Louisiana Personal Injury Lawyer Blog

June 27, 2017

New Orleans Traffic Camera Ticket Recipients Class Action Unsuccessful

do-not-park-1445020-1024x766 The difficulties of certifying a class for a class action lawsuit were highlighted in a case in which an Orleans Parish resident, Michelle Albe, disputed a speeding ticket imposed by the City of New Orleans Automated Traffic Enforcement System (“ATES”). Ms. Albe’s challenge was based on the wording of a delinquency notice she received, which contained the threat of ‘possible jail time’. Ms. Albe sought to include all recipients of the delinquency notice in a class action.

Ms. Albe received a citation after she was recorded speeding on October 12, 2008, in the Parish of Orleans. She challenged the ticket, but despite her timely appeal, she received a delinquent notice for non-payment of the citation. The notice contained the threat of “possible jail time” if it wasn’t paid, even though the citation was civil and not criminal.

Ms. Albe amended her challenge to the citation, arguing that the emotional distress she suffered due to the inclusion of the threat of possible jail time in the delinquency notice amounted to the negligent and/or intentional infliction of emotional distress. Ms. Albe then sought to include all other recipients of the delinquency notice, estimated at 40,000 people, in a class action.

June 26, 2017

You’re Both at Fault: Automobile Collision in Monroe, Louisiana, Results in Equal Liability to Both Drivers

by Berniard Law Firm

autumn-highway-1186821-1024x683 Do you remember how it felt to get your driver’s license? Perhaps there was a sense of freedom, invincibility, or just sheer excitement. Imagine, or think back to your own memories of, that feeling’s abrupt end — your first car accident. Such was the experience of one teenager in Monroe, Louisiana.

On May 10, 2012, a little over three months after getting her driver’s license, Courtney Smart and her passenger, Michele, were on their way to school and heading east on Garden Lane toward its intersection with Highway 165. Rita Calhoun, age 69, was headed west toward the same intersection from the opposite side of the highway. In the process of turning right onto Highway 165 South, Courtney’s vehicle collided with Rita’s vehicle, which had made a left turn at the intersection. The collision occurred near the intersection in the left lane of the highway, damaging the rear left panel of Courtney’s Hyundai Elantra and the front right corner of Rita’s Toyota Avalon.

Courtney’s and Michele’s parents (“Plaintiffs”) filed a lawsuit against Rita, claiming that Courtney lawfully made a right turn onto the highway when Rita turned left without yielding the right of way at the intersection and subsequently hit Courtney’s car. Rita denied these allegations in her answer and alleged instead that Courtney was at fault by turning into Rita’s path. Both parties then filed motions for summary judgment, but the trial court denied each motion after finding genuine issues for trial pursuant to La. C.C.P. art. 967(B). In other words, the Plaintiff’s and Rita each filed a motion asking the judge to rule in their favor because their version of the facts is the only plausible version. The court denied the motions, however, because both Courtney’s and Michele’s versions of the accident were plausible. The matter then proceeded to a bench trial, which is a trial before a judge instead of a jury.

June 25, 2017

Disability ERISA Insurance Claims Require Timely Production of Evidence

by Berniard Law Firm

accessibility-1538227-1-1024x768 Navigating an ERISA disability insurance claim through the courts can be a difficult task. The best ERISA disability isurance claim lawyers can help be your guide to ensure your rights are protected. The following case that arises out of the Federal Court system in New Orleans demonstrates the issues that can arise when you fail to timely provide the required documents to prove your case and your insurer denies your disability claim.

The case began when Angel Dix a two-year employee of Blue Cross Blue Shield Louisiana began experiencing back pain. Her doctors deemed her disabled for insurance purposes and she began receiving disability benefits under the company’s long-term disability program. Less than a month later, Dix was notified that she would no longer receive disability payments by her insurance company. The letter stated that the administrator found that the medical evidence “no longer supported a finding of disability.” The administrator considered medical opinions from treating and reviewing physicians, findings of an independent medical evaluation, and a vocational expert’s report. Dix appealed the decision.

During the initial review process, the administrator asked Dix whether she would like to submit additional documentation, and even gave Dix an extension on the deadline for submitting documentation. Dix failed to submit any additional information. The record was reviewed and the decision of the administrator was upheld. Then, approximately one year and three months after the administrator issued its final decision in her appeal, Dix submitted medical records, X-rays, MRIs, affidavits, and a favorable Social Security Administration decision. The affidavits were from two of her doctors stating that they do not recall speaking with the reviewing physician. The administrator declined to add the documents to the administrative record because Dix has exhausted her administrative remedies.

June 24, 2017

Alexandria Sam’s Club Employee’s Fall at Work Leads to Long Battle in the Courts

by Berniard Law Firm

spinal-tap-1197804-1-768x1024 Justice is often not a sprint through the courts, but a long carefully navigated journey. This is because the law is not always black and white and standards of proof may make it difficult for a Plaintiff to prove his or her case. In a lawsuit arising out of Parish of Rapides, for example, Cecilia Rachal had to navigate four separate issues through the courts to find compensation for a simple fall at work.

Alexandria’s Sam’s Club was undergoing renovations when one of its employees, Ms. Rachal, fell between a filing cabinet and a co-worker while on the job. After the accident, Ms. Rachal experienced pain in her head, neck, back, right hand and ankles. After seeing various doctors and filing a claim for workers compensation benefits, Ms. Rachal was successful in obtaining temporary disability benefits.

Under the advisement of her attorney, Ms. Rachal visited another doctor, Dr. Clark, almost a month after her accident due to the possibility of symptoms arising after the initial trauma of her injury. Ms. Rachal received a lumbar MRI scan, which helped Dr. Clark diagnose Ms. Rachal’s spinal stenosis. At the recommendation of Dr. Clark, she received injections in her lumbar and physical therapy. Ms. Rachal additionally had lumbar laminectomy surgery a few years later after the lumbar issues continued, despite conservative treatment.

June 23, 2017

Law Firm Does Not Receive Share of Settlement Per Court Ruling

by Berniard Law Firm

When representing a client, an attorney and law firm must do their due diligence and advocate for their client in the best way possible. An excellent attorney will put in countless hours for their client and will not stop working until the job is completed. Not all attorneys do this however, and when an attorney underperforms, the client has every right to seek a different lawyer for their services.

In April 1996, Stephen Phares (“Mr. Phares”) went to the emergency room of Christus Schumpert Medical Center in Shreveport, Louisiana. Mr. Phares complained that he had back pain, and the next day had back surgery. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Phares consulted with Carl Reynolds (“Mr. Reynolds”) of the Reynolds law firm in Georgia, because he believed he had a medical malpractice claim. Seven months later on November 14, 1996, Mr. Phares and his wife signed a medical negligence employment contract and hired the Reynolds firm to represent them in their case. Because the Reynolds firm was based in Georgia, the firm needed to bring on a second firm that practiced in Louisiana. In January 1997, the Reynolds firm hired the McKeithen law firm to act as local counsel on the malpractice claim. The two firms had an oral agreement that ultimately led to a fifty-fifty arrangement regarding attorney fees.

The Phareses filed a lawsuit and a jury trial was scheduled for September 18, 2006. Before the trial, the two firms agreed to submit the malpractice claim to mediation, and as a result, a settlement was entered in which one health care provider would pay $100,000 to the Phareses and a second provider would pay $60,000. The attorney fee ended up being $72,000, however, the Reynolds firm received 60 percent and the McKeithen firm received 40 percent. Shortly after the mediation, the Phareses filed a claim against the Louisiana Patient’s Compensation Fund (PCF). The Phareses then terminated the Reynolds firm from the case and hired Martin Bohman of the McKeithen firm. A contingency fee contract between the Phareses and Mr. Bohman established that the attorney fee would be 40 percent. In August 2006, the Phareses settled their claim against the PCF for $600,000 and the McKeithen firm received $240,000 as a contingency fee.

June 22, 2017

Woman Awarded No Damages For Slip and Fall Accident at Nail Salon in Baton Rouge

by Berniard Law Firm

When going to the nail salon, the last thing anyone thinks about is falling and getting seriously injured. Slip and fall accidents happen all the time, and it is important to gather as much evidence as possible and retain a good personal injury attorney in order to build the best possible case for yourself. The courts do not look favorably on those who make a claim and have very little evidence to back it up, as Pamela Burnett (“Ms. Burnett”) discovered when trying to win damages from the Lucky Nails salon.

On August 20, 2012, Ms. Burnett went to the Lucky Nails salon in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to get a standard nail polish change. All was going well at the salon, but as she was walking toward the pedicure chairs after choosing a polish color, she slipped and hit her head on the foot rest of one of the chairs. Ms. Burnett filed a lawsuit against the nail salon and its insurer, State Farm Insurance Company. Ms. Burnett alleged that the nail salon was negligent in maintaining the property and the floor of the salon. The defendants filed a motion for summary judgment because Ms. Burnett could not prove that there was a foreign substance or hazardous condition on the floor, that the nail salon created or had actual or constructive notice of the hazard, and that the salon failed to exercise reasonable care. The Trial Court found the evidence did not demonstrate that there was anything obvious on the floor. Ms. Burnett testified that the floor felt slippery, but was unable to identify what kind of substance was on the floor. The Trial Court granted the defendants’ motion for summary judgment on September 9, 2014, and dismissed the suit with prejudice. Ms. Burnett appealed this decision to the Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal.

On appeal, the First Circuit addressed Ms. Burnett’s argument that the Trial Court failed to look at the most critical evidence of the case. This evidence was a video recording of Ms. Burnett’s fall at the nail salon. The Trial Court stated that they were unable to see the video, however, they had plenty of still photographs taken directly from the video recording. The photographs clearly depicted the floor of the salon and they showed no substance or liquid on the floor. The First Circuit was able to view the video but found that it did not matter that the Trial Court was unable to view it because it did not present any new conclusions to reverse the summary judgment decision.

June 21, 2017

Competing Contract Terms Complicate New Orleans Hotel Shareholder’s Life Insurance Policy

by Berniard Law Firm

hotel-hilton-santo-domingo-1222125-1024x768 Securing a loan with collateral might seem like a simple and everyday task, but even the smallest of mistakes in the process can carry severe consequences. Brent Kovach (Mr. Kovach), a shareholder in a few New Orleans French Quarter hotels, experienced the repercussions of a simple oversight when one paragraph in his collateral assignment nearly offset his entire life insurance policy. The following case delves into just how critical hiring an excellent attorney might be when interpreting seemingly straightforward contracts and when those contract disputes turn to a lawsuit.

Mr. Kovach was a shareholder of St. Peter Inc.’s Hotel and a member of A Creole House, LLC, which managed a French Quarter hotel. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, these hotels required refinancing and in order to secure the necessary loans, Mr. Kovach personally guaranteed them with his life insurance policy as collateral. Mr. Kovach and his wife, Ellen Kovach (Mrs. Kovach), acquired the one million dollar life insurance policy on Mr. Kovach in 1995 from New England Mutual Life Insurance Company.

After receiving the refinancing, the hotels failed to make loan payments and in May 2010 the bank requested a cash surrender of the value of the policy from New England Mutual Life Insurance Company. The life insurance company paid the value of the policy, $52,316.33, to the bank based upon the terms of the assignment and canceled Mr. Kovach’s life insurance plan without any notification to him.

June 20, 2017

Failure to Pay Taxes Results in Litigation Headache for New Orleans Property Owner

by Berniard Law Firm

tax-1501475-1024x768 In Louisiana, a failure to pay your property taxes can result in your property being subject to a tax sale. This can cause a tremendous headache. Though the Louisiana Constitution and Revised Statutes provide that the government’s right to proceed to a tax sale expires three years after the last day of the year in which the taxes were due, one New Orleans property owner was sent a tax bill including unpaid taxes which seemingly should have been expired.

In 2006, Kathleen Bilbe purchased a piece of real estate located at 1722 Lark Street in New Orleans. The property was subject to ad velorem taxes. Ms. Bilbe failed to pay her property taxes in 2007, which accumulated interest, penalties, and costs. The New Orleans Department of Finance sent Ms. Bilbe a tax bill for 2007 reflecting the real estate taxes she owed for 2010, neighborhood fees for 2010, and the unpaid taxes from 2007. Ms. Bilbe made a partial payment towards the unpaid 2007 taxes in February 2010 but the entire balance of the 2010 bill remained.

The Department of Finance sent a notice to Ms. Bilbe that her property could be subject to a tax sale due to her unpaid taxes in July of 2011. That same month she paid the entire balance and her property was spared from the tax sale. Though the Louisiana Revised Statutes allow an opportunity to dispute the amount assessed by the tax collector, Ms. Bilbe did not indicate that she was making the payment in protest. La. R.S. 47:2314.

June 19, 2017

Louisiana Court Upholds Jury’s Finding of No Causation Despite Uncontroverted Expert Testimony

by Berniard Law Firm

trailerpark-1-1559039-1024x820 In any personal injury lawsuit, it is absolutely critical that the plaintiff documents his or her injuries and gather evidence in support of legal claims. In addition to establishing that the defendant breached a duty of care, personal injury plaintiffs must also prove – through medical testimony and documentation – that it was more probable than not that the accident at issue caused their injuries. See Maranto v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 650 So.2d 757 (La. 1995). This is particularly complicated when the plaintiff is already receiving care for preexisting injuries, as the law holds that defendants are not liable for damages caused by separate, independent, or intervening causes or injury. A recent case of the Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal is revealing. In this case, the Court of Appeal upheld a jury’s finding of no causation despite unconverted testimony by two expert witnesses.

On July 18, 2011, Wendy Richardson was returning to her home in Powers Trailer Park in Ascension Parish, Louisiana when her vehicle’s right rear tire fell into a hole. The hole developed suddenly in the gravel lining the entrance to the trailer park from Airline Highway. Ms. Richardson filed a lawsuit against the owner of the trailer park, Homewood Holdings, L.L.C. and its insurer, Scottsdale Insurance Company. Ms. Richardson argued that the hole caused her vehicle to unexpectedly stop, causing her serious injuries that necessitated undergoing spinal surgery.

At trial, Ms. Richardson presented the testimony of two treating physicians in addition to her own testimony. Ms. Richardson testified that she did not immediately seek medical attention for her injuries because she was already being administered a narcotic for serious injuries suffered in a domestic violence incident, and her contract prohibited her from receiving medication from any other source. She waited until her next scheduled appointment with her pain management specialist, Dr. Thomas Cockerham.

June 18, 2017

Life Lesson: Be Diligent or Be Forced to Litigate in Indiana!

by Berniard Law Firm

the-old-red-barn-1233750-1024x736 In litigating claims, parties (particularly the attorneys) must exercise diligence. This means being timely when it comes to gathering evidence, complying with a court order, or filing a pleading, motion, appeal etc. In its Commentary to the Model Rules of Professional Responsibility, the American Bar Association specifically warns that procrastination can seriously harm a client’s cause. Good attorneys heed this warning. Procrastination can and will often prompt the court to dismiss a litigant’s claims or objections. Illustrative is a recent case from the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal.

In 2011, Red Barn Motors, Inc. entered into a financing agreement with Dealer Services Corporation (“DSC”). Under the financing agreement, DSC would finance Red Barn’s purchase of vehicles at auction. But soon, things went sour. In March of 2013, Red Barn stopped making payments on its line of credit with DSC and DSC began seizing some of Red Barn’s assets. The next month, Red Barn delivered several vehicles to Louisiana’s First Choice Auto Auction, L.L.C. First choice was supposed to sell the vehicles, but instead, it delivered them to DSC. Red Barn eventually declared bankruptcy. At some point, DSC was absorbed by another company, NextGear Capital Inc.

Red Barn filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana against NextGear and First Choice. Red Barn alleged that NextGear breached the financing agreement and benefited from unjust enrichment and that NextGear and First Choice committed conversion. According to Red Barn’s petition, sometimes six to eight weeks would pass before the auction house could transfer title to DSC, and DSC would refuse to pay the auction house until it received the title, though it would charge interest and fees starting from Red Barn’s initial purchase.