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On August 29, 2005, one of the deadliest and costliest natural disasters in United States history hit the southern shores of Louisiana. Hurricane Katrina caused great damage to much of the north-central Gulf Coast, especially New Orleans. Prior to the storm, six barges were moored by Lafarge North America, in front of its facility by the Industrial Canal. Two of them were owned by Ingram and at the time, being operated by Lafarge. Lafarge had finished offloading one of the barges less than 48 hours before Katrina’s arrival. Prior to the storm, Lafarge had been warned to move the barge from the Industrial Canal, but the barge remained at the Lafarge dock. As anticipated, the barge was unable to sustain the storm that hit the coast of Louisiana with winds upwards of 100 miles per hour and eventually broke away from its moorings. The barge headed straight for the eastern Industrial Canal Floodwall, allegedly causing it to breach on impact. The breach in the Canal caused a massive surge of water to be released into the neighborhood below, destroying everything in its path. Residents had only a few seconds to react and many lives were lost. With waters reaching heights up to 20 feet, the damage was immense. Water traveled for miles, devastating the Lower Ninth Ward and western parts of St. Bernard Parish. Residents from this area lost their property, jobs, sustained injuries, or were killed, and have since not been able to return to the area. A lawsuit was filed against Lafarge – the company which operated the barge – as well as Ingram Barge Company, Joseph C. Domino Towing, Unique Towing and Zito Fleeting, alleging their negligence caused the barge to break free and breach the levees. We have been appointed by the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana to the Committee leading the litigation of all cases involving the breach allegedly caused by Barge ING 4727.
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  June 23, 2010 'Lafarge Katrina Barge' Trial to Start Almost five years after a breach of the floodwall in the Industrial Canal flooded homes in the Lower 9th Ward during the height of Hurricane Katrina, a federal judge this week is hearing arguments about whether a loose barge is responsible for the destruction.
June 22, 2010 Trial Begins Over Role of Katrina Barge A federal judge heard arguments on whether a loose barge broke a flood wall and caused deadly flooding in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, observers say.
June 22, 2010 Trial Begins Over Role of Katrina Barge A federal judge heard arguments on whether a loose barge broke a flood wall and caused deadly flooding in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina, observers say.
June 22, 2010 Katrina Barge Trial Begins: It Escaped Canal, Crashed into Homes Almost five years after a breach of the floodwall in the Industrial Canal flooded homes in the Lower 9th Ward during the height of Hurricane Katrina, a federal judge this week is hearing arguments about whether a loose barge is responsible for the destruction.
April 30, 2010 Defense Costs of Hurricane Katrina Class Actions Not Covered by Excess Policy The Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reversed in part a district court's judgment in a declaratory action involving multiple insurers of a construction materials company insured that was the subject of numerous class actions arising from the claim that a barge operated by the insured caused the breach of the New Orleans levee during Hurricane Katrina.
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DISCLAIMER - Nothing on this site is to be construed as legal advice. The contents of this site are for informational purposes only. The only way to understand and protect your rights is to consult personally with an attorney. This lawsuit does not involve any claims that the levee or floodwalls were defective or damaged by forces other than the barge. It involves only claims concerning the barge. We are not pursuing the Army Corps, Levee Board, Port Commission, or any other governmental entity, or any government contractors for any preexisting condition or other weakness of the levee or floodwall. If you believe that your damages were caused by any events other than the barge breakaway and floodwall/levee collision, you are strongly urged to contact an attorney to represent you in such claims. Recovery is not guaranteed. Recovery, if any, may be limited according to geographic location, types of damages, or other factors. These will be determined by the court. |
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