News from May 2011
Orleans Parish asbestos trial wraps up first week
Alvendia A two-and-a-half week asbestos trial has finished up the first week of deliberations in Orleans Parish Civil District Court.
Parties dispute expert witnesses in French Quarter bar suit
D'Amico Plaintiff and defendants have filed dueling motions in a lawsuit over noise emitting from a French Quarter bar.
BP rejects liability claims by plaintiffs over damaged ships in Gulf of Mexico oil spill
Haycraft BP filed a 65-page motion rejecting claims by Gulf Coast boat owners who say the oil company is liable for damages caused to their vessels by the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
Are Excessive Lawsuits Fueling Pain At The Pump?
Landry Next time you are filling up your gas tank, and feeling the pain at the pump, think about this: if the source of your gasoline is Louisiana onshore drilling, then every other time you fill your tank it comes from an oil producer that's probably been hit by a lawsuit and may have had to pay millions of dollars to get out of it.
Woman sues landlord and insurers over woodwork injury
Cates A New Orleans woman has filed a lawsuit against her landlord claiming he and his insurers are liable for injuries she sustained when a piece of "woodwork" in her apartment fell on her.
Class certification hearing set in New Orleans red light camera case
Rosenberg A suit against the City of New Orleans over its use of red-light cameras will undergo a special hearing for class certification May 16 in Orleans Parish Civil District Court.
Shareholders knew risks of oil and gas business, BP argues in shareholders class action
Taylor HOUSTON– BP shareholders knew they invested in risky business, company directors argue in a bid to stop a class action over losses from the Deepwater Horizon explosion.
BP commits $1 billion to early restoration projects
Barbier NEW ORLEANS – BP, five states, and the United States signed a deal over Deepwater Horizon oil spill damage that should lighten the load of U.S District Judge Carl Barbier.
Louisiana lawmakers propose new BP oil spill legislation
Connick Several proposed new laws in Louisiana's legislature would make it easier for Louisiana residents to sue BP, eliminating filing deadlines and retroactively nullifying settlement agreements.
BP files motion to dismiss Transocean's claims of insurance limitation
Haycraft BP has filed a motion to dismiss countersuits filed by Deepwater Horizon oilrig owner Transocean, which disputes how much BP is insured by Transocean's policies.
Refinery worker claims job-related stress led to disability
A Valero employee has filed a lawsuit against his company arguing that job-related stress caused by intimidation and racial discrimination has resulted in the employee being placed on long term disability.
Med mal suit claims surgeon took advice of salesman over standards of care
After suffering complications from a lumbar surgery, a Virginia resident has filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against a Louisiana surgeon for allegedly taking the recommendation of a salesman instead of complying with an appropriate level of standard of care.
Family sues after son lost at sea
The parents of a missing Louisiana man have filed a lawsuit against their son's employer claiming the company failed to use proper lifesaving actions, allowing their son to become lost at sea.
Jones Act lawsuit filed against company after employee injured when towing strap breaks
A Louisiana seaman has filed a Jones Act lawsuit against his employer after he was knocked to the ground when a towing strap snapped.
BP sued after seaman thrown overboard during 'man overboard' drill
Camel A seaman has filed a lawsuit against BP after he was thrown overboard while participating in a man overboard training drill
Hair iron manufacturer sued after house catches fire
The manufacturer of a hair iron is being sued by an insurance company for more than $190,000 after a house caught on fire causing significant property damage.
Painter claims exposure to benzene resulted in multiple myeloma
A painter claims his years of exposure to benzene-containing products has resulted in his diagnosis of multiple myeloma and has filed suit against companies who manufactured the products.
Hospital secretary sues after losing job due to overscheduling patients
Rose Hitchen filed a lawsuit against her employer Southeast Community Health Systems claiming she was a victim of race and age discrimination.
Seaman sues Transocean after being hit in the head with falling scaffolding
After being hit in the head by a falling piece of scaffolding, a seaman is suing Transocean for allegedly failing to secure it.
Carnival Cruise Lines files suit in BP MDL; Seeks $10 million claim with GCCF
The popular cruise line Carnival has jumped into the multidistrict litigation (MDL) surrounding the BP oil spill and Deepwater Horizon disaster.