Louisiana News

Louisiana Cities’ Feud Threatens Fire Response

Broussard, La., officials say the city’s fire department will continue to respond to calls in rural Lafayette Parish, but city-parish government’s nonpayment for that service ultimately might put lives and property at risk. The Advocate reports that information was contained …

Drug Maker Sues Louisiana AG in Avandia Drug Case

Drug maker GlaxoSmithKline has filed suit against Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell, alleging that private attorneys hired by Caldwell to prosecute the state’s lawsuit against the company have a “personal financial interest” in the suit’s outcome. The Advocate reports GlaxoSmithKline …

Trial Opens in Louisiana for Suit Against Costner Over BP Deal

Jury selection began June 4 in a legal fight between two Hollywood stars over investments in a device used to try to clean up BP’s 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. In his lawsuit, actor Stephen Baldwin claims …

Duration, Severity Drive Workers’ Comp Claims Costs in Louisiana

Louisiana Workers’ Compensation Corp. (LWCC) was created by the state legislature in 1991 in an effort to stabilize and revitalize the state’s workers’ compensation. Today, the private nonprofit mutual insurance company has around 17,000 policyholders and is the largest workers’ …

Officials: New Orleans Ready for Hurricanes

The Army Corps of Engineers — responsible for the massive rebuilding of hurricane protection after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005 — and leaders from around the metropolitan area say they’re working closely on emergency planning as the new …

Officials: Louisiana Pump Station Work Will Help Protect From Floods

Lafourche Parish, La., officials say the repair of two pumping stations in the Raceland area will help protect against flooding. The parish will be rebuilding the Cyprien Pump Station, which services the low-lying area south of La. Highway 1 and …

Ratings of Louisiana-based Amerisafe Inc. and Subsidiaries Affirmed

A.M. Best Co. has affirmed the financial strength rating of A (Excellent) and issuer credit ratings (ICR) of “a” of property/casualty subsidiaries of Amerisafe Inc., headquartered in DeRidder, La. — American Interstate Insurance Co., Silver Oak Casualty Inc. and American …

Lobell, Tutt Join Louisiana-Based Specialty Risk Associates

Specialty Risk Associates Inc., headquartered in Shreveport, La., has added Rhonda Lobell as a commercial lines underwriter and Dolores Tutt as a personal lines underwriter. Lobell will be working at the Baton Rouge, La., office and Tutt will be based …

3 Louisiana Law Enforcement Officers Plead Guilty in Insurance Scam

Two law enforcement officers from the New Orleans area have pleaded guilty to engaging in a plot to make a fraudulent insurance claim. Former New Orleans Police Sgt. Kevin Guillot and former Jefferson Parish sheriff’s deputy Daniel Spears each face …

Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles

Gloom infects the hard-working shrimp and crab docks of this gritty fishing town as the second full year of fishing since BP’s catastrophic oil spill kicks into high gear. Usually folks are upbeat and busy in May, when shrimpers get …