Complex Litigation and Class Actions

We are at the forefront of the evolving area of class actions and mass torts, including complex litigation involving chemical and oil explosions, and mass torts involving asbestos, silica, mold, formaldehyde, breast implants, Chinese drywall and infectious diseases.  Our senior member served as chair of the Committee on Class Actions and Multi-Party Litigation of the International Association of Defense Counsel and served on the Strategy Group on Mass Torts/Class Actions of Lawyers for Civil Justice.

Coverage Litigation

Sutterfield & Webb represents insurers in coverage litigation and direct actions.  We have successfully tried coverage litigation to verdict and have sustained those verdicts on appeal.  On behalf of primary and excess insurers, we monitor litigation being defended by assured's counsel and supervise litigation being handled by others.  We are very experienced in litigation alleging bad faith.  We also represent and counsel insurer clients in matters involving the fiduciary responsibilities of directors and officers of financial institutions, hospitals, service entities, manufacturing concerns and municipalities. 

Environmental Law

Our environmental law practice provides knowledgeable and practical advice to help our clients comply with fast changing environmental law and regulations.  Our members enjoy a reputation for providing cost-effective, creative and innovative solutions to complex legal problems.

Insurance

The firm represents a number of insurers and self-insured companies, both foreign and domestic, and advises on policy wordings, regulatory matters, new classes of business, and prospective insureds.  Members of the firm are recognized experts in field, and regularly author treatises, chair committees of professional associations, and speak before industry groups on insurance and liability issues.  The firm serves as panel counsel to several national insurance companies to defend claims against their insureds throughout Louisiana.

Litigation

Litigation is a risky and unpredictable proposition that must be carefully managed.  Clear communication between the client and the attorney is essential to develop the proper strategy for handling each case, as well as practical solutions to reduce risk and minimize related costs.  At Sutterfield & Webb, we are committed to aggressively protecting your interests while listening to what you have to say, keeping you informed of what is happening, when it happens, and what the costs may be.  We are also committed to use of Alternative Dispute Resolution where practical in avoiding the expense and uncertainty of protracted litigation.

Maritime and Energy Law

Our attorneys have extensive experience in handling a full range of admiralty matters in all major Louisiana ports and the Gulf South from Texas to Florida.  Much of our practice of maritime law in this geographic area involves offshore oil and gas development.  Our attorneys are experienced in immediate investigation of seaman personal injury accidents and catastrophic property damage.  We appear before administrative agencies such as the U.S. Coast Guard, Minerals Management Service and the National Safety & Transportation Board.  Our maritime lawyers are actively involved in the Maritime Law Association of the United States where one of our members chaired the Products Liability Committee.

Products Liability

Sutterfield & Webb provides representation in litigation and advises clients on commercial and regulatory matters involving design and manufacture of products.  Clients have ranged from national and regional manufacturers to local companies, and include manufacturers of asbestos and asbestos-containing products; automobiles; motorcycles, bicycles and A.T.V.'s; breast implants; farm machinery; marine engines, boilers and generators; medical products and devices; oil field and offshore equipment; paint; pesticides and herbicides; recreational boats; ship construction and repair; sports equipment; swimming pools and diving boards; and tires.

Professional Liability

Members of the firm defend a wide spectrum of medical and non-medical professionals. Our lawyers defend nurses, nursing home operators, psychologists, counselors, pharmacists, attorneys and home health care professionals, in defense of claims of malpractice.  Our lawyers have broad experience in representing insurers to evaluate coverage under professional liability policies, and also handle litigation involving insurance brokers and agents, real estate brokers, architects, engineers, surveyors and various consultants.

Property Insurance

Sutterfield & Webb has considerable legal experience in the fields of property insurance.  We defend insurers in arson, windstorm and flood claims, and consult on matters involving the interpretation of policy wording.  We have handled or are handling well over a hundred hurricane claims.  We also act for property insurers in claims brought against them by third parties under Louisiana's Direct Action Statute and in subrogation claims brought by them against others.  The firm represents clients with interests throughout the Gulf South Region, and includes lawyers licensed to practice in Louisiana, Alabama, Texas and Washington, D.C.

Toxic Torts

Our members defend cases alleging injury from diverse sources such as asbestos, silica, mold, Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material ("NORMs") and Technologically Enhanced Radioactive Materials ("TERMs").  We have also defended cases and dealt with insurance coverages involving exposure to latex, talc, anhydrous ammonia, urea and other substances.

Transportation

The firm represents trucking companies and insurers providing advice on all aspects of interstate trucking.  Sutterfield & Webb, LLC is especially proud to participate in The Harmonie Group 24-Hour Emergency Accident Response Program where it provides accident investigation services.  A thorough initial investigation of trucking accidents can result in decreased expenses, and in some instances the absence of litigation.  Firm attorneys can be present at an accident site or can direct an accident investigation from its offices.  It can provide an accident investigation team of experts and works closely with clients giving opinions as how to best proceed with the defense of the case.  It also provides counsel to employees involved in the accident.

Sutterfield & Webb attorneys provide a quick response any time, day or night, to conduct the investigation and communicate with the client to develop a plan of action.

We are Louisiana counsel for Quality Carriers of Tampa, Florida and have handled matters in state and federal court.  We serve on its Core Panel Group.  Our firm handles all of its Louisiana work including initial investigation and defending cases filed in both state and federal court.  We also consult as requested on accident investigation procedures; safety practices; and evaluation of claims in other states.

We have handled 19 vehicle pile-ups under foggy conditions; paraplegic damage cases; wrongful death cases; and cases of questionable and certain liability from initial investigation to conclusion.

We offer 24-hour availability of our attorneys to meet the needs of our client. 

Sutterfield & Webb has also handled cases for Southeastern Freight Lines,  Harco, Zurich and Penn National.

Sutterfield & Webb, L.L.C.
Attorneys and Counselors at Law
650 Poydras Street Suite 2715
New Orleans, LA 70130
Telephone: (504) 598-2715
Facsimile: (504) 529-7197