Gordon J. McKernan
Top rated Personal Injury attorney in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys
Practice Areas: Personal Injury, Class Action & Mass Torts, Immigration; view more
Licensed in Louisiana since: 1992
Education: Loyola University New Orleans College of Law
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2012 - 2024 Call today:
225-888-8888
Free Consultation Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys
5656 Hilton AveBaton Rouge, LA 70808 Visit website
Details
Attorney Gordon McKernan, owner of Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys, focuses his Baton Rouge practice on representing individuals in their personal injury claims. Gordon McKernan Injury Attorneys aims to provide the highest quality of legal service, compassion, and support to its clients and their families. The law firm's commitment is evidenced through its constant and relentless pursuit of truth and justice while maximizing its client’s recovery.
A practicing lawyer for more than 20 years, Mr. McKernan has represented thousands of clients throughout the state of Louisiana in cities such as Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, Shreveport, Monroe, New Orleans, and Gonzales. His cases have been extensive, covering law suits involving 18-wheeler accidents, car wrecks, drunk driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, vehicle rollovers, offshore and maritime cases, wrongful death cases and personal injury cases that have involved injuries such as brain injuries, amputations, fractures, burns and various disk injuries. Mr. McKernan has personally handled more than 40 cases whose verdict values exceeded $1,000,000.
Mr. McKernan is admitted to practice within the states of Louisiana and Texas. He is admitted to practice before the Eastern, Western and Middle U.S. District Courts of Louisiana; the Eastern, Western, and Southern U.S. District Courts of Texas; and the Northern and Southern U.S. District Courts of Mississippi.
Practice areas
Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff, Class Action/Mass Torts: Plaintiff, Immigration: Consumer, Workers' Compensation: ClaimantFocus areas
Animal Bites, Asbestos, Asylum, Brain Injury, Class Actions, Construction Accident, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Naturalization & Citizenship, Personal Injury - Plaintiff, Premises Liability - Plaintiff, Slip and Fall, Toxic Torts, Trucking Accidents, Wrongful Death
- 70% Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
- 10% Class Action/Mass Torts: Plaintiff
- 10% Immigration: Consumer
- 10% Workers' Compensation: Claimant
First Admitted: 1992, Louisiana
Professional Webpage: https://www.getgordon.com/our-team/gordon-mckernan/
Bar/Professional Activity:
- Member, Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association
- Member, Texas Trial Lawyers Association
- Member, Safety Council Baton Rouge Chapter, August 30, 2010 - Present
- Texas, 1993
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Louisiana, 1992
- Member , Million Dollar Advocates
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Texas, 1993
- Gordon J. McKernan was appointed to the board of the Baton Rouge Crime Stoppers. 2012, 2013., 2012
- Member, Baton Rouge Bar Association
- Member, Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association, Board of Governors, 1997 - 1999
- Member , Trial Lawyers for Public Justice
- Louisiana, 1992
- U.S. District Court Western District of Louisiana, 1992
- Member , Mississippi Trial Lawyers Association
- U.S. District Court Western District of Texas, 1993
- 2012 - 2014: The Salvation Army welcomes Gordon McKernan as its newest member to its greater Baton Rouge Advisory Board. Gordon is the owner and managing partner of Gordon McKernan Injury Lawyers, a Louisiana-based personal injury and wrongful death law firm. The Salvation Army was founded in 1865 as a religious and social services organization that takes a holistic approach to working with people, addressing their physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs without discrimination. The Salvation Army of Greater Baton Rouge provides a wide range of programs and services including providing shelter to the homeless, rehabilitation for men addicted to drugs and alcohol, homeless prevention services, after school tutoring to underprivileged children and so much more. “My desire to help the less fortunate will enable me to support and carry out the vision and mission of the Army. Now more than ever individuals are finding themselves in a position in which they may be in need of assistance to get back on their feet. I am honored to be named to the Advisory Board, and look forward to working with this organization to achieve its goal of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ,” said Gordon., 2012
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Mississippi, 1997
- Member, Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association, Executive Council, 1994 - 1996
- Member , American Association for Justice
- Member, Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association, Council of Directors, 2000 - 2001
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Louisiana, 1992
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Texas, 1993
- Member, PILMMA, 2009 - Present
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Mississippi, 1997
- 2013 - 2014 - current member of APILTA - Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America., 2013
Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):
- $4,000,000 Wrongful death verdict - faulty industrial pump which failed to meet required standards. Pump fractured after one year of use due to weakness of material, spraying client with chemical, TiCL4, causing severe burns and death 11 days later.
- $880,000 Settlement for a 47-year-old furniture deliveryman. He was rear-ended in a 3 vehicle accident. He had to treat over a 31 month period. He was also not able to go back to previous work due to his injuries and his residual functional capacity., 2012
- An 18-wheeler rear-ended my client. She had an MRI that showed edema in C6 and C7, with possible compression fractures. Our client continued to have problems, with tingling and numbness in arms and fingers, later found out the left foraminal disc had a protrusion at L4-5 with severe neural foraminal narrowing with possibleimpingement of the L4 nerve root. Settlement of $600,000., 2012
- $22,500,000 - Hit by a commercial truck who was turning left that ran a red light. Accident causes brain injury to a young boy.
- $2,525,000 settlement for a UM bad faith case. Our client suffered back injuries after the defendant driver made a left turn in front of plaintiff causing a violent impact. The defendant had a minimal policy - after several ESIs and back surgery, the plaintiff learned the tortfeasor's policy was insufficient to cover his losses, he sought coverage under his employer's UM policy. The insurance company denied UM coverage. However, Plaintiff demanded that the insurance company produce a copy of the LA UM selection/rejection form. Review of the selection/rejection form revealed that Plaintiff’s employer had failed to initial next to the selection or rejection of coverage. Thus, Plaintiff demanded that the insurance company recognize in writing that UM coverage would be afforded under the policy. The insurance refused and therefore suit was filed. Within a few days of suit being filed, the insurance company sent Plaintiff another denial letter, this time enclosing a UM rejection form which contained the same date as the previous form, however it now contained the initials of Plaintiff’s employer next to the rejection of coverage. Plaintiff immediately filed an amended Petition alleging bad faith and insurance fraud. During the course of litigation, Plaintiffs demanded that the insurance company produce attorney-client privileged communications by arguing that the crime-fraud exception to attorney-client privilege applied and therefore the privilege had been vitiated. The trial court agreed with Plaintiff and ordered the production of the documents. The trial court refused to stay the order of production so that writs could be filed. In response, the insurance filed an emergency writ with the 1st Circuit requesting a stay pending evaluation of their writ. The 1st Circuit denied the request. The next day insurance company agreed to pay $2,525,000 to settle the case., 2012
- $108,000,000 Mass Tort Settlement for Chemical Exposure. Individually filed cases where a pipe line exploded exposing over 1000 clients to a chemical. I had to personally get over 1000 clients to agree and sign a release on the $108,000,000 settlement.
- A victim of distracted driving was awarded $1.2 million after trial. The driver of an 18-wheeler truck admitted to dropping his cell phone and being inattentive, hit our plaintiff., 2011
- $1,000,000 Settlement for a rear-end accident with a dump truck. Our client suffered from lower back issues, with 2 ESI injections and a cervical fusion., 2012
- $5,000,000 Settlement - 18-Wheeler rear end wreck caused multiple spine surgeries. A 33-year old LPN was rear ended on 1-12 in Baton Rouge by an 18-Wheeler. Plaintiff's lumbar surgery was unsuccessful and was diagnosed with failed back syndrome. Her doctor's recommended that she undergo implantation of spinal cord stimulator. Plaintiff's past medical totaled more than $210,000.
Pro bono/Community Service:
- Criminal Defense: Defended a person with 2nd offense DWI; resisting arrest and battery of a police officer. Plea bargain reached for probation. Defended a person charged with domestic abuse battery. Still pending.
- Collection: Assisted client in collection on a settlement agreement reached with insurance company.
- Hosted our first annual bicycle giveaway for members in our community. We bought and gave away bicycles for Christmas 2012 for young children and toddlers. Due to the impact it had on our community, we have decided to continue this event every year., 2012
- Second Annual Car Seat Giveaway - expanded to include our Hispanic community., 2014
- Immigration: Completed and filed paperwork to secure non-immigrant work VISA for legal alien residing in the United States.
- Contract: Gordon McKernan reviewed a business contract for a photographer. Gordon McKernan revised the contract to make it applicable to Louisiana law and if needed outside the state of Louisiana., 2013
- Second Annual Bicycle Giveaway - expanded to include our Hispanic community., 2013
- Corporate: Drafted all forms to create a Limited Liability Company and filed all appropriate documents with Secretary of State.
- Divorce: Drafted all paperwork to get a judgment of divorce and assisted person with filing of said papers.
- Hosted our first car seat giveaway event in May 2013. Due to the community's response and support, we will be hosting a car seat giveaway annually to assist parents with car seats and booster seats and make sure they are directed on where to have them installed and checked properly., 2013
Educational Background:
- Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, B.A., 1989
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- Special Tools for Selecting the Right Jury, National Business Institute, Winning Strategies for Jury Selection in Louisiana, June, 1998
- Planning Voir Dire, National Business Institute, Winning Strategies for Jury Selection in Louisiana, June, 1998
- Update of the Wrongful Death Law, Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association, Updates and Winning with the Masters, December, 1996
- Overview of the Wrongful Death Law, Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association, Post-legislative Retreat, July, 1996
- Overview and Update of Wrongful Death Law, National Business Institute, June, Overview and Update of Wrongful Death Case, National Business Institute, 1996
- A collection definitions and various case examples. Each section is broken down from a main area and scenarios that may be encountered while practicing law. (i.e. Chapter 1 - Admiralty A. Damages 1:1 Conortium, 1:2 Emotional Injujry; 1:3 Found; 1:4 Interest; 1:5 Loss of Income; 1:6 Maintenance & Cure; 1:7 Cure, etc.)
- Winning Strategies for Jury Selection in Louisiana, National Business Institute, Baton Rouge, LA, 1998
- Trial of the Wrongful Death Case, National Business Institute, June, 1996
- McKernan's Louisiana Personal Injury Reporter, Lawyer's Cooperative Publishing Co., 1995
- Winning Strategies for Jury Selection in Louisiana, National Business Institute
- Paralegals and the Litigation Team in Louisiana, Institute for Paralegal Education
- Trial of a Personal Injury Case from A to Z, National Association of Legal Assistants
- Who's Your Lawyer, Gordon McKernan Injury Lawyers
- Christians & Car Wrecks, Vitalink Publishing
- Preparation for Trial, Personal Injury and Litigation Seminar, Southern University Law Center, Baton Rouge, LA, 1997
- Update of Wrongful Death Law, Updates and Winning with the Masters, Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association, New Orleans, LA, 1996
- Overview of Wrongful Death Law, Post-Legislative Retreat, Louisiana Trial Lawyers Association, Carmel, CA, 1996
- Trying the Wrongful Death Case in Louisiana, National Business Institute, Baton Rouge, LA, 1996
- What Does a Lawyer Do?, Ascension Alternative School, November 16, 2011
- Dangers of Texting and Driving, National Save a Life Tour / Baton Rouge Safety Council
- What's Up With Your Life?, Glen Oaks High School
- Building the Kingdom Brick by Brick, First Baptist Church Plaquemine
- Trial of a Personal Injury Case from A to Z, National Association of Legal Assistants
- Spoke to several levels of students at Mentorship Academy to encourage continuing education, setting goals and answer any questions they may have about becoming an attorney., So You Want to Be a Lawyer?, Mentorship Acadmeny, 2012
- Gordon spoke to an array of business leaders in the Ascension Parish community. The business leaders were from all facets of life - sole proprietorships, franchise owners and managers, real estate agents and more. Gordon's topic was Marketing & Branding - what it is, how implementing this in his own business has caused growth and success and how to implement it into your own business., Marketing & Branding, Business Associates Of Ascension, 2012
- Gave free legal advice to attendees of the Thirst for Justice gathering. Also spoke to students about a career in law., Thirst for Justice, St. Vincent De Paul
- Spoke to a group of young adults on the process of career choices and the different requirements for each type of career. Highlight was becoming an attorney., Career Choices and Requirements, Big Buddy Mentors
- Spoke to the WAFB Corporate Owners and Sales Team regarding being a successful business person and how to stand out from others in your industry., Successful Businessmen and Standing Out from the Crowd, WAFB (TV) Corporate Owners And Sales Team
- McKernan's Louisiana Personal Injury Reporter, Lawyer's Cooperative Publishing Co., 1994
Honors/Awards:
- 2005-2014 Recognized by a national organization that extends an invitation to the top 100 trial lawyers in each state. Qualificatons required are those of leadership, reputation, influence, profile and stature as a civil or criminal defense trial attorney., Top 100 Trial Lawyers, American Association for Justice, 2005
- Gordon McKernan has been named to the Louisiana Super Lawyers® list as one of the top attorneys in Louisiana for 2012, 2013 and 2014. No more than 5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by Super Lawyers®. About Super Lawyers® Super Lawyers® (www.superlawyers.com), is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selections are made annually using a rigorous multi-phased process, including a statewide survey of lawyers, an independent research evaluation of candidates, and peer reviews by practice area. Lawyers cannot nominate themselves, and in-firm votes are only counted if they are matched by an out-of-firm nomination. The object of the Super Lawyers® selection process is to create a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of outstanding attorneys that can be used as a resource to assist attorneys and consumers in the search for legal counsel. Super Lawyers® is published as a special supplement in leading newspapers and city and regional magazines across the country. Super Lawyers® magazine features articles about attorneys named to the Super Lawyers® list, is distributed to all attorneys in the state or region, the lead corporate counsel of Russell 3000 companies and the ABA-approved law school libraries. Polling, research and selection are performed by Law & Politics, a publication of Key Professional Media, Inc. Law & Politics has been publishing legal magazines since 1990 and Super Lawyers® since 1991., Super Lawyers, 2012
- 2001 - 2014 Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Million Dollar Advocates Forum, 2001
- 2012-2014 Current member of the Better Business Bureau - selected for inclusion for a record of no complaints., Better Business Bureau, 2012
- 2005 - 2014 American Trial Lawyers - Top 100 Trial Lawyers, 2005 - 2013, American Trial Lawyers - Top 100 Trial Lawyers, 2005
Selections
13 Years Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers: 2012 - 2024
