In the aftermath of suffering injuries from medical malpractice, filing a suit might not be at the top of your list. However, in order to maximize your chance of recovery, it is imperative that you timely file your claim without delay. So what happens when you do not file a…
Articles Posted in Civil Matter
Man Doesn’t Have To Pay Back Alleged Disability Overpayments Without Proof
If you believe you are eligible for retirement, disability, or other benefits from the Social Security Administration (“SSA”), it is imperative that you understand how prior events, including those that may have led to overpayment of prior benefits, can affect your ability to collect these benefits. In 2010, Johnson applied…
How can an Employer use the Courts to Deny a Family Medical Leave Act Claim?
Summary judgment is a legal standard many courts use when there are not enough facts in dispute to even proceed with a lawsuit. When applicable, this is a good strategy for a defense attorney to use because it purges claims that have no merit, saving time and money. The Fifth…
When is a Final Court Judgment Not Final in Louisiana?
Final judgments are usually final. However, not all civil judgments are actually final. In a legal malpractice lawsuit, the plaintiff can attempt to seek relief from a final judgment. However, this remedy is only available under a narrow set of circumstances where the losing party may request the court to…
Louisiana Court of Appeals Reverses Dismissal of Instructor’s Retaliation Claim Against Tangipahoa School Board
When someone reports misconduct, they might expect the wrongdoer to be reprimanded. They don’t generally expect to be punished themselves. That’s why Ronald Bias at Amite High School was not happy when he was retaliated against after reporting a colleague’s misconduct. Mr. Bias was a senior Marine Corps instructor…
Louisiana Supreme Court Affirms Retroactively Applying New Laws to Criminal Conduct Impermissible
Generally, citizens are not held to criminal standards that do not yet exist. When a citizen takes action, he or she is held to the criminal standards in place at the time of the act. To retroactively apply criminal laws is impermissible because that application tends to violate principles of…
State or Federal Court? Car Accident Victim Makes the Wrong Choice in Lawsuit Against Her Former Attorney
A common litigation tactic for plaintiffs is to bring cases in federal court to obtain greater damage awards. However, a plaintiff must have a viable claim under federal law or their case will be dismissed by the federal district court for lack of jurisdiction. Following a car accident in which…
Validity of a Contract: To Be Decided by an Arbitrator or the Court?
Louisiana citizens interact with contract law every day, in many cases without even realizing it. Whether buying groceries at a supermarket with a credit card or installing a new iPhone app, countless purchases are governed by consumer agreements. What may be even less known to purchasers is that many of…
Non-Compete Clause Enforcement Case Shows Importance of Retaining Expert Counsel Before Signing Employment Agreement
A non-compete clause is a common feature in many employment agreements in Louisiana. The clause is a way for an employer to restrict an employee from going to work for a competitor and thus potentially harming the original employer. Most non-compete clauses, in order to be enforceable, must contain some…
Physical Altercation at Jefferson Parish School Board Prompts Board Member to Obtain Preliminary Injunction
People seek assistance from the courts for a number of reasons. Some may demand a monetary payment after suffering a loss due to another’s wrongful conduct. Others may aim to prevent harm resulting from the wrongful conduct of another by petitioning the court for protective action. In Louisiana, a court…