United States Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit F I L E D December 9, 2003 UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS Charles R. Fulbruge III FIFTH CIRCUIT Clerk _________________
No. 03-30321
(Summary Calendar) _________________
In Re: In the Matter of the Complaint of CLEARSKY SHIPPING CORP as owner and COSCO SHIPPING COMPANY LIMITED, as manager of the M/V Bright Field, for Exoneration from or Limitation of Liability ------------------------- FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL
Claimants - Appellants versus
NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES; BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS; ZURICH INSURANCE COMPANY, as the insurer of Hilton Hotels Corporation; ZURICH INSURANCE COMPANY, as the subrogated insurer of the Museum Company Inc; ZURICH INSURANCE COMPANY, as the subrogated insurer of Nine West Group Inc; MASSACHUSETTS BAY INSURANCE COMPANY, as the insurer of Turquoise Gallery Inc, doing business as St. Charles Gallery Inc; HANOVER AMERICAN INSURANCE CO, as the subrogated insurer of Perlis Inc; Perlis Incorporated, doing business as Cajun Clothing Co, Perlis Men's Store & Perls Corporation; HANOVER AMERICAN INSURANCE CO; INTERNATIONAL i RIVERCENTER; HILTON HOTELS CORPORATION; NEW ORLEANS PADDLEWHEELS INC; SUMITOMO CORPORATION; ITOCHU CORPORATION; CARGILL JAPAN LTD
Claimants - Appellees and
LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO
Appellees ______________________________________________________ BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS
Plaintiff - Appellee and
LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO
Appellees versus
COSCO (HONG KONG) SHIPPING COMPANY LTD; ET AL
Defendants versus
FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants ______________________________________________________ QUEEN OF NEW ORLEANS AT THE HILTON JOIN VENTURE Plaintiff - Appellee and
LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO
FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A
-2- Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants ______________________________________________________ NEW ORLEANS PADDLEWHEELS INC
LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO
FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL
Appellants ______________________________________________________ COLOR INC, Etc
Plaintiff versus
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS; ET AL
Defendants
INTERNATIONAL RIVERCENTER; HILTON HOTEL CORPORATION
Defendants - Appellees and
-3- LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO
FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants ______________________________________________________ YVONNE RICHARDS
INTERNATIONAL RIVERCENTER Defendants - Appellees and
LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO
FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants ______________________________________________________ DONALD DOUGLAS
-4- Plaintiff versus
INTERNATIONAL RIVERCENTER INC; ET AL
INTERNATIONAL RIVERCENTER INC
LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO
FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants ______________________________________________________ CHARLES L PORTER; ET AL
Plaintiffs versus
NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES; ET AL Defendants
INTERATIONAL RIVERCENTER; HILTON HOTELS CORPORATION
LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO
-5- Appellees versus
FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants
______________________________________________________ QIN WENG, Etc; ET AL
THE INTERNATIONAL RIVER CENTER; ET AL
THE INTERNATIONAL RIVER CENTER; BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS
LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO
FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants ______________________________________________________ WARREN AVIST; ET AL
-6- Plaintiffs versus
INTERNATIONAL RIVERCENTER; HILTON HOTELS CORPORATION
LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO
FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants ______________________________________________________ TIE RACK INC, Etc; ET AL
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS; THE INTERNATIONAL RIVERCENTER
LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO
-7- Appellees versus
FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants ______________________________________________________ VIVIAN OUBRE
THE NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES; ET AL Defendants
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS; THE INTERNATIONAL RIVERCENTER; THE HILTON HOTELS CORPORATION
LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO
FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL
Appellants ______________________________________________________ CORINA RATCLIFF
Plaintiff
-8- versus
INTERNATIONAL RIVERCENTER INC; ET AL Defendants
INTERNATIONAL RIVERCENTER; BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS Defendants - Appellees and
LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO
FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL
Appellants ______________________________________________________ STEAK ESCAPE OF NEW ORLEANS INC; ET AL Plaintiffs versus
NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES; ET AL Defendants INTERNATIONAL RIVERCENTER; BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS; HILTON HOTELS CORPORATION
LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO
-9- FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; STATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants _______________________________________________________ THE LIMITED INC, Etc; ET AL
HILTON HOTELS CORPORATION Defendant - Appellee and
LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO
FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants ______________________________________________________ VIC TUSA; ET AL
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS; THE INTERNATIONAL
-10- RIVERCENTER; HILTON HOTELS CORPORATION
LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO
FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants ______________________________________________________ DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS INC, Etc; ET AL Plaintiffs versus
Defendants THE INTERNATIONAL RIVERCENTER Defendant - Appellee and
LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO
FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants
-11- ______________________________________________________ HEIDI L BAYER; ET AL
NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES; BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS Defendants and
LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO
FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants _______________________________________________________ TIME WARNER ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY LP; ET AL Plaintiffs versus
NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES; BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS Defendants - Appellees and
LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO
-12- Appellees versus
FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants ______________________________________________________ NEW ORLEANS PADDLEWHEELS INC Plaintiff - Appellee versus
DIXIE WELDING AND MACHINE WORKS INC; ET AL Defendants versus
LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO
FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants ______________________________________________________ TRIPLE D DELTA LLC; ET AL
THE NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES; ET AL Defendants THE NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES; BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS Defendants - Appellees
-13- and
LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO
FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants ______________________________________________________ MIKE ANDERSON'S SEAFOOD OF RIVERWALK INC Plaintiff versus
NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES; ET AL Defendants NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES; BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS Defendants and
LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO
FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants ______________________________________________________ STATE FARM FIRE AND CASUALTY COMPANY, Etc; ET AL Plaintiff
-14- versus
ONE RIVER PLACE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION INC; ET AL
Defendants BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS; NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES Defendants - Appellees LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO
FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as auto mobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants ______________________________________________________ ANGELINE AUGUSTINE; ET AL
NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES; ET AL Defendants NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES; BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS Defendants - Appellees and
LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO
FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A
-15- Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants ______________________________________________________ SPERGEON HOLLY, III; ET AL
NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES; ET AL Defendants BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS
Defendant - Appellee and
LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO
FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as aut omobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants ______________________________________________________ NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES; ET AL Plaintiffs NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES Plaintiff - Appellee versus
LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO
-16- Appellees versus
FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants ______________________________________________________ INTERNATIONAL RIVERCENTER; ET AL Plaintiffs
Plaintiffs - Appellees versus
LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO
FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants ______________________________________________________ CONTINENTAL CASUALTY COMPANY, Etc Plaintiff versus
-17- Defendants BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS
Defendant - Appellee versus
LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO
FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants ______________________________________________________ CHANTELLA SHEDRICK; ET AL Plaintiffs versus
THE ROUSE COMPANY OF COMPOANY OF LOUISIANA INC; ET AL
Defendants BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE PORT OF NEW ORLEANS
LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO
FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL
-18- AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automo bile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants ______________________________________________________ LESLIE DOMINICK, SR; ET AL
NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATION LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
Defendant - Appellee
and
LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO
FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants ______________________________________________________ KIMBERLY HIBBARD; ET AL
NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK LIMITED PARTNERSHIP; ET AL Defendants NEW ORLEANS RIVERWALK ASSOCIATES Defendant - Appellee and
LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO
-19- Appellees versus
FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants ______________________________________________________ JOSEPH JONES, SR
NEW ORLEANS PADDLEWHEELS INC
LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO
FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants ______________________________________________________ ROSEMARY LEWIS; ET AL
FLAMINGO CASINO NEW ORLEANS, Etc; ET AL Defendants
-20- NEW ORLEANS PADDLEWHEELS INC Defendant - Appellee and
LAMBERT & NELSON PLC; INDUSTRIAL RISK MANAGERS; LEGER & MESTAYER; HERMAN HERMAN KATZ & COTLAR; BRUNO & BRUNO
FIREMANS FUND INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Richard Foreman, D Kirk Stirton and J Scott Chotin; ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, As Automobile insurer of Betty T Brooks; STATE FARM FIRE & CASUALTY COMPANY, As automobile insurer of August A Robin; ALLSTATE INDEMNITY INSURANCE COMPANY; STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE COMPANY, as automobile insurer of Jerome L Goldman and Robert D Rogers, Sr; ET AL Appellants
Appeal from the United States District Court For the Eastern District of Louisiana USDC No. 97-CV-1343
Before BARKSDALE, EMILIO M. GARZA, and DENNIS, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM:*
This case arises out of the allision of the M/V BRIGHT FIELD with the New Orleans
Riverwalk in December 1996. Over 1500 personal injury and property damage claims were filed
against the vessel interests. The vessel interests, in turn, filed a limitation of liability action seeking
exoneration from or limitation of liability in the district court. The district court consolidated the
various actions arising from the allision, stayed them pending resolution of the limitation of liability
* Pursuant to 5TH CIR. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5TH CIR. R. 47.5.4.
-21- action and appointed lead counsel. The district court subsequently appointed the appellants
(“Attorneys”) as co-lead counsel to protect the interests of the property claimants. The district judge
then established a compensation plan to reimburse attorneys who performed for the common benefit.
The plan required each settling party to contribute 4% of its individual settlement into an interest-
bearing account (“the fund”) for the common benefit, to be paid from the individual party’s attorney’s
fee.
After settling the claims of the property claimants, leaving only the perso nal injury claims
outstanding, the Attorneys moved the district court to be excused from this requirement. The district
judge denied the motion, concluding that although the Attorneys’ work benefitted the common good,
it would be more equitable to require payment by all claimants, and settle the fund at the conclusion
of litigation, rather than in a piecemeal fashion. The district court awarded common benefit costs but
deferred consideration of common benefit attorneys fees claims until the conclusion of litigation. The
district court also denied the Attorneys’ motion for exoneration and return of their contributions to
the fund. The Attorneys appeal the denial of this motion, claiming that the fund is inequitable.
This Court has jurisdiction to hear appeals of interlocutory orders in the limited circumstances
found in 28 U.S.C. § 1292. O’Donnell v. Latham, 525 F.2d 650, 652 (5th Cir. 1976). The Attorneys
assert that jurisdiction is proper under 28 U.S.C. § 1292(a)(3), which allows appeals of
“[i]nterlocutory decrees of such district court or the judges thereof determining the rights and
liabilities of the parties to admiralty cases in which appeals from final decrees are allowed.” 28 U.S.C.
§ 1292(a)(3). Courts construe this provision narrowly. Treasure Salvors v. Unidentified Wrecked
and Abandoned Sailing Vessel, 640 F.2d 560, 564 (5th Cir. 1981). Even if an order has important
procedural consequences, it is not appealable if it does not determine the rights or liabilities of the
-22- parties. In Re Ingram Towing Co. 59 F.3d 513, 517 (5th Cir. 1995).
The denial of the motion for exoneration and return of the Attorneys’ contributions to the
fund does not determine their rights or liabilities. It does not determine whether the Attorneys have
a substantive right to the money. The district court will determine the Attorneys’ claim to the funds
at the conclusion of the litigation. If the Attorneys are not justly compensated they can appeal the
distribution at that time. Accordingly, because the rights or liabilities of the parties were not
determined by the denial of this motion, this Court does not have jurisdiction to hear this interlocutory
appeal. It is hereby DISMISSED for lack of jurisdiction.
-23-