Litigation

May 10, 2019

What are the Rules for the Abandonment of a Lawsuit in Louisiana?

45-Email-03-13-19-1024x772 When someone files a civil lawsuit in the Parish of Jefferson in Louisiana, or anywhere else in the state, it can often leave a defendant wondering how long the case will take to wrap up. In cases where neither party has a strong desire to settle, discovery procedures may take years to complete. Capitalizing on this concern, a stubborn plaintiff or defendant may use stalling tactics to leverage the other party into a settlement. How can the opposing party fight this stalling tactic? The following case discusses the rules governing what constitutes an “abandoment” of a lawsuit in Louisiana.

On September 23, 2010, a medical corporation (Claiborne Medical Corporation) and Dr. Fiaz Afzal (“Plaintiffs”) filed suit against Ellen Mullins and ABC Insurance Company (“Defendants”) for legal malpractice. On January 6, 2012, Plaintiffs took Defendant Mullins’ deposition, and the parties had a deposition for Dr. Afzal scheduled for January 31, 2012. On January 30^th, at Defendant Mullins’ request, Dr. Afzal’s deposition was postponed. Three years after her own deposition, with Dr. Afzal’s deposition never taking place, Defendant Mullins filed a motion for a dismissal on grounds of abandonment. The argument was that the Plaintiffs had not taken any action in the case since January 6, 2012 (the date of her own deposition). On January 15, 2012, Plaintiffs served Defendant Mullins with discovery requests, and on February 11, 2015, they filed a motion to set aside the trial court’s dismissal.

In an effort to protect both sides of a lawsuit, Louisiana law rules a case automatically abandoned “when the parties fail to take any step in its prosecution or defense in the trial court for a period of three years…” La. C.C.P. art. 561. The Louisiana Supreme Court has recognized that this rule is not to create dismissals on a technicality, but instead to provide a resolution when a party has clearly given up on the case. La. DOT & Dev. v. Oilfield Heavy Haulers, L.L.C., 79 So.3d 978 (La. 2011). In Oilfield, a defendant’s letter to reschedule a discovery conference was considered a “step” by the defendant when the plaintiff responded to the letter and complied with the defendant’s request.

May 7, 2019

Louisiana Court of Appeal Upholds High Legal Fee Awarded to Attorney in Class Action

by Berniard Law Firm

business-law-1238207-1024x683 Attorneys are known for being way too expensive to the general public. Most people think that attorney’s charge an obscene amount for every little task that they do pertaining to a case, such as talking on the phone with their client or sending an email. However, unknown to most people attorneys are not allowed to charge fees that are excessive. The courts have a system in place to assure that clients are not being taking advantage of when it comes to paying legal fees.

Recently, in the City of New Orleans the Louisiana Fourth Circuit Courts of Appeals affirmed a decision by the trial judge on a reasonable legal fee, to be paid to attorney Carolyn Gill-Jefferson. Ms. Gill-Jefferson was paid the legal fee For her expedited services rendered on behalf of the class counsel in connection with the court authorization of hundreds of minors’ settlements necessary to the disbursement of settlement funds. See Billieson v. City of New Orleans, unpub., 14-752 (La. App. 4 Cir. 2015).

This case central issue is whether the award of $457,500 to Ms. Gill-Jefferson was excessive. There are several requirements that must be satisfied in determining a fee is reasonableness as stated in Rule 1.5(a), Rules of Professional Conduct (emphasis added); See State, Dept. of Transp. and Development v. Williamson, 597 So. 2d 439, 442 (La. 1992).

May 5, 2019

Second Summary Judgment Motion Affirmed in Slip and Fall Case

by Berniard Law Firm

foot-bridge-1364767-1024x685 Selling a home can be a stressful time with many issues to consider. You want to make sure you are getting a fair price and that the home appeals to potential buyers. One aspect you might overlook is potential liability for injuries that occur when potential buyers tour your home.

While touring a home in Bossier City’s Oak Alley neighborhood, Plaintiff’s Tammy Todd and Terr Michael Todd were shown an unfinished space above a garage. While walking down the steps, Mrs. Todd twisted her ankle at the landing, forcing her to have foot and ankle surgery and follow-up physical therapy. Mrs. Todd decided to file a lawsuit because she felt because the landing threshold was unsafe it created an unreasonably dangerous condition in the home.

Multiple summary judgments, were filed by the Defendants, in this case, each concerning the question of whether the landing was maintained in an unreasonably dangerous condition. In the first summary judgment, between the Plaintiffs and the Home Builders Association of Northwestern Louisiana (“HBA”), the court found that the condition was not maintained in an unreasonable way and granted summary judgment in favor of HBA. The second summary judgment, between Plaintiff’s and Mr. Angel (the homeowner), also found that the landing was not maintained in an unreasonable condition. Finally, HBA and their insurer, Ohio Casualty, filed a second summary judgment and used the trial court’s reasoning from Mr. Angel’s case to make a showing that the landing was not maintained in an unreasonable condition. Plaintiffs appealed the second summary judgment between HBA and Plaintiffs.

April 30, 2019

Louisiana Appeals Court affirms no damages should be allocated to minors Because of Lack of Proof

by Berniard Law Firm

girls-playing-1564125-1024x768 What happens when a plaintiff is injured, and damages are denied? How can a plaintiff prove they suffered injuries from an accident? According to Louisiana law, a plaintiff must prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that his or her damages were the result of an injury caused by the defendant. Wainwright v. Fontenot, 74 So.2d 70, 77 (La. 2000). The following Louisiana Fifth Circuit case demonstrates the plaintiff’s burden of proof needed for a Louisiana court to award damages.

On March 5, 2013, Regina, and her minor children, Darren and Darinesha were traveling northward in the center lane of Williams Boulevard when their car was sideswiped by a car driven by Mr. Hashim on Williams Boulevard in Jefferson Parish. The airbags in both cars failed to deploy, and the cars only sustained minor headlight and paint damage. The plaintiffs, Regina Tezeno, and her minor children, Darren and Darinesha Tezeno filed a lawsuit against Mr. Joel Hashim and his insurer.

The district court attributed 100% fault to Mr. Hashim and awarded Regina Tezeno special damages of $1,035.00 and general damages of $4,500.00. Yet, the trial court dismissed the award claims to her minor children with prejudice. The plaintiffs appealed the trial court’s refusal to award damages to the children.

April 28, 2019

Partial Judgment Leads to Dismissal of Appeal in St. James Parish Car Accident Case

by Berniard Law Firm

crashed-car-1308788-1024x768 A party to a lawsuit may wish to appeal a court’s decision that they find unfavorable. But under Louisiana law, in most situations only final judgments can give the Court of Appeal jurisdiction to hear the case.

In November of 2012, Jonathan Vince was the driver of a car in St. James Parish. Vince’s car crashed into a car driven by another person, Dale Koontz. Vince filed a lawsuit alleging that Koontz’s negligent actions caused the accident, which resulted in significant personal injury. Koontz denied the allegations and asserted that the collision was the sole responsibility of Vince or, that Vince’s driving was the reason for the accident. Koontz then filed a counter lawsuit within the lawsuit, a reconventional demand under La. C.C.P. art. 1060 alleging that Vince’s negligence caused the wreck. A reconventional demand is a claim filed against the plaintiff by the defendant in the same action.

At the trial, the parties agreed that Koontz’s reconventional demand would be decided by a judge should the jury find that Vince was liable for the accident. The jury returned a verdict in Koontz’s favor, determining that although Koontz was negligent, his negligence wasn’t the proximate cause of the car accident. The trial judge dismissed Vince’s complaint and deferred the reconventional demand ruling. Vince filed a motion seeking to get a new trial. He argued that the form used by the jury to determined Koontz negligence was flawed as a matter of law. The trial judge agreed, finding the jury interrogatories were improperly written. Though he denied Vince’s motion for a JNOV, the judge granted a new trial.

April 23, 2019

Baton Rouge Man Accuses District Court of Abusing Its Discretion and Denying Him Due Process

by Berniard Law Firm

roof-1171576-1024x768 The Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure provides that a court has wide discretion in granting a continuance (a postponement of the proceedings) in any case where appropriate. See La. C.C.P. art. 1601. But what constitutes appropriate grounds for a continuance? A court must take into account the specific facts of the situation in order to determine whether a continuance should be granted. A recent case in the Louisiana Court of Appeal explains this process.

The roof of Mr. and Mrs. Abington’s Baton Rouge home was damaged in Hurricane Isaac. The Abingtons contacted Mr. Spears of the Louisiana Roofing Company to replace the roof. The company not only failed to complete the roof repair, but subsequently caused more damage to the Abingtons’ home. After the Abingtons filed a lawsuit, the case was continued three times at the request of Mr. Spears. The first continuance was granted due to Spears’s failure to answer depositions and to answer discovery requests. The second continuance was granted so Spears could find a new attorney; Spears’s first attorney requested to withdraw from the case due to Spears’s volatile behavior, making her fear for her safety. The third continuance was granted to Spears’s new attorneys so they could get acquainted with the case.

Several days before trial, Spears filed a pro se motion for a continuance. (A pro se motion is one filed by the litigant himself, without the aid of an attorney.) The request was denied by the trial court. Two days before trial, he fired his second set of attorneys, and hired a new attorney who requested another continuance for trial preparation and to avoid a scheduling conflict. This request was also denied. At trial, no counsel appeared to represent Spears, so he once again asked the court for a continuance. The request was denied and the trial proceeded, resulting in a judgment in favor of the Abingtons.

April 22, 2019

After Bar Fight in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Court Reviews Award of Damages

by Berniard Law Firm

dealer-1315871-1024x768 People bring lawsuits in order to obtain compensation for wrongs they have endured. Even when there is no dispute about liability, determining the appropriate categories and amounts of damages can be complicated as it involves numerous legal and technical issues. Damages can encompass everything from past and future medical expenses to scarring to loss of enjoyment of life. However, there must be sufficient evidence from which a court can draw to support the award of damages. The following lawsuit that stemmed from a fight at a casino illustrates some of these principles.

Picou intentionally battered Daigle at a bar at L’Auberge du Lac Casino in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Daigle suffered a split lip, bruising, and has had headaches ever since. Picou admitted liability, leading to a bench trial on the issue of damages. The trial court awarded $3,000.00 for past medical damages, $10,000.00 for past and future pain and suffering, $5,000.00 for scarring and disfigurement, $5,000.00 for past and future impairment, $2,000.00 for loss of enjoyment of life, $10,000.00 for past and future mental anguish, and $5,000.00 for past and future disability. Picou appealed the damage award, claiming that the trial court erred in awarding Daigle an excessive amount of damages.

La C.C. Art. 2315(A) (2017) states that “[e]very act whatever of man that causes damage to another obliges him by whose fault it happened to repair it.” When reviewing a trial court’s damage award, the appellate looks at the facts and circumstances of the case to determine if the trial court abused its discretion. Miller v. Lammico, 973 So. 2d 693, 711 (La. 2008). The appellate court will only overturn an award of damages if it finds that the trial court abused its discretion in awarding the damages.

April 19, 2019

Court Reverses Award of Damages for Failure to Comply with Flood Insurance Requirements

by Berniard Law Firm

ancient-ruins-flooded-by-water-1622023-1-1024x683 There are multiple requirements and policies that claimants must follow in order to be eligible to recover on a claim under a National Flood Insurance Program (“NFIP”) Standard Flood Insurance Policy (“SFIP”). See 44 C.F.R. pt. 61, app. A(1) art. VII sec J (2009). Failure to comply precisely with these requirements will prevent claimants from recovering for their claims. The following lawsuit reviews the “proof of loss” requirement and what can occur if one is not submitted with your flood claim.

Cummings’s home in LaPlace, Louisiana was damaged by Hurricane Isaac in August 2012. Cummings submitted a flood loss claim to Fidelity. Fidelity assigned an independent adjuster to inspect the flood damages. Cummings worked with the independent adjuster to file a signed proof of loss for approximately $42,000, as required by his SFIP. Fidelity subsequently paid Cummings for the $42,000 in building damage, as requested in his proof of loss. Cummings also submitted a four-page list of the contents he claimed were damaged in the flood. He claimed these had a total replacement value of over $104,000. However, Cummings never submitted a proof of loss for the claimed damages to his home’s contents. Cummings also failed to include the amount on the front page of his proof of loss. Fidelity denied Cumming’s claim for content loss, providing a letter that stated that Fidelity required additional proof to assist in proof of damage and ownership of the claimed contents. The letter instructed Cummings to review his insurance policy agreements and forms, but did not tell him to submit an additional signed and sworn proof of loss.

Cummings filed a lawsuit for the contents of his house that he claimed were damaged in the flood. The district court awarded Cummings $25,000 plus interest, holding that Cummings’ photographs, testimony, and written statement were sufficient proof of loss. Fidelity appealed.

April 18, 2019

Court Affirms Denial of Claim for Failure to Comply with Flood Insurance Requirements

by Berniard Law Firm

rain-rain-and-more-rain-1473187-1024x768 The National Flood Insurance Program (“NFIP”) is intended to provide affordable flood insurance on fair terms. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) is responsible for administering and regulating NFIP. There are multiple requirements and policies that claimants must follow in order to be eligible to recover on their claim. The following lawsuit looks at the requirements necessary to prove flood damages under the terms of a Standard Flood Insurance Policies (“SFIP”).

Construction Funding owned a piece of property located in Mandeville, Louisiana that was insured under a SFIP issued by Fidelity Insurance Company. Construction Funding claimed that this property suffered flood damage from Hurricane Isaac in August 2012. Construction Funding submitted a claim to Fidelity for a loss of approximately $76,000.

Fidelity is a participant in the NFIP and issues SFIP to NFIP participants. Although FEMA sets the terms of the SFIP, Fidelity is responsible for handling all claims arising under its SFIPs. Fidelity denied the claim, stating that the damages were unsubstantiated and there was insufficient proof that the damage was caused by Hurricane Isaac rather than a prior flood. Thereafter, Construction Funding filed a lawsuit against Fidelity. Fidelity claimed that Construction Funding was not eligible to bring the lawsuit because it had not complied with the SFIP’s terms.

April 17, 2019

Court Upholds Award of Damages for Retaliation Against Pilot for Complying with Federal Law

by Berniard Law Firm

its-a-bird-its-a-plane-1450973-1024x683 You may think that your company would be pleased if you try to comply with company policies. However, this is not always the case, especially when following policies can lead to adverse outcomes for the company, such as delayed flights or lost profits.

Roger Luder worked as a pilot and captain for Continental Airlines (CA). He was scheduled to fly from Miami to Houston He received a report from a co-pilot on an earlier flight from McAllen, Texas to Houston that the plane had previously encountered significant turbulence. Luder confirmed the turbulence, but noted that it was not in the aircraft logbook as required by CA’s protocol. Luder then logged the severe turbulence himself and called Operations Control to order an inspection. Operations Control ordered Luder to board the passengers for the next flight as scheduled, by Luder refused. Luder then received phone calls from several other officials at CA. These officials argued that the plane did not need an inspection because the turbulence was only moderate, not severe. After repeated calls, Luder threatened to report CA to the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”).

CA then inspected the aircraft. It found no defects, but the take-off of the next flight was delayed over thirty minutes. CA subsequently held an investigatory meeting and notified Luder in writing that he was suspended without pay and subject to a termination level warning for future improper conduct. CA claimed Luder received these sanctions for calling for the inspection in an unprofessional manner without following company procedure.