Back in March of 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court granted cert in the case of Great Lakes Insurance SE v. Raiders Retreat Realty Co., LLC (find our coverage of that grant here). Last week, the Court released its opinion in that case, a 9-0 decision in favor of the insurer-appellant. In short, the Court
David Judd
Disarming the Nuclear Verdict: Louisiana and Texas Courts Curb Excessive Awards of General Damages to Personal Injury Plaintiffs
In today’s legal landscape, jury awards to personal injury plaintiffs are trending upwards. Studies show that “nuclear verdicts” are increasing in prevalence as jurors grow more critical of corporate defendants and are increasingly persuaded by provocative trial tactics from plaintiff attorneys. However, recent decisions from Louisiana and Texas show that some courts are bucking the…
OPA 90 or CERCLA? The U.S. Fifth Circuit Settles Which Applies to Mixed Oil Spills
The Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (known as “OPA 90”) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (known as “CERCLA”) are two federal environmental laws with significant effects on businesses and individuals across the nation. OPA 90 provides a remedial scheme that apportions the liability and costs of oil spills among responsible parties.
Clarifying Contra Non Valentem: The Fifth Circuit Weighs in on Latent-Injury Cases
Most litigants in Louisiana know that the usual tort claim has a prescriptive period (i.e., statute of limitation) of one year. This one-year clock begins ticking from the day injury or damage is sustained.[1]
But when exactly someone sustains an injury can be a tricky question to answer. If I am unknowingly…
Choice-of-Law Clauses in Marine Insurance Policies: The U.S. Supreme Court Grants Cert
Earlier this month, the U.S. Supreme Court granted cert in the case of Great Lakes Insurance SE v. Raiders Retreat Realty Co., LLC. The question before the Court is whether, under federal admiralty law, a choice-of-law clause in a marine insurance policy can be rendered unenforceable if enforcement is contrary to a strong public…
The Diversity Disclosure Statement: A New Amendment to Rule 7.1 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
In 2021, there were more civil cases filed in federal court based on diversity of citizenship than any other jurisdictional basis.[1] That means any changes to the rules affecting diversity cases are bound to affect lots of litigants. On December 1, 2022, one such change took effect.
Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 7.1(a)(2) now…