Masonry company sues workers’ comp insurance broker over allegedly pocketing insurance premium money

GRETNA – A local masonry company is suing an insurance broker it believed it had bought workers’ compensation coverage from after two workers were denied payments on claims.

Vasquez Masonry LLC filed suit against Renie Ramirez, Chateau Notary LLC and All Titles in the 24th Judicial District Court on March 6.

Vasquez Masonry alleges that in 2011 and 2012 it purchased workers’ compensation insurance through the defendants and that during that time two of its employees were involved in a serious on the job accident. The plaintiff claims the injured employees filed for benefits due to the accident, but that the claims were denied on the basis that no insurance premiums had been paid by the defendant to an outside insurer.

The plaintiff claims that the money it had been paying for the workers’ compensation insurance was “pocket, stolen, or usurped” by Ramirez or another employee of Chateau Notary.

The defendant is accused of breach of contract.

An unspecified amount in damages is sought for all amounts expended by the plaintiffs and attorney’s fees.

Vasquez Masonry is represented by attorney Robert T. Garrity Jr. of Harahan.

The case has been assigned to Division A Judge Raymond S. Steib Jr.

Case no. 736-140.