Important Cases to Watch For in Future Issues

Both the Federal and State Courts in New York and New Jersey recently issued decisions in disputes arising from Storm Sandy. The Eastern District of New York’s “express train” discovery schedule limiting and expediting discovery in Storm Sandy cases continues. The United States District Court for the District of New Jersey has followed suit. There are over 1,000 Storm Sandy cases alone pending in the Eastern District of New York.

Louisiana law allows recovery of punitive damages only if specifically provided by statute.

Michelle McCall received prenatal care at a United States Air Force clinic. McCall died from severe blood loss following the birth of her child.

On July 24, 2013, the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority – East filed a Petition in state court in the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans against 97 energy company defendants, claiming hundreds of thousands of acres of the coastal lands that once protected south Louisiana are now gone as a result of oil and gas industry activities.

This decision from the Fifth Circuit provides further direction as to whether the location of an injury that occurs on an “other adjoining area” satisfies the situs requirement of the jurisdictional component as defined by the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (“LHWCA”).

Twin City Fire Insurance Company (“Twin City”) issued a comprehensive general liability policy to its insured, a subcontractor on a Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development construction project.

On May 16, 2014, the Texas Supreme Court delivered a decision which alters the practices of insurance companies and defense firms with regard to hospital liens.

The underlying accident occurred in May 2008. Christopher and Denise Arthey, riding motorcycles, were struck head-on by a vehicle driven by David Huff in Port Aransas, Texas.