JR has gained a national reputation for his skilled representation in consumer protection and class action/complex litigation claims.  He is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Louisiana, as well as the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. Due to the nature of his practice, J.R. is admitted almost yearly pro hac vice to many courts throughout the country. J.R. was graduated from L.S.U. with degrees in history and political science and was graduated from L.S.U. Law School, where he won the prestigious Flory Trial Competition. In addition to his busy litigation practice, J.R. regularly speaks to other attorneys and students on important legal issues and is a consistent contributor to legal publications throughout the country.

In recognition of Traumatic Brain Injury Awareness Month and in celebration of our troops safe return from Combat Deployment, the Alexandria Veterans Affairs Medical Center Employee Association has organized the Freedom 5K/1 Mile Fun Run this Saturday at England Airpark. Proceeds will benefit the Wounded Warrior Project.

Local law firm, Neblett, Beard & Arsenault is a platinum sponsor of the event, and is excited about the opportunity to lend support to our local men and women in uniform.

“This is a great cause, and we are happy to be involved,” said senior partner Richard Arsenault.  “Our troops make sacrifices everyday for our freedom, and this is just a small token of our appreciation.”

The firm will host a booth at the event, and will be offering games, give-a-ways and some free legal services to active troops, veterans and their families.   About one year ago, the firm started a program which provides simple wills, Power of Attorney, notary service and other legal services to servicemen and women at no charge.

“We know that the local community is going to come out in big numbers to support the Freedom 5K,” added Arsenault. “Folks in Central Louisiana understand the importance of military service, and are deeply grateful to the men and women who put their lives on the line for freedom.”

Onsite registration will begin at 6:30am, with the race beginning at 8:00am.  A special ceremony to recognize honorees will take place at 7:30am.   The race will be followed by a Welcome Home event.  For information on how to get involved, call Kyle Liotta at 318-466-2799 or Laura Roach at 318-466-2854, or go online.

Here is the link to what the Town Talk has to say about the event!

Arsenault is among a group of attorneys who have been working with claims administrator, Kennth Feinberg, and the unprecedented $20 billion Gulf Coast Claims Facility set up by BP and the Obama administration.  This avenue may offer faster compensation, but it may also mean waiving your right to sue BP.  Arsenault is explaining these options to his clients in this “already extraordinary case.”

Read the article here.

A veteran of class action and complex litigation, Arsenault’s firm is actively involved in the pending lawsuits against the makers of the recalled painkillers, and continues to investigate additional claims.

Darvon, Darvocet and other forms of propoxyphene where pulled from the U.S. market by the FDA in November 2010 because of serious, potentially fatal heart-related problems and overdose risks, which were determined to outweighed the drugs’ benefit.

Louisiana Super Lawyers are designated through a rigorous, multi-step evaluation process that incorporates peer recognition and professional achievement. Only 5% of lawyers in Louisiana receive this prestigious acknowledgment.

Arsenault and Walker have been selected for inclusion in Louisiana Super Lawyers each year since 2007. They are recognized for their professional contributions in the areas of personal injury litigation and mass tort/complex litigation.

The cause of the crash in under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board, FAA and Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Arsenault, who has extensive experience navigating class action and complex litigation, has been involved with the planning and organization of this conference each year since its inception.

The accident happened approximately 20 miles southeast of New Orleans on Louisiana Delta Oil Co.’s Grosse Tete work-over rig.

The gas well was inactive at the time of the fire, and the Coast Guard is not reporting pollution at this time.

Earlier this year, DePuy Orthpaedics, a division of Johnson & Johnson, initiated a worldwide recall of its ASR hip replacement products because of higher-than-expected failure rates. It has been reported that 1 in 8 patients implanted with the recalled hip systems will have to undergo revision surgery within 5 years. A veteran of complex and class action litigation, Arsenault is a frequent speaker and chair of legal conferences. Arsenault’s firm has filed a lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson DePuy and continues to investigate other claims against the makers of the recalled ASR hip replacement systems.

According to the lawsuit, because of improper natural gas drilling activities by the defendents, methane, ethane, barium and other harmful substances were allowed to enter and contaminate the victim’s water supply. In the lawsuit, the victim claims that she suffers dermatitis, gastrointestinal discomfort, barium poisoning, pain, numbness to her face and hands, deformities of the bones of her hands, headache, and other injuries due to exposure to harmful substances. Additionally, the suit alleges that the value of her property has diminished, she has lost the use and enjoyment of her property, and has suffered a drop in the quality of life she otherwise enjoyed.

The lawsuit seeks to bar the defendants from continuing to engage in these practices, and seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages and the cost of future health monitoring for the victim.

Neblett, Beard & Arsenault is experienced in handling environmental lawsuits, having worked hard for victims of numerous oil and gas operations across Louisiana and the nation, including this year’s devastating Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The firm continues to investigate claims in Pennsylvania and across the country associated with natural gas drilling and the controversial “hydrofracking” process.

Each child under 12 that brings a new, unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots will enter the buffet for free and will be able to visit with Santa, take photos and enjoy face painting, coloring and other fun activities.  Each child will receive a complimentary photo frame containing their picture with Santa.

We hope to see you there!

The crash left one 18-wheeler demolished, the second 18-wheeler was pushed into four-wheel vehicles and the third 18-wheeler exited the highway and ended up in the woods. One 18-wheeler driver had to be cut from the cab of the wrecked big rig.

Eastbound lanes of I-20 were closed while crews cleaned up the debris and leaked diesel fuel. The wreck caused a huge traffic back-up on both the eastbound and westbound lanes of I-20 near Shreveport.

Attorney Richard J. Arsenault

This year’s schedule featured federal judges, professors, attorneys and engineers from across the country speaking on laws governing maritime activities, including Neblett, Beard & Arsenault’s Attorney Wes Gralapp, who addressed governmental claims. 

Arsenault was chosen by the Louisiana State Bar Association to lead the event because of his extensive knowledge and experience in maritime law and complex litigation. He is also heavily involved with the on-going litigation stemming from the tragic oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. This year, Arsenault has chaired the Louisiana State Bar Association’s Gulf Coast Oil Spill Symposium, the Harris Martin Publishing Gulf Coast Oil Spill Symposium and was named Co-chair of the American Association for Justice’s Gulf Coast Oil Spill Litigation Group.  

The Wall Street Journal has called Arsenault’s seminars the “must attend” legal events, and his expertise has been featured by The New York Times, CBS, Business Week, NPR and other major media outlets.

“For many seniors, what should have been newfound mobility has instead become less mobility because their hip replacements systems are defective,” says Attorney Richard J. Arsenault, senior partner at Neblett, Beard & Arsenault.

DePuy Orthopaedics, a division of Johnson and Johnson, announced a worldwide recall of its ASR XL Acetabular System and ASR Hip Resurfacing System after reports indicated the systems were failing at a higher than expected rate.  According to a study published by the National Joint Registry of England and Wales, 1 out of every 8 patients (12%-13%) who had been implanted with a recalled device had to undergo revision surgery within five years.

The recalled ASR hip systems may loosen or dislocate after implantation, resulting in pain, fracture, swelling and less mobility in the patient.  The ASR hip system utilizes a ball and socket component that moves against one another.  Over time, the metal on metal contact may create metal debris, which could result in damage to the bone, soft tissue and nerves.

“It is troubling to think that over 90,000 people may have been implanted with defective, perhaps dangerous hip replacement systems.   It raises the question whether these devices were properly vetted before they were put on the market.  Further, did DePuy work fast enough to recall these products after knowing that they were resulting in revision surgeries, complications and pain?” questioned Arsenault.