News from August 2016
Disabled employee accuses plan administrator of denying benefits
NEW ORLEANS — A disabled Lake Charles woman is suing an insurance company, alleging violation of workers compensation acts.
Vermillion Parish DA jumps on bandwagon, files coastal land loss lawsuit against oil and gas companies
LAFAYETTE – The 15th Judicial District Attorney Keith Stutes recently filed a lawsuit seeking damages from a variety of oil and gas companies, blaming them for the environmental contamination and coastal erosion created by decades of drilling and production in Vermilion Parish.
Black woman accuses Louisiana of racial discrimination
SHREVEPORT — An African-American woman is suing Louisiana and other state departments, alleging racial discrimination.
Louisiana consumer accuses debt collector of deceptive practices
NEW ORLEANS — A Louisiana woman is suing a law firm, alleging deceptive collection practices.
Equipment finance company accuses leasee, guarantors of breach of contract
LAFAYETTE — A Pennsylvania equipment financing company is suing a Texas leasee and guarantors, alleging they owe more than $546,000 for breach of contract.
Side By Side Redevelopment Inc. alleges property was damaged by construction project
NEW ORLEANS – A development company is seeking damages after its property was allegedly violated by another organization's construction efforts.
Rouge House owner alleges permit was denied because of false accusations
NEW ORLEANS – A businesswoman is seeking damages over allegations several individuals made false statements that resulted in the denial of an alcohol permit.
Couple says they were evicted from hotel after manager accused of them of stealing wine
NEW ORLEANS – A couple claims they were evicted from their hotel room over accusations of theft.
Diver alleges pipeline operator caused his injuries in ship fire
NEW ORLEANS — A commercial diver is suing a support vessel and pipeline operators, alleging their negligence caused injuries to the plaintiff.
Charbonnet estate administrator accuses Charbonnet Family Services of breach of fiduciary duty
NEW ORLEANS – Damages are being sought in relation to a breach of fiduciary duty allegedly committed by the owners of a funeral home.
Moviegoers allege smoke from fire caused them bronchial problems
GRETNA – Two Jefferson Parish individuals are seeking damages, claiming that a fire in a movie theater has caused them health problems.
Houma case highlights why hiring a lawyer is a good idea
BATON ROUGE – A Houma, Louisiana case is bringing back an
old argument as to whether defendants should represent themselves in court
cases.
New Orleans man facing up to 20 years in jail for false Deepwater Horizon claims
NEW ORLEANS — Kevin Richard, 26, of New Orleans recently pled guilty to engaging in mail fraud, admitting to submitting a fraudulent application for disaster assistance money in the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
LOGA president calls on Vermilion residents to stand up to oil and gas suit
VERMILION — The battle between energy and environment is at the heart of a lawsuit filed recently against 49 oil and gas companies operating along the Louisiana coast.
Two operators are suing former employer for alleged unpaid wages
Two operators accuse Magnolia Torque & Testing, Inc. of unpaid wagesLAFAYETTE — Two operators have filed a class-action lawsuit against Magnolia Torque & Testing, Inc. , a former employer, citing alleged violation of workers compensation acts.Simon Joseph Dubois and Joseph Conwell filed a complaint on behalf of all others similarly situated on July 27, in the U.S.
Streamlining operations on the agenda for new bar association president
NEW ORLEANS – Darrel J. Papillion, the 76th president of the Louisiana
State Bar Association (LSBA), recently spoke to the Louisiana Bar
Journal about his credentials, family and his goals for the LSBA during his one-year his presidency.
Attorney: Case could decide if $500,000 cap applies to certain types of medical malpractice suits
NEW ORLEANS – A little-reported medical malpractice lawsuit now before the Louisiana Supreme Court could decide whether a damages cap defined by state law covers certain negligence cases, a malpractice attorney based in Metairie said during a recent interview.
Man’s malpractice case after surgery left him a quadriplegic likely to have little impact, attorney says
SHREVEPORT – While most likely of great importance to a now severely disabled man and his wife, the 2nd Circuit's recent reversal in a medical malpractice case has little legal significance, a malpractice attorney said during a recent interview.
Potentially skewed billing estimates may explain FEMA’s denial for Gustav cleanup funds
LIVINGSTON – Nearly eight years after Hurricane Gustav struck Livingston Parish, questions still remain about who is financially responsible for nearly $60 million in debris cleanup.
State Supreme Court denies applicant to take bar exam a third time because of criminal history
NEW ORLEANS – The Louisiana Supreme Court recently denied an unnamed applicant’s request to take the July 2016 bar exam, which would have been his third time to take the exam, arguing that the he failed to demonstrate good moral character based on his criminal history to practice law.