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Attorney Blake Lusk recently won a Motion for Summary Judgment in the case of Alfred Scott and Shann Butler Scott versus Lighthouse Property Insurance Corporation in Civil District Court for the Parish of Orleans.  Plaintiff made claims for bodily injury, mental anguish and loss of consortium as a result of an alleged late payment of property damage funds.  In our Motion, The Monson Law Firm successfully argued that there is no coverage under the Lighthouse policy for plaintiffs’ injury claims as plaintiffs were insureds.  The Honorable Melvin Zeno agreed, granting the Motion and dismissing plaintiffs’ injury claims with prejudice.  Please click here for a copy of the judgment.  

The Monson Law Firm won a first in the nation decision dismissing the claims of an AOB Contractor in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.  In the case of Stacy Morgan and A-Plus Contractors, LLC vs. Americas Insurance Company, the Honorable Jane Triche Milazzo issued an order on March 22, 2018 granting The Monson Law Firm’s Motion to Dismiss.  The Monson Law Firm previously obtained a groundbreaking order requiring the AOB contractor to submit to an examination under oath (EUO).  Please click here for the earlier ruling.

Rather than answer detailed questions regarding the actual amounts spent on repairs versus his questionable estimate, Stacy Morgan refused to sit for the court-ordered EUO.  However, Morgan was not without the best excuses. “Plaintiff Morgan again failed to attend, this time because he was detained for attempting to bring a gun onto an airplane.”

The Court clearly understood the issues before her in stating “In light of Plaintiffs’ obstinacy, the Court finds that lesser sanctions would not be effective and that dismissal under Rule 41(b) is warranted. Furthermore, examination under oath and the production of documents supporting a claim are requirements of the policy under which Plaintiffs sue. Their failure to comply with the policy’s requirements is itself a basis for dismissal.”

Please click here to review the Court’s order.

In addition to this pioneering result, The Monson Law Firm also wrote and obtained approval for the first policy language in the nation directly permitting insurance carriers to protect their insureds by ending AOB in property policies.  For more information about this language, please click here.

#AOBAnnihilated  #Again #Don’tbringgunstoanairport #ObstinacyisBad

Nader “Anthony” Odeh, a licensed public adjuster and registered appraiser, was recently sued by attorney Joey LaHatte in Federal Court in New Orleans.  LaHatte alleges that he retained Odeh from 2014 to 2016 as a public adjuster and appraiser.  As part of a wide ranging suit under the Federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), LaHatte alleges that Odeh “committed insurance fraud across state lines by removing items . . .and thereafter submitting the removed item as an insurance loss.” LaHatte also alleges that Odeh “would . . .prepare fraudulent insurance loss documents.”

LaHatte refers to the accomplishments of The Monson Law Firm against Odeh in Paragraph 24(c) in which The Monson Law Firm obtained a restraining order against Odeh.  Click here for details.

LaHatte also refers in Paragraph 24(d) to the instance where Odeh attempted to record the oral argument of Matthew Monson in open court.

Please also click here to see how The Monson Law Firm has previously reduced Odeh’s claimed fees in court on three separate occasions.

To view a copy of the Lawsuit, please click here.

The Monson Law Firm enjoyed participating in the recent Louisiana Surplus Lines Association Annual Convention in New Orleans.  Speakers included Dwayne LeBlanc from Wright Flood and Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon.  Pictured here are Matthew Monson, Enya He, the South Central Regional Director for Lloyd’s, and Crystal DePascual, Senior Vice President at AmWins Group and the 2017-2018 LSLA President.

On Good Friday we remember the day Jesus willingly suffered and died by crucifixion as the ultimate sacrifice for our sins (1 John 1:10).  It is followed by Easter, the glorious celebration of the day Jesus was raised from the dead, heralding his victory over sin and death and pointing ahead to a future resurrection for all who are united to him by faith (Romans 6:5).

The Monson Law Firm would like to wish Ann’Lee Earles Inman the best of luck as she leaves us to return back into Real Estate full-time. Ann’Lee has done an amazing job for us the past 3 years as our Marketing Director, helping our firm to grow to three states, involving herself in 15 different insurance organizations and serving on many of the boards. We will deeply miss her bright and shining personality, but we know she will move on to accomplish great things as a Realtor with Southern Home Professionals! Congratulations!

The Monson Law Firm would like to wish everyone a safe and happy St. Patrick’s Day weekend!

The Monson Law Firm attended the New Orleans Chapter of Professional Insurance Agent’s March luncheon at Impastato’s. We enjoyed hearing guest speaker Michael Hecht, President and CEO of the Greater New Orleans, Inc. GNO is a regional economic development alliance serving the 10-parish region of Southeast Louisiana. Their mission is to serve as the catalyst for wealth creation in the 10 parishes by pursuing an aggressive agenda of business development—marketing the region—and product development—improving regional business conditions through policy, workforce, and research initiatives. Click here to view pictures!

Two of The Monson Law Firm’s attorneys were recently nominated and selected to the 2018 Louisiana Rising Stars list for the Super Lawyers Magazine. Only 2.5% of attorneys are selected to Rising Stars each year. Sarah Murphy Barro was selected for the practice area of Employment Litigation Defense and Laura Abel was selected for the practice area of Insurance Coverage. Congratulations! Click here to view pictures!

The Monson Law Firm is attending the National Retail and Restaurant Defense Association Conference in New Orleans at the JW Marriott. NRRDA is an independent, non–profit, networking association of attorneys, claims professionals, and leaders in the retail and restaurant industries. Membership in NRRDA places you at the forefront of the development of strategies to reduce the number and severity of claims, manage common risks, and enhance our defense position in litigated matters.Click here to view pictures!

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth at the Houston Insurance Day Renaissance Festival. We enjoyed seeing all of our industry colleagues and friends! Pictured are Marketing Director, Ann’Lee Inman, CISR, CPIA, Matthew Monson, Esq. and Marjorie Salazar, Esq. with The Monson Law Firm’s Texas office. Click here to view pictures!

Happy Presidents Day from The Monson Law Firm! “Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all.”- George Washington Click here to view pictures!

The Monson Law Firm attended the North Shore Chapter of Professional Insurance Agents of Louisiana’s February luncheon at Keith Young’s in Madisonville. We would like to thank our guest speaker Audrey Baker, Director of Business Development at Park Provence, for teaching us about the warning signs of Alzheimer’s. Pictured are Matthew Monson, Esq. and Rachel Salter with Southern Fidelity Insurance Company.  Click here to view pictures!

The Monson Law Firm attended the New Orleans Claims Association’s January Luncheon at Andy’s Bistro in Metairie! Picture are Ann’Lee Inman, CISR, CPIA and Frank Taormina, CPCU, AIC with Moulton Adjusting Company. Click here to view pictures!

The Monson Law firm attended a 7.5 hour CE course on Commercial General Liability taught by Michelle Dennis, AIS, APL, CIC, CRIS, MLIS! The course was held at Bowen, Miclette & Britt, Inc. in Houston, Texas. Michelle gave a comprehensive look at the CGL policy components, limitations, exclusions, problems and solutions. Pictured are Matthew Monson, Esq., Michelle Dennis with Bowen, Miclette & Britt, Inc. and Marjorie Salazar, Esq. with The Monson Law Firm’s Texas office. Click here to view pictures!

The Monson Law Firm attended the Windstorm Insurance Network Conference in Orlando, Florida this week. The Windstorm Insurance Network (WIND) is the only member association to bring together both defense and policyholder professionals to connect, learn, and engage on important topics in the property/windstorm insurance claims industry. Pictured are Darryn Melerine with MD Claims Group, Michelle Griffin Executive Director of the Windstorm Insurance Network, Inc. and Matthew D. Monson, Esq. Click here to view pictures!

The Monson Law Firm attended the Houston Claims Association’s January luncheon at The Palm. Chris Cuellar with Rimkus Consulting Group gave a one hour CE presentation on technology in litigation and mediation! Pictured are Marjorie Salazar, Esq. with The Monson Law Firm and Chris Cuellar with Rimkus.