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Timely, substantive
industry news
and insights.
Maritime Attorney Jason Waguespack Featured in “The Marine Insurer”
Maritime Attorney Jason Waguespack Featured in “The Marine Insurer”
Galloway Johnson Tompkins Burr & Smith maritime attorney Jason Waguespack was featured in the January 2025 quarterly edition of “The Marine Insurer.” The text of the article, “When COGSA was challenged,” appears below. From a vessel leaving Vietnam to seeking…
Immigration Policy Changes: Expected Impacts for Corporations and Employers
Immigration Policy Changes: Expected Impacts for Corporations and Employers
Throughout his presidential campaign, Donald Trump emphasized the need for stricter immigration policies, framing corporate immigration reform—an integral aspect of business immigration law— as a crucial element of his “America First” agenda. He pledged to safeguard American jobs by curbing…
DEI: With Some Employers Moving Away from Past Trends, Where Are They Headed Now?
DEI: With Some Employers Moving Away from Past Trends, Where Are They Headed Now?
Near the end of President Donald J. Trump’s first term in office, he issued an Executive Order titled Combating Race and Sex Stereotyping, the purpose of which was to “combat offensive and anti-American race and sex stereotyping and scapegoating.” The…
Benefits Review Board Allows Claimant Another Bite at the Apple After Settlement
Benefits Review Board Allows Claimant Another Bite at the Apple After Settlement
The Benefits Review Board (BRB) recently reversed a grant of summary decision regarding whether a claimant’s current “left shoulder injury” claim is covered by the parties’ previous settlement for his “left pectoral muscle,” knee, and psychological injuries. In Marcus Schulmeister v.…
Longshore/Defense Base Act: U.S. Dept. of Labor Releases Annual Adjustments for 2025
Longshore/Defense Base Act: U.S. Dept. of Labor Releases Annual Adjustments for 2025
On September 12, 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor issued Industry Notice No. 203 providing the National Average Weekly Wage, the maximum and minimum compensation rates, and the cost-of-living adjustment for Fiscal Year 2025. The annual adjustments under Section 10(h)…
Defense Base Act Update: Benefits Review Board Addresses Recent Trends in Expert Medical Evidence
Defense Base Act Update: Benefits Review Board Addresses Recent Trends in Expert Medical Evidence
In a recent decision, the Benefits Review Board (BRB) clarified the weight afforded to “treating” physicians’ opinions and endorsed the use of judicial notice of prior Decisions and Orders discussing a “treating” physician’s similarly worded medical reports. In Rogers Avendaño…
Employment Alert Update: District Judge Blocks FTC Ban on Noncompetes
Employment Alert Update: District Judge Blocks FTC Ban on Noncompetes
On Tuesday, August 20, 2024, a federal district judge in Texas permanently blocked the Federal Trade Commission’s Final Rule on Noncompete Agreements on the grounds that the regulation exceeded the agency’s authority. The details of the Rule were addressed in…
Insurance Law Alert: Changes to Louisiana Direct Action Statute Effective August 1, 2024
Insurance Law Alert: Changes to Louisiana Direct Action Statute Effective August 1, 2024
Changes are coming to the Louisiana Direct Action Statute. Under this unique Louisiana law, a plaintiff previously had a right to assert a direct action against an insurer, or against both an insurer and its insured, under broad circumstances. This…
Employment Alert Update: District Court Granted a Preliminary Injunction Staying Enforcement of FTC’s Rule on Noncompetes
Employment Alert Update: District Court Granted a Preliminary Injunction Staying Enforcement of FTC’s Rule on Noncompetes
In our April 24, 2024 Employment Alert: Federal Trade Commission Issues Final Rule Banning Noncompetes, we explained that the new FTC Rule sought to ban most existing noncompete agreements. In July 2024, a federal district court in Texas granted a…
Florida Supreme Court Update: Important Updates to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure Effective January 1, 2025
Florida Supreme Court Update: Important Updates to the Florida Rules of Civil Procedure Effective January 1, 2025
Galloway attorneys in Florida stay on top of the latest updates in the Florida Supreme Court so that they can navigate all procedural requirements while delivering current and clarifying assistance to clients. Significant changes to the Florida Rules of Civil…
Legal Analysis: $90M Nuclear Verdict Reversed in Texas Trucking Case
Legal Analysis: $90M Nuclear Verdict Reversed in Texas Trucking Case
The Texas Supreme Court has reversed a $90 million verdict against Werner Enterprises, thrusting the case back into the spotlight after one of the more notable “nuclear verdicts” in Texas trucking litigation in the last 10 years. The decision reestablishes…
Risky Business: Avoiding Hidden Risks in Louisiana Contracts
Risky Business: Avoiding Hidden Risks in Louisiana Contracts
Don’t get stuck with defense and indemnity for damages that aren’t your fault! Indemnity clauses can shift legal and financial exposure onto your business, even when you’re not at fault. If you do business in the energy, transportation, and construction…
Running the Clock: Developing A Section 12 Defense Under the Defense Base Act
Running the Clock: Developing A Section 12 Defense Under the Defense Base Act
A recent decision by the Benefits Review Board may clarify how employers and carriers approach Section 12 notice defense strategies under the Defense Base Act. The Benefits Review Board’s ruling in March 2025 discusses when a claimant is presumed to…
Persistence Pays Off for Houston Attorneys in Construction Litigation Win
Persistence Pays Off for Houston Attorneys in Construction Litigation Win
Galloway Johnson Tompkins Burr & Smith attorneys in Houston, Texas, persisted in their vigorous construction litigation defense and earned another victory in a case where the Plaintiff sought monetary relief of over $1,000,000. Andy Krone and Les Pickett led the…
Tort Reform in the Bayou State: Louisiana’s Recent Legislative Changes
Tort Reform in the Bayou State: Louisiana’s Recent Legislative Changes
On Wednesday, May 28, 2025, Governor Jeff Landry signed several pieces of landmark legislation into law that are poised to significantly impact Louisiana’s insurance industry and insurance-related litigation. This legislative package is aimed at lowering insurance premiums and reducing frivolous…
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