Louisiana News

May 18, 2012

Deal reached on process for cleaning up old drilling sites

New Orleans Times-Picayune | May 18, 2012

With the clock winding down on an acrimonious legislative session, lawmakers appear to have settled on a new framework for environmental damage lawsuits that landowners file against energy companies that once leased their property.

Tags: Environmental Litigation, Louisiana, Trial Lawyers' Influence

May 17, 2012

Governor says deal reached on legacy lawsuits

Fox 8 News | May 17, 2012

Aides to Governor Bobby Jindal say a compromise has been reached by the Department of Natural Resources, landowners, oil and gas industry representatives and key legislators involved in solving the legacy lawsuit issue.

Tags: Environmental Litigation, Louisiana

May 16, 2012

OPINION: Legacy Lawsuit Crisis Continues- Will Our Leaders Act?

The Hayride | May 16, 2012

An investigative branch of the conservative national think tank the Heritage Foundation issued a damaging report this week – which was also picked up on Washington Times 24/7 – putting the national spotlight back on Louisiana’s legacy lawsuit crisis.

Tags: Environmental Litigation, Louisiana, Trial Lawyers' Influence

LETTER: We need legacy lawsuit reform

Daily Advertiser | May 16, 2012

Unfortunately the recent editorial, "Dump both legacy lawsuit bills" (May 11), does not reflect the reality that if our state leaders fail to address the legacy lawsuit crisis this Legislative session, the environmental cleanup of damaged properties will continue to languish, as they have for years, while a small group of politically-connected plaintiffs' attorneys will continue to get rich off the current system.

Tags: Environmental Litigation, Louisiana, Trial Lawyers' Influence

May 14, 2012

Citizens lawsuit costs escalate

Baton Rouge Advocate | May 14, 2012

Over the past eight years, Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp. has spent or budgeted nearly $1.6 million to fight a class-action lawsuit over tardy claims adjustments following the hurricanes of 2005.

Tags: Lawsuit Abuse Impact, Louisiana

May 9, 2012

Legacy Lawsuit Strategy: Blame Natural Damages on Oil Companies

The Foundry | May 9, 2012

Lawsuits against oil and gas companies in Louisiana have taken a toll on the industry and the state’s economy generally. But documents obtained by Scribe suggest plaintiffs’ attorneys in the lawsuits seek out litigation even when they know their claims are baseless.

Tags: Judiciary, Lawsuit Abuse Impact, Legal Ethics, Louisiana, State Attorneys General, Trial Lawyers' Influence

May 7, 2012

Vitter chides Jindal in lawsuit reform

The Advocate | May 7, 2012

U.S. Sen. David Vitter, R-La., forwarded to his supporters Friday an article from Legal Newsline, a Chicago newswire owned by the U.S. Chamber Institute for Legal Reform. The group contends Louisiana’s judicial system is unfair to businesses, therefore state law should be changed to make it more difficult for injured parties to file and litigate lawsuits.

Tags: Class Action, Lawsuit Abuse Impact, Legal Ethics, Louisiana, Trial Lawyers' Influence

May 4, 2012

Deepwater Horizon Spill Trial Moved

Wall Street Journal | May 4, 2012

A trial to apportion blame and damages for the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster will now start in 2013 after the New Orleans judge hearing the case scheduled a new start date.

Tags: Environmental Litigation, Louisiana, Mississippi

April 27, 2012

Landowners, energy firms advance competing bills in 'legacy lawsuit' dispute

Times-Picayune | April 27, 2012

Landowners have answered the oil and gas industry with their preferred rewrite of the rules governing the lawsuits property owners file against energy firms alleging environmental damages left behind after exploration and production leases are up.

Tags: Judiciary, Lawsuit Abuse Impact, Legal Ethics, Louisiana