News from 2015
Barbier grants two clawback orders by special investigator, 11 others still pending
NEW ORLEANS – Two Deepwater Horizon clawbacks of allegedly fraudulent claims worth a combined $330,000 have been granted by U.S.
Former pipe yard worker sues 47 companies over cancer, allegedly exposing him to radioactive materials
GRETNA – A man who contracted two forms of cancer years after working in drilling pipe cleaning yards where he alleges he was exposed to radioactive materials is suing. Jimmy Emerson filed suit against Exxon Mobil Corporation, Humble Oil Refining Company, Humble Oil Refining Corporation, Exxon Company USA, ExxonMobil Oil Corporation, Mobil Oil Company, Shell Oil Company, Swepi LP, Shell Offshore Inc., BP Products North America Inc., Amoco Oil Company, American Oil Company, Chevron USA Inc., Gul
New owners of home sue previous owner for allegedly not disclosing termite damage
GRETNA – A pair of homeowners are suing the couple who sold them their house claiming they did not know the home had extensive termite damage when they purchased it. Howard M.
Auto insurer sued for not covering total cost of stolen car
GRETNA – An auto insurance company is being sued by a customer who claims it wrongly denied his claim after his car was stolen. Charles Williams filed suit against State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company in the 24th Judicial District Court on May 8. Williams contends that on May 20, 2013 his 2007 Infiniti G35 was stolen from in front of a Shell gas station located at the intersection of Banks and Broad Street in New Orleans.
Couple sued by New Orleans Redevelopment Authority for not properly developing land
NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Redevelopment Authority is suing a couple and the City of New Orleans in attempt to reclaim a piece of property. New Orleans Redevelopment Authority filed suit against Bonnie Irving, Bruce Anthony Derbigny and the City of New Orleans on April 14 in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court. New Orleans Redevelopment Authority claims that on Aug. 26, 2011 the defendants acquired a piece of property in New Orleans from the Road Home Corporation, but that New Orleans R
Woman sues after sorority-related skirmish at Jax Brewery allegedly involving underage drinking
NEW ORLEANS – A woman who was a guest at Jax Brewery in the French Quarter is suing a stranger who allegedly approached her and repeatedly tried to incite her into a confrontation before seriously assaulting her. Rileigh H.
Man claims severe injuries after U-Haul employee ran forklift into car
GRETNA – A U-Haul store and one of its employees are being sued after allegedly injuring a customer after running a forklift into his car. Quincy Helton filed suit against Repwest Insurance Company, U-Haul Co. of Louisiana, U-Haul Co. of Arizona, Amerco and Shawn Vernon in the 24th Judicial District Court on May 7. Helton alleges he was at the U-Haul location at 4 Westbank Expressway in Gretna on Sept. 30, 2014 when a forklift driver, Vernon, employed by the defendants, ran into the rear of hi
Laborer suing after metal object allegedly falls on his head at worksite
GRETNA – A laborer is suing the contractors of a home he was working at after a piece of metal fell off the roof onto his head resulting in severe and disabling injuries. Jacob Eduardo Melendez-Ramos, and wife Kenia Lizeth Quijada Montufar, filed suit against Garcia Roofing LLC, Garcia Sheet Metal LLC, Garcia Roofing & Sheet Metal Inc., Garcia management Group LLC, Roofcorp USA LLC, Associated Industries Insurance Company Inc., Amtrust North America Inc., Miller Custom Homes LLC and Miller Buil
Woman sues Wal-mart claiming she was run over by line of carts
GRETNA – A local Wal-Mart is being sued by a woman who claims she was run over by a line of carts being pushed by a machine. Myrna Hosli filed suit against Wal-Mart Stores Inc. in the 24th Judicial District Court on May 7. Hosli contends she was inside the Wal-Mart located at 8912 Veterans Memorial Blvd. in Metairie when a line of shopping baskets being pushed by a machine ran into her from behind.
Jefferson Parish accused of covering up dangers of asbestos, exposing employee who contracted lung cancer
GRETNA – The Parish of Jefferson is being sued by man who claims his lung cancer is due to being exposed to asbestos while employed by the Parish and construction companies. C.J.
Deepwater Horizon claims center insider pleads guilty to $257K fraud
NEW ORLEANS – A St. John the Baptist Parish man who worked for Deepwater Horizon claims center has pleaded guilty to defrauding his former employer of $257,400. Charlie English III, 33, of St. John the Baptist Parish, pleaded guilty to wire fraud last week for providing fraudulent documentation to support a a false claim showing he had decreased income due to the 2010 Gulf oil spill. English worked as an adjuster for the Gulf Coast Claims Facility in the aftermath of the oil spill helping clai
Man claims permanent disability after being attacked by couple’s pitbull
GRETNA – A couple is being sued by a man who claims he was permanently disabled after being attacked by their pit bull. Allen R.
Handyman sues after patio allegedly collapses on him while working on home
GRETNA – A handyman is suing local homeowner alleging he was injured when a patio collapsed on him as he was working in her home. Gary Gabriel filed suit against Rita Johnson and North Light Specialty Insurance Company in the 24th Judicial District Court on May 7. Gabriel alleges he was invited to Johnson’s home located at 827 Kathy St. in Gretna on May 9, 2014 to perform maintenance on her home.
Seaman sues over injuries after vessel runs aground by allegedly intoxicated boat captains
NEW ORLEANS – A seaman is suing two boat captains he claims were intoxicated when they ran a vessel aground in Lake Pontchartrain resulting in him being overboard for eight hours before being rescued by the Coast Guard. Michael Dempsey filed suit against ABC Marine Towing LLC, Huge Eymard Towing Co. Inc., Kirby Berg (Bourg) and Paul Schmick on April 14 in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court. Michael Dempsey claims that on April 15, 2014 he was working as a seaman abroad M/V Todd Michael, a
Steel fabrication company files $37K lawsuit against contractor for alleged non-payment
GRETNA – A steel fabricator is suing a local contractor for allegedly not fully paying for a 2012 subcontract on an apartment complex. Manufab Inc. filed suit against TKTMJ Inc. in the 24th Judicial District Court on May 7. Manufab Inc. claims that on Oct. 18, 2012 it was subcontracted by TKTMJ Inc. to fabricate and erect steel structures and other components on the Metairie Manor project located at 4937 York St. in Metairie.
Diabetic patient who had leg amputated sues doctor claiming medical malpractice
GRETNA – A diabetic patient who had to undergo an amputation is suing a doctor he claims could have saved his leg. Michael David Howard filed suit against Dr. Kathleen Williams, Jefferson Parish Human Services Authority and Jeffcare-Weft Jefferson in the 24th Judicial District Court on May 7. Howard asserts on January 2014 he went to the Jeffcare-Weft Jefferson in Marrero complaining of pain and discomfort in his foot.
Bar sues City of New Orleans, Vieux Carre commission for allegedly erroneous allegations and fines
NEW ORLEANS – A French Quarter bar is suing the City of New Orleans and the Vieux Carre commission for what it claims are false and erroneous allegations and fines stemming from what the commission claims are code violations. Nawlins Entertainment Group filed suit against the City of New Orleans Vieux Carre Commission in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court on May 14. On Jan. 5, 2015, the City of New Orleans (through the Vieux Carre Commission) sent a notice to the plaintiff notifying it th
Deepwater Horizon clawback requests go unheeded as only one questionable settlement repaid of $8 million in allegedly fraudulent claims
NEW ORLEANS – A special investigator appointed to root out wrongdoing in the Deepwater Horizon claims program has identified nearly $8 million in fraudulent claims payments he maintains should be returned, yet the judge overseeing the historic case has yet to approve most of the clawbacks. Ex-FBI director Louis Freeh, who was appointed by U.S.
Seaman sues for damages in offshore incident
A maritime worker filed suit against his employer following a 2015 accident that allegedly caused back injuries. Farrell Schexnayder sued REC Marine Logistics LLC on charges of negligence in a workplace accident resulting in serious spinal injuries in April 2015. Schexnayder was employed by REC Marine Logistics LLC aboard the M/V ELIE CHERAMIE.
University staffer claims unlawful denial of disability benefits
A Shreveport resident filed suit against his insurance firm claiming deliberate avoidance of disability benefit payments in 2014. Paul Newton Jr. filed a claim against Hartford Life & Accident Insurance Company on June 18, 2015 in the U.S.