Herman, Herman, Katz & Cotlar, LLP Announces Charitable Healthcare Fund Coming to New Orleans Area

NEW ORLEANS, Oct. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Attorneys representing the Plaintiffs Steering Committee involved in the Propulsid Products liability litigation and counsel for the Defendant have jointly agreed upon a plan for distributing an $8 million charitable contribution fund that would benefit underserviced areas throughout New Orleans. The joint petition was filed in Federal Court before Judge Eldon E. Fallon on Wednesday, October 26.

The Fund established during this Joint Petition totals $8 million designed to fund healthcare services for the Greater New Orleans area, specifically for those neighborhoods that are currently underserviced. The petition orders that the overall Charitable Contribution Fund be divided into two separate funds; the first fund, in the amount of $1 million, will be paid to the Daughters of Charity to fund clinics that will provide much-needed care to residents and restore and improve medical services and healthcare in such underserviced areas as the Ninth Ward and New Orleans East. The balance of the fund ($7 million) will be paid to the Louisiana Public Health Institute to distribute in grants.

James Irwin of Irwin Fritchie Urquhart & Moore, who serves as liaison counsel, and Tom Campion of Drinker Biddle & Reath, who serves as co-lead counsel, negotiated the joint petition for the Defendant, with Herman, Herman, Katz & Cotlar and Herman Gerel attorney Russ Herman who served as liaison / lead counsel for the Plaintiffs Steering Committee. He was assisted by his partner, Leonard Davis; Daniel Becnel of Daniel E. Becnel, Jr. (LA); James R. Dugan, II of The Dugan Law Firm (LA); Arnold Levin, Esq., of Levin Fishbein Sedran & Berman (PA); Stephen Murray, Esq., of Murray Law Firm (LA); Christopher Seeger, Esq., of Seeger Weiss LLP (NY); Bob Wright, Esq., of Domengeaux Wright Roy & Edwards, LLC (LA); Charles Zimmerman of Zimmerman Reed (MN).

"The Plaintiffs Steering Committee is pleased with the establishment of this fund and looks forward to the provision of substantial medical services to citizens of New Orleans, particularly to residents of New Orleans East. The Mass Torts Plaintiff's Bar is proud to have participated in the rebuilding of New Orleans Health Services, particularly in the under serviced area of New Orleans East which was ravaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita," explains Russ Herman on behalf of the Plaintiff's Bar.

Medical professionals who appeared before Judge Fallon for testimony included Dr. Jane Bertrand of the Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine; Dr. Karen DeSalvo, Mayor Landrieu's senior health policy advisor; and Dr. Joseph Kimbrell, CEO of the Louisiana Public Health Initiative. Dr. Jane Bertrand will provide overall management of the grant program.

Media Contacts:

On behalf of Plaintiffs Steering Committee:
Russ Herman (Liaison Counsel)
HERMAN, GEREL, LLP
(504) 581-4892
(504) 400-5699 (24-hour)

SOURCE Herman, Herman, Katz & Cotlar, LLP