When a person is injured, a countdown begins. If you think you have a lawsuit, you need to file that lawsuit within a certain amount of time or else you will lose the right to that claim. Similar to what some states would call a statute of limitations, Louisiana uses something…
Articles Posted in Civil Matter
Can An Architect Escape Liability for Unauthorized Changes To Building Plans Even Though His Professional Seal Is On The Plans?
Good news for professionals; potentially bad news for consumers. Affixing a professional seal to a document does not alone expose a professional to liability if the professional does not directly offer any services to the consumer. The Louisiana Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal recently heard a case that dealt with…
Court of Appeal Upholds Class Action Against Housing Authority of New Orleans For Mold
Class action lawsuits are nontraditional litigation procedures. The ultimate purpose is to not only get relief for a defined class of persons but also a relief for all others similarly situated. See Brooks v. Union Pacific R.R. Co., 13 So.3d 546 (La. 2009). Oftentimes, the issue of who is in…
Failure To Follow Correct Procedure Proves Fatal for Appeal
One important process in our legal system is the ability to petition a higher court to review a lower court’s decision that you feel was wrongly decided. This appellate process is vital in making sure justice is upheld because it allows a losing party in a lawsuit to get a…
What Authority, If Any, Do Courts of Law Have In Reviewing Arbitration Awards?
When entering into a contract it is important to read all the terms, especially the general provisions near the end of the agreement. Oftentimes those provisions state that a party must waive their right to a jury trial and settle all disputes arising from the contract by arbitration. Arbitration is…
Insurers in Louisiana Have Duty to Defend Unless Complaint Unambiguously Excludes Coverage
Insurance is such a lucrative business because while almost everyone will purchase some form of it, very few will ever make a claim against the insurance company, and even fewer will be successful. This allows insurance companies to generate huge profits on premiums paid by policyholders. Unsurprisingly, those who do…
Plaintiff in Minor Car Accident Unable to Recover Damages Because of Failure to Meet Burden of Proof
Minor car accidents occur on a daily basis. Many of us have probably been involved in a fender bender or two, ourselves. The usual course of action includes exchanging information and getting insurance companies involved, but even the smallest car accidents can lead to litigation. It is imperative to understand…
An Avoyelles Hardwood Company Found In Contempt of Court for Failing to Comply with the Specifics of a Court Order
Parties to a lawsuit are required to submit evidence in support of their claim. Depending on the piece of evidence, the court may demand very specific evidence; and in such circumstances, complying with the mere spirit of the order to produce evidence may not be enough for the court. A…
Outcome of Edgerly Case Dependent On Qualification and Use of Expert Witnesses
When asserting a cause of action or maintaining certain legal defenses in court, parties bear the burden of proving their case. This is done by presenting evidence to the court such as documents and witness testimony. Often, certain issues will require the court to make findings of fact which require…
Marksville Automobile Accident Lawsuit Lost Because Plaintiffs Failed to Name Proper Defendant
Failing to name all potentially liable parties in a lawsuit in a timely manner could result in the loss of the right to add those parties to the lawsuit at all. A case out of Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana illustrates the importance of finding a good lawyer after an automobile accident…