News from September 2010
Louisiana 'open minded' about class actions, lawyer says in certification argument before SC
Murphy NEW ORLEANS – Fewer than three hundred suits against Lafayette Insurance over Hurricane Katrina payments will turn into a class action with thousands of potential claims if the Louisiana Supreme Court approves.
Vehicle forced to collide into 18-wheeler, lawsuit alleges
A St. Charles Parish resident has filed a lawsuit against the employer of a truck driver after the driver made an illegal turn and allegedly caused a collision.
Class action filed over chemical release in St. Bernard
Becnel A class action claiming the Sept. 6 chemical release from the Chalmette Refining facility in St. Bernard Parish was caused by untrained employees was filed Sept. 8 in federal court in New Orleans.
USPS sued for more than $1 million after truck hits vehicle
An Orleans Parish resident is suing the U.S. Post Office for more than $1 million after allegedly being in a collision with a postal service truck.
Inmate sues after being head-butted by officer
A "House of Detention" inmate has filed suit against an Orleans Parish deputy sheriff claiming the officer head-butted him.
Fairgrounds supervisor claims retaliatory termination
A security supervisor for the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots has filed a discriminatory lawsuit against his former supervisor after he lost his job for payroll fraud.
Tentative agreement reached in translating BP proceedings for foreign workers
Plaintiff and defense counsel in BP oil spill litigation have tentatively agreed to consider ways in which case proceedings can be translated into Vietnamese, Cambodian and Spanish to help foreign fishermen and other workers affected by the spill to follow the case.
Barbier opens door for plaintiffs to subpoena government and defense
Barbier U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier granted a plaintiff motion for leave to amend a pre-trial order on the issue of subpoenaing government entities for environmental specimens.
BP shareholder suits standing still in Texas
Branham HOUSTON – While litigation over the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion runs at full speed in Louisiana, shareholder suits against BP stand still in Texas.
Ford tries to limit evidence in Orleans Parish 'Explorer' trial
Charbonnet Defense counsel for the Ford Motor Co. has filed several motions seeking to limit the scope of evidence introduced at trial in a product liability suit against the auto manufacturer in Orleans Parish Civil District Court.
Feds signal intent to sue over BP oil spill
Moreno NEW ORLEANS – All the little plaintiffs in litigation over the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion need to clear the way for the biggest plaintiff – Uncle Sam.
Coon seeks spot on BP litigation steering committee
Coon Brent Coon of Beaumont, Texas seeks a position with a group that will run the plaintiff side of national oil spill litigation.
Motion to dismiss denied in councilman's suit against Brown Ferris Industries
Johnson Judge Piper Griffin denied a defense motion for dismissal in an Orleans Parish Civil District Court case involving a waste disposal truck allegedly hitting an electrical pole and knocking out power to a Papa John's franchise in July 2005.
Employees claim racial discrimination after co-workers call them 'boys'
Two welders assigned to work on an oil rig have filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against their previous employer, after co-workers allegedly referred to them as "boys."
Student seeks $2 million after being kicked out of paralegal program
A former Herzing University student who was allegedly kicked out of its paralegal program is seeking $2 million in damages, claiming in part that he now suffers from unreasonable irritability.
Worker claims reasonable accommodations not made after disability leave
Williams A Jefferson Parish resident has filed a discrimination lawsuit against her employer after she was allegedly terminated for exhausting her leave under the Family Medical Leave Act.
Union Pacific switchman sues over back injuries
Gray A Union Pacific switchman has filed suit against his employer after allegedly injuring his back attempting to align a switch.
Chalmette woman accuses refinery of making her sick
A Chalmette woman is suing a local oil refinery company after emissions from the facility allegedly made her sick.
Deckhand sues after paint gets into eyes
A Louisiana resident has filed a lawsuit blaming his employer for not providing protective eyewear.
Oil spill response worker sues for $2 million after trip and fall
An oil spill response worker has filed a lawsuit asking for more than $2 million after he alegedly tripped and fell while working on a vessel.