Louisiana Environmental Litigation Defense Law Firm

Keogh Cox represents local and national companies involved in environmental claims and disputes in Louisiana’s trial and appellate courts. We develop cost-effective defense strategies to address the contractual, tort and regulatory issues that arise in environmental litigation, including complex environmental remediation matters. We have years of experience with the insurance coverage issues often associated with complex environmental matters. These include air, ground and water contamination, ruined habitats or the extraction of minerals and the migration of chemicals.

Recent Experience Highlights

Client Story: Post-Katrina Litigation

Where we started: Our lawyers represented multiple insurers, insurance brokers and agents in actions for damages caused to residential and commercial property by Hurricane Katrina. Our roadmap: We handled multiple matters included in this consolidated, natural disaster litigation. Resolution: One of our clients presented Keogh Cox the “Peacemaker Award” in this litigation for outstanding legal counsel. In re Katrina Canal Breaches Consolidated Litigation, Case No. 05-4182 (E.D. La.)

Client Story: Oil Spill Litigation

Where we started: An insurer and commercial claimants were sued for recovery of damages against multiple parties caused by the explosion of an oil rig in federal waters and the resulting oil spill that contaminated the Gulf Coast. Our roadmap: We represent hundreds of businesses who were impacted by the spill, resulting in millions of dollars in lost revenue. Resolution: We are successfully recovering lost revenues for businesses across the Gulf Coast region. In re Oil Spill by the Oil Rig “Deepwater Horizon” in the Gulf of Mexico on April 20, 2010, MDL No. 2179 (E.D. La.)

Client Story: Defense Verdict in Kaiser Plant Litigation

Where we started: We defended manufacturers of products who were sued for allegedly causing a catastrophic explosion of the Kaiser alumina plant in Gramercy, Louisiana. Property damage and lost revenue claims were estimated at nearly $500 million. Our roadmap: The damage claims were consolidated with personal injury claims by severely injured workers and a class action on behalf of the citizens of the two parishes surrounding the plant. Due to the enormous exposure in excess of available insurance, multiple defendants settled before trial, leaving only Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories and Thomas & Betts as defendants for the six-week jury trial. Resolution: The jury verdict for the defendants was named the defense verdict of the year by the National Law Journal. In re Gramercy Plant Explosion At Kaiser, Master Docket No. 25,975, 23rd Judicial District Court, St. James Parish, Louisiana.

Client Story: Bayou Corne Sinkhole Litigation

Where we started: Keogh Cox is currently representing one of the insurers in the Bayou Corne Sinkhole litigation pending in Louisiana’s federal and state courts. This case involves ten separate suits, proceeding simultaneously, seeking damages as a result of the formation of a 29-acre sinkhole of unknown origin in Assumption Parish, Louisiana. Our roadmap: There are complex causation theories, complex legal issues and a variety of large claimed damages, including business interruption, lost profits, personal injury, property damage and environmental damage. The numerous insurance coverage issues involve the multi-layer insurance programs, such as application of various exclusionary provisions, the triggering and exhaustion of coverage, the potential for multiple occurrences and application of horizontal loss spreading and choice of law issues. Resolution: The firm is actively involved in litigation of this complex, multi-party action.

More Details about Environmental Litigation

Keogh Cox regularly defends major corporations from throughout the U.S. for claims relating to environmental laws and complex toxic tort claims, including:

Asbestos. We have handled many of the biggest and potentially costly civil lawsuits involving asbestos, benzene and other toxic tort claims in the recent history of this type of litigation in Louisiana. Because of our experience with this area of the law, we are skilled at early investigation, management of expert witnesses and the discernment of technical facts all components of a favorable resolution.
Environmental Issues. Client often seek our help with these types of complex claims. Many involve air, ground and water contamination, injuries, ruined habitats or the extraction of minerals and the migration of chemicals.