News from February 2016
Disabled man alleges that he was wrongfully denied benefits
NEW ORLEANS – A disabled man claims he was wrongly denied disability benefits and is seeking the court’s help in retrieving information from his plan administrator.
Sun Life Assurance taken to court over alleged denial of disability benefits
BATON ROUGE – A former manager alleges that Sun Life wrongfully denied him short-term and long-term disability benefits.
Appeals court thwarts oil industry petition, but wetlands case hangs in balance
NEW ORLEANS -- Louisiana oil and gas companies lost a legal skirmish last week over a challenge to a flood protection authority’s use of private law firms, but the much larger issue of financial responsibility for coastal wetlands damage remains to be settled.
New Edwards administration likely to leave tort reform alone
BATON ROUGE — Republicans and tort reform advocates didn't expect John Bel Edwards to win the governor's race in Louisiana, but now people with an eye on the state's history of litigation are paying close attention to see how the issue of tort reform will be handled by the new administration.
Homeowner alleges window manufacturer is to blame for damages to her home
LAFAYETTE – A Cameron Parish homeowner is seeking damages in a class-action suit against Pella Corp. over allegedly defective windows.
Report alleges Louisiana's consumer protection law misuse has increased litigation
NEW ORLEANS — A white paper by Emory University Law Professor Joanna M. Shepherd examines the costs and consequences of the Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law (LUTPA), but not everyone agrees with her assessment.
Towing vessel crewman alleges that his employer is responsible for his injuries
NEW ORLEANS – A seaman claims that his employer’s negligence led to his injuries while on the job.
Attorney alleges he was part of a class-action suit and deserves compensation
NEW ORLEANS – An attorney is requesting the court’s assistance in declaring that he was part of a suit against the American Tobacco Co. and is deserving of compensation.
Orleans Parish public defenders' office sued by ACLU over refusal of cases
BATON ROUGE – The cash-starved Orleans Parish public defenders' office is being sued after allegedly placing poor people connected to crimes on a "waiting list" and leaving them without access to lawyers.
Two sales representatives claim that their non-compete agreements are null and void
NEW ORLEANS – Two medical device salesmen are challenging their non-compete agreement with their former employer.
Former manager at Burger King sues over discrimination allegations
LAFAYETTE – A former district manager of Burger King is seeking damages against the company over alleged discrimination of age and race.
Man alleges he was a victim of police brutality
NEW ORLEANS – A Tangipahoa Parish man is seeking damages against the Hammond City Police force and its jail for alleged police brutality.
Appointment of a former attorney general to key conservation post 'unprecedented'
BATON ROUGE — Gov. John Bel Edward's appointment of a former attorney general -- rather than a scientist -- as a Louisiana commissioner of conservation is unprecedented in the state, Melissa Landry, executive director of the Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch, said recently.
Owners of oil tanker seeks court's help in getting vessel back
NEW ORLEANS – The owner of a crude oil tanker is seeking millions in damages for allegedly unpaid payments and for the return of its vessel.
Oyster harvesters allege damages after oil spill
NEW ORLEANS – A larger collection of owners and lease holders of an oyster bed are seeking damages after an oil spill allegedly contaminated their property.
Manufacturer of Target beanbag chairs seeks judgment against supplier
NEW ORLEANS – A manufacturer of various consumer products is seeking declaratory judgment against one of its suppliers over allegedly defective products.
3M, Arizant Healthcare sued over alleged defects in Bair Hugger
NEW ORLEANS – A patient who underwent several knee surgeries is seeking damages from the manufacturers of Bair Hugger over allegations that the unit caused an infection.
Shipyard worker alleges that employers violated her FMLA rights
NEW ORLEANS – A tack welder is taking her former employer over her allegedly unlawful termination and violations of her rights.
LSU professor emeritus recalls being part of a teaching tag team with Scalia
BATON ROUGE — For years John Baker, professor emeritus at Louisiana State University, told people that he feared his good friend, the energetic and hard-driven Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, might succumb one day as a result of the justice’s active lifestyle and vigorous commitment to his beliefs about the Constitution.
Daughter gains control of Benson trust fund
NEW ORLEANS — The estranged daughter of New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson has gained control of a trust set up in the name of her late mother.