Joe Bruno Speaks about the failures of the New Orleans Levees
Click here to watch Joe Bruno managing partner of Bruno & Bruno speak about the failures of the New Orleans levees in KATRINA JUSTICE-A Preventable Disaster. In this short 22 minute documentary produced by Insider Exclusive Mr. Bruno demonstrates that not only were the failure of the levee’s not natural, he establishes the failures were caused by the gross negligence of the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
Click here to watch Tanya Smith's story.
On March 2, 2012, the U.S. Fifth Circuit issued a landmark decision affirming the District Court's ruling holding the United States liable for damage caused by floodwaters from the MR-GO, and denying the United States' appeal.
My home or business was damaged by the flooding of the MR-GO during Hurricane Katrina. What does the Robinson decision mean for me?
The answer depends on the location of your home or business. Multiple sources of water ravaged the St. Bernard, Chalmette and Lower Ninth Ward areas during Hurricane Katrina. Under this landmark decision, the United States is liable for some of the damage caused by floodwaters from the MR-GO. Other court cases address different sources of water (for example, the Armstrong case applies to floodwaters from the IHNC, which goes to trial in September 2012).
Louisiana Supreme Court Allows Katrina Insurance Claims to Proceed
On March 15, 2011 the Louisiana Supreme Court in Sheryl Coleman Taranto et al v. Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Company (No. 2010-c-0105) affirmed Plaintiffs' claims that prescription is in fact interrupted while a class action is pending.
The Louisiana Supreme Court affirmed the Fourth Circuit's earlier ruling finding that the filing of a lawsuit designated as a class action pursuant to LSA-C.C.P.art. 591, suspends prescription for all members of the putative class until the district court has ruled on the motion to certify the class. When notice is given, pursuant to LSA-C.C.P.art. 596, the suspended prescription period begins to run again.
You can read a copy of the opinion here.
Memorial Medical Katrina lawsuit settled
Tenet Healthcare Corp. and attorneys for people who stayed at Memorial Medical Center in the traumatic days after Hurricane Katrina agreed to settle a class-action lawsuit against the company on Wednesday, both sides announced.
The plaintiffs accused Tenet of neglecting to anticipate and prepare for the loss of power after the storm, as well as failing to develop and follow proper evacuation plans and take other necessary emergency-preparedness steps.
"I am very happy and everybody is happy to have it resolved. Settlements are better than trials," said Joe Bruno, the plaintiffs' attorney.
5th Circuit Revives Claims Against WGI
The U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeal revived Plaintiffs' claims against the Washington Group International, Inc. (now URS) over the company's role in the levee breaches that flooded the New Orleans' Lower 9th Ward and St. Bernard Parish during Katrina.
The Federal Appeals Court reversed the District Court's ruling dismissing claims against the Army Corps of Engineers contractor stating that the company is not entitled to hide behind the "Government Contractor Immunity" for its work. The case has now been sent back to the District Court for further proceedings.
You can read a copy of the opinion here and WWLTV news report here.
