Plaintiffs filed suit in federal court alleging civil rights violations against the operator of a public housing complex and its employees when operator attempted to evict plaintiffs for multiple breaches of the lease agreement. Court granted defendants' motion to dismiss plaintiffs' suit for lack of subject matter jurisdiction and for failure to state a claim.
Federal district court granted the motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction filed on behalf of a South African steel manufacturer in a suit for personal injuries sustained when plaintiff's truck allegedly flipped onto its side when the cargo of steel in the shipping container on the truck shifted. Plaintiff alleged that steel manufacturer negligently loaded the container. Court found that plaintiff did not establish a prima facie case that steel manufacturer was subject to specific jurisdiction in Louisiana. Similarly, the court found that the plaintiff failed to show that the South African manufacturer had “continuous and systematic” contacts with Louisiana sufficient to establish general personal jurisdiction.
Subrogation case by workers' compensation carrier against boiler inspector and his employer arising from personal injuries sustained by laundromat employee while observing the blow-down maintenance of a boiler performed by the laundromat's owner. Court found that the plaintiff failed to carry its burden of proving that the actions of the boiler inspector expanded the statutorily defined duty of a boiler inspector or supplanted the laundromat's duty to provide a safe workplace for its employees. Accordingly, the court dismissed the plaintiff's claim.
The jury returned a favorable verdict-- i.e., considerably less than plaintiff's settlement demand-- following a jury trial concerning injuries and damages sustained by the driver of an automobile involved in an interstate highway collision with a tractor-trailer.
Court granted peremptory exception of prescription, finding that the plaintiff's claims against the insured-following driver were time-barred. Court found as dispositive evidence the still photographs of time-stamped cellular phone video taken by the insured-following driver offered at the trial of the exception.
Peremptory exception of no right of action filed on behalf of stables granted, dismissing the claim of woman allegedly injured when she fell from a horse during a trail ride. Court found that stables was immune from liability under the Equine Immunity Statute, Louisiana Revised Statutes § 9:2795.1.
Motion for summary judgment granted in favor of equipment breakdown insurer. Court found that Hurricane Katrina claim by an apartment operator for replacement of a large, commercial A/C unit should be dismissed because the insured "replaced the chiller in question, not because the motor actually failed or burned out due to power surges resulting from Hurricane Katrina, but instead as 'preventive maintenance' because the chiller might fail or burn out at some point in the future if not repaired, and such a proactive maintenance decision does not constitute an 'accident' for purposes of equipment breakdown coverage under the policy in question."
Obtained dismissal of Hurricane Katrina claim by oyster processor on the grounds that the processor's losses were not covered by the equipment breakdown policy.
Tenant suffered personal injuries when, after a fire broke out in his apartment, he jumped from a second-story window. Tenant filed suit against the apartment complex owner, Villcar Realty, alleging negligence and breach of contract. The district court granted Villcar's exception of prescription, finding that tenant's action sounded in tort only and that the doctrine of contra non valentem did not apply. The Fourth Circuit affirmed the trial court's ruling, agreeing that the action was delictual and the evidence did not support application of contra non valentem.
On May 22, 2007, the Louisiana Supreme Court reinstated a district court’s ruling in favor of AXA Insurance Company, holding that, according to the plain language of the “work product” exclusions of a Commercial General Liability Policy, there is no coverage for damage to a concrete slab that must be restored, repaired, or replaced because of the defective work, or the defective product, of a contractor and its subcontractors.
Located in New Orleans’ Central Business District, Ryan and Associates specializes in defense litigation, with an emphasis on insurance defense.
Located in New Orleans’ Central Business District, Ryan and Associates specializes in defense litigation, with an emphasis on insurance defense.
James Ryan III
& Associates, L.L.C
201 St. Charles Avenue, Suite 2420
New Orleans LA 70170
phone 504.599-5990
fax 504.599-5991
