# Truxillo v. National Maintenance & Repair of Louisiana, Inc.

> District Court, E.D. Louisiana · June 30, 2023

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/10189602

## Case

- **Court:** District Court, E.D. Louisiana
- **Decided:** June 30, 2023
- **Opinion:** 100trialcourt
- **Cited by:** 0 later opinions in the Frix Law Library

## Citator (automated)

- No negative treatment found by the automated citator. That is not the same as a confirmation that the case is good law; read the citing cases.
- Full citator and citing cases: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/10189602

## How later opinions describe it (automated extraction)

- affirming denial of leave to amend where amendment would fundamentally alter the nature of the case
- holding that Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 16(b) governs the amendment of pleadings after a scheduling order deadline has expired and only upon a showing of good cause and with the judge’s consent will the more liberal standard of Rule 15(a

## Opinion text

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA
JENNA RAE BRIGNAC TRUXILLO, * CIVIL ACTION
individually and on behalf of her minor
child Bryson Truxillo * NO. 22-4300

VERSUS * SECTION “P” (2)

NATIONAL MAINTENANCE AND *
REPAIR OF LOUISIANA, INC., ET AL.

ORDER AND REASONS

Before me is Plaintiff Jenna Rae Brignac Truxillo’s second Motion for Leave to File First
Supplemental and Amending Complaint. ECF No. 41. Defendant Excell Marine Corporation
timely filed an Opposition Memorandum. ECF No. 47. Plaintiff requested oral argument, which
was held on June 28, 2023. ECF Nos. 42, 54.
Having considered the record, the submissions and arguments of counsel, and the
applicable law, Plaintiff’s motion is DENIED for the reasons stated herein.
I. BACKGROUND
Plaintiff seeks to recover under the Jones Act and general maritime law after her husband
Brandon Earl Truxillo died from a heart attack while employed by defendants. ECF No. 1 ¶ 2.
Although his coworkers attempted CPR, Plaintiff alleges various acts of negligence and
unseaworthiness. Id. ¶¶ 7, 12-13. Relevant to this motion, Plaintiff argues that Excell Marine’s
failure to conduct a hazard assessment as required led to the failure to have an AED onboard or an
emergency evacuation plan which resulted in the Truxillo’s death. ECF No. 41. On that basis,
Plaintiff seeks leave to file an amended complaint to add a claim for punitive damages, arguing
that the expert opinion on this matter was not available until after the deadline for amendment.
In Opposition, Defendant argues that, because this motion was filed after the deadline for
amending, Plaintiff must satisfy Rule 16’s good cause standard before addressing the matter under
Rule 15. ECF No. 47 at 2-3. It then argues that Plaintiff cannot establish good cause because,
contrary to Plaintiff’s assertions, the expert had rendered an opinion regarding the need for a hazard

assessment before Plaintiff’s motion and the amendment deadline, and Plaintiff cited that expert’s
report in the first motion. Id. at 3 (citing ECF No. 15-1 at 2-3); see also ECF No. 46-2 at 15.
The Scheduling Order established a deadline for amending pleadings of March 30, 2023.
ECF No. 12 at 2. Plaintiff filed its first motion for leave to amend seeking to add a punitive damage
claim three days before that deadline on March 27, 2023. ECF No. 15. In that motion, Plaintiff
relies on the expert opinion of Admiral Korn, who issued a report dated one week before that
deadline (March 23, 2023), which Plaintiff states was a typo as the report was not delivered until
May 3, 2023. See 46-2 at 12; Exhibit 1. While the date of Admiral Korn’s opinion may be
disputed, there is no dispute that Plaintiff relied on Admiral Korn’s opinion in the first motion for
leave to amend. ECF No. 15-1 at 2-3.

After this Court denied Plaintiff’s motion for leave to amend, Plaintiff filed an Objection.
ECF Nos. 26, 29. The district judge has not yet ruled on the objection. Despite the pendency of
that objection, Plaintiff filed this second Motion for Leave to Amend, again seeking to add a claim
for punitive damages, elaborating on the factual allegations. ECF No. 41.
II. APPLICABLE LAW AND ANALYSIS
A. Motions to Reconsider
Although not styled as such, Plaintiff’s second motion for leave essentially asks that this
Court reconsider its April 24, 2023 Order denying leave to amend on the basis of futility. The
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure do not provide specifically for motions for reconsideration, but
under Rule 54, “[d]istrict courts have considerable discretion in deciding whether to grant a motion
to reconsider an interlocutory order. The exact standard applicable to the granting of a motion
under Rule 54(b) is not clear, though it is typically held to be less exacting than would be a motion
under Rule 59(e), which is in turn less exacting than the standards enunciated in Rule 60(b).”1

The general practice of courts in the Eastern District has been to evaluate motions to
reconsider under the same standards that govern Rule 59(e) motions to alter or amend a final
judgment, balancing the interests of justice with the need for finality.2 The four relevant factors
in deciding a motion to reconsider under Rule 59(e) are whether: (1) the motion is necessary to
correct a manifest error of law or fact upon which the judgment is based; (2) the movant presents
newly discovered or previously unavailable evidence; (3) the motion is necessary in order to
prevent manifest injustice; or (4) the motion is justified by an intervening change in controlling
law.3
Motions to reconsider “serve the narrow purpose of allowing a party to correct manifest
errors of law or fact or to present newly discovered evidence.” 4 They are not the proper vehicle
for rehashing evidence, legal theories, or arguments.5 Nor should a motion for reconsideration be

used to raise arguments that could have and should have been made before entry of an order or to
re-urge matters that have already been advanced by a party.6 When there exists no independent

1 Livingston Downs Racing Ass'n, Inc. v. Jefferson Downs Corp., 259 F. Supp. 2d 471, 475 (M.D. La. 2002) (citations
omitted); Tex. Comptroller of Pub. Accts. v. Transtexas Gas Corp., 303 F.3d 571, 581 (5th Cir. 2002) (A Rule 59(e)
motion “calls into question the correctness of a judgment,” and courts have considerable discretion in deciding whether
to grant such a motion) (same).
2 See, e.g., Castrillo v. Am. Home Mortg. Serv'g, Inc., No. 09-4369, 2010 WL 1424398, at *4 (E.D. La. Apr. 5, 2010)
(citations omitted); Rosemond v. AIG Ins., No. 08-1145, 2009 WL 1211020, at *2 (E.D. La. May 4, 2009).
3 Flynn v. Terrebonne Par. Sch. Bd., 348 F. Supp. 2d 769, 771 (E.D. La. 2004) (citations omitted).
4 Waltman v. Int'l Paper Co., 875 F.2d 468, 473 (5th Cir. 1989) (internal quotation and citation omitted).
5 Simon v. United States, 891 F.2d 1154, 1159 (5th Cir. 1990) (citing Fed. Deposit Ins. Corp. v. Meyer, 781 F.2d 1260,
1268 (7th Cir. 1986) (internal citations omitted)).
6 See Browning v. Navarro, 894 F.2d 99, 100 (5th Cir. 1990).
reason for reconsideration other than mere disagreement with a prior order, reconsideration is a
waste of judicial time and resources and should not be granted.7
B. Standard for Consideration of Motion for Leave to Amend
To the extent Plaintiff’s motion is considered a new motion rather than reconsideration of

the prior motion, when leave is sought after the scheduling order deadline for amendments has
expired, the analysis is governed by Rule 16.8 This second motion was filed after the amendment
deadline, and thus, Plaintiff must satisfy the “good cause” requirement of Rule 16 before
addressing the proposed amendment under Rule 15.9
Under Rule 16(b), a scheduling order “may be modified only for good cause and with the
judge's consent.” FED. R. CIV. P. 16(b). This generally requires the movant to “show that the
deadlines cannot reasonably be met despite the diligence of the party needing the extension.”10
The four factors relevant to determining the existence of good cause in the context of post-deadline
amendment are: “(1) the explanation for the failure to timely move for leave to amend; (2) the
importance of the amendment; (3) potential prejudice in allowing the amendment; and (4) the
availability of a continuance to cure such prejudice.”11 When a proposed amendment involves

new recovery theories or imposes additional discovery requirements, courts will deny the request
for leave to amend based on undue prejudice.12

7 Livingston Downs Racing Ass'n, 259 F. Supp. 2d at 475.
8 See S&W Enters., L.L.C. v. SouthTrust Bank of Ala., NA, 315 F.3d 533, 535–36 (5th Cir. 2003) (holding that Federal
Rule of Civil Procedure 16(b) governs the amendment of pleadings after a scheduling order deadline has expired and
only upon a showing of good cause and with the judge’s consent will the more liberal standard of Rule 15(a) apply to
the court’s decision to grant or deny leave).
9 See id. at 535–36.
10 Filgueira v. U.S. Bank Nat. Ass'n, 734 F.3d 420, 422 (5th Cir. 2013) (citation omitted).
11 Sw. Bell Tel. Co. v. City of El Paso, 346 F.3d 541, 546 (5th Cir. 2003) (quoting S & W Enters., LLC, 315 F.3d at
536).
12 Mayeaux v. La. Health Serv. & Indem. Co., 376 F.3d 420, 427 (5th Cir. 2004) (affirming denial of leave to amend
where amendment would fundamentally alter the nature of the case); see also Little v. Liquid Air Corp., 952 F.2d 841,
846 (5th Cir.1992) (affirming order denying leave to amend where the amended complaint would have “established
an entirely new factual basis for the plaintiffs' claims” and thus “radically altered the nature of trial on the merits”),
reinstated in relevant part by 37 F.3d 1069, 1073 & n.8 (5th Cir. 1994) (en banc); Morongo Band of Mission Indians
Once Rule 16 is satisfied, the Court must then address the request under Rule 15(a)(2).
Rule 15 requires the court to “freely give leave [to amend] when justice so requires”13 and “possess
a ‘substantial reason’ to deny a request.”14 The five relevant considerations are: (1) undue delay,
(2) bad faith or dilatory motive, (3) repeated failure to cure deficiencies by previous amendments,
(4) undue prejudice to the opposing party, and (5) futility of the amendment.15

C. Analysis
In this case, Plaintiff has failed to establish any basis for reconsideration. Plaintiff’s mere
disagreement with my order is insufficient to justify reconsideration and simply serves to waste
judicial time and resources. Although Plaintiff’s second proposed amended complaint includes
more background factual allegations and theories, nothing in the second motion presents new
evidence that could not have been included in the prior motion. Likewise, nothing in Plaintiff’s
second motion persuades me to alter my prior conclusion that, while punitive damages are
available against an employer who willfully and wantonly fails to provide cure while aboard the
vessel,16 the factual allegations underlying the second proposed amendment (e.g., failure to

v. Rose, 893 F.2d 1074, 1079 (9th Cir. 1990) (“The new claims set forth in the amended complaint would have greatly
altered the nature of the litigation and would have required defendants to have undertaken, at a late hour, an entirely
new course of defense.”).
13 FED. R. CIV. P. 15(a)(2). Denial of leave to amend is reviewed for abuse of discretion. Carroll v. Fort James Corp.,
470 F.3d 1171, 1174 (5th Cir. 2006). The term “discretion” in this context “may be misleading, because [Rule] 15(a)
evinces a bias in favor of granting leave to amend.” Mayeaux., 376 F.3d at 425 (quoting Stripling v. Jordan Prod.
Co., 234 F.3d 863, 872 (5th Cir. 2000)). A “district court properly exercises its discretion under Rule 15(a)(2) when
it denies leave to amend for a substantial reason, such as undue delay, repeated failures to cure deficiencies, undue
prejudice, or futility.” United States ex rel. Spicer v. Westbrook, 751 F.3d 354, 367 (5th Cir. 2014).
14 Smith v. EMC Corp., 393 F.3d 590, 595 (5th Cir. 2004) (citation omitted); Mayeaux, 376 F.3d at 425 (footnote
omitted) (citing Martin’s Herend Imps., Inc. v. Diamond & Gem Trading U.S. of Am. Co., 195 F.3d 765, 770 (5th Cir.
1999); Stripling, 234 F.3d at 872).
15 Smith, 393 F.3d at 595 (citing Rosenzweig v. Azurix Corp., 332 F.3d 854, 864 (5th Cir. 2003) (citing Foman v.
Davis, 371 U.S. 178, 182 (1962))).
16 See Fairley v. ART Catering, Inc., No. 16-3488, 2018 WL 2100614, at *4 (E.D. La. Mar. 7, 2018) (Zainey, J.) (citing
Satterfield v. Harvey Gulf Int’l Marine, No. 15-15780, 2016 WL 5801399 (E.D. La. Oct. 5, 2016) (Milazzo, J.)).
comply with various policies or governing regulations) are insufficient to support a claim for
punitive damages.17
As to Rule 16 good cause, while the delay premised on new evidence is questionable given
the prior citation to Admiral Korn’s opinion, the amendment is important and would not result in

prejudice. Although satisfying Rule 16, the amendment still fails to satisfy the relevant factors
under Rule 15, primarily futility.
Punitive damages are not available for Jones Act negligence or unseaworthiness.18 But as
previously recognized, punitive damages are available against an employer for willful and wanton
failure to provide maintenance and cure,19 including one who willfully and wantonly fails to
provide cure while aboard the vessel.20 Plaintiff’s new allegations (elaborating on facts previously
alleged essentially assert that Defendant’s failure to follow regulations and policies resulted in its
failure to conduct a hazard assessment and adopt an emergency evacuation plan or have an AED
onboard) appear directed to Jones Act operational negligence or unseaworthiness rather than to
alleged willful and wanton failure to provide cure. Accepting as true the allegations in Plaintiff’s

new proposed complaint with its more detailed factual allegations that Defendant’s pattern of
disregarding operational regulations (e.g., vessel logs, record keeping), those facts still fail to rise

17 Matter of Crosby Marine Transp., LLC, No. 17-14023, 2021 WL 1931168, at *5 (E.D. La. May 13, 2021) (granting
summary judgment on punitive damages claim where, even if defendant were negligent for having violated
navigational rules, the accident prevention plan, and safety rules, there is no evidence that its actions amounted to the
civil equivalent of a crime or the kind of reprehensible culpability involved in the Exxon Valdez case or was part of a
pattern of violations that would evidence a callous disregard for the rights of others); see also Collins v. A.B.C. Marine
Towing, L.L.C., No. 14-1900, 2015 WL 5970392, at *7-8 (E.D. La. Oct. 14, 2015) (finding that allegations of systemic
failure to prevent bridge tenders from violating federal regulation insufficient to establish an extreme departure from
the care required under the circumstances or a failure to exercise even slight care) (citing Maritrans Operating
Partners v. Diana T, No. 97-1916, 1999 WL 144458, at *7 (E.D. La. Mar. 15, 1999) (declining to award punitive
damages where barge allided with plaintiff’s vessel and defendant had failed to require captain to take and pass pre-
employment drug screen or random drug tests as required by federal regulation)).
18 See Miles v. Apex Marine Corp., 498 U.S. 19, 32 (1990); The Dutra Grp. v. Batterton, 139 S. Ct. 2275, 2278 (2019);
McBride v. Estis Well Serv., L.L.C., 768 F.3d 382, 384 (5th Cir. 2014).
19 Atl. Sounding Co. v. Townsend, 557 U.S. 404, 418, 129 S. Ct. 2561, 2571, 174 L. Ed. 2d 382 (2009).
20 See Fairley, 2018 WL 2100614, at *4 (citing Satterfield, 2016 WL 5801399).
to level necessary to state a claim for punitive damages based on wanton and willful failure to
provide cure aboard the vessel.
In recently granting summary judgment on a maritime punitive damages claim in Cox
Operating, LLC v. M/V ATINA,21 Judge Milazzo explained that the quintessential case for the

award of punitive damages is Exxon Valdez, formally Exxon Shipping Co. v. Baker. In that case,
Exxon failed to monitor its captain who had returned to duty after dropping out of alcohol
treatment, and Exxon was aware that he had relapsed into his former drinking habits. The
intoxicated captain then inexplicably abandoned his post on the bridge of the 900-foot oil tanker
two minutes before a critical turn to avoid a reef, even though he was the only person onboard
licensed to navigate that area, which vessel ran aground and caused an 11-million gallon oil spill.22
She recognized that those egregious facts support a maritime punitive damages claim.
Here, Plaintiff makes no effort to distinguish Crosby Marine, Collins, Maritrans,
Gonzales,23 Cox, or other cases holding that operational negligence or even failure to follow
regulations is insufficient to state a claim for punitive damages under maritime law. As previously

held, allowing a punitive damages claim under the facts alleged would be counter to the Supreme
Court’s instruction that punitive damages be limited “to cases of ‘enormity,’ that is, where a
defendant's conduct is outrageous, owing to gross negligence, willful, wanton, and reckless
indifference for others’ rights, or even more deplorable conduct.”24 Otherwise, every garden-
variety general-maritime-law negligence case would be transformed into a punitive damages
case25 rather than limiting punitive damages claims to cases involving the civil equivalent of a

21 ___ F. Supp. 3d ___, No. 20-2845, 2023 WL 2757021, at *4 (E.D. La. Apr. 3, 2023).
22 Id. at *4 (citations omitted).
23 Gonzales v. Sea Fox Boat Co., Inc., 582 F. Supp. 3d 378 (W.D. La. 2022) (denying summary judgment on punitive
damages claim where there were genuine issues of material fact as to defendant’s involvement in the design of a filter
component of engine that exploded aboard vessel).
24 Exxon Shipping Co., 554 U.S. at 493.
25 Cf. Matter of Crosby Marine, 2021 WL 1931168, at *5.
crime or conduct that is “so egregious as to constitute gross negligence, reckless or callous
disregard for the rights of others, or actual malice or criminal indifference.”
I. CONCLUSION
Accordingly, for the foregoing reasons,
IT IS ORDERED that Plaintiff's Motion for Leave to Amend (ECF No. 41) is DENIED.
New Orleans, Louisiana, this 30th day of June, 2023.

7 Melly CURRAULT
UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

6 Gonzalez, 582 F. Supp. 3d at 381 (citation omitted).

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/cases/10189602. Public record. Not legal advice.