News from April 2011
Contract claims against BP to be expedited in BP MDL
Barbier U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier has approved a motion to expedite claims brought forth by independent contractors claiming BP has failed to pay their full wages during clean up of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
Royal wedding provides comic relief in BP MDL hearing
The Royal Couple The rescheduling of the latest status conference in the BP oil spill multidistrict litigation to an earlier time prompted a few moments of laughter when the judge and counsel referenced the British Royal wedding.
AT&T employee sues after losing job for failing to follow corporate policy
In a recently filed lawsuit, an AT&T employee claims he was told by his supervisors to violate corporate policy but when he acted as told he was fired from his position.
Partial settlement reached in Chinese drywall litigation; Insurers agree to pay $8 million
Herman Insurance companies for suppliers that distributed Chinese drywall have agreed to pay $8 million to settle lawsuits filed over the damage done to homes by the material.
Racial discrimination lawsuit filed against Aimbridge
The director of sales for a Metairie hotel has filed a racial discrimination lawsuit claiming she lost her job because of her race.
Louisiana Dept. of Transportation employee sues claiming fired over medical leave
An employee of Louisiana's Department of Transportation and Development has filed a lawsuit claiming he was terminated for taking medical leave.
Transfer of power completed in Mardi Gras float company; Suit over ownership continues
The Times-Picayune reported that a scheduled meeting to transfer power of Blain Kern Artists (BKA), the company that owns Mardi Gras World, from father to son has been completed, even though a lawsuit disputing ownership is still pending.
Property tax fee class action hearing continued for second time in a month
A hearing that would determine the fate of a possible class action against the City of New Orleans has been continued for the second time in a month, this time without date.
'Final Destination 4' toilet trip suit against Universal Studios in court
Final Destination 4 scene A Jefferson Parish woman's personal injury suit against Universal Studios after she fell and hurt herself while exiting a portable toilet located on a Final Destination IV movie set is scheduled for trial next February.
Coast Guard releases report stating Transocean has a 'poor safety culture'
The United States Coast Guard has issued a 288-page report which condemns Transocean, the owner of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, for bad practices which led to the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
Hood files scathing brief in BP MDL
Hood Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood is arguing that citizens of his state are incapable of resolving their oil spill claims, according to Gulf Coast Claims Facility administrator Kenneth Feinberg.
Security guard sues after losing job following on the job injury
A former security guard at the Alliance Refinery in Belle Chasse has filed a lawsuit against her employer after she was terminated following an on-the-job injury.
Target sued after shopper slips in red liquid
A Target shopper is suing after injuring his knee when he slipped and fell.
Office Depot sued after customer trips during grand opening
Gill A customer has filed a lawsuit against Office Depot after tripping on boxes during the store's opening day.
Seaman blames unskilled co-workers for his injuries
Claiming unskilled employees caused him to sustain injuries, Sunnie Listern Johnson filed suit against his employer Omega Protein Inc. on April 14 in federal court in New Orleans.
Widow sues over benzene exposure at Shell Norco refinery
The wife of a deceased Shell Norco refinery worker has filed a lawsuit that argues her husband's death was a result of years of exposure to benzene-containing products.
Lawsuit filed over manufacturer's alleged 'over-promotion' of Fosamax
Arsenault A Lafourche Parish resident has filed a personal injury lawsuit against the manufacturers of the drug Fosamax regarding over-promotion of the drug for alleged non-approved or "off-label" uses.
Wal-Mart shopper sues after slipping in water
A Wal-Mart shopper has filed a lawsuit against the store after she slipped in water that was dripping from the store's ceiling.
Guest punctures lung in bathtub slip at Omni Royal, suit says
Caruso A New Orleans hotel is being sued for more than $700,000 after a hotel guest slipped while getting out of the shower and suffered broken ribs and a punctured lung.
Kmart shopper wants $900,000 after slip and fall accident
Silbert A Kmart shopper is suing for more than $900,000 after she slipped in water and fell.