Articles archived from The Legal Examiner.
As hurricane season begins, Louisiana homeowners face more than just storm risks. Rising insurance premiums, larger deductibles, and shrinking coverage are creating what some call a growing “hurricane tax.”
Recent electrical accident investigations have raised concerns about storm recovery work, industrial job sites, and other high-risk environments where overlooked safety hazards can lead to catastrophic injuries.
Offshore drilling policy changes are raising new safety concerns in the Gulf. This article explains how increased production and shifting regulations impact worker safety, common causes of offshore injuries, and the legal rights available to injured workers.
Kratom poisonings continue to rise nationwide, with most deaths tied to multiple substances. Months after Louisiana’s ban, new questions are emerging about its impact and ongoing risks.
A Louisiana middle school deepfake case has sparked new legislation targeting AI-generated child sexual abuse material, as lawmakers push stricter penalties and stronger protections for victims.
A Louisiana lineman suffered severe electrical burns while repairing power lines damaged by a winter storm, highlighting the dangerous conditions lineworkers face during storm recovery and the serious risks of electrocution and electrical injuries.
New Louisiana laws that took effect January 1, 2026, change comparative fault standards and limit recoverable medical expenses in personal injury cases, potentially affecting car accident, wrongful death, and other civil claims across the state.
A deadly bar fire in Switzerland raises urgent questions about public safety, burn injuries, and who may be held responsible when preventable fire hazards lead to tragedy.
A federal lawsuit aims to halt a massive Gulf oil lease sale. While the case centers on environmental review, the article explores how expanded drilling could affect offshore workers.
A veteran New Orleans film crew member was tragically killed after coming into contact with an energized overhead power line on a local movie set, drawing new attention to the dangers of electrocution accidents in Louisiana.
Kratom, a controversial herbal substance commonly sold in gas stations and convenience stores, will soon be officially banned in Louisiana.
States are divided on the legality of kratom. While some have banned it entirely, others allow it with some exceptions.
As winter sets in, we brighten our homes with festive decorations, use heaters to stay warm, and enjoy holiday traditions like cooking and fireworks. However, these activities can increase the risk of burn injuries.
As more people turn to alternative treatments for pain, anxiety, depression, and even opioid withdrawal, the FDA is cautioning against using kratom, a plant-based product linked to serious health risks and fatalities.
American shoppers spend billions of dollars buying gifts for their loved ones during the holiday season. It’s essential to know that buying the wrong items can increase the risk of being injured by a dangerous or defective product.
Oil and gas extraction is one of the most dangerous industries in the country, and a new report that analyzes database findings can help regulators understand how to prevent workplace fatalities in Louisiana offshore accidents.
Revelations of past alleged sexual misconduct by retired U.S. Coast Guard captain Glenn Sulmasy while at the USGCA have been made public, forcing him to leave Nichols College. To make matters worse, his situation also sheds light on the mishandling of sexual misconduct, dating back years.
On Oct. 5, the NHTSA held a public meeting to discuss a possible recall of 52 million airbag inflators produced by ARC Automotive and Delphi Automotive Systems that could pose a potential risk.
A new Louisiana bill will require offshore workers to wear life vests with locator beacons capable of sending distress signals. The law is designed to make a dangerous profession safer for workers transported to oil rigs via helicopter. A beacon can alert authorities to an…
When purchasing a product, consumers assume that the item has gone through rigorous testing and regulation, ensuring that the product is effective and safe to use. However, sometimes, products are determined not to be safe.
In 2002, priest Lawrence Hecker quietly retired from his position within the Catholic Church. Now, the disgraced Louisiana priest is charged with sexual assault of a teenager in 1975.
Widespread sexual abuse lawsuits have been rampant throughout organizations for decades. Now, the U.S. military is in the spotlight after it released a statement detailing recent sexual assault charges filed against a military doctor.
Over 100 people were killed, and hundreds more are still missing after a wildfire devastated Maui last month, making it one of the deadliest wildfires in modern history.
As Hurricane Idalia takes aim at Florida, it’s no surprise that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a revised hurricane forecast earlier this month, changing it to above-normal storm activity.
When you shop for your children, you assume the items marketed toward them are safe. But recalls for children’s products are on the rise, and a new report found that there were 100 recalls of products for children last year in the U.S.
The Supreme Court ruled in June that the Department of Justice can dismiss whistleblower lawsuits brought under the False Claims Act. The False Claims Act law allows private citizens to sue individuals and companies defrauding the government.
A new report has revealed a concerning trend — Louisiana leads the country for distracted driving crashes.
The National Electrical Safety Code guides power and utility companies when installing, operating, and maintaining electrical systems and power lines.
NOAA has released its predictions for the 2023 hurricane season, and it’s good news.
Fitness company Peloton has announced a recall of more than two million exercise bikes due to the risk of users falling.
The people who design, produce, and sell the hundreds of thousands of consumer products we buy have a responsibility to make sure those products are safe and effective. But sometimes, a flaw in a product’s design, manufacturing, or marketing makes it dangerous.
While healthcare programs provide Americans access to vital medical services and treatments, more and more people are defrauding Medicaid and Medicare.
The U.S. Supreme Court will soon weigh in on a landmark case regarding the government’s authority to dismiss whistleblower lawsuits brought by private citizens on its behalf, even if that citizen objects.
Childhood products giant Fisher-Price has reannounced a massive recall on one of its infant sleeper models, despite the original recall nearly three years ago, dozens more babies have lost their lives while they slept.
Climate change has already caused irreparable damage to the earth, even though scientists have raised alarms for decades about the immediate need for changes in how we live and the resources being exploited. The extensive use of coal, oil, and gas has led to the…
Working has become the norm. And now, it seems that the distance between employees and supervisors is prompting an increase in whistleblowing.
For billions of people around the world, social media is an integral part of everyday life. These networking and sharing sites can be an unlimited resource of information, but also a dangerous place for young people.
Electricity can cause anything from a minor shock to burns to the skin, nerve and brain damage, and damage to vital organs and muscles. Because of the risks, trying to help someone being electrocuted must be done safely.
Former Biogen employee Michael Bawduniak will receive $266 million – the largest whistleblower award in history – for following through on a decade-long case.
On April 13, 2021, the people of Louisiana and across the U.S. were reminded yet again how dangerous and deadly the Gulf of Mexico can be for offshore workers. The Seacor Power liftboat transporting workers capsized just hours after leaving Port Fourchon, where a storm…
Countless Americans now consider fried turkey a part of their Thanksgiving celebration. While deep-fried turkeys are more commonplace, there continue to be too many holiday disasters caused by home cooks and turkey frying mishaps.
Philips will pay millions of dollars to resolve allegations that the company paid kickbacks to suppliers in exchange for them filing claims with the federal healthcare programs Medicare, Medicaid, and Tricare for Philips devices.
Thousands of people have filed lawsuits alleging that paraquat causes serious illness. New findings have led to more questions about the herbicide’s safety as these paraquat lawsuits work their way through the judicial system.
When someone reveals wrongdoing within an organization, it’s called whistleblowing. Whistleblowing can happen in any industry, and these individuals have laws that protect them from being punished for coming forward.
Offshore oil and gas jobs are attractive for a reason. The pay is lucrative, and employees can get weeks off at a time. Hundreds of thousands of people work in the industry, and many of them spend their time on offshore drilling rigs. While oil…
Knowing what to do after a hurricane can mean the difference between getting the insurance proceeds you’re owed, preventing further damage to your property, and accessing financial assistance to repair, rebuild, and replace what’s lost.
Electrical accidents often impact quality of life and the ability to work, and the financial burden of recovery and future medical needs may be overwhelming.
Foster children are some of our most vulnerable populations, and the Louisiana DCFS has a legal duty to make sure foster parents provide proper and reasonable care on their behalf.
A residential elevator manufacturer has recalled 31,000 units because the elevators can entrap small children, causing serious injury and even death.
Hurricane Ida made landfall in Louisiana on August 29, 2021, exactly 16 years after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and other areas of the state. Ida was the second most damaging and intense Louisiana hurricane on record, causing $75 billion in damage across the U.S.
On August 10, 2022, President Joe Biden signed into law the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics Act, better known as the PACT Act.
Often, insurance doesn’t cover the total amount of losses. In these situations, disaster assistance in the form of physical disaster loans can help people recover quickly.
Maritime workers do their jobs in extraordinary locations, whether on a boat’s deck, the helm of a ferry, a dockside loading area or an offshore oil platform. Every day, the country’s 400,000 maritime workers put themselves in harm’s way, risking serious maritime workplace injuries, including…
For years, victims have spoken out against priests and other members of the clergy who committed sexual abuse. Now, the FBI is investigating certain sex abuse cases within Roman Catholic churches in New Orleans.
Increasing your insurance policy limit and adding separate insurance, like windstorm, hurricane, and flood deductibles, offers the best security for when disaster strikes.
Abbott Laboratories issued recalls and temporarily closed one of its largest factories in February 2022 after four babies developed serious infections. In response, demand soared past supply, and parents who just needed to feed their babies were faced with empty grocery store shelves.
Invest a little time and energy in reviewing your property insurance policies at the beginning of each hurricane season. Don’t wait until a storm is in the Gulf to try and make changes to your coverage.
While several institutions within the state are being forced to confront their history of sexual abuse, the Louisiana legislature finds itself not only implementing new laws on the matter but also having to go back and clarify the laws.
Homeowner’s insurance coverage and FEMA provide help after a hurricane, but they differ in scope.
Churches are usually places of refuge, but sadly, they are often dangerous for vulnerable children and adults. The latest scandal is within the Southern Baptist Convention.
A recent report from an environmental group found that several Louisiana refineries are emitting benzene at a higher level than federally allowable, which could have troubling implications for the Louisianians who live and work near these facilities.
An independent report released this week by Guidepost Solutions found that the leadership of the Southern Baptist Convention prioritized avoiding civil liability over removing preachers credibly accused of sex abuse from churches in the denomination.
Thirteen women who have accused Larry Nassar of sexual abuse are suing the FBI for mishandling its investigation of the disgraced USA Gymnastics doctor.
The sad reality is that college students in Louisiana are at significant risk of sexual violence and harmful hazing rituals. Reporting these many forms of abuse and violence, and a strict and swift response by the school is crucial to ending the normalcy and frequency of these crimes.
Five automakers have recalled electric vehicle batteries in the last two years because of potential fire and stalling risks. The NHTSA is investigating whether some cars powered by these batteries are more likely to catch fire than non-electric vehicles.
Louisiana may be notorious for its hurricanes, but they aren’t the only natural disasters that can cause unimaginable death and destruction. The state ranks third nationally for tornadoes per square mile, with the storms causing millions of dollars in property damage every year.
The most effective way to keep children out of harm’s way is to keep them in proper car seats while on the road. Yet it can be difficult to know which seat offers the most protection.
Regardless of the type of job, offshore workers generally face greater risks of injury and even death than those in other industries. Unsafe working conditions, and defects in design or manufacturing can make a vessel dangerous, leading to accidents at sea. Knowing your legal options…
In 2025, the Gulf of Mexico will be open to wind lease sales, and wind farms could be operational as early as 2028. Wind farms are most likely to be developed off the coast of Louisiana and Texas, creating anywhere from 7,300 to 14,700 offshore…
A massive, dangerous product recall plaguing 19 major automakers for almost ten years is continuing with no clear end in sight.
The U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) is facing scrutiny after cadets say they were afraid to speak out after fellow crew members sexually assaulted or harassed them.
It might be tempting to hire someone to make hurricane repairs solely based on an attractive price, but going with the cheapest, quickest option could cause regret down the road.
When an insurance company goes belly up, policyholders are left wondering what recourse they have.
A leak in the 42-year-old pipeline has spilled 300,000 gallons of diesel fuel near a St. Bernard Parish levee east of New Orleans, contaminating the water in two artificial or “borrow” ponds and killing thousands of animals.
Louisiana residents who voluntarily evacuated to escape Hurricane Ida’s wrath are still waiting for a decision on whether they will receive compensation for out-of-town expenses like food and hotels.
Following insurance claims tips can help organize your thoughts and actions during the aftermath of a hurricane when your brain might not be working at its maximum capacity.
While much of Louisiana’s attention has been focused on the missing victims of the Seacor maritime disaster, a small group of survivors is quietly attempting to put this traumatic experience behind them. For some, the days, weeks, months, and even years ahead may be a…
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