Town of Lafitte sued by couple who claims heavy machinery damaged their property

GRETNA – A southeast Louisiana town is being sued by homeowners who claim their property was damaged when a piece of heavy equipment drove through it.

Melinda Wiseman Haydel and Gregory Haydel filed suit against Town of Lafitte, Jefferson Parish Office of Community Development and Meyer Engineers Ltd. in the 24th Judicial District Court on Jan. 9.

The Haydels assert that they own land located next to a drainage ditch that was trampled by heavy machinery owned by Meyer Engineers Ltd. The plaintiffs claim that as part of the “Barataria Drainage Improvement Project” authorized by the Jefferson Parish Office of Community Development the heavy equipment accessed the ditch by driving through their property and that in doing so their property was damaged. The Haydels allege that the heavy machinery ground up their yard and caused the land to be unstable and converted into pools of mud and debris.

The defendant is accused of property damage.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for a reasonable amount to repair the premises.

The Haydels are represented by attorney Dominick Savona Jr. of Gretna.

The case has been assigned to Division H Judge Glenn B. Ansardi.

Case no. 734-441.