Louisiana Jury Awards $1.1 Billion in Landmark Civil Verdict (June 9, 2026)
A Bossier Parish jury returned a more than $1.1 billion verdict in a child sexual abuse case, marking one of the largest individual awards in Louisiana history. The case was made possible by the state’s look‑back law, allowing decades‑old claims to proceed despite prior time bars. The verdict reflects a growing willingness by juries to…
Development in Products Liability Law
In a June 3, 2025 decision, the Louisiana Supreme Court held that a manufacturer is not liable when an injury results from using heavy equipment in direct violation of clear safety warnings. In Hardisty v. Walker, the Court granted summary judgment to Caterpillar, finding that towing a bulldozer with chains—contrary to explicit instructions—was not a…
May 22, 2026 HUD Memo Re: ESAs
HUD’s May 22, 2026 guidance Memo significantly narrows enforcement of emotional support animal (ESA) claims, focusing primarily on animals trained to perform disability-related tasks and reducing agency support for untrained ESAs. While this lowers enforcement risk for housing providers, the Fair Housing Act still applies, and ESA requests should continue to be evaluated on a…
H.B. 708 (2026)- Awaits the Governor’s Signature
During its 2026 regular session, the Louisiana Legislature passed H.B. 708, a bill by Rep. Lauren Ventrella expanding the territorial jurisdiction of Baton Rouge Justices of the Peace to hear certain eviction cases within the city limits that prior law had precluded them from hearing. Once it is signed into law, certain landlords in Baton…
Jim Rather Testifies Before Louisiana Senate Judiciary Committee
On May 12, 2026, Jim Rather testified on behalf of the Baton Rouge Apartment Association before a Louisiana Senate Judiciary Committee in support of H.B. 708, which will expand the jurisdiction of certain Baton Rouge Justices of the Peace to hear commercial and residential evictions. The bill passed favorably and is headed to the full…
Louisiana Supreme Court Clarifies Doctrine of Vicarious Liability
On April 21, 2026, the Louisiana Supreme Court issued a decision in the case of Lacy v. Ibarra, holding that the doctrine of vicarious liability (respondeat superior) did not render the employer liable for the negligence of its employee who was involved in a motor vehicle accident on her commute into work, even if the…
Alker & Rather Supporting its Clients
The attorneys at Alker & Rather, LLC in Mandeville, Louisiana were proud to support Performance Foodservice’s April 13, 2026 golf tournament at La Tour Golf Club in Matthews, Louisiana.
Jim Rather’s Speaking Engagements in April 2026
On April, 9, 2026, attorney Jim Rather will be presenting a class to property management professionals of the Acadiana Apartment Association. And on April 14, 2026, attorney Jim Rather will be speaking to members of the Northshore Real Estate Investors Association, focusing on recent developments in fair housing and landlord-tenant laws.
Louisiana Supreme Court Insurance Update
In Bryan v. Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp., 2025‑C‑00443 (La. 3/6/26), the Court held that an insurer’s unconditional payment on a property insurance claim interrupts prescription and restarts the deadline to file suit, even if the insurer later becomes insolvent and LIGA assumes the claim.
2026 Legislative Session May Impact Personal Injury Cases
During the 2026 Louisiana Legislative Session, lawmakers are considering several measures that could significantly affect personal injury lawsuits and civil procedure. Proposed measures include House Bill 118, which would impose a $5 million cap on general damages, and House Bill 240, aimed at limiting and regulating third‑party litigation funding arrangements. Another proposal, Senate Bill 67,…