Toxic Tort & Occupational Exposure Litigation

Degan, Blanchard & Nash provides its clients with efficient, innovative and effective representation in actions involving personal injury or property damage arising from exposure to a variety of potentially toxic substances. Toxic tort cases typically involve bodily injury claims arising from allegations of exposure to toxic chemicals or hazardous materials. Degan, Blanchard & Nash has represented manufacturers, retailers, distributors, material suppliers, property owners, and public utilities in actions in state and federal courts throughout the southeastern United States. The following are representative areas in which Degan, Blanchard & Nash has represented clients:

Asbestos;
Silica;
Benzene;
NORM/TERM;
Petroleum;
Pesticides;
Solvents;
Formaldehyde;
Hearing loss;
Mold;
Lead;
Carbide;
Abrasive products;
PCE;
TCE;
Pharmaceuticals; and
Dietary supplements.

Degan, Blanchard & Nash has extensive experience representing clients in individual suits in state and federal court, as well as in MDL proceedings and class actions. The firm represents numerous toxic tort clients on a local, regional and national level. Our attorneys have extensive experience working with experts to develop complex medical and epidemiological defenses in toxic tort suits and we strive to stay abreast of the most current developments in science and the medical literature. We are well-versed in multi-party complex tort litigation and the unique demands it presents. Our experience includes not only trial work, but negotiation and successful alternative dispute resolution of toxic tort cases, as well. Our depth of experience in the area in both trial and appellate courts allows us to thoroughly evaluate all claims facing our clients and to provide them with the best legal representation whether they face one suit or any number of claims.

Most recently, Degan, Blanchard & Nash has defended several lawsuits involving the clean up activities of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. That litigation, as extensive as it was regarding the actual release of oil, extended beyond to injuries allegedly sustained by workers during the clean up operations. The oil dispersant utilized during the procedure allegedly caused a toxic exposure reaction to clean up workers. Degan, Blanchard & Nash defended several temporary employment service agencies who contracted for the oil clean up procedure, as well as third party contract companies involved in that same toxic reaction litigation.

Degan, Blanchard & Nash has, most recently, become involved in defending toxic tort litigation regarding the "fracking" process of recovering oil and gas from certain geological formations. This process involves hydraulic fracturing, a process used to exploit oil and gas formations previously deemed too difficult to reach, or unproductive due to greatly diminished output. In this process, fluids, under high pressure, are pumped into a natural gas or oil well to retrieve remaining oil. These fluids contain chemicals and natural additives and are alleged to have caused toxic damage to property, as well as toxic reactions to drilling employees. Companies have begun actively pursuing oil and natural gas deposits utilizing the fracking method in Louisiana, Texas, and the Arkansas area. In addition, companies have begun pursuing the technique in the Gulf of Mexico region. The fracking process requires large quantities of water mixed with certain chemicals which are alleged to cause property damage, coastline loss, as well as toxic reactions to individual workers and the public in areas affected. Degan, Blanchard & Nash has been instrumental in the legal realities of the fracking process from defending toxic tort litigation, defending workers’ compensation related claims, as well as contract litigation for administrative agencies such as the mineral boards within the Gulf states region.

Degan, Blanchard & Nash is pleased to provide its clients with cost effective representation in toxic tort and occupational exposure litigation, as well as representation in the newest fields of toxic exposure.

Practice Area Spotlight

Admiralty and Maritime

Degan, Blanchard & Nash employs dedicated attorneys with proficiency in admiralty and maritime law. The practice of Admiralty and Maritime law is a highly focused area of law that is not widely practiced throughout the United States. As one of the oldest branches of law, harkening back to ancient times, maritime law today covers a broad area of issues, ranging from injuries and working conditions at sea to shipping and commerce, navigation, collisions, ….

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Construction

Navigating a complex construction project requires assistance from an experienced legal team well-prepared to tackle the issues that regularly arise on the construction site. During any phase of a construction project, disagreements can turn into bitter disputes over insurability, schedule, cost, and quality of the end product.

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Professional Liability

Our professional liability defense group is comprised of attorneys with unsurpassed expertise in defending professionals from a variety of industries, including claims involving medical/healthcare providers, the legal/accounting industries, real estate agents/brokers, insurance agents/brokers, design professionals/architects and engineers, financial planners, investment advisors, and other professional disciplines.

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Property and Casualty

Through its many years of experience, Degan, Blanchard & Nash's property litigation section attorneys has developed a technical expertise in handling a wide array of property cases involving both commercial and residential properties. With offices in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, this includes defense of claims due to the weather - e.g., for damage occurring as a result of storms or extreme temperatures.

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Trucking and Commercial Vehicle

In short, we know the commercial vehicle and trucking business. We recognize the integral role commercial trucking plays in the economy and can help clients navigate the myriad of federal and state laws that may apply.

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Workers' Compensation Defense

Employers spend millions of dollars every year settling workers' compensation claims that might otherwise have been reduced or dismissed. At Degan, Blanchard & Nash, our attorneys defend cases involving work-related injury or disease, from the most minor to the most severe. While the workers' compensation courts prefer to settle disputes through mediation, there are cases which require litigation. This is when a work-related legal dispute moves to the courts and a workers' compensation lawyer is required.

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Longshore and Harbor
Workers' Compensation Act
and Defense Base Act

Originally began as a maritime defense law firm, Degan, Blanchard & Nash has diversified from its traditional role primarily in the Louisiana and Texas maritime area into, among other areas, the "blue water" and international marine fields. The firm's approach is to consistently reflect our attorneys' broad knowledge and deep understanding of admiralty and insurance coverage law together with effective representation of the clients, the cornerstone of our longstanding client relationships.

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Insurance Coverage and Litigation

Degan, Blanchard & Nash's insurance coverage practice has many decades of combined experience in providing insurance coverage advice and in defending insurers in coverage litigation. The coverage group maintains its national expertise and handles claims and litigation arising in all fifty states. Although the insurance coverage group focuses exclusively on the coverage advice and litigation needs of insurers, our coverage lawyers are also skilled in defending liability issues, especially in Louisiana where, due to the state's Direct Action Statute, insurers are most often sued directly by plaintiffs.

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