In a ruling emphasizing the critical importance of adhering to legal deadlines, the Louisiana Court of Appeal, Fifth Circuit, affirmed the dismissal of a personal injury lawsuit due to prescription, leaving the injured plaintiff without recourse. In the case, the court affirmed a trial court judgment that dismissed Tammy Blanchard’s…
Articles Posted in Louisiana Court of Appeal
When Ignoring Student Debt Comes Back to Bite: Xavier University Wins Key Court Battle
In a recent ruling highlighting the importance of responding to legal actions, the Louisiana Court of Appeal, Fourth Circuit, sided with Xavier University of Louisiana in a case involving unpaid student debt. The court reversed a lower court’s decision, granting Xavier University a preliminary default judgment against a former student,…
Siblings Awarded $200K in Legal Malpractice Case: A Cautionary Tale of Attorney Negligence
In a poignant reminder of the potential consequences of attorney negligence, the Louisiana Court of Appeal recently upheld a substantial $200,000 legal malpractice award to four siblings who tragically lost their brother due to their former attorneys’ alleged mishandling of a wrongful death lawsuit. This case highlights the importance of competent…
Louisiana Court Reverses Summary Judgment in Medical Malpractice Case, Highlighting Importance of Fact-Finding in Proving Negligence
In a significant development for medical malpractice litigation in Louisiana, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal recently reversed a summary judgment, underscoring the importance of thorough fact-finding and the potential need for expert testimony in such cases. The case, Diana Deruise-Pierce v. University Healthcare System, L.C., et al., underscores the…
Louisiana Court Grapples with Complexities of Adoption in Wrongful Death Case
A recent ruling by the Louisiana Court of Appeal, Third Circuit, has shed light on the complex interplay between adoption and the right to file wrongful death and survival actions. The consolidated cases, stemming from a tragic car accident that claimed the lives of Richard Stewart, Jr., and his two…
Louisiana Court Raises the Bar on General Damages in Unprovoked Attack Case
In a recent decision, the Louisiana Court of Appeal, Third Circuit, affirmed and amended a default judgment in favor of Matthew Hillman, who was injured in an unprovoked attack by Corey Seneca. The court upheld the special damages award but found the general damages award to be abusively low, increasing…
Louisiana Court Upholds Insurer’s Position in Uninsured Motorist Claim Dispute
In a recent ruling, the Louisiana Court of Appeal, Third Circuit, affirmed a trial court’s decision denying Amanda Bertrand’s claim for penalties and attorney fees against her underinsured/uninsured motorist (UM) insurer, Progressive Security Insurance Company. The case stemmed from a dispute over the timeliness of Progressive’s payment following Ms. Bertrand’s…
Procedural Hurdle Stalls Hotel Guest Lawsuit Appeal in Louisiana
In a recent case, the Louisiana Court of Appeal, Fourth Circuit, dismissed an appeal involving a lawsuit against the Bourbon Orleans Hotel. The dismissal was not based on the merits of the case but on a procedural technicality: the lack of a final appealable judgment. In 2014, a group of…