News from April 2016
Judicial portrait at Southern University symbolizes career of Jesse N. Stone Jr.
BATON ROUGE – The life of Jesse N. Stone Jr. is chock-full of “firsts” – member of the first graduating class of the Southern University Law Center, the first African-American attorney to set up shop in Shreveport in 1950, the first graduate of Southern University Law to eventually serve as dean, the first African-American assistant state superintendent of education in Louisiana and the first African-American to serve on the Louisiana Supreme Court.
Seaman alleges maritime company's negligence caused his injuries
NEW ORLEANS — A seaman is suing a maritime company, alleging its breach of duty and negligence led to his suffering injuries.
Doris Metropolitan employees allege they were not properly paid
NEW ORLEANS – Fifteen servers and bartenders have filed a class-action lawsuit alleging they were not paid overtime or minimum wages.
Company alleges ship damaged dock, repair costs estimated to be $20 million
NEW ORLEANS – A sugar distributor has filed a suit against a ship and its owners alleging that the ship damaged a dock, rendering it unusable until it is repaired.
Construction laborer alleges employers did not pay overtime wages
NEW ORLEANS – A general construction laborer has filed a class-action lawsuit against his employers over allegations they did not pay employees overtime wages.
Lake Charles resident accuses Halliburton Energy Services Inc. of unpaid wages
LAKE CHARLES – A mud engineer is suing an oilfield servicing company over allegations of unpaid wages.
Company behind 'Duck Dynasty' sued over fatal St. Martin Parish crash
ST. MARTINVILLE – More than a year after the death of Madison Welch in a car accident on Interstate 10, the victim’s mother, Jennifer Young, is suing the company behind the television reality show Duck Dynasty, as well as the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.
Landry's decision to drop predecessor's cases not unusual
BATON ROUGE – The decision by Louisiana's new attorney general to drop perjury charges against a former state official likely is more about cleaning house than slamming a predecessor, two Loyola University law professors said in separate interviews.
Customer injured in fall blames Wal-Mart
LAFAYETTE — A Vermilion Parish consumer is suing Wal-Mart, alleging negligence led to her falling and suffering injuries.
Louisiana Oil & Gas Association opposes escalation of St. Tammany fracking lawsuit
MANDEVILLE - When the St. Tammany Parish Council voted 11-2 to move its lawsuit against a fracking well to the state's Supreme Court, a large number of people opposed to the well roared in approval. But there's one organization that is far from cheering.
Shipyard worker alleges contractors failed to pay overtime
LAFAYETTE — A shipyard laborer is suing his employers and a supervisor, alleging he was not paid proper overtime.
Attorney general moves to organize shore damage lawsuits
BATON ROUGE – Concern over the effects of oil and gas drilling on Louisiana's coastline has led to a number of lawsuits from coastal parishes -- all of which were recently taken over by the state's attorney general.
Search and warrant policies may change after court rules Baton Rouge strip search was illegal
BATON ROUGE – The Baton Rouge Police Department is rethinking its warrant language and search policies after a federal court found that members of the police department had authorized an unlawful strip search, and committed assault and battery on a subject.
Oregon couple blames multiple companies for husband's fall on stairs
NEW ORLEANS — An Oregon couple is suing multiple companies, alleging negligence for the husband's fall on a New Orleans stairwell.
Louisiana ready to move forward with restoration now that BP oil spill is settled
BATON ROUGE – With the $20 billion BP oil spill settlement now a reality, Louisiana can move forward with long-expected restoration plans, a state spokeswoman said during a recent interview.
Two contractors allege bank breached contract
NEW ORLEANS — Two contractors are suing California First National Bank, alleging breach of contract.
Paraplegic alleges casino/hotel operators failed to provide proper access
NEW ORLEANS — An Orleans Parish paraplegic is suing two hotel and casino property operators, alleging failure to provide access for disabled customers.
Employee alleges network services provider failed to pay overtime
ALEXANDRIA — An employee from Avoyelles Parish has filed a class-action lawsuit against a network services provider, alleging unpaid wages and violation of workers compensation laws.
Widow accuses derrick barges' owners of negligence in husband's death
NEW ORLEANS — A wife is suing owners of derrick barges owners, alleging breach of duty and negligence in the death of her husband.
Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch supports asbestos litigation transparency bill
BATON ROUGE – A Louisiana lawsuit abuse watchdog group has thrown its support behind a struggling state House bill that would provide transparency in asbestos litigation, similar to a measure signed into law earlier this month in Utah.