When catastrophic accidents strike our community, the legal team at Frischhertz & Impastato steps up to make a meaningful difference. Across New Orleans and the surrounding parishes, we are on the ground fighting relentlessly for the rights of victims and their families. High-profile incidents often dominate the local headlines, yet individual victims are frequently left to navigate the devastating aftermath alone. At Frischhertz & Impastato, we ensure they never have to.
At Frischhertz & Impastato, we believe that corporate entities, negligent construction crews, and reckless drivers must be held fully accountable for the destruction they cause. Our legal team treats every case with the urgent focus it deserves, uncovering the hidden details that large insurance companies try to overlook.
Recent Catastrophic Waterway and Roadway Incidents Demanding Accountability
Below is an overview of the recent catastrophic incidents impacting our community. Frischhertz & Impastato is already actively engaged on the front lines of these very cases, representing victims and fighting for the accountability our city deserves.
Devastating Tour Airboat Collision in Lafitte
A tragic tour airboat collision occurred in the Intracoastal Waterway near Jean Lafitte, Louisiana. The commercial airboat, which was carrying 11 passengers, collided directly with a tugboat’s mooring line. This severe impact resulted in one immediate fatality at the scene and left two other passengers hospitalized with critical injuries. Navigating these incidents requires a deep understanding of complex federal maritime regulations.
Unlit Bridge Construction Scaffolding Causes Fatal Boat Accident
A heartbreaking maritime accident claimed the life of veteran Jefferson Parish firefighter Lt. Dennis Casey Jr., a father of three who dedicated 24 years of his life to public service. While operating his vessel, his boat struck unmarked and unlit construction scaffolding hanging low from the Chef Menteur Pass bridge. The scaffolding had been left behind by construction contractors long after their repair work was completed, raising serious questions about site safety and corporate oversight.
Fatal Motorcycle Crash Involving an Impaired Driver on Airline Highway
Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office Deputy Christopher Ohlmeyer was tragically struck from behind and killed while riding his motorcycle during an official funeral procession on Airline Highway. The striking driver was arrested and charged with vehicular homicide. Official toxicology reports and court records revealed she was heavily impaired by a combination of multiple prescription medications and completely failed to deploy her vehicle’s brakes before hitting the deputy.
Catastrophic Utility Failures and Structural Collapses
The Avondale Residential Gas Explosion
A catastrophic neighborhood disaster occurred in Avondale, Louisiana, when a heavy cement construction truck backed over and ruptured an active Atmos gas line on Highway 90. The leaking gas traveled a massive distance, spanning the length of an entire football field, before entering the home of 87-year-old Deloris Gabriel. The house exploded, killing Gabriel instantly and sending five other family members, including young children, to the emergency room with severe injuries.
Nursing Home Abandonment During Hurricane Katrina
A historic and heartbreaking look at institutional negligence involves the criminal charges brought against the owners of St. Rita’s Nursing Home in St. Bernard Parish. Thirty-four elderly residents tragically drowned inside the facility when management chose to shelter in place and completely failed to execute a timely, mandatory evacuation plan as floodwaters quickly rose around the property.
The Hard Rock Hotel Structural Collapse
A harrowing, ten-month recovery operation was required to retrieve the remains of trapped construction workers from the structural wreckage of the partially collapsed Hard Rock Hotel in downtown New Orleans. The disaster claimed three lives and injured dozens of workers. Preliminary federal OSHA investigations exposed catastrophic engineering and design errors, including severely undersized structural steel beams and over-spaced support columns.
Why Frischhertz & Impastato is the Premier Choice for Personal Injury in Louisiana
When you are facing the aftermath of a catastrophic injury or a wrongful death, you need an elite legal powerhouse that knows how to win. Frischhertz & Impastato brings over 85 years of combined legal experience to your side. With a dedicated team of 8 aggressive trial attorneys, we have successfully secured over $700 Million for injury victims and grieving families across Louisiana.
We handle every component of complex litigation:
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Independent Engineering and Accident Investigations: We locate event data recorders, black boxes, and physical evidence before corporations can alter them.
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Deep Medical Case Building: We partner with leading medical specialists to ensure the true long-term cost of your physical recovery is fully documented.
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Relentless Courtroom Advocacy: We do not simply settle for the first low offer from an insurance company; we build every single case with the preparation required for a full jury trial.
If your family has been affected by a serious accident, a workplace tragedy, or a utility failure, do not try to handle the insurance corporations alone. Let our experience work for you.
Contact Frischhertz & Impastato today at our New Orleans office located at 1140 St Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130, or call us directly at (504) 264-9915 or request a meeting online for a completely free, confidential case consultation.