Michael Carroll News
E-cigarette manufacturer, Louisiana settle marketing lawsuit for $10 million
An e-cigarette company has agreed to a $10 million settlement to end litigation brought by the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office that questioned Juul Labs’ marketing and sales practices and their impact on youth vaping in particular.
LaPlace Baptist church sues insurer, alleging slow response over property claims
A LaPlace church is suing its out-of-state insurance company for failure to pay for timely repairs the church sustained last year during a double punch from spring winds and flooding and Hurricane Ida at the end of August.
New civil litigation reforms facing uphill battle as Louisiana's car insurance rates remain high
Rising auto insurance rates in Louisiana and frustrations over insurers’ responses to Hurricane Ida may be dampening some state lawmakers’ support for civil litigation reforms, but tort-reform advocates say previously passed reforms will pay off in time.
Bill to ban the listing of judicial candidates' party affiliations seen as step backward
An election reform bill that would prohibit the party affiliation of Louisiana judicial candidates from being listed on voters’ ballots is advancing toward a floor vote in the state’s House of Representatives.
Federal judge sides with Tofurky maker, finds food-labeling law unconstitutional
Declaring a Louisiana food-labeling law unconstitutional, a federal judge has granted a plant-based meat products company’s motion for summary judgment in its lawsuit against the state’s agricultural commissioner.
Federal judge dismisses civil lawsuit challenging lethal injection protocols in Louisiana
The outcome of a civil lawsuit late last month could help Louisiana to remove obstacles to capital punishment and allow for the execution of those who have committed the most serious crimes against Louisianans, the state attorney general said.
Trial seen likely in hair braiders' lawsuit against Louisiana's cosmetology board
A trial appears on tap in a lawsuit filed by three Louisiana hair braiders who argue that state licensing regulations make it unconstitutionally burdensome for them to practice their desired profession.
State's high court allows officer's personal-injury lawsuit against BLM organizer to proceed
A lawsuit seeking damages against a Black Lives Matter (BLM) organizer involved in a violent 2016 BLM demonstration where a Baton Rouge police officer was severely injured can proceed under state law, the Louisiana Supreme Court said.
Lafayette-St. Martin Parish dispute over 'spoil bank' goes to court
Lafayette Consolidated Government (LCG) sued St. Martin Parish last week in anticipation that the parish was about to hit LCG with a lawsuit objecting to Lafayette’s removal of dirt levee material along the Vermilion Bayou.
Lawsuit challenging Louisiana's professional licensing provisions dismissed
A federal judge has dismissed a Louisiana social worker’s lawsuit that alleged the Louisiana Department of Health’s regulatory regime unconstitutionally restricted her from providing life-skills instruction to special-needs children.
New Orleans judge affirms $75.3 million award for owners of homes built on toxic landfill
A New Orleans court last week affirmed a $75.3 million settlement judgment for residents of homes built on a former toxic landfill who filed a class-action lawsuit against the city, Housing Authority of New Orleans and Orleans Parish School Board.
Voting rights groups sue to overturn Louisiana redistricting maps
As promised, civil rights groups have filed a lawsuit challenging the legality of the congressional redistricting map approved by the state Legislature but vetoed by Gov. John Bel Edwards.
Appeals court panel blocks injunction Landry won against greenhouse gas formula
A three-judge panel last week blocked an injunction barring federal agencies from applying the Biden administration’s more costly formula for estimating the social costs of greenhouse gas emissions.
Class action lawsuit alleges design, construction defects in D.R. Horton homes
A Youngville couple has filed a class-action lawsuit against homebuilder D.R. Horton, alleging their home has been beset by design and construction defects that led to water intrusion and rampant toxic mold.
Parties in lawsuit challenging Louisiana's sales tax system debate dismissal motion
A federal judge this week heard arguments about whether a lawsuit challenging Louisiana’s sales tax system as a violation of the U.S. Constitution’s commerce clause should be dismissed.
Congressional redistricting issue now in lawmakers' hands after Edwards' veto
Gov. John Bel Edwards tossed a political hot potato back to the state Legislature last week when he vetoed the lawmakers’ proposed congressional district boundaries for the decade ahead.
Excessive litigation costs seen as job killer in Louisiana's 2 biggest metro areas
New Orleans area residents pay $2.2 billion annually in excessive civil court costs, resulting in a “tort tax” of $2,763 per person and job losses of nearly 35,000, according to a new study from Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch (LLAW).
Business groups urge state lawmakers to shore up unemployment insurance fund
With the Louisiana legislature set to open its annual session on Monday, business groups are urging lawmakers to hit the reset button on the state’s Unemployment Insurance Fund, which has seen its fortunes depleted during the coronavirus pandemic.
Legislature finds establishing offshore wind energy rules for Gulf is not a breeze
Legislation that would establish state regulations for the leasing of offshore wind energy sites in the Gulf could be counterproductive due to a provision allowing the state to get a cut of the revenues generated, according to advocates for wind energy.
New Orleans relaxes COVID-19 policies in wake of civil lawsuit
Plaintiffs who sued New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell and other city officials over the city’s COVID-19 masking policies and its vaccine mandates are declaring victory after New Orleans announced it is relaxing the measures this month.