John Breslin News
Security board head survives ouster attempt, but questions raised about occupational licensing in Louisiana
BATON ROUGE — While the head of the state body charged with overseeing Louisiana's private security business survived a move to oust him, the controversy has helped focus attention on the regulation of workers in the state.
More lawsuits to follow after New Iberian family awarded $75,000 following deputy's shooting of dog
LAFAYETTE - Two other lawsuits involving law enforcement officers shooting dogs allegedly without cause have been filed by the attorney for owners awarded $75,000 after an Iberia Parish Sheriff's deputy killed their dog.
Louisiana House committee tie effectively kills bad-faith insurance bill
BATON ROUGE — A Louisiana House bill that would set the time limit to sue an insurer for a "bad faith" denial of a claim at a standard 10 years has effectively died in committee.
Paragon Casino employees not liable for actions of intoxicated driver
Three casino employees cannot be sued for allegedly allowing an intoxicated customer to leave the premises in his car, only to later crash and cause the death of another motorist, a Louisiana appeals court has ruled.
Five year long legal battle against pool distributor ends after plaintiffs ditch appeal
COVINGTON – A five-year old legal suit against a Louisiana-headquartered distributor of pool products is over after the plaintiffs in the case decided to drop their appeal against a court decision in the company’s favor.
Call for reports and database follow racial profiling suit
NEW ORLEANS — A wrongful arrest lawsuit filed by a visiting professor and his teenage son has prompted calls for a database detailing the race of those arrested by police across Louisiana.
Judge knocks back state request in stripper suit
NEW ORLEANS -- A federal judge has ruled the state of Louisiana cannot introduce evidence collected for a criminal trial to help its case defending a law barring those under 21 from stripping under certain circumstances.
After bruising election, plaintiff lawyers accused of trying to stack Louisiana Supreme Court
LAFAYETTE — After one of the most bruising and expensive judicial election battles in the history of Louisiana, the state's oil and gas interests and lawsuit reform activists have accused plaintiff lawyers of trying to stack the Louisiana Supreme Court in their favor.
Marketing of legal services using digital channels is potentially dangerous, critics warn
Digital marketing of legal services to drum up tort cases is a new form of ambulance chasing, and a potentially dangerous one, critics of this new frontier of advertising charge.
Louisiana governor, attorney general argue over who can hire lawyers
NEW ORLEANS -- Louisiana’s governor and its attorney general are involved in a dispute over who ultimately has, under the constitution, the authority to hire lawyers to represent the state.
Louisiana State Police face lawsuit for alleged false arrest of black 18-year-old
NEW ORLEANS — Louisiana State Police's arrangement with the city of New Orleans permitting troopers to patrol the French Quarter is likely to come under scrutiny following the filing of a lawsuit by a university professor and his teenage son.
Former Tulane professor continues 20-year fight against judge
NEW ORLEANS -- More than 20 years after Carol Bernofsky first filed suit for wrongful dismissal from his job as a biochemistry professor, he is still fighting what he believes is a grave injustice.
Xarelto manufacturer, distributor face more than 9,000 lawsuits
NEW ORLEANS -- More than 9,000 lawsuits have been filed nationwide against the makers and distributors of the blood thinner Xarelto including more than 7,000 just in Louisiana.
Governor urged to retreat from threat to sue oil and gas companies
BATON ROUGE — Gov. John Bel Edwards has been strongly urged to reconsider the pressure he's placed on parishes to sue oil and gas companies over alleged damage to coasts caused by their operations.
Study author argues for changes in Louisiana consumer protection law
Changes aimed at curbing the number and breadth of lawsuits must be introduced to prevent the abuse of the current consumer protection law, a study of Louisiana’s consumer protection law concludes.
New York bar foundation offers help to Louisiana flood victims
ALBANY, N.Y. – The New York State Bar Association, through its charitable arm, is soliciting donations to help flood victims in Louisiana to cope with what are likely to be a labyrinth of legal issues.
Settlement reached in suit against housing authority head
BATON ROUGE – A three-year federal lawsuit accusing the executive director of a Terrebonne Parish housing authority of sexual harassment and retaliation against a former employee has been settled.
Tom Benson's mental competency files to remain sealed
NEW ORLEANS – Records relating to the Tom Benson mental competency case will remain under seal following a ruling by the Louisiana Supreme Court.
Appeals court mulling coastal erosion lawsuit appeal after hearing oral arguments
BATON ROUGE – An appeals court presiding over a lawsuit that claims dozens of oil companies are responsible for damage to Louisiana’s coast line recently heard oral arguments in the case, but has yet to hand down a ruling in the case.
Baton Rouge news station wants White Castle to release video after reporter detained
WHITE CASTLE – A news station has filed a public records request for surveillance video of the lobby of a town hall where one of its reporters was handcuffed and then escorted from the building on Friday.