Charlie Gay, Jr. is a Partner with Adams and Reese with over 30 years of experience in general litigation, toxic tort, product liability and medical malpractice. He joined the firm in 1983 and currently serves as a member of the firm’s Pharmaceuticals and Products Liability team of the Litigation Practice Group. He also works extensively with the Healthcare Litigation Group.
In the last several years, he has tried over 15 major toxic tort, products liability and medical malpractice cases involving serious personal injury (e.g., quadriplegia, brain damage) to successful defense verdicts before juries in Louisiana. He is experienced in partnering with clients to achieve cost effective, quality solutions to problems through the efficient use of resources, employment of technology, early case assessment and case management.
He is listed in Best Lawyers® - Medical Malpractice Law, Personal Injury Litigation, Product Liability Litigation and Louisiana Super Lawyers® - Health Care.
Charlie's representative cases include:
- Serving as lead counsel for Exxon Mobil in a mass joinder fraud claim for exposure to radioactive materials. The previous trial that involved same facts and issues handled by different outside counsel found fraud and awarded 1 billion punitive damages. A two-month jury trial held January-March 2010 involved 19 plaintiffs and resulted in a 1.2 million verdict in compensatory damages and no punitive damages. (Warren Lester, et al vs. Exxon Mobil Corporation, et al; 24th Judicial District Court for the Parish of Jefferson; Civil Action No.: 630-402; Division G)
- Serving as counsel for Litton Loan Services in class action and mass joinder suits arising out of alleged fraud in collection activities. Client dismissed. (Mary & Larry Patterson, et al vs. Dean Morris, et al; United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana; Civil Action No.: 05-2177/05-2189/05-2191; Section “K”, Magistrate 4)
- Serving as lead counsel for Philip Morris in class action brought by cigarette smokers alleging fraud, deceptive practices, etc. and seeking damages of 15 billion for medical monitoring. The court then inserted a claim for smoking cessation which is currently on appeal. Jury trial was held in phases over three years (2001-2004) and plaintiffs’ claims for medical monitoring were defeated. (Gloria Scott, et al vs. The American Tobacco Company, Inc., et al; Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans; Civil Action No.: 96-8461 (Class Action Claim); Ad Hoc Division)
- Representation of Michael J. Jackson in alleged abuse case. High profile and publicity issues were involved. Summary Judgment granted in favor of Mr. Jackson. (Joseph Thomas Bartucci, Jr. vs. Michael J. Jackson; United States District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana; Civil Action No.: 04-2977; Section “L”, Magistrate 5)
- Involved in litigation of the drug Bendectin, breast implants and many other pharmaceuticals and medical devices.
- Working as lead medical malpractice trial counsel for the Ochsner Medical Institutions and trial counsel for several publicly and privately held companies.
Charlie is a former chair of the IADC Pharmaceutical, Medical Device Committee, as well as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and International Society of Barristers. He has served as Chair of the Louisiana State Bar Legal Malpractice insurance committee. Charlie has been a frequent lecturer in the areas of trial practice and personal injury litigation.
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