News from September 2016
Louisiana Association of Business and Industry supports federal court complaint to delay new overtime rule
BATON ROUGE – The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) recently announced its support of the federal court complaint filed by Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry as part of a coalition of 21 states challenging the U.S. Department of Labor’s new overtime rule, set to go into effect nationwide on Dec. 1.
Sue or Get Out of the Way
On September 21, 2016, a letter was signed and sent by Governor John Bel Edwards to multiple coastal parishes in the state of Louisiana to “encourage” them to sue oil and gas companies in their parishes, as well as those that previously operated in the area.
Senate candidate sues Southern Media & Opinion Research, claiming wrong party affiliation listed
BATON ROUGE – U.S. Senate candidate Troy Hebert filed a lawsuit and restraining order against Southern Media & Opinion Research and pollster Bernie Pinsonat for allegedly releasing incorrect information that affected his chances of taking part in candidate forums.
Federal Judge Ginger Berrigan announces semi-retirement
NEW ORLEANS – Federal Judge Helen Ginger Berrigan has retired from active service in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana and will enter semi-retired "senior" status. She submitted the requisite documents to President Obama on Aug. 23.
Cash for Cars accused of junk fax violation
NEW ORLEANS — A business entity has filed a class-action lawsuit against Copart Inc., d/b/a Cash for Cars, a used car wholesaler, citing alleged violation of telephone harassment statutes.
Whitney Bank claims couple defaulted on promissory note
BATON ROUGE — A Mississippi state chartered bank is suing Robert E. Brooks and Lynda K. Brooks, a married couple living in New Orleans, citing alleged breach of contract.
European companies accuse common carriers of breach of contract
NEW ORLEANS — Several European companies are suing M/V HC Bea-Luna, Central Oceans USA LLC, Onego Shipping & Chartering BV, Canadian National Railway Company (CN) and Berard Transportation Inc., common carriers, alleging negligence and insufficient measures taken to prevent damages.
Crane operator blames Marine Transportation Services Inc. of Florida for injuries
LAFAYETTE — A crane operator is suing Marine Transportation Services Inc. of Florida, a ship owner, alleging that insufficient measures were taken to prevent injuries.
Offshore technician accuses Seadrill Americas Inc. of negligence
BATON ROUGE — An offshore technician is suing Seadrill Americas Inc., a vessel owner, alleging insufficient measures were taken to prevent injuries.
Louisiana police officers others encouraged to model New Orleans' efforts
NEW ORLEANS -- Activists have called upon police officers across the country to turn to the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) as their role model for handling protests and other demonstrations in their communities.
Louisiana judges awarded pay raise despite state budget issues
NEW ORLEANS -- The pay raise for Louisiana judges has been approved despite the salary freeze imposed upon state employees. The increase in salary pertains to all judges from the Supreme Court to the city courts.
Appeals court uses humor to finish a frosty fight in the 'sno-ball' industry
NEW ORLEANS – The courtroom is not a common place to find humor. However, some judges like to lighten the litigious mood when delivering decisions in cases.
LOGA president says Gov. Edwards’ call for more lawsuits against the industry a 'shakedown'
BATON ROUGE – In a news conference Sept. 21, Gov. John Bel Edwards encouraged all coastal parishes to sue the oil and gas industry for its contributions to the coastal loss, a statement the president of Louisiana Oil and Gas Association (LOGA) calls a “shakedown.”
LLAW director: Attempt to place political donors as attorneys in lawsuits will be hard for Edwards to live down
BATON ROUGE – Gov. John Bel Edwards may answer to the state's voters, but likely no one else, after trying to insert campaign donors as attorneys into controversial lawsuits against oil and gas companies, a spokeswoman for a legal watchdog group said during a recent interview.
Watchdog group says St. Charles Parish DA needs to recuse himself from Landry case
NEW ORLEANS – Watchdog group the Metropolitan Crime Commission has repeatedly asked Joel Chaisson II, the St. Charles Parish district attorney, to recuse himself from prosecuting the case involving St. Charles Parish Hospital Board Chairman John Landry III, to no avail.
Shriya Hospitality accused of allowing slime to accumulate on sidewalk, cause woman to fall
BATON ROUGE – An Arizona woman claims a hazardous condition on a sidewalk at a Baton Rouge hotel caused her to fall and break her hip.
Edwards’ Legal War Amounts to Another De-Facto Moratorium on Drilling
Six years ago President Barack Obama imposed an unnecessary ban on offshore drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, which left tens of thousands of Louisiana oil and gas workers and service sector employees out of jobs and nearly devastated our state’s economy.
Edwards using new litigation to deflect pay-to-play controversy, oil and gas industry statement says
BATON ROUGE – Gov. John Bel Edwards' decision to double down on coastal litigation against the oil and gas industry is an attempt to distract from his own questionable actions in existing cases, according to a recent industry statement.
City of Kenner, other parties accused of violating process server's civil rights
NEW ORLEANS — A special process server is suing a city and various officials over an alleged violation of civil rights.
Academy Training School, Progressive Buildings accused of wage violations
LAKE CHARLES — A licensed practical nurse from Calcasieu Parish is suing joint employers, alleging violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act.