Rosie

Negligence Action Against an Employee and a Negligent Supervision Action Against the Employer are Mutually Exclusive

A plaintiff cannot simultaneously pursue a negligence cause of action against an employee and a direct negligent training and supervision cause of action against the employer, if the employee was in the course and scope of employment, according to a Louisiana federal district court. The plaintiff was injured when the driver of a Greyhound bus […]

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Fourth Circuit Gives First Ever Louisiana Interpretation of Aviation Policy Endorsement

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal recently provided the first ever Louisiana interpretation of certain provisions of an aircraft liability policy.  In King v. Old Republic Ins. Co., 2016-0170 (La. App. 1 Cir. 9/7/16); 200 So. 3d 989, the plaintiff’s minor child was killed in the crash of a gyrocopter, an experimental amateur-built aircraft.  The

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Insured May Be Responsible for Pro Rata Share of Defense Costs in Long-Latency Cases

Defense costs may be prorated among insurers and the insured in long-latency disease cases, according to a recent decision by the Louisiana Supreme Court.  This rule only applies in long-latency disease cases, the Court instructed, and was grounded in the language of the particular insurance policy at issue. The case arose in the long-running Arceneaux

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Offshore Floating Tension Leg Platform Not a Vessel

An offshore floating tension leg platform is not a vessel, according to the U.S. Fifth Circuit’s recent decision in Baker v. Director, OWCP, 15-60634 (5th Cir. 8/19/16). The issue in Baker involved whether a worker injured during the construction of an offshore platform was entitled to benefits under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. 

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Seepage of Water “Over a Period of Time” Exclusion is not Ambiguous

A provision in a homeowner’s policy excluding coverage for “continuous or repeated seepage or leakage of water … which occurs over a period of time” is not ambiguous, according to a recent decision by a Louisiana appellate court. The state Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal interpreted this policy language in a May 26, 2016 decision,

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Plaintiff Cannot Be Compensated for Help Managing His Damage Award

A Louisiana federal judge recently rebuffed a plaintiff’s attempt to extend the range of available damages to include an award for “financial management” damages in a Jones Act claim.  The opinion contains little factual information, but the plaintiff apparently was 27 years old at the time of the injury and had reached maximum medical improvement

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Louisiana Third Circuit Awards Attorney’s Fees Even After Maintenance and Cure Paid

The Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal recently decided an apparently novel issue under maritime law.  The Third Circuit held that an employer that arbitrarily delays paying maintenance and cure is liable for the plaintiff’s attorney’s fees, even those incurred after the payment of maintenance and cure, if the employer pays the benefits conditionally and

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Bobtail Policy Provides UM Coverage When Tractor Not Bobtailing

In the trucking industry, “Bobtailing” means that a tractor is being operated without a trailer attached.  According to the Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal, a Bobtail liability policy provides the insured with uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, even when the tractor is not bobtailing, that is, attached to a trailer. In Castille v. Blum, handed down

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