Man Sues St. Charles Parish Over Traumatic Head Injury

February 18, 2012 | J. Price McNamara
Man Sues St. Charles Parish Over Traumatic Head Injury

A man allegedly injured in an automobile accident filed a federal lawsuit in New Orleans against St. Charles Parish, Vernon Joseph St. Pierre, Jr. in his capacity as President of St. Charles Parish, the St. Charles Parish Council, the State of Louisiana, and the United States Army Corps of Engineers. On February 14, 2011, Dustin Michael Schexnayder, Sr. was purportedly driving on a road through the Bonnet Carre Spillway. Schexnayder claims he sustained severe trauma to his head as well as other injuries when his car left the roadway and landed in a nearby drainage ditch. According to Schexnayder's lawsuit, the roadway failed to have a guard rail installed despite its proximity to a dangerous drop off. He accuses the defendants of several counts of negligence including failing to properly maintain the roadway, failing to install safety devices to protect drivers from the drop off, failing to properly mark the road, failing to install guard rails near drainage ditches, and failing to properly supervise the roadway. Schexnayder also claims the road's condition at the time of his accident demonstrates defendants' blatant neglect of their duty to maintain a safe road environment. Schexnayder asked the New Orleans court to compensate him for his head trauma, physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent disability, loss of income, medical expenses, and other damages. His mother also asked the court to award her damages for loss of love and affection, loss of consortium, court costs, and other damages. A brain injury should always be taken seriously as its effect can range from mild to extremely severe. Even a minor trauma to the brain can have a significant impact on an individual's long-term functioning. Brain damage from a head injury can affect thinking, language abilities, emotions, and sensory perception. Approximately two million Americans suffer some degree of brain trauma each year. Brain injuries can be devastating and life-altering. It is estimated that 5.3 million people in the United States require daily long-term care as a result of a traumatic brain injury. A brain injury may also increase the risk for developing other brain conditions over time. Treatment of brain injuries can be extremely expensive as medical costs can easily exceed tens of thousands of dollars. If the victim of a traumatic brain injury requires daily care or assistance, treatment costs soar even higher. If you or a loved one has suffered a brain injury in an accident, you are advised to seek the assistance of an experienced personal injury lawyer. J. Price McNamara is a hardworking Contact J. Price McNamara ERISA Insurance Claim Attorney. He represents clients who have suffered a head injury throughout Louisiana including Metairie, Mandeville, Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and Lafayette. To speak with a skilled personal injury lawyer today, call J. Price McNamara at (866) 248-0580. You may also contact him through his website.

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J. Price McNamara

Attorney

Losing my own brother, then my father and sister after long, disabling illnesses just a few months apart drove a career change for me. Before that experience, I never truly understood the place you’re in. I never understood the dramatic impact that receiving (or not receiving) the disability and life insurance benefits you paid for and counted on can have on your life especially when you need to focus on family and healing. What I experienced with my own family now drives the way I view my clients and my work, and I will never forget it!

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