Louisiana Archives

Category: Louisiana

November 12, 2025 • Louisiana, Summary Judgment

Court Grants Motion for Summary Judgment, Rules Plaintiff Failed to Show Defendant Intended to Harm Decedent

Jurisdiction: United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana Decedent Michael Dandry Jr. was employed in various positions by defendant, Avondale, between June 1971 and August 1971. During that time, plaintiffs claim decedent was exposed to asbestos and asbestos-containing products on Avondale’s premises, which ultimately led to decedent developing mesothelioma. Plaintiffs contend Avondale had “care, custody, and … Continued

June 16, 2025 • Appeal, Louisiana, Mesothelioma

Plaintiffs Win Appeal Regarding Ambiguous Language In Insurance Policy On Bodily Injury

Jurisdiction: Court of Appeal of Louisiana, Fourth Circuit Mr. May died from Mesothelioma and the plaintiffs filed a wrongful death and survival action alleging the decedent was exposed to asbestos while working as a Stevedore between the mid-1960s and through the 1970s. One of the defendants sued was the decedent’s past employer, Louisiana Stevedores , … Continued

May 19, 2025 • Louisiana, Removal

Court Denies Plaintiff’s Motion to Remand Shipyard Case to State Court

Jurisdiction: Louisiana Eastern District Court Plaintiff Nolan J. LeBoeuf worked at the Avondale Shipyard in Westwego, La. for several years during the 1970s and 1980s. He also frequently visited coworkers on his days off during his employment. Plaintiff alleged that asbestos exposure from the shipyard caused his mesothelioma. Specifically, plaintiff asserted that Avondale failed to educate and … Continued

October 9, 2024 • Expert Testimony, Louisiana

Plaintiffs’ Motion in Limine to Exclude Defendants’ Expert Denied

Jurisdiction: United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana This case involves claims of asbestos exposure. Plaintiff Robert Stephen Sentilles initiated this action asserting negligence and strict liability claims against several defendants. Mr. Sentilles specifically claimed having asbestos exposure due to, among other things, working at various Navy shipyards involving insulation, asbestos blankets, … Continued

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October 4, 2024 • Louisiana, Summary Judgment

Court Denies Plaintiff’s Attempt to Reinstate Prior Claim of Post 1969 Exposure

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana Plaintiff Robert Stephen Sentilles was diagnosed with mesothelioma in October 2020. He filed his suit asserting negligence and strict liability claims against several defendants, including Avondale. Plaintiff alleged his illness was the result of asbestos exposure from the 1950s to the 1980s. More specifically, he alleged … Continued

September 30, 2024 • Expert Challenges, Louisiana

Plaintiffs’ Appeal to Reverse Defendants’ Daubert Motion In Limine was Granted

Court of Appeal of Louisiana, Fourth Circuit In this action, plaintiff Climmie Craft filed suit in this matter asserting that she contracted asbestos-related lung cancer as a consequence of her take-home exposure to asbestos while laundering the asbestos-contaminated clothing of her husband, Jerry Craft. Mrs. Craft alleges that her husband was exposed to asbestos while … Continued

September 10, 2024 • Asbestos Exposure, Louisiana, Motion to Remand

Court Rejects Motion to Remand Asbestos Exposure Case to State Court

Jurisdiction: United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana Plaintiff Irma Lee LaGrange filed a motion in this asbestos action seeking the court to decline supplemental jurisdiction and remand to state court. Defendants Huntington Ingalls Inc. (Avondale), Hopeman Brothers Inc. and other defendants opposed the motion to which LaGrange filed a reply. LaGrange … Continued

August 29, 2024 • EPA, Louisiana

EPA Disparate Impact Assessments Permanently Halted by Louisiana Federal Court

On August 22, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana permanently blocked the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Justice from implement Civil Rights Act Title VI “disparate impact” regulations within the state of Louisiana. Disparate impact assessments are typically undertaken by the federal government when determining harms … Continued

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February 23, 2024 • Louisiana, Summary Judgment

Motion for Summary Judgment Denied under Sophisticated User and Purchaser Doctrine

Court: United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana In this asbestos action, plaintiff Ted Matherne Sr. worked at the Avondale Shipyards. In addition, defendant Hopeman Brothers Inc. placed Micarta from Westinghouse “as a component part of the composite wall and bulkhead panels it suppled to Avondale for use aboard ships.” Defendant Paramount … Continued

January 25, 2024 • Louisiana, Summary Judgment

Motion for Partial Summary Judgment of Shipyard Subcontractor Granted

Court: United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana Defendant Hopeman Brothers Inc. moved for partial summary judgment with respect to plaintiffs’ claims of intentional tort, alter ego, and manufacturer strict liability. In order to satisfy their intentional tort claim, plaintiffs must demonstrate that Hopeman “either consciously desired that plaintiff contract mesothelioma or … Continued