Injury Lawyer,” Bart was also voted “Best Law Firm” in Cajun Country. Winners were announced June 7 at the Victoria Plantation in Broussard.  The results of the vote, and a prominent feature on the firm, were published the following day in both the print and online editions.

The Times’ “Best of” recognizes the top people, places and things to do in Acadiana. Winners are determined by Times of Acadiana readers who nominate and vote for their favorite businesses, people and destinations in each category. During the voting period, ballots can be cast once a day and nominations are added to the list of entries once they are approved by the Times of Acadiana.

Bart Bernard’s Commitment to Community

In an article titled, See Why Bart Bernard Was Named Best Lawyer in Town, Bart was asked what he thinks made his practice stand out this year. He told the newspaper that he’s “been working harder than ever at making a difference in people’s lives … and likes to get personally involved in community and state projects that make a positive difference in the lives of others.”

He cites a program he actively participated in earlier this year, called “Dreams Come True in Louisiana,” an event that helps fulfill the wishes of children with life-threatening illnesses.

He also rolls up his sleeves to help with Thanksgiving food donations for multiple non-profits in Lafayette and Baton Rouge, as well as supporting:

Bart Bernard: Dedicated to Helping Others

Louisiana personal injury attorney Bart Bernard works every day with people from all walks of life whose lives have been forever altered by unfortunate events, helping them get the justice they deserve. These accidents include those involving vehicles, construction, maritime injuries, slips/falls, workers compensation, wrongful death, bankruptcy and more.

After graduating from University of Louisiana at Lafayette and Louisiana State University’s Law Center, the Lafayette native got his start clerking for Judge Gerald Schiff who acted as a mentor to him.

“The best advice I received [from Schiff] was to lose my ego and work hard,” he said.

He proceeded to do just that — opening his own personal injury law firm in 1997 and dedicating his practice to helping others. Now a successful lawyer with offices in Baton Rouge and Lafayette, Bernard is now a mentor himself, and tells young lawyers, “Work on something that motivates you every day, you’ll be surprised where it takes you.”

Bernard is greatly humbled to be voted by Acadiana, for not one, but two “Best of 2017” titles. He is honored to represent his community with these accomplishments, and will strive to be the best for years to come.

Bart Bernard Selected as One of America’s Top 100 Attorneys

April 24, 2017 News 0 Comments

ATA_LifetimeWe are pleased to announce that Bart Bernard has been recognized as one of America’s Top 100 Attorneys™ — an honor bestowed on less than 0.5% of active attorneys in the United States. As a recipient of this prestigious accolade, Bart Bernard joins the ranks of an elite level of attorneys in the state of Louisiana and legal professionals nationwide.

A skilled personal injury lawyer with more than 20 years of experience, Bart Bernard has represented Louisiana residents in a broad variety of complex legal claims involving commercial vehicle crashes, offshore, maritime and industrial workplace accidents, as well as litigation arising from defective medical devices and pharmaceuticals. His many successes and courtroom victories have previously earned him membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the in Elite Lawyers of America.

America’s Top 100 Attorneys selection process

bart-bernardAmerica’s Top 100 Attorneys distinguishes the nation’s most accomplished attorneys, whose ethical standards, professional achievements and community enriching endeavors demonstrate their commitment to the highest principles of the legal profession.

The nomination and selection process entails rigorous evaluation and screening, which is based not on a single accomplishment but rather a lifetime of inspiring hard work. A mere 100 lawyers in each state receive this honor, and nominees are vetted through the organization’s multi-phase analysis system that factors in significant case verdicts, peer reputation, legal awards and client satisfaction, in addition to lifetime accomplishments in the field of law. According to America’s Top 100 Attorneys, their comprehensive screening methods help assure that only the most exceptional attorneys are selected for membership within the state.

Inclusion in this venerable list is a great honor, as peer nominations are not accepted, and all candidates are thoroughly vetted through intensive third-party research.

Bart Bernard Injury Lawyers

Since starting his practice more than two decades ago, Bart Bernard has remained dedicated to helping his communities in Lafayette and Baton Rouge by achieving superior results for his clients. When not advocating for the unjustly injured, Bart is often raising funds for local non-profits, supporting food drives for the less fortunate, and spearheading other initiatives to better the community.

For more information about Louisiana personal injury attorney Bart Bernard, or to schedule a free case evaluation, please call today.

New Report Shows Drunk Driving Rates Steadily Dropping

February 8, 2017 News 0 Comments

Beer mug with car keyRates of drunk driving have steadily dropped in the U.S., says a new report issued by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). According to the latest statistics from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, the incidence of driving while impaired by alcohol plummeted from 15.3 percent in 2002 to 11.1 percent in 2014. The data shows that one of the steepest declines in drunk driving rates is among drivers aged 21-25, which are historically one of the biggest offenders. The drunk driving rate dropped over ten percent for this age group in the last 12 years.

While this downward trend is encouraging for road safety officials and motorists alike, driving under the influence of alcohol still claims thousands of innocent lives each year. “We must strive to save lives by reducing this public health threat through education, prevention, and all other possible measures,” said Frances Harding, head of SAMHSA’s Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, in a recent press release.

Rates of DUI – by gender & age group

The SAMHSA report offered valuable insight into DUI rates by age group and gender, showing that younger drivers were more likely to self-report instances of getting behind the wheel while impaired by either drugs or alcohol.

2014 drunk driving statistics included in the report:

  • 7 million Americans aged 16 or older drove drunk or while impaired by drugs
  • DUI rates increased steadily from age 16 until age 29
  • Drunk driving rates began to drop in people aged 30 and older
  • Only 4.1 percent of drunk drivers were aged 65 or older
  • Males were more likely to drive while drunk, or drive while impaired by drugs and alcohol compared to females

Additional sobering facts about the consequences of driving under the influence:

  • Alcohol–related deaths accounted for 31 percent of all traffic fatalities in 2014
  • 28 people die every day in a crash caused by a drunk driver
  • 9,967 Americans were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes in 2014
  • Up to 75 percent of convicted drunk drivers continue to drive on a suspended license

Drunk driving is a national hazard

In Louisiana, it is illegal for motorists to operate a vehicle when they have a blood alcohol concentration exceeding .08 percent. What many people don’t realize is that just two cocktails or glasses of wine are enough to impair motor skills and slow reaction times.

Victims of drunk driving accidents not only have to face the injustice of another person’s mistake, they have to deal with burdens of medical bills, lost income, property damage, and perhaps the premature death of a loved one.

Those who do survive a DUI accident in Louisiana may be entitled to sue for compensatory and punitive damages. Litigation can pursue money damages for things like past and future hospital and medical bills, pain and emotional suffering, diminished earning capacity and loss of enjoyment of life.

Experienced legal help in Louisiana

At the personal injury law office of Bart Bernard, we understand the traumatic and life-altering consequences of car accidents – especially those caused by drunk drivers. And as a leading car accident lawyer in Louisiana, Bart Bernard will leave no stone unturned to achieve the compensation you deserve.

To discuss your case free of charge, we invite you call any time, night or day.

Additional Impaired Driving/DUI Resources:

  1. SAMHSA, The rate of driving under the influence of alcohol has steadily declined from 2002-2014 https://www.samhsa.gov/newsroom/press-announcements/201612271200
  2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Impaired Driving: Get the Facts https://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/impaired_driving/impaired-drv_factsheet.html

D.O.T. Announces Funding to Stop Drunk Driving

January 3, 2017 News 0 Comments

Whiskey with car keys and handcuffs concept for drinking and driving

Injuries and deaths caused by drunk driving are no “accidents,” they are 100 percent preventable says Dr. Mark Rosekind, administrator at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. It is no secret that the holiday season sees an uptick in DUI crashes and deaths across the country, which government regulators hoped to curtail. Recent estimates tally more than 10,260 deaths each year due to driving while intoxicated, and many of these fatalities occur on New Year’s Eve when everyone is out celebrating.

In an effort to curb the number of needless deaths and injuries, NHTSA regulators launched their annual “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign just before the holidays. Local law enforcement personnel were instructed to ramp up efforts to protect the public from impaired drivers, and made available a new video website called Last Call 360 that allows visitors to experience a virtual bar scene, interact with other patrons, and understand the devastating ramifications of drunk driving.

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign

“We want everyone to be safe this holiday season, which is why we’re urging the public to make the right choice, follow the law and drive sober,” said Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx in a December press release. While public education is important, officials are also looking toward advanced technologies in the quest to halt preventable DUI crashes and deaths.

In fact, regulators have recently dedicated more than $5 million to help develop a safety technology soon to be employed by automakers that would detect motorists’ blood alcohol concentration (BAC) and automatically prevent them from starting a vehicle if they were above the legal limit to drive.

With hope, this innovative technology called DADSS will soon be available in newer vehicles, keeping drunk drivers off the road. The NHTSA also released some very sobering facts about the consequences of driving while drunk. During the New Year’s holiday period in 2015, drunk driving crashes claimed 31 lives each day, which comes to nearly 140 fatalities over a 4.5 day period. According to Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), DUI crashes kill an average of 27 Americans every day, costing taxpayers a whopping $132 billion each year.

The most catastrophic cost of these accidents is the loss of life, leaving many families without the love, companionship and support of a father, a mother, a child or a sibling.

When you have been injured or lost a family member to a drunk driver in Louisiana, you need the assistance of an expert attorney who can pursue maximum damages in a court of law.

Victims may be entitled to sue for compensation to account for:

  • Medical and hospital expenses
  • Loss of income
  • Property damage
  • Emotional pain and suffering
  • Wrongful death

Legal counsel for DUI victims

Louisiana car accident attorney Bart Bernard supports any initiatives designed to stop drunk driving accidents. As a seasoned litigator of personal injury and wrongful death claims, it is his goal to see that justice is served and victims are rightfully compensated for their losses.

To explore your legal options or request a free case review with Bart Bernard, we invite you to call 1-88-GET-BART or stop by our convenient office locations in Lafayette or Baton Rouge.

Additional drunk driving crash resources

  1. MADD.org, Drunk Driving Statistics,http://www.madd.org/drunk-driving/about/drunk-driving-statistics.html
  2. NHTSA, U.S. DOT urges public to ‘Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over’ and announces funding for innovative technology to end drunk driving https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/us-dot-urges-public-%E2%80%98drive-sober-or-get-pulled-over%E2%80%99-and-announces-funding-innovative
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