Daniel J. “Danny” Poolson, Jr.

Experienced Railroad & Personal Injury Attorney

Let me guide the way after your railroad accident. You don’t have to go
through this alone, and you don’t have to continue to worry about your future.

Give me a call and let’s map out your next steps: 504-766-2200.

Bar Admissions

Louisiana, 2006

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, 2006
U.S. District Court, Middle District of Louisiana, 2006
U.S. District Court, Western District of Louisiana, 2006
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Louisiana, 2011
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Louisiana, 2011
U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Louisiana, 2011

Mississippi, 2015

U.S. District Court, Northern District of Mississippi, 2015
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Mississippi, 2015

Texas, 2016

United States District Court, Eastern District of Texas, 2017

U.S. Court Appeals, 5th Circuit 2006

U.S. Supreme Court, 2010

Education

Loyola University New Orleans, College of Law, New Orleans, Louisiana

Juris Doctor, 2006
Moot Court, Member
Trial Advocacy Program, Member
- President, 2005-2006

Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Political Science, Bachelor of Arts, 2003
- Minor in English

Jesuit High School, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1999

Professional and Social Organizations

Danny is a member of a multitude of professional and social
organizations, including:

Academy of Rail Labor Attorneys (“ARLA”)
Federal Bar Association (“FBA”)
American Association of Justice (“AAJ”)
Louisiana Association of Justice (“LAJ”)
Louisiana State Bar Association (“LSBA”)
New Orleans Bar Association (“NOBA”)
Jefferson Parish Bar Association (“JBA”)
Mississippi State Bar Association (“MBA”)
State Bar of Texas
Global Maritime Ministries, Board Member
Casa Jefferson, Fundraising Committee
Covenant House, Sleep Out Participant
St. Catherine Men’s Club
OTMAC
Krewe of Endymion
New Orleans Irish Channel Marching Crew
Bonnabel Civic Association

Published Books Authored

“Don’t Get Railroaded® A Railroad Worker’s Guidebook to Protecting Yourself After Your Injury” – 2021
“Coping with a Railroad Injury A Guidebook For Spouses “- 2021
“Secrets to Handling Car Crash Claims Successfully: What the Insurance Companies Don’t Want YOU to Know about Auto Accidents!” – 2019
“A Guide to Handling Your Property Damage Claim: What the Insurance Companies Don’t Want YOU to Know about Property Damage Claims” – 2019

Publications

“The Simple Things,” The Beacon, Global Maritime Ministries Blog, 2018

Seminars Presented

“How to Avoid Disaster in Your Case – Checklist Management for the Small Details,” Louisiana Association for Justice, CLE a la Carte, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, December 27, 2018

Danny Poolson presented at LAJ’s CLE a la Carte at the Windsor Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana, on December 28, 2018.

Global Maritime Ministries Director Philip Vandercook (at podium), introducing the Panel on Seafarers’ Rights at the Port Ministries International Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, on June 19, 2018.

As an attorney, I’ve worked on “both sides of the aisle,” so to speak. While I started as a defense attorney working for big corporations and large insurance companies, I didn’t find my true calling until after Hurricane Katrina.

How I Used to Represent Big Oil & Big Insurance

You see, at one time, I represented BIG offshore companies. When one of their workers was injured, my job was to defend the company regardless of the circumstances. One case still sticks out in my mind: a worker walked up a flight of stairs onto an offshore platform, and as he reached the top of the stairs, a helicopter rotor blade hit him directly in the head, killing him. I’m haunted by this case and can still remember his name. This was one of several cases that made me question my career path as an attorney.

I also represented BIG insurance companies and understood their inner workings, almost to a fault. In the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Ike, and Gustav, I represented these huge insurance companies against homeowners in neighborhoods where I grew up. I had to explain to my former neighbors why their claims were not addressed quickly or, in some cases, were being denied altogether. You can imagine how heartbreaking this was for my neighbors and how conflicting it was for me.

I was very unhappy in that role and wanted to listen to the homeowners and understand their frustrations rather than unilaterally denying their claims. I understood how the homeowners felt because my family suffered extensive losses in their homes and possessions due to those same hurricanes.

I learned in a very personal way why policyholders like my neighbors are not just numbers. Like you, workers and policyholders are members of our community with a story to tell – you and I are policyholders. That same experience led me to where I am today – to you and to the people in my community who are searching for answers that my law firm can provide.

17th Street Canal breach following Hurricane Katrina

The Turning Point in My Career as an Attorney

On July 3, 2005, just several weeks before Hurricane Katrina struck the greater New Orleans area and the Gulf South; my father passed away after a brutal, two-year fight against bladder cancer. As the oldest of four children and in my second year of law school, I was called to stand in my father’s shoes and protect my family in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. When thrust into multiple disasters, I had to contend with insurance adjusters who were reluctant to pay what was rightfully owed to my family and me.

I share my personal story to let you know that I understand the genuine heartache and frustration that comes with trying to collect what is rightfully owed to victims by big insurance companies under the most stressful of circumstances. I knew then, after several years, that my calling was to help people who needed; my help because big corporations and insurance companies were not doing the right thing by them.

The Poolson Family (pictured left to right) Davis, Danny, Amy, and Amelia

Following law school, Danny was honored to serve as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Marilyn Castle, Chief Judge of the 15th Judicial District Court in Lafayette, Louisiana. As a State Court Law Clerk, he worked on complex litigation gaining valuable experience in several practice areas, including personal injury cases and insurance claim disputes. After practicing law for several years in Lafayette, Danny returned to New Orleans to practice law and contribute to the rebuilding of the city.

Professionally, Danny has achieved an “AV” rating with Martindale-Hubbell which is the highest ranking attainable by an attorney based on evaluations by other attorneys and judges for the highest level of professional excellence and ethics in the practice of law. Danny has been invited into the Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forums because of the compensation he has obtained for his clients. Danny has also been named a Top 40 under 40 in the National Trial Lawyers Association.

Danny is married to Amy D. Poolson of Opelousas, LA, and they are the proud parents of twins Davis Daniel and Amelia Isabella (“Twinkies”). When he is not working hard on his cases, Danny enjoys spending time with his family and traveling to see the LSU Tigers play.

Mr. Poolson was as professional as they come. We had a situation where a family member had an accident and their insurance company sent a letter questioning whether or not the incident was merely an accident or the responsibility of a third party. In other words, did they have to pay, or did my family member have to go to the third party for coverage. Danny carefully listened to the situation, asked relevant questions to ascertain the facts that mattered, and provided extremely useful guidance. He explained everything in easy to understand terms without all the legalese that often over-complicates things. With his advice we were able to quickly and easily resolve the matter with the insurance company - without the need to go to court or engage in any prolonged negotiation with them or a third party. I would not hesitate to use his services again should the need arise.