Juries are one of the most important foundations in our legal system. Their role is to determine the truth behind the sometimes confusing legal language and provide justice. Juries rely on the information given to them by lawyers in the form of Jury Questions. However, when an alleged ambiguous term…
Articles Posted in Civil Matter
Can a Judge increase a Jury’s Award of Damages?
The jury process is considered the great equalizer when it comes to the everyday man fighting large corporations. Juries in Louisiana are made up of twelve people tasked with evaluating the evidence and legal arguments of the parties. While juries do, their best mistakes can be made and corrected by…
Pyramids of Escape: Independent Contractors and How They are a Threat to Your Accident Compensation.
If you are injured by someone in their course of employment, you can contact their employer for your compensation. But unfortunately, employers hire independent contractors to skirt around liability when their workers mess up. Below is a cautionary tale about how cascading levels of independent contractors left an injured plaintiff…
Employment Misconduct and its Threat to Unemployment Benefits
Some mistakes can cost you your job. Rules and regulations are drafted and enacted in the medical field to ensure a safe work environment. Before breaking a rule to get your job done, consider the danger in which you could place yourself or your interests. The following lawsuit from Slidell…
Two Sides to Every Story: How Does a Louisiana Court Determine Who is Credible?
Courts often hear contradicting testimony and must decide who to believe or who is more credible. For example, the following Calcasieu Parish case involves two individuals who were married at the time of the altercation but have since divorced and the importance of providing the most credible testimony. Although Mr.…
How to Determine Who is At Fault in an Automobile Accident in a Parking Lot
In automobile accident cases, determining the drivers’ liability is often the core issue in determining damages. Unfortunately, who is at fault in a car accident in a parking lot can be tricky. The following lawsuit out of Lake Charles shows how courts weigh the evidence and come to conclusions in…
Disabled Louisiana Plaintiff Successfully Appeals to Regain Coverage for His Insurance Policy
One’s life is forever altered after an incapacitating injury. While the situation comes with enough issues, problems are enhanced when medical providers merge and change the disability benefits you have relied upon for a year. Unfortunately, this is precisely what happened to Michael Swinea after Humana Inc. bought Kanawha Insurance…
What is a “Two Contract Defense” In Louisiana Lawsuits?
When subcontractors get injured at work, it can be confusing to determine who is liable for damages. This case shows a company’s failed attempt at using the “two contract defense” to dismiss claims in a slip and fall case. It also helps answer the question; What is a two-contract defense…
When Car Accidents Get Messy: How Clear Language and Resolved Claims Can Help You Win Your Lawsuit
Have you ever been involved in a car accident? It’s a scary experience that can have serious consequences. If you’ve been injured in an accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages. But what happens when multiple parties are involved? That’s the question at the heart…
Windstorm or Negligent Installation? A Battle of the Experts
Cities need to ensure public utilities are safe and properly installed. Road fixtures, such as traffic lights and speed limit signs, are an essential part of infrastructure. When road fixtures are installed negligently, the public needs to be able to hold the liable parties accountable. So who should be responsible…