Finance company sues over funds paid in death of former city employee

DONALDSONVILLE – An Alabama-based finance company is suing the City of Donaldsonville claiming it was never reimbursed for a city employee's funeral and burial after being promised it would be repaid once the man's city-provided life insurance policy was paid out.

C&J Financial filed suit on Jan. 23 in the 23rd Judicial District Court against the City of Donaldsonville.

C&J alleges it agreed to fund the funeral of Willie Thomas after being told by Donaldsonville that Thomas was a current employee covered under the city's group life insurance policy.

The plaintiff alleges the city did not know Thomas was no longer covered under the life insurance because he was not a current employee at the time of his death. C&J claims it was denied reimbursement for the funeral and burial expenses by Fort Dearborn National Group Life Insurance because of the statements given by Donaldsonville's human resources employees.

The defendants are being accused of recklessness in representation and careless misrepresentation of the truth. The plaintiffs also claim the city should have known Thomas was no longer covered under the policy.

C&J is seeking damages in the amount of $9,886.30 for funeral and burial expenses plus judicial interest and court costs.

Erica D. Edwards of Baton Rouge-based Saunders & Chaubert is representing C&J.

The case has been assigned to Division C Judge Guy Holdridge.

Case number 104288