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Attorney Sarah Barro recently won a Motion for Summary Judgment in the case of “Angel Ellis v. Vintage Square, Inc. d/b/a Arcade Theater, et al.” in the 22nd Judicial District Court for the Parish of St. Tammany. Plaintiff alleged that she tripped and fell down stairs at a wedding venue due to a loose bannister. In the Motion for Summary Judgment, The Monson Law Firm successfully argued that defendant lacked notice of the loose bannister prior to the accident. Plaintiff admitted that she used the subject stairs minutes prior to her fall and did not notice any issues with the bannister. The Honorable Alan Zaunbrecher granted the motion by judgment signed on July 11, 2018 and dismissed plaintiff’s claims, with prejudice. Please click here for a copy of that judgment. Ellis Judgment

Attorney Kevin Riché won a Motion for Summary Judgment in the case of “Edwina Waterhouse, et al. v. Jade, Inc. d/b/a Banks Meat Market and Atain Specialty Insurance Company” in the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans. Plaintiff alleged that she slipped and fell on a wet concrete surface outside the defendant’s business. In our Motion for Summary Judgment, The Monson Law Firm successfully argued that any water on the concrete surface was open and obvious to anyone exercising reasonable care. The Honorable Kern A. Reese granted the motion by judgment signed on July 17, 2018, dismissing plaintiff’s claims, with prejudice. Please click here for a copy of that judgment. Waterhouse Judgment

The Monson Law Firm extends its hearty congratulations to the recipients of the Insurance Council of Texas scholarships. This year, over twenty students were awarded scholarships. Best wishes to Alida Bakouan from the University of Houston Downtown, who gave an inspiring speech that left many insurance professionals with misty eyes. Alida shared her journey from growing up homeless in west Africa to coming to America and obtaining the education necessary to grow as a person and better her life. We are glad she chose the insurance profession and know that she and her fellow students will be a welcome addition to the industry!

Matthew Monson of The Monson Law Firm will be in attendance meeting with clients and friends at the Insurance Council of Texas/AFACT 26th Annual Property & Casualty Insurance Symposium in Austin, Texas this week. We look forward to hearing from new Texas Insurance Commissioner, Kent Sullivan, as well as learning the latest on economic and global factors affecting the Texas insurance industry. Be sure to say hello!

It is rather for us, the living, we here be dedicated to the great task remaining before us that, from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here, gave the last full measure of devotion that we here highly resolve these dead shall not have died in vain; that the nation, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. — Abraham Lincoln

The Louisiana Department of Insurance issued Advisory Letter 2018-01 regarding the interpretation of a named storm or hurricane deductible in Louisiana. Essentially, the named storm or hurricane deductible should only be applied once during a calendar year. If an insured incurs more than one named storm or hurricane loss, the insurer may only apply the balance of any unused separate deductible. Please click here for a copy of the letter.LDI Advisory Letter 2018-01

The Monson Law Firm attorneys Sarah Barro and Blake Lusk recently teamed to deliver a victorious coverage Motion for Summary Judgment. In the case of “Dagoberto Antonio Avila vs. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, et al”, plaintiff, a sushi delivery driver sued Atain Specialty Insurance Company and his employer, Tokyo Sushi, after he was rear-ended while making a delivery. Relying on the Aircraft, Auto or Watercraft exclusion in the Atain policy, the court agreed there was no coverage for plaintiff’s claims and granted summary judgment on behalf of Atain. Please click here for a copy of the judgment. Avila Judgment

Look for The Monson Law Firm attorney Matthew Monson in Dallas tomorrow for the Insurance Industry Charitable Foundation’s Women in Insurance Series. Susan Monson, Matthew Monson’s mother, was an insurance executive and her love and support was instrumental in the formation of the firm. Did you know that more than half of the attorneys at our firm are women?
#GirlPower

Happy Father’s Day from The Monson Law Firm! A special thanks to Curtis Monson, father of Matthew Monson, whose example and support made The Monson Law Firm possible.

The Monson Law Firm is please to announce that attorney Ron Hornback has joined our Houston office. From our Houston office, Ron focuses on first-party and third-party defense and handles defense of insurance coverage and bad faith litigation. Ron has jury trial and arbitration experience and has been recognized as a Rising Star for 2018 by Texas Super Lawyers.

Ron has also served our country in the U.S. Army as an officer and aeromedical evacuation pilot, saving over 200 lives while flying both fixed wing and rotary-wing aircraft.

Please join us in welcoming Ron to the firm!

The Monson Law firm attorney Kevin Riche recently defeated plaintiff’s challenge to an appraisal award. In “Leticia Wells v. Southern Fidelity Insurance Company (SFIC)”, presently pending in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. Plaintiff challenged the appraisal award, arguing (1) The outcome of the appraisal is not binding; (2) Southern Fidelity’s appraiser failed to assign actual cash value and loss to each item;(3) The appraisal award was not properly itemized in accordance with the policy; and (4) Southern Fidelity’s appraiser was not competent or disinterested. The Honorable Kurt Englehardt disagreed, finding that plaintiff’s arguments were “unconvincing” and granted SFIC’s Motion to Confirm the appraisal award. Please click here for a copy of the Order. Wells Decision

Plaintiff also previously sued both the appraiser and umpire in an apparent attempt to intimidate them. However, The Monson Law Firm coordinated an effort resulting in a voluntary dismissal of both parties.

The Monson Law Firm attorney Matthew Monson is attending the National Flood Conference this week in Washington, D.C. The National Flood Conference is the major annual gathering of all the partners in the National Flood Insurance Program and is intended to motivate and educate audiences about the importance of floodplain management and the benefits of flood insurance. We look forward to seeing our friends and clients!

Please join The Monson Law Firm attorney Lauren Baudot tomorrow morning at the Louisiana Claims Association conference for her talk on Fraud Fighting Policy Provisions. As the premier claims association in Louisiana, the Louisiana Claims Association is dedicated to promoting the highest ethical and professional claims handling standards in the insurance industry through leadership in education, member/chapter coordination and support.

The Monson Law Firm is Exhibiting at the Florida Insurance Fraud Education Conference (FIFEC) this week. Come see us at Booth 8!

For the past 26 years, FIFEC has offered continuous annual training seminars for DIF and SIU investigators, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, insurance carrier adjusters and management, insurance defense attorneys and others in the ongoing fight to combat all forms of insurance fraud.

The Monson Law Firm successfully excluded a public adjuster from serving as an appraiser.  In the case of “Americas Insurance Company v. Vance”, the insured presented an estimate from a public adjuster that clearly established a dispute as to the amount of the loss.  Based on this, both Americas and the insured agreed to go to appraisal.  On behalf of Americas, The Monson Law Firm objected to the original public adjuster acting as the insured’s appraiser based on La. R.S. 22:1706(H)(10), which specifically prohibits this behavior.  The insured argued that their public adjuster was merely an expert witness and not subject to the statute.  After oral argument from Lauren Baudot, in the first decision in Louisiana of its kind, the court agreed with Americas, disqualifying the public adjuster and ordering the insured to choose a new appraiser.  For a copy of the decision, please click here.

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“On this day, take time to remember those who have fallen. But on every day after, do more; put the freedoms they died for to greater and nobler uses.”

Attorney Lauren Baudot recently won a summary judgment motion on behalf of Americas Insurance Company (“Americas”) in the Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans.  In the matter entitled “Americas Insurance Company vs. Living Nola Investments, LLC,” defendant made claim for damages after its home was damaged by a fire allegedly caused by the tenant of Americas’ insured.  In granting Americas’ Motion for Summary Judgment, the Court determined that there was no coverage under the Americas policy for damages to third parties caused by a tenant of the insured. As a result, the Court granted Americas’s summary judgment motion and dismissed defendant’s claims. Please click here for a copy of the Judgment!

#Winning #Insurance #MSJGranted

LaHatte Law Firm, LLC and attorney Joey LaHatte were recently sued by their clients, Christopher Butler and Melanie Butler, for legal malpractice in the 24th Judicial District Court for the Parish of Jefferson, Case. No. 782-185.  After a March 2015 fire, LaHatte made claim upon the Butlers’ insurer, Centauri Specialty Insurance Company, for additional living expenses (“ALE”).  The Butlers allege that LaHatte falsely represented to Centauri that the Butlers leased a property for three months, when in fact they had moved in with Mr. Butler’s parents.  The Butlers allege that LaHatte was working with a housing vendor, Relocating Solutions, LLC.  Relocating Solutions’ member is Maria Odeh, wife of public adjuster Nader “Anthony” Odeh.  The Butlers allege that LaHatte never informed them that a three month lease was available.  Because of this, LaHatte was ordered by the court to sit for a deposition at which the Butlers allege LaHatte was “unprepared, uninformed, and uncooperative.”  The Butlers seek damages for LaHatte “intentionally making material misrepresentations to Petitioners’ insurer, Centauri, regarding the use of ALE paid on Petitioners behalf”, among other allegations.

Previously, The Monson Law Firm, successfully obtained the dismissal of its client, CRDN, from the underlying suit.  Please click here to see a copy of the dismissal.

Please click here to see a copy of the malpractice suit against LaHatte.

The Monson Law Firm attended the PIA of Acadiana’s Annual Crawfish Boil at Warehouse 535 in Lafayette.  This is the largest yearly insurance event in Louisiana.  We enjoyed networking with our industry friends while eating tasty mudbugs! Pictured are Matthew Monson, Esq. and Darryn Melerine with MD Claims Group.