La. Supreme Court Rules for Insurance Company in Venue Dispute

NEW ORLEANS -- The Louisiana Supreme Court has reversed a lower court decision denying a declinatory exception, ruling that an insurance company was correct when it challenged the claims on venue grounds. Trascher, et al. v. Northrop Grumman Ship Systems Inc., et al., No. 10-CC-1287 (La. Sup. Ct.).

In the Sept. 17 decision, the high court did, however, direct the trial court to allow the plaintiffs to amend their claims in a way that might fix the venue deficiency.

The plaintiffs filed the claims on behalf of a former Avondale Shipyard employee, who was allegedly exposed to asbestos in the …