Court Blocks Rate Increase for Plaintiff but not for Others

NEW ORLEANS - A Louisiana court said on Jan. 8 that a homeowner who asked the court to enjoin insurance premium increases doesn't represent a class and can't pursue the action on anyone's behalf but his own (Gordon v. Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp., No. 2006-13816 (La. Dist. Ct. , Orleans Parish).

Orleans Parish District Court Judge Louis Dirosa said he would enjoin Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corp. from raising premiums for plaintiff Calvin L. Gordon Sr., however, ruling in Gordon's favor on Citizens' exceptions of improper venue, lack of subject matter jurisdiction, prematurity and non-joinder of parties.

The judge …