In a case of first impression, the Southern District of Mississippi granted Reeves' summary judgment brief on the duty to defend and indemnify under the Total Pollution Exclusion in a Declaratory Judgment Action, Colony Insurance Company v. Jatinder Singh et al. (See S.D. Miss. 3:15-cv-00925-DPJ-FKB Document 39). In Singh, Colony, represented by Reeves and MMK partner Rich King, brought suit against the insured, a truck stop, and the estate of the deceased plaintiff in the underlying liability suit against the truck stop. The underlying case alleges that the decedent was washing a truck out while working at the truck stop, when he opened the tanker and was overcome by toxic gasses from rotting chicken livers. Raising the total pollution exclusion, Reeves, on behalf of Colony, successfully defeated coverage. The case was of relative first impression, and, in a fifteen page, Erie guess opinion, the Court found no duty to defend or indemnify.
Partner with Melchiode Marks King.
Reported Decisions/Slip Opinions:
- Aucoin-Hart Jewelers, Inc. v. Metairie Shopping Ctr., L.L.C., 18-36 (La.App. 5 Cir. 5/30/18)
- D & D Drilling & Expl., Inc. v. XTO Energy, Inc., 2015-626 (La. App. 3 Cir. 5/4/16), 191 So. 3d 1166, reh'g denied (July 13, 2016)
- Fernandez v. Hand Const., LLC, 2015-0615 (La. App. 4 Cir. 5/16/16), 194 So. 3d 1149.
- Colony Insurance Company v. Jatinder Singh et al., No. 3:15-cv-00925, United States District Court, S.D. Mississippi.
- Red Dot Buildings, Inc. v. GM&R Constr. Co. Inc., No. CV 14-2803, 2016 WL 1182578 (E.D. La. Mar. 28, 2016)
- D&D Drilling & Expl., Inc. v. XTO Energy, Inc., 2015-631 (La. App. 3 Cir. 5/4/16)
- Alfred Conhagen, Inc. v. Ruhrpumpen, Inc., No. 15-3687, United States District Court, E.D. Louisiana (December 1, 2015).
- D&D Drilling & Exploration, Inc. v. XTO Energy, Inc., 15-1881 (La. 11/20/15), 180 So.3d 313.
- Dupre v. Todd Shipyards Corp., 2011 WL 4551439 (E.D.La. September 29, 2011)
- Leola Isaac v. Lapalco Court Apartments., et al., No. 2014-C-746, Court of Appeal, Fifth Circuit, State of Louisiana (October 10, 2014).
- Sean Duffy v. Essex Insurance Company, et al. No.2014-C-0741, Court of Appeal, Fourth Circuit, State of Louisiana (September 23, 2014).
- Rodrigue v. Continental Ins. Co., 2014 WL 4999465, (E.D.La.,2014).
- Robert Ticknor, et al. v. Rouse's Enterprises LLC, No. 12-1151, E.D. La.; 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 21129.
- Mary Champagne-Barnes et al. v. C.R. Pittman Construction, Inc., et al., No. 2013-C-0317. Court of Appeal, Fourth Circuit, State of Louisiana (July 11, 2013)
- George Raymond Williams v. Mor-Tem Risk Management Services Inc. et al., 2012 WL 1014752 (W.D.La.,2012)
- Hammerman & Gainer, Inc. v. Stratacare, Inc., 2011 WL 1806514 (W.D.La.,2011)
- Hammerman & Gainer, Inc. v. Stratacare, Inc., 2010 WL 4531381 (W.D.La.,2010)
- Hammerman & Gainer, Inc. v. Stratacare, Inc., 2010 WL 3927776 (W.D.La.,2010)
- McMellar et al. v. Patel et al., 38 So. 3d 360 (La. 2010).