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 class action 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.  We have asked the court to certify a class covering in excess of 40,000 persons who lived in the class area, and the persons who had property or a business there.

Individuals who have sustained property loss, bodily injuries, the death of a family member, or other economic or emotional injuries caused by the flooding, or destruction, ruin, loss and displacement caused by these events may be entitled to compensation. Please see the qualification requirements to see if you are entitled.