Articles Posted in Negligence

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pexels-ono-kosuki-5999944-1024x683In a recent decision by the Louisiana Court of Appeal, Third Circuit, the court affirmed a trial court’s judgment granting summary judgment in favor of Stanley Access Technologies LLC (Stanley) in a personal injury case brought by Vera Bernard. The case stemmed from an incident where Ms. Bernard allegedly sustained injuries after striking a revolving door at the Lafayette Airport.

Ms. Bernard filed a lawsuit alleging that the revolving door, installed by Stanley, came to an abrupt halt, causing her to fall and sustain injuries. She claimed Stanley was negligent in the installation, maintenance, repair, and employee training related to the door.

Stanley filed a motion for summary judgment, asserting that it had no duty to Ms. Bernard as the responsibility for daily inspection and maintenance of the doors rested with the Lafayette Airport. They also argued that there was no evidence of the door malfunctioning.

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pexels-pixabay-269630-1-1024x683In a recent decision by the Louisiana Court of Appeal, Third Circuit, Golden Nugget Lake Charles, LLC, emerged victorious in a slip and fall case brought forth by Carolyn A. Watts. The case revolved around Ms. Watts’ alleged injuries sustained from a fall on the casino’s premises.

Ms. Watts initially filed a petition claiming she slipped and fell on a wet floor within the Golden Nugget casino lobby. However, during her deposition, she clarified that the incident occurred on the boardwalk outside the casino while it was raining. Ms. Watts attributed her fall to the wet conditions and alleged injuries to her right shoulder, neck, and back.

Golden Nugget filed a motion for summary judgment, arguing that the accident took place outside the casino, on the boardwalk, during rainy conditions. They contended that Ms. Watts could not establish that the walkway posed a hazard or that Golden Nugget’s negligence contributed to the incident. They supported their motion with evidence, including Ms. Watts’ deposition transcript, surveillance video of the incident, and an affidavit from their Risk Manager confirming the rainy weather and lack of prior complaints about the boardwalk.

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pexels-pixabay-263194-1024x683In a recent decision, the Louisiana Court of Appeal reversed a trial court judgment that had held Woman’s Hospital liable for a slip-and-fall accident. The case underscores the importance of understanding the “reasonable care” standard that applies to hospitals in such situations and how it can impact the outcome of personal injury claims.

Courtney Queen slipped and fell on a wet floor near the elevators at Woman’s Hospital. She sued the hospital, alleging negligence. The trial court initially favored Ms. Queen, awarding her damages for her injuries. However, the Court of Appeal overturned this decision.

The Legal Standard:

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pexels-tomfisk-1692693-1024x682In a recent decision, the Louisiana Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal reversed a summary judgment granted to the Ochsner Clinic Foundation in a slip-and-fall case, emphasizing the importance of thoroughly examining factual disputes before granting such a motion.

Doris Stogner slipped and fell in the atrium of an Ochsner facility in 2011, allegedly sustaining injuries. She filed a lawsuit against Ochsner, claiming negligence in maintaining the premises and allowing a slippery substance to exist. Ochsner countered with a motion for summary judgment, asserting they had proper inspection procedures in place and were not liable for the actions of independent contractors.

Key Points of the Case:

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vidar-nordli-mathisen-ZZvsfoidr5g-unsplash-1024x729In a recent Louisiana Court of Appeal case, Schroeder v. Hanover Insurance Company, et al., the court delved into the complexities of slip-and-fall cases and the crucial role of adequate warnings in determining a business’s liability. This decision highlights the importance of understanding merchant liability laws in Louisiana and how the presence of warning signs can significantly impact a personal injury claim.

Sybil Schroeder slipped and fell in the restroom of a travel plaza, sustaining injuries. She sued the travel plaza and its insurer, claiming they were negligent in maintaining a safe environment. However, she admitted in her deposition that she had noticed two “wet floor” signs before entering the restroom.

The defendants filed a motion for summary judgment, arguing that the presence of these signs demonstrated they had exercised reasonable care. The trial court initially denied the motion, but the Court of Appeal reversed this decision.

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jon-tyson-FlHdnPO6dlw-unsplash-769x1024In personal injury law, the concept of “prescription” plays a crucial role. It’s essentially a deadline for filing a lawsuit; if you miss it, your claim could be barred forever. A recent Louisiana Court of Appeal case, Jones v. Iberia Parish Government et al., highlights the importance of understanding prescription rules, especially when multiple parties might be involved.

Agnes Jones slipped and fell on an allegedly defective walkway in New Iberia, Louisiana. Within the one-year prescription period, she filed a lawsuit against the property owner and the Iberia Parish Government. However, almost three years after the accident, she amended her lawsuit to include the City of New Iberia as a defendant.

The City of New Iberia filed an exception of prescription, arguing that Jones’ claim against them was filed too late. The trial court agreed and dismissed Jones’ claims against the City. Jones appealed this decision.

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pexels-pixabay-532001-1024x683In a recent Louisiana Court of Appeal decision, a case involving a police shooting during an arrest attempt highlighted the complexities of qualified immunity for law enforcement officers. The case, Marshall v. Sandifer, centered around Ervin Marshall, who was shot by a state trooper while attempting to evade arrest. The court ultimately upheld the trooper’s immunity, but the decision provides important insights into the limits and application of this legal protection.

In 2010, Louisiana State Trooper Jared Sandifer and other officers were attempting to arrest Ervin Marshall on an outstanding warrant. They located him at his girlfriend’s apartment, and after obtaining permission to enter, they conducted a search. Trooper Sandifer found Marshall hiding in a closet. When Marshall made a sudden movement, Trooper Sandifer, fearing for his safety, shot him in the abdomen.

Marshall later sued Trooper Sandifer, the Louisiana State Police, and its superintendent, alleging negligence and excessive force. The defendants claimed immunity under Louisiana law, arguing that Trooper Sandifer’s actions were discretionary and within the scope of his lawful duties.

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pexels-kartatos-10622718-683x1024In a recent personal injury case, Latulippe v. West Jefferson Medical Center, the Louisiana Court of Appeal tackled the complexities of assessing damages in a car accident case where the plaintiffs had pre-existing medical conditions. The case arose from a rear-end collision on the Crescent City Connection bridge involving an ambulance. While the defendant admitted fault, the extent of the plaintiffs’ injuries and the appropriate compensation became the central point of contention. The appellate court ultimately affirmed the trial court’s decision, highlighting the importance of proving causation and the impact of injuries on the plaintiffs’ lives, even with pre-existing conditions.

Two brothers, Daniel and Casey Latulippe, were rear-ended by a West Jefferson Medical Center (WJMC) ambulance while stopped in traffic. The ambulance driver admitted fault, stating he didn’t brake to avoid the collision out of concern for the patient and EMT in the back.

Both brothers, along with their wives, sued WJMC for damages. The case went to trial, focusing solely on causation and the extent of the brothers’ injuries.

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pexels-shvetsa-3845653-1024x683A recent Louisiana Court of Appeal decision, Brimmer v. Eagle Family Dental, Inc., has underscored the critical procedural steps involved in bringing dental malpractice claims in the state. The case highlights the necessity of first presenting claims against qualified healthcare providers to a medical review panel before filing a lawsuit. Let’s delve into the specifics of this case and its implications for dental malpractice litigation in Louisiana.

Case Summary

Aurielle Brimmer received dental treatment at Eagle Family Dental, Inc. She subsequently developed complications that sheF attributed to the dental procedure. Believing she had suffered dental malpractice, Ms. Brimmer bypassed the medical review panel process and directly filed a lawsuit against Eagle Family Dental.

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pexels-kampus-8441811-1024x684A recent Louisiana Court of Appeal decision underscores the importance of insurance agents fulfilling their duties with reasonable diligence and care. In Upscale Fashions, Inc. v. Botsay Insurance Network, Inc., an insurance agent’s failure to properly procure and communicate coverage details led to a significant financial loss for the insured and a hefty judgment against the agency.

Case Summary

Upscale Fashions, Inc., a retail clothing company, purchased a property insurance policy through Botsay Insurance Network, Inc. The policy initially included wind and hail coverage. However, this crucial coverage was excluded when the policy was renewed, allegedly without Upscale’s knowledge.

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