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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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Katrina Negligence Case Against Feds Goes to Court

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(Newser) – Hurricane Katrina victims get their day in court beginning today, as a federal judge hears a lawsuit against the Army Corps of Engineers. Tens of thousands of New Orleans residents could win damages, in what lawyers are calling “the last case standing” against the government. “This is sort of the Exxon Valdez litigation of the government liability field,” one professor tells the Los Angeles Times.

The government could be forced to shell out up to $100 billion, the Justice Department estimated last year. The case alleges that a much-maligned navigation channel built by the corps is partially responsible for flooding the city’s hardest-hit neighborhoods. It’s not the only reason, but focusing on it has allowed lawyers to skirt a law protecting flood-control measures from lawsuits.

The London Avenue Canal floodwall that was breached after Hurricane Katrina, in New Orleans, is shown in this 2005 file photo.
The London Avenue Canal floodwall that was breached after Hurricane Katrina, in New Orleans, is shown in this 2005 file photo.   (AP Photo)
Water is pumped out of the Orleans Avenue Canal during a test by the Army Corps of Engineers, May 24, 2007.
Water is pumped out of the Orleans Avenue Canal during a test by the Army Corps of Engineers, May 24, 2007.   (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
Mark Bernard, right, walks through the water flooding Mrs. Vee's Auto Body Shop in New Orleans.
Mark Bernard, right, walks through the water flooding Mrs. Vee's Auto Body Shop in New Orleans.   (AP Photo)
An excavator works to clear the debris of a hurricane-damaged home in the Lakeview section of New Orleans, Aug. 29, 2007, on the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.
An excavator works to clear the debris of a hurricane-damaged home in the Lakeview section of New Orleans, Aug. 29, 2007, on the second anniversary of Hurricane Katrina.   (AP Photo)
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3 comments
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anchower
Apr 20, 09 3:49 PM CDT
I think Obama should just concede this point. What's another $100 billion--especially when it's actually for a good cause. Reply
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TerrifiedCitizen
Apr 20, 09 3:58 PM CDT
Sounds like a lawyer's dream retirement package. Reply
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kirei_gaisuto
Apr 20, 09 9:26 PM CDT
I'm tired of every piece of Katrina coverage involving New Orleans. New Orleans was not the only place that Katrina hit. It also hit Mississippi and parts of Alabama. About 240 people in Mississippi lost their lives and the entire state ground to a halt. This was because Mississippi didn't have the luxury of having levies to fix. All we had was a beach. I live over 100 miles inland and there was still major damage in my area and beyond. The victims of New Orleans deserve to have a voice, but they weren't the only victims. Reply
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Hurricane Katrina • Louisiana • flooding • lawsuit • Federal Court • Army Corps of Engineers

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