$5.3M Verdict Awarded in West Baton Rouge Highway Collision Case Involving Dow Employee & Reserve Deputy
$5.3 Million Jury Verdict in West Baton Rouge Highway Collision Case
West Baton Rouge Parish, LA — In a landmark personal injury case, a West Baton Rouge jury awarded $5.3 million in damages to a man severely injured in a 1995 Highway Collision accident on U.S. Highway 190. The verdict, returned in 2004, holds the State of Louisiana and another driver primarily responsible for the crash that left the plaintiff with lifelong injuries, including paralysis.
The case was tried by a team of attorneys led by Robert Marionneaux, along with Lewis Unglesby, Harry Shoemaker, and John Calmes.
Background: The Collision and Injury
On January 12, 1995, the plaintiff — a Dow Chemical employee and West Baton Rouge Parish reserve sheriff’s deputy — was stopped in a narrow 4-foot median on U.S. 190 near Winterville, attempting to make a left turn.
A vehicle driven by Pamela Vidrine was unable to change lanes due to traffic and struck the plaintiff’s vehicle. The resulting crash caused:
- Broken ribs
- Punctured lung
- Subsequent stroke
- Paralysis
At the time, the plaintiff was 35 years old and a resident of Brusly, Louisiana. He now resides in Texas.
Legal Focus: Unsafe Median Design
Attorneys for the plaintiff argued that when the highway was widened in 1952, the Louisiana Department of Transportation failed to follow its own safety standards. The state left a 4-foot-wide median, despite guidelines calling for a minimum of 16 feet and a recommended 40 feet for safe turning.
The jury’s fault allocation was as follows:
- State of Louisiana: 52% at fault
- Pamela Vidrine: 44% at fault
- Plaintiff: 4% at fault
The jury awarded the maximum allowable under state law for pain and suffering: $500,000.
Legal Representation and Trial Notes
The plaintiff was represented by:
- Robert Marionneaux (also serving as a Louisiana State Senator at the time)
Senator Marionneaux criticized Louisiana law that prevented the jury from hearing evidence about the numerous similar collisions on the same stretch of highway. He called the restriction “a joke” and noted that safety improvements were already underway on the stretch of U.S. 190 involved in the crash.
Ongoing Safety Improvements
At the time of the verdict, the state had begun upgrading U.S. 190 by installing turning lanes and widening medians — changes that may prevent future injuries like the one suffered by the plaintiff.
This case emphasizes the consequences of inadequate roadway design, and the importance of holding state agencies accountable for safety compliance.
Official Case Highlights
Jury Award: $5.3 million
Injuries: Broken ribs, punctured lung, stroke, paralysis
Fault Split: State 52%, Driver 44%, Plaintiff 4%
Location: U.S. 190 near Winterville, West Baton Rouge Parish
Year of Verdict: 2004
Year of Incident: 1995
About Marionneaux Law Firm
The Marionneaux Law Firm is a trusted advocate for individuals and families throughout Louisiana who are injured due to negligence, defective roadways, or unsafe driving conditions. With decades of litigation experience and multi-million-dollar verdicts, the firm is committed to justice.