State Court
Louisiana attorney general sues TikTok, alleging addictive effects on youth
Attorney General Liz Murrill is suing TikTok in state court, alleging that the social media platform is purposefully exposing Louisiana’s youth to sexual content, violence and drug and alcohol use in an “endless scroll” that’s addictive and dreamlike.
Federal Court
Court upholds Louisiana law requiring discounts for certain drugs dispensed at community pharmacies
Lawsuits
Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week highlights economic consequences of excessive litigation
After a year of successes and some setbacks, advocates of tort reform in Louisiana are observing Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week to inform the public about the economic consequences and household costs of excessive litigation statewide.
Federal Court
Judge dismisses many claims against Kubota in excavator fatality case
NEW ORLEANS – A federal judge has dismissed several claims against a major equipment manufacturer in a case of the death of a 50-year-old Ponchatoula man in a small excavator.
All Louisianans pay the price when the state’s legal system is abused. We hope that more Louisianans will join us in the fight to help end lawsuit abuse and bring more fairness and balance to our civil justice system – for all of us.
LSU’s Hispanic Law Students Association highlighted during Hispanic Heritage month
LSU Law School is shining a spotlight on its Hispanic Law Students Association (HLSA) for their efforts in fostering inclusivity and connections among students. The association has organized a series of events to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15th to October 15th.
Louisiana law degrees ranked fifth best in nation for return on investment
A law degree in Louisiana offers graduate students the fifth best return on investment among the 50 states, based on criteria such as tuition costs, job prospects, cost of living and potential future earnings, a new study concludes.
Federal Court
Former Employee Alleges Telecommunications Company Violated Federal Wage Laws
Nicole Williams has filed a lawsuit against Call Center Connect Inc., accusing them of violating federal wage laws by not paying due overtime wages during her employment from August 2021 to August 2024. Filed on September 25th in Louisiana’s Western District Court, this case highlights alleged non-compliance with FLSA standards regarding overtime compensation.
Federal Court
Workforce Coordinator Sues Local Government Office Over Disability Discrimination
Linda Lafever has filed a lawsuit against Sharon Neal and the Rapides Parish Police Jury Office alleging violations under ADA and FMLA laws. The suit claims unlawful employment practices including denial of disability accommodations and retaliatory conduct following an EEO complaint. This case could have broader implications for workplace rights regarding disability accommodations nationwide.
Federal Court
Former Coach Alleges Racial Discrimination Against Vernon Parish School Board
Xavier Montgomery has filed a lawsuit against Vernon Parish School Board alleging racial discrimination during his tenure as a math teacher and basketball coach. Filed in September 2024 in Louisiana's Western District Court, Montgomery seeks various damages after facing alleged differential treatment compared to white colleagues.
Federal Court
Former Employee Alleges Age Discrimination Against Lotte Chemical USA
Timothy Wilcox Sr., aged 62 from Lake Charles, files a lawsuit against Lotte Chemical USA citing age discrimination after enduring years of derogatory treatment at work following changes in management supervision starting in Fall 2020. Seeking compensation for lost wages and emotional distress among other reliefs through court proceedings initiated on September 24th at U.S District Court Western District Louisiana.
Federal Court
Former Employee Alleges Racial Discrimination Against Healthcare Provider
Tiesha T. Weston has filed a lawsuit against Ochsner Clinic Foundation alleging racial discrimination and retaliation during her employment at their Lake Charles facility. The case highlights issues related to career advancement disparities between African American employees and their Caucasian counterparts within the organization.
Federal Court
Former Employee Alleges Healthcare Provider Failed to Accommodate Breastfeeding Needs
Tiera Towns has filed a lawsuit against Ascension DePaul Services for alleged discrimination due to inadequate breastfeeding accommodations upon returning from maternity leave. Filed on September 26th in the Eastern District of Louisiana court, the suit claims violations of federal law and seeks damages along with reinstatement.
Federal Court
Plaintiff with Disability Accuses Property Owners of ADA Violations
A Ponchatoula resident has taken legal action against local property owners for alleged violations under federal and state disability laws due to inadequate accessibility features at their premises. Jason Lenz claims that improperly sized access aisles prevent safe navigation in his wheelchair when visiting a nearby strip mall owned by Victory Berryland and Palm Bay Investors LLCs., prompting demands for corrective measures alongside compensation.
Federal Court
Florida Resident Alleges General Motors' Defective Vehicle Violates Consumer Protection Laws
Michael Sullivan has taken legal action against General Motors LLC over alleged defects in his newly purchased GMC Sierra truck. Filed in Louisiana federal court on September 23rd, he claims violations of consumer protection laws seeking rescission or compensation for damages incurred due to persistent vehicle issues.
Federal Court
Student Alleges University Failed Disability Accommodations Under ADA
A student has filed a lawsuit against The Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System and its President over alleged failures to accommodate his disability needs at the University of New Orleans (UNO). The complaint highlights inadequate remote learning provisions leading to academic setbacks and identifies multiple physical accessibility barriers on campus as violations under federal disability laws.
Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week highlights economic consequences of excessive litigation
After a year of successes and some setbacks, advocates of tort reform in Louisiana are observing Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week to inform the public about the economic consequences and household costs of excessive litigation statewide.
LSU museum director seeks to dismiss defamation allegation filed by Pennsylvania's Doug Mastriano
A military museum director at Louisiana State University is mounting a legal counter-offensive against an unsuccessful Pennsylvania U.S. Senate candidate, Doug Mastriano, arguing that the GOP state senator’s defamation lawsuit against him should be dismissed.
'Nuclear verdicts' in Louisiana last year totaled $437 million, new study finds
Louisiana jury awards exceeding $10 million over the years 2009 to 2023 amounted to a total payout of $9.97 billion, making the Bayou State sixth in the nation in terms of the combined value of these so-called “nuclear verdicts.”
Louisiana Board of Pardons at center of legal battle over clemency for death-row inmates
An East Baton Rouge court last week disqualified a New Orleans law firm from representing the Louisiana Board of Pardons as a result of conflict-of-interest allegations in an ongoing legal dispute over an effort to grant clemency to death-row inmates.
Louisiana legal system concerns highlighted during Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week
Tort reform advocates highlighted their concerns about Louisiana’s legal climate during Lawsuit Abuse Awareness Week beginning on Oct. 2, with grassroots groups trying to drum up support for legal reforms in the governor’s race and among voters around the state.
AG part of coalition asking Congress to protect AM radio access
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has joined a multistate coalition urging Congress to pass the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2024..
AGs ask American Academy of Pediatrics to disclose gender dysphoria guidance, methodology
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has joined a 20-state coalition to put the American Academy of Pediatrics on notice for possible violations of state consumer protection statutes over its evidence free standards on gender dysphoria care for minors.
Google privacy settlement a $62M windfall for trial lawyers, left-wing groups: Court filings
Twenty GOP state attorneys general have filed a brief in the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in support of a group of objectors, seeking to undo approval of a settlement that would steer most of $62 million from Google to trial lawyers and the ACLU and other groups to advance left-wing social and political causes
Baton Rouge mayor-president offers transition plan for breakaway St. George
Baton Rouge’s mayor-president has proposed a transition plan to allocate local revenues to the new city of St. George in the wake of the city’s Transition District authorizing a lawsuit against the city-parish over the transfer of sales tax revenues.
Murrill says groups trying to create confusion about abortion laws
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill is accusing the media, political organizations, candidates and pro-abortion organizations of creating “confusion and doubt” about the state’s anti-abortion laws.
Longtime Baton Rouge attorney and LSU grad Mary Olive Pierson remembered as trailblazer
Longtime Baton Rouge attorney Mary Olive Pierson, a trailblazing member of the local legal community and most recently known for her work in fighting the incorporation of St. George, died earlier this month after a career that spanned 54 years.
State Supreme Court rules second candidate ineligible for run for seat on high court
The Louisiana Supreme Court has ruled one candidate for a seat on the court is ineligible to run while also refusing to hear the appeal of another candidate already ruled ineligible.
Louisiana Bankers Association CEO on Credit Card Competition Act: If passed, 'would expose customers and their credit card data to weaker cyber-security protections'
The Louisiana Bankers Association's (LBA) said it seconds prior criticism of Senate Bill 1838, known as the “Credit Card Competition Act,” which would require banks to offer merchants at least two network options, one of which cannot be Visa or MasterCard, for processing credit card transactions, thereby increasing security and fraud risks, according to the organization's leadership.
Louisiana Supreme Court finds $10M in asbestos case too much
NEW ORLEANS (Legal Newsline) - The Louisiana Supreme Court cut a $10.5 million jury verdict in an asbestos lawsuit in half, saying an analysis of whether a jury abused its discretion must include an examination of awards in similar cases.
Daughter files suit against Continental Insurance over father's mesothelioma, death
NEW ORLEANS - Cynthia Marsh, as administrator for the estate of Harry F. Marsh, filed a federal lawsuit on Nov. 25 in the Eastern District of Louisiana against the Continental Insurance Company, individually and as successor in interest to the Marine Office of America Corporation.
Louisiana cosmetologists petition state regulatory board seeking right to jury trial
Several Louisiana cosmetologists have filed an administrative petition with the state board that licenses manicurists and hairdressers, demanding that the regulators uphold the petitioners’ right to a jury trial when hit with fines for enforcement violations.
Former Employee Alleges Telecommunications Company Violated Federal Wage Laws
Nicole Williams has filed a lawsuit against Call Center Connect Inc., accusing them of violating federal wage laws by not paying due overtime wages during her employment from August 2021 to August 2024. Filed on September 25th in Louisiana’s Western District Court, this case highlights alleged non-compliance with FLSA standards regarding overtime compensation.
Proposal to convene state constitutional convention passes Louisiana House
Louisiana’s House of Representatives on Tuesday passed a measure to convene a constitutional convention in August to overhaul the state’s governing principles and give lawmakers the tools to make major reforms.
Louisiana Supreme Court suspends attorney over law firm's alleged mishandling of hurricane legal claims
The managing partner of the Louisiana office of a law firm accused of mishandling hundreds of Hurricane Ida property insurance claims has been suspended from practicing law in the state for 90 days by the Louisiana Supreme Court.