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.

pexels-pixabay-236380-1024x678In a heart-wrenching case involving the sexual assault of a patient at an outpatient psychiatric treatment facility, the Louisiana Court of Appeal, Third Circuit, recently affirmed a summary judgment that dismissed claims against two individual owners/officers of the facility. The decision, handed down in Sam v. Genesis Behavioral Hospital, underscores the legal complexities surrounding personal liability for corporate officers in cases of negligence. Let’s delve into the details of the case and its implications.

Facts and Procedural History

The plaintiff, Jessica Charles, attended an outpatient program at Genesis Behavioral Hospital. Tragically, she was lured off the premises by another patient, Dave Carter, Jr., and was subsequently raped and exposed to HIV. Understandably, Ms. Charles filed a lawsuit seeking damages from Mr. Carter and Genesis Behavioral Hospital, its insurer, and its officers, Will Arledge and Gretchen Karltenbach.

The recent decision in Anderson v. State from the Louisiana Court of Appeal, Third Circuit, highlights the complexities of assessing damages in personal injury cases, particularly when the plaintiff has pre-existing medical conditions. The court’s ruling underscores the principle that even if a plaintiff has prior health issues, a defendant can still be held liable for exacerbating those conditions due to their negligence. This blog post will analyze the critical aspects of the Anderson case and its implications for personal injury claims in Louisiana.

Laura Anderson was involved in a car accident with Marlys Sanders, an employee of the State of Louisiana. Both parties had conflicting accounts of how the accident occurred. A jury found both parties 50% at fault but awarded Anderson no damages, concluding she didn’t sustain any injuries from the accident. Anderson appealed this decision.

The medical evidence presented at trial showed that Anderson had several pre-existing conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and prior injuries from previous car accidents. However, she argued that the accident worsened her existing conditions.

pexels-chokniti-khongchum-1197604-2280547-684x1024In a recent decision, the Louisiana Court of Appeal, Third Circuit, underscored the importance of adhering to procedural rules in medical malpractice cases. The case, Ogbebor v. Lafayette General Medical Center, involved the death of Mary Ogbebor and her husband’s subsequent lawsuit against the medical professionals involved in her care. The court’s decision ultimately hinged on the plaintiff’s failure to provide timely expert testimony, leading to the reinstatement of a summary judgment in favor of the defendants. This blog post will delve into the case details, the court’s reasoning, and the implications for future medical malpractice litigation in Louisiana.

Case Background

Mary Ogbebor sought medical attention at Lafayette General Medical Center for chest discomfort and related symptoms. She was discharged after undergoing procedures performed by Dr. Salvaggio and Dr. Cavros. However, Mrs. Ogbebor returned to the emergency room a few days later with severe chest pain and tragically passed away.

pexels-chevanon-1108101-1024x682In today’s interconnected world, it’s not uncommon for employees to find themselves working across state lines. But what happens when an injury occurs in a different state than where the employment contract was formed? Whose laws apply? Can an injured worker sue their employer, or are they limited to workers’ compensation benefits? These questions were at the heart of the recent case Creel v. International-Matex Tank Terminals.

Richard Creel, an electrician, was injured while working at an IMTT facility in New Jersey. His employer, Versatech, was based in Louisiana. While Creel received workers’ compensation benefits in Louisiana, he also wanted to sue IMTT for negligence.

IMTT argued it was immune from lawsuits because it was Creel’s “statutory employer” under Louisiana law. Creel countered that New Jersey law should apply, and under that law, he had the right to sue. The initial court sided with IMTT, but an appeals court overturned that decision, sending the case back to the lower court for further review.

pexels-pixabay-209112-1024x598Imagine moving into your new apartment, only to find it’s more like a horror movie set than a cozy home. Mold creeping up the walls, evidence of unwanted rodent roommates… it’s enough to make anyone sick. But does that automatically mean your landlord is liable? A recent court case dives deep into this messy situation, highlighting the legal hurdles tenants face when seeking damages for a less-than-habitable dwelling.

Dewayne Montgomery, our tenant-turned-plaintiff, found himself in this exact predicament. He sued his landlord, Garry Lewis, claiming the apartment was riddled with mold and rat droppings, causing him various health issues. Montgomery alleged negligence, breach of contract, and even emotional distress as a result of his claimed paltry living conditions.

Lewis denied responsibility, arguing Montgomery couldn’t prove the mold caused his health problems or that Lewis knew about any pre-existing issues.

pexels-kelly-1179532-2898199-1024x575Contracting and subcontracting in the construction industry are standard practices. However, they can create several challenges when a worker is injured. What happens, for instance, when the employee of a subcontractor is injured by a device owned and operated by a municipal government unconnected to the construction project at hand? The Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal recently addressed this question when a worker was injured by an overhead power line. 

Brendan Sharp was employed by RedIron Construction, a Legacy Construction Services subcontractor. Legacy had been hired by Cummins Mid-South Diesel in Morgan City to construct a building, and Legacy brought RedIron in to install metal siding on the structure’s exterior. Sharp’s injury occurred when he touched one of the metal siding panels to a live overhead power line owned by Morgan City.

Sharp sued for damages, naming only Morgan City as a defendant. Morgan City then filed a third-party demand against both Legacy and RedIron, arguing that Morgan City itself was not liable for any damages due to Legacy’s and RedIron’s failure to comply with Louisiana’s Overhead Power Line Safety Act (OPLSA). La. R.S. 45:141. RedIron and Legacy then filed motions for summary judgment, contending that they were, in fact, in compliance with OPLSA.

pexels-jonathanborba-3279197-683x1024Providing sufficient expert testimony can be crucial to prevailing a medical malpractice lawsuit. But what happens when the court determines that the expert testimony offered by a doctor on the plaintiff’s behalf is insufficient because the doctor does not specialize in the same field as the defendant? 

Steven Richardson began to experience excruciating lower back pain in August 2012 while visiting his daughter in Farmerville, Louisiana. Richardson was taken by ambulance to the emergency room at Christus Health Northern Louisiana Hospital (“Christus Health”). Richardson was treated by Dr. James W. Cotter, III, a specialist in emergency medicine.

Richardson told Dr. Cotter that he was experiencing severe lower back pain, had received a steroid injection from his son-in-law (an eye doctor), and had been taking prescription pain medication. Dr. Cotter ordered lab work for a complete blood count, and Dr. Mark Kraemer, who consulted on Richardson’s case, ordered an MRI. The blood test showed that Richardson had an elevated white blood cell count.

pexels-george-milton-6953868-683x1024Today, in the age of ever-prevalent social media, it is easier than ever to express opinions about events and even other people.  It is also easier for people to find one another’s statements, even if the people involved don’t know one another.  Statements about emotionally charged events can harm a person’s reputation, social standard, or self-worth.  The courts must balance free speech and private citizens’ protection.  The Louisiana First Circuit Court of Appeal recently considered such a situation.  

In 2015, St. Tammany Parish resident Kacie Breen shot her husband, Dr. Wayne Breen, and killed him, claiming self-defense.   The resulting investigation resulted in no prosecution or even arrest.  The case was documented closely in the media, and several online discussion groups proliferated.  Some posts in these groups suggested a murderous intent on behalf of Mrs. Breen.  

In January of 2016, she filed a lawsuit against some of the individuals who made such posts, claiming defamation.  Several defendants filed a special motion to strike the claim, claiming that they were expressions of opinion and that the lawsuit would violate their rights to free speech.  In regards to two of the involved parties, the Twenty-Second Judicial District Court for the Parish of St. Tammany granted the motion to strike.  Mrs. Breen appealed this decision.

pexels-bruno-makori-774974101-25961335-683x1024When an employee suffers a work injury, it may result in negative consequences for the employee’s health. While Louisiana’s workers’ compensation laws allow the employee to recover damages for these future health complications, this has its limits. The employee must prove that this future negative consequence was related to the initial injury at work. This ensures that employees who are rightfully harmed are compensated while also protecting businesses from having to pay for every future medical problem the employee has.

Kym Hurst was a physical therapy assistant for Cirrus Allied in Lafayette, Louisiana. Ms. Hurst had a history of back problems, which she had previously sought treatment for. On January 6, 2010, Ms. Hurst injured her back while helping one of her patients.

Ms. Hurst sought workers’ compensation benefits from her employer and its insurer, Ullico Insurance Company. She was eventually awarded a lump sum of over $46,000 and weekly indemnity benefits. By February 2013, Ullico had stopped paying benefits and had ultimately been declared insolvent. Kentucky Insurance Guaranty Association (“KIGA”) took over for Ullico after the insolvency.

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