Justia Legal Services & Lawyers Directory

Louis J. Cosenza is a skilled litigator with experience in diverse areas including tort law, medical malpractice, lawyer disciplinary proceedings, and criminal defense and prosecution in state and federal courts and military Courts Martial. In his 33 years as a lawyer, Mr. Cosenza has also represented clients in a wide variety of civil disputes, notably in the areas of contract and property law.

A native of New Orleans who has spent over 20 years practicing law in a large town, Louis also lived and practiced law for 10 years in rural west Louisiana. This life experience has given him a valuable perspective regarding the needs of citizens in the greater Baton Rouge area. After moving to Ascension Parish following hurricane Katrina, Louis established a new law firm, limiting his practice to the handling of divorce and family law matters primarily in Ascension and East Baton Rouge parishes. Louis is married with four children.

Ongoing Peer Education & Seminar Presentations:

Co-Chair, 2010 HarrisMartin Louisiana Asbestos Litigation Conference

Important Litigation Involvement:

From 1987 to 1993, Mr. Blackwell defended numerous Fortune 500 and organizational clients in state and federal courts in Louisiana related to occupational diseases

Since 1988, Mr. Blackwell has represented teachers and educational support personnel in all types of issues related to their employment

Since 1993, Mr. Blackwell has represented individuals in all types of claims related to their employment, including:

claims of discrimination (age, sex and disability)
claims of work-related injury
claims of occupational disease (mesothelioma, lung cancer, other asbestos-related cancer, asbestosis, noise induced hearing loss and benzene)
workers'compensation claims

Significant Trial Results:

Mr. Blackwell has successfully tried employment-related cases in Louisiana and Texas. The following represents only some of the cases that he has tried:

Joseph A. Thomas, et al versus A.P. Green Industries, Inc., et al
No. 2000-3410, Civil District Court, Orleans Parish, Louisiana
Claim: Lung cancer related to asbestos exposure
Opposing Party: Entergy Louisiana, Inc.
Date: September 7, 2004
Gross Award: $6,000,000

Award amended to $4,250,000 and affirmed. Thomas v. A.P. Green Industries, Inc., No. 2005 CA 1064 (La. App. 4th Cir. 05/31/2006).

Sam P. Burnett, et al versus The Dow Chemical Company
No. 2001-36408, 269th Judicial District Court, Harris County, Texas
Claim: Mesothelioma related to asbestos exposure
Opposing Party: The Dow Chemical Company
Date: May 30, 2003
Gross Award: $11,503,464.92

Alvin A. Hebert, Sr., et ux versus Anco Insulations, Inc., et al
No. 51,810, 18th Judicial District Court, Iberville Parish, Louisiana
Claim: Mesothelioma related to asbestos exposure
Opposing Party: The Dow Chemical Company
Date: November 19, 1999
Gross Award: $2,500,000

Timothy J. Mills v. Storer Equipment Company
No. 94-CA-2116, United States District Court,
Western District of Louisiana
Claim: Disability discrimination
Opposing Party: Storer Equipment Company
Date: September 15, 1995
Gross Award: $66,524.75

Myrtle Fullilove versus Beaird Industries, Inc.
No. 93-CA-0896, United States District Court
Western District of Louisiana
Claim: Age and sex discrimination
Opposing Party: Beaird Industries, Inc.
Date: October 4, 1994
Gross Award: $103,127.85

Significant Settlements:

In addition to these verdicts, Mr. Blackwell's efforts have helped bring about large settlements of asbestos and other cases throughout his legal career. Examples of some of those recent settlements include:

Over $2.4 million for an insulator diagnosed with mesothelioma

Over $1.8 million for the housewife of a heavy equipment operator diagnosed with mesothelioma

Over $1.75 million for a paper mill engineer diagnosed with mesothelioma

Over $1.6 million for paper mill welder diagnosed with mesothelioma

Over $1.25 million for a chemical plant pipefitter diagnosed with mesothelioma

Over $900,000 for an oil filed worker diagnosed with mesothelioma

Over $850,000 for the grandson of a refinery worker diagnosed with mesothelioma

Over $800,000 for the housewife of a chemical plant engineer diagnosed with mesothelioma

$500,000 for a worker at a racetrack for disability discrimination

Over $250,000 for a petrochemical plant pipefitter diagnosed with asbestosis

Over $200,000 for a heavy equipment operator with asbestosis

Since 2002, the lawyers at Blackwell & Associates have collected over $32.5 million in settlement funds for their clients.

Reported Decisions:

Mr. Blackwell has been involved in numerous cases that resulted in decisions that were published by the Louisiana Supreme Court, Louisiana Courts of Appeal, the United States Court of Appeal for the Fifth Circuit, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana and the United States District Court for the Western District of Louisiana.

These decisions, a number of which are listed below, have significantly shaped the law in Louisiana in favor of Mr. Blackwell's clients:

Smart Document Solutions, LLC v. Miller,
No. 07 670-CA (La. App. 3rd Cir. 10/31/2007), 970 So.2d 49

Graves v. Riverwood International Corp.,
No. 38,842-CA (La. App. 2nd Cir. 08/18/2004), 881 So.2d 140

Hughes v. Olin Corp.
No. 37,404-CA (La. App. 2nd Cir. 10/03/2003), 856 So.2d 222

Austin v. Abney Mills, Inc.,
No. 2001-C-1598 (La. 09/04/2002), 824 So.2d 1137

Hebert v. ANCO Insulation, Inc.,
No. 2000CA1929 (La. App. 1st Cir. 07/31/2002), 835 So.2d 483

Warwick Apartments Baton Rouge v. State Through Dept. of Transportation and Development,
633 So.2d 895 (La. App. 1st Cir. 03/11/1994)

Davenport v. Texaco, Inc.,
623 So.2d 123 (La. App. 1st Cir. 07/02/1993)

First South Production Credit Association v. Georgia-Pacific Corp.,
585 So.2d 545 (La. 09/09/1991)

Vizinat v. Transcontinental Gas Pipeline Corp.,
552 So.2d 1237 (La. App. 3rd Cir. 11/14/1989)

LeBlanc v. Hullinghorst Industries, Inc.,
542 So.2d 642 (La. App. 5th Cir. 04/12/1989)

Mire v. City of Lake Charles,
540 So.2d 950 (La. 03/13/1989)

Media Comments/Recognition:

Martindale-Hubbell® Distinguished BV Peer Review Rated