La. Court Reduces State's Liability for Claims by Office Workers

NEW ORLEANS - A Louisiana appellate court has affirmed a judgment for name plaintiffs in a case brought over working conditions in a leased office building, but reduced the state's liability from 100 percent to 35 percent. Watters, et al. v. Department of Social Services, et al., No. 2008-CA-0977 (La. Ct. App., 4th Cir.).

Louisiana's Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal said in a lengthy majority opinion on June 17 that the trial court erred in not imposing some liability on the building owners. The court also reduced costs awarded to plaintiffs by more than 90 percent.

Sherry Watters and other …