News from April 2011
Transocean worker claiming injuries before explosion sues in federal court
Bourque A worker on Transocean's Deepwater Horizon who claims he was injured just a few days before the rig exploded last year in the Gulf of Mexico has filed a lawsuit against the company for not providing a safe place to work.
Mardi Gras floatmaker will appeal judges ruling forcing him to transfer company ownership to son
Reese The attorney for the embattled owner of the world-famous Mardi Gras World said that his client will appeal an Orleans Parish Civil District Court judge's ruling that he must transfer control of the company to his son.
Woman suing a construction company after falling in front of her hom
Cates A New Orleans woman is suing a construction company that was renovating her house, alleging she fell on sand placed by workers to cover a hole in the sidewalk in front of her home.
Next two oil spill MDL hearings rescheduled
Barbier U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier issued two orders rescheduling the next two status conferences in the multidistrict litigation (MDL) surrounding the Deepwater Horizon oilrig explosion and Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
BP to pay $1 billion for Gulf Coast restoration
Federal officials announced today that BP will pay $1 billion to fund various activities to help restore Gulf Coast habitats and wildlife.
Defendants file suits against each other in oil spill MDL
Defendants in the multidistrict litigation (MDL) surrounding the BP oil spill have filed counter-claims against each other in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
British paper publishes BP internal meeting notes
The United Kingdom's Guardian newspaper has published meeting notes between BP executives regarding the BP oil spill recovery in the Gulf of Mexico.
BOP manufacturer says device did not cause Deepwater Horizon disaster
Cameron International, the company the built and owned the failed blowout preventor (BOP) used on the ill-fated Deepwater Horizon oil rig, said its device did not cause the April 2010 disaster that cause the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
Barbier reins in Florida real estate developer
NEW ORLEANS – U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier rebuked owners of Florida real estate developer St. Joe Company, who tried twice to escape his jurisdiction in litigation over the Deepwater Horizion explosion.
Oil spill lawyers grapple for fees in Barbier's court
Barbier NEW ORLEANS – Former teammates in oil spill litigation grapple for $1,166,125 in fees, and U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier will handle it in secrecy.
Dispute over Gulf of Mexico oyster beds affected by BP oil spill heats up
Utsler Amid claims that BP had promised Louisiana oyster harvesters at least $15 million to replenish oyster beds, the oil company says it is not responsible for the payments.
Mardi Gras float company owner ordered to relinquish property to son
Smith The owner of the world-famous Mardi Gras World has been ordered to relinquish his title and give ownership of the float-building company to his son
Louisiana senators file legislation for BP fines to help Gulf
Vitter Following up on comments made at a congressional hearing in March, U.S. Sens, Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and David Vitter (R-La.) have filed a bill that will appropriate 80 percent of the federal penalties on BP for last year's oil spill to the Gulf Coast.
Seaman sues after mechanical equipment broke and crushed his hand
A St. James Parish resident is suing his employer after suffering a hand injury when mechanical equipment broke.
Class action filed against lock manufacturer Kaba
A Reserve locksmith has filed a class action against the manufacturers of push button door locks which allegedly can be rendered ineffective with a commercially available magnet.
Florida governor urged by congressmen to sue BP, is considering options
Scott Several reports out of Florida indicate that Governor Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi are considering whether or not to join the litigation over the BP oil spill.
Blessey Marine sued for making employee work in icy conditions
A tankerman is suing his employer after he was forced to work in icy conditions and a co-worker slipped causing him injuries.
Feinberg's lawyers respond again to GCCF critics; claim Barbier has no authority over process
Pitofsky Attorneys for Gulf Coast Claims Facility (GCCF) administrator Kenneth Feinberg have filed a second formal response to critics in the BP oil spill multidistrict litigation (MDL).
ProPublica publishes report on BP oil spill 'splillionaires'
Feinberg A report issued by the non-profit news group ProPublica outlines how industry and government insiders exploited the BP oil spill for millions of dollars during and after the cleanup.
Lawsuit filed over car wreck on Highway 16
Three Louisiana residents have filed a lawsuit against an Arkansas woman after she collided into their vehicle when attempting to pass other vehicles.