Articles Posted in Litigation

by

pexels-rezwan-1145434-1024x683In a significant victory for the family of a deceased worker, the Louisiana Court of Appeal has overturned a previous ruling, ensuring they receive workers’ compensation death benefits. The case, Orozco v. Filser Construction & Aries Building Systems, Inc., centered around the complex issue of determining whether Serna Jr. was an independent contractor or an employee entitled to workers’ compensation benefits.

Case Background

Serna Jr. was working for his father’s company, Filser Construction, which was subcontracted by Aries Building Systems to perform work at a U.S. Navy facility. He was tragically killed while moving trailers on the job site. His alleged dependents, Mariana Orozco and Aggie Filiberto Serna Orozco filed a workers’ compensation claim against Filser and Aries.

Continue reading

by

pexels-sora-shimazaki-5673488-1024x683In a case highlighting the importance of carefully crafted real estate contracts, the Louisiana Court of Appeal, Fourth Circuit, upheld a trial court’s decision awarding stipulated damages and attorney’s fees to sellers in a failed all-cash real estate transaction.

The case centered on a failed real estate purchase agreement, underscoring the importance of understanding contractual obligations and the potential consequences of non-performance.

Case Background:

Continue reading

by

pexels-eray-karatas-756165405-28428022-683x1024In a case stemming from the aftermath of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the Louisiana Court of Appeal, Fourth Circuit, recently reversed a trial court’s summary judgment, highlighting the complexities in determining a worker’s status in maritime injury cases.

The case, Nathaniel Smith v. H&E Tugs LLC and Lawson Environmental Service LLC, centers around whether Nathaniel Smith, the injured worker, qualifies as a seaman under the Jones Act or an employee under the Longshore Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA).

Case Background:

Continue reading

by

pexels-ekaterina-bolovtsova-6077447-1024x683In a stark reminder of the importance of procedural precision in the legal world, the Louisiana Court of Appeal, Fourth Circuit, recently dismissed an appeal due to a lack of a final, appealable judgment. The case highlights the critical importance of precise decretal language in judgments, even in seemingly straightforward summary judgment grants.

Cassandra Smith filed a lawsuit against B-3 Property, Blair Bail Bonds, and St. Roch Villa, alleging negligence in connection with a slip-and-fall incident at her apartment complex. After several years of litigation, the trial court granted summary judgment in favor of Smith. The defendants appealed this decision.

The Issue of Appellate Jurisdiction

Continue reading

by

pexels-bentonphotocinema-1095602-1024x683In a recent decision, the Louisiana Court of Appeal, Fourth Circuit, overturned a trial court ruling in a medical malpractice case involving the death of Nicole Phillips. The case, Jamal Wright et al. v. The State of Louisiana, O/B/ of Jamie Alleyn, M.D., et al., highlights the critical importance of adhering to proper service of process procedures when suing state-employed healthcare providers.

The case originated from a medical malpractice claim against several doctors employed by the State of Louisiana. The claim was initially brought before a medical review panel in 2015 and subsequently amended following the death of Nicole Phillips in 2016. The lawsuit was then filed by Jamal Wright, the father of Ms. Phillips’ minor child.

The Doctors, upon being served with the Petition for Damages, filed declinatory exceptions of insufficiency of citation and insufficiency of service of process. They argued that the service was improper as it was not directed to the designated agents for service of process as required by Louisiana law.

Continue reading

by

pexels-lukas-hartmann-304281-1719475-1024x700In a recent ruling, the Louisiana Court of Appeal, Third Circuit, upheld a trial court’s decision regarding the liability of Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Co., LLC, in a personal injury case brought by Tracy Collins under the Jones Act and general maritime law. The case centered around an incident where Mr. Collins, a deckhand on the vessel Derrick 62, sustained an injury while performing his duties.

Mr. Collins filed a lawsuit alleging he was injured while connecting pipes on a jetty in the Mississippi River. The task required the use of a chain binder, but the available equipment was inadequate. Mr. Collins, being the largest and strongest crew member, was asked to assist. During the process, another crew member struck the binder with a bar, causing injury to Mr. Collins’s thumb. Subsequently, Mr. Collins experienced neck and shoulder pain.

Great Lakes disputed the connection between the incident and Mr. Collins’s neck and shoulder complaints, citing independent medical examinations that found no relation.

Continue reading

by

pexels-sora-shimazaki-5668765-1024x683In a recent decision, the Louisiana Court of Appeal reversed a summary judgment granted in favor of attorneys in a legal malpractice lawsuit. The case, highlights the critical distinction between contractual and delictual claims in insurance disputes and the potential impact on the applicable statute of limitations.

Michael Belanger was involved in a car accident and obtained a judgment against the other driver for an amount exceeding her insurance policy limits. He later sued the driver’s insurance company (GEICO) for bad faith failure to settle within policy limits. Belanger was represented by the same attorneys in both cases.

GEICO successfully argued in federal court that Belanger’s bad faith claim had prescribed (or expired due to the statute of limitations) because it was subject to a one-year prescriptive period for delictual (tort) actions. Belanger then sued his attorneys for legal malpractice, claiming they failed to argue that a ten-year prescriptive period for contractual actions applied.

Continue reading

by

pexels-pixabay-261621-1024x768Navigating the workers’ compensation system can be overwhelming when you’ve been injured on the job. You may be tempted to accept a quick settlement to cover immediate medical bills and lost wages. However, it’s crucial to understand the long-term implications of such a decision. A recent Louisiana case highlights the importance of carefully considering settlement agreements in workers’ compensation claims.

Benny Hernandez was injured at work in 2014. He initially filed a workers’ compensation claim, represented by an attorney, and reached a settlement with his employer and its insurer. The settlement was approved by a workers’ compensation judge, and Hernandez’s claim was dismissed with prejudice.

However, a year later, Hernandez filed another claim related to the same injury. His employer and insurer responded with a peremptory exception of res judicata, arguing that the matter had already been resolved. The court agreed and dismissed Hernandez’s second claim.

Continue reading

by

pexels-tomfisk-1692693-1024x682In a recent decision, the Louisiana Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal reversed a summary judgment granted to the Ochsner Clinic Foundation in a slip-and-fall case, emphasizing the importance of thoroughly examining factual disputes before granting such a motion.

Doris Stogner slipped and fell in the atrium of an Ochsner facility in 2011, allegedly sustaining injuries. She filed a lawsuit against Ochsner, claiming negligence in maintaining the premises and allowing a slippery substance to exist. Ochsner countered with a motion for summary judgment, asserting they had proper inspection procedures in place and were not liable for the actions of independent contractors.

Key Points of the Case:

Continue reading

by

pexels-pixabay-532001-1-1024x683In a recent Louisiana Court of Appeal ruling, the Fourth Circuit reinstated Officer Isaiah Shannon to the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) with back pay and benefits after a contentious dismissal. This case highlights the complexities surrounding police conduct, the use of force, and the importance of due process.

The incident that led to Officer Shannon’s termination occurred in August 2013 during a traffic stop that escalated into a car chase. Following a collision, a physical altercation broke out, and Officer Shannon discharged his weapon. The passenger fled unharmed.

The core of the dispute revolved around whether Officer Shannon fired his weapon from inside or outside the suspect’s vehicle. Officer Shannon maintained he shot from inside the car, while witnesses and investigators contended he fired from outside. The absence of bullet marks inside the vehicle and video surveillance footage were cited as evidence against Officer Shannon’s account.

Continue reading
Contact Information
1140 St Charles Ave
New Orleans, LA 70130
Phone: (504) 521-6000
Fax: (504) 617-6300

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Please do not include any confidential or sensitive information in a contact form, text message, or voicemail. The contact form sends information by non-encrypted email, which is not secure. Submitting a contact form, sending a text message, making a phone call, or leaving a voicemail does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Copyright © 2016 – 2025, Berniard Law Firm
JUSTIA Law Firm Blog Design