Recovery is a Marathon, Not a Sprint
Our sympathies go out to those in Texas and Louisiana who suffered damages and losses due to Hurricane Harvey. Stone Pigman's Houston-based lawyers and staff are fortunate to have weathered the storm with relatively minor damages. In the end, we know the affected citizens and businesses will emerge stronger than ever.
Many of Stone Pigman's lawyers overcame challenges created by Hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Ike and stand ready to assist our friends and clients in dealing with various legal matters arising out of Hurricane Harvey. Our lawyers are experienced in navigating through a myriad of disaster-related legal issues and understand how complicated recovery can be. We have represented insurance companies, large public agencies, universities, hospitals, companies and individuals on a variety of legal matters that arise from natural disasters, including:
- Governmental disaster-related programs and incentives (including tax incentives, FEMA assistance and SBA loans);
- Real estate, finance, landlord/tenant and construction matters;
- Class action suits;
- Public and private contracts (including force majeure issues);
- Environmental exposures;
- Toxic tort claims;
- Insurance coverage disputes;
- Employment issues;
- Probate/Succession matters (e.g. to straighten out land titles for flood ravaged properties);
- Tax; and
- Bankruptcy and creditors' rights.
Selected Representative Matters
Katrina Ninth Ward Levee Breach Litigation. Successfully defended a major contractor in a class action involving thousands of plaintiff property owners located primarily in the Lower Ninth Ward of New Orleans who claim damages against the United State Army Corps of Engineers and its contractors for alleged negligence resulting in the failure of flood protection levees during Hurricane Katrina.
Hurricane Renovation Lawsuit. Represented an apartment complex owner in litigation with contractors following disputes regarding contractual performance and interpretation of payment clauses in multi-million dollar repair contracts following hurricane damages to the complex.
Dismissal of Numerous Hurricane Class Actions. Obtained the dismissal of multiple class actions brought against a leading national property and casualty insurer after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Post-Hurricane Disputes. Stone Pigman handled numerous post-hurricane construction disputes regarding rebuilding, renovations, and related construction issues to commercial and residential properties throughout Louisiana.
Complex Takings Case. Represented a long-established restaurant in a takings case arising from the Louisiana’s 2006 commandeering of the land on which the restaurant sat for construction of a hurricane protection project in New Orleans. The state court issued judgments in favor of our clients, which were upheld on appeal.
Coastal Damage. Represented an international oil and gas company in a class action that alleged damage to coastal marshes and related environmental claims arising out of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Appellate Experience. Obtained favorable appellate judgments in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit for a leading national property and casualty insurer on several key issues regarding coverage and allegations of collusion in the insurance industry.