Reulet v. Lamorak Insurance Company

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

MIDDLE DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA

JOANNE CLEMENT REULET, ET AL. CIVIL ACTION NO.

VERSUS 20-404-BAJ-EWD

LAMORAK INSURANCE COMPANY, ET AL.

RULING AND ORDER

Before the Court is the Motion to Compel Complete Responses to Discovery Requests

(“Motion”),1 filed by Defendant Louisiana Insurance Guaranty Association (“LIGA”). A

telephone conference was conducted with the parties regarding the Motion and further argument

is not necessary.2 The Motion will be denied. Plaintiffs do not have information responsive to

LIGA’s request for a listing of health insurance payment information and LIGA’s requests for

settlement amounts and settlement documents is premature.

I. BACKGROUND

Plaintiffs originally asserted direct action claims against Defendant Lamorak Insurance

Company (“Lamorak”) as the insurer of alleged tortfeasor co-Defendants Eagle Inc. and McCarty

Corporation.3 However, on March 11, 2021, Bedivere Insurance Company, a corporation into

which Lamorak had merged, was declared insolvent and placed in liquidation.4 As a result of the

liquidation, Plaintiffs named LIGA as the statutory obligor for the policies issued by Lamorak to

Eagle and McCarty.5

1 R. Doc. 181.

2 R. Doc. 192.

3 R. Doc. 1-1, ¶¶ 2, 6-7. See R. Doc. 57 for the factual background of this proceeding.

4 R. Doc. 181-1, p. 3, R. Doc. 181-2 and R. Doc. 65.

5 LIGA was named as a defendant in Plaintiffs’ Second Supplemental and Amending Complaint, which was filed on

September 16, 2021. R. Doc. 95 and see ¶¶ 6-7. See R. Doc. 181-1, p. 3 and La. R.S. §22:2052, et seq. Plaintiffs

LIGA is a creation of the Louisiana Legislature, formed to administer certain claims arising

out of the insolvency of insurance companies. According to LIGA, it “is not obligated to pay all

claims that could have been brought against an insolvent insurer, but rather is only authorized by

law to pay ‘covered claims’ as defined by the statute.”6 LIGA argues that it propounded discovery

to Plaintiffs to obtain information “to allow LIGA to evaluate its obligations and defenses as set

forth in the LIGA law,” and particularly, LIGA’s entitlement to statutory credits discussed below

(although LIGA is not currently claiming any credits).7 Dissatisfied with Plaintiffs’ discovery

objections and responses, LIGA filed the instant Motion seeking an order requiring Plaintiffs to

provide the information sought by Interrogatories 5 and 7 and Request for Production (“RFP”) No.

4.8 Plaintiffs disagree with LIGA’s interpretation of the applicable law and challenge production

of the information requested.9 The parties discussed the Motion at a January 7, 2022 telephone

conference. The Motion was taken under advisement due to requests for additional briefing.10

Following the conference, Defendant C.F. Industries filed an opposition memorandum, LIGA filed

a reply memorandum, and Plaintiffs filed several notices of supplemental authority.11

II. LAW AND ANALYSIS

A. Applicable Legal Standards

Under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, parties may obtain discovery regarding any

nonprivileged matter that is relevant to a claim or defense12 and proportional to the needs of the

contend that Lamorak policies issued to the Avondale executive officers are also at issue, as well as those issued by

Houston General Insurance Company to Eagle. R. Doc. 187, p. 9.

6 R. Doc. 181-1, p. 3, citing La. R.S. § 22:2058A(1).

7 R. Doc. 181-1, pp. 2-3 and R. Doc. 181-6.

8 R. Doc. 181-1, p. 8.

9 R. Doc. 187.

10 R. Doc. 192.

11 R. Docs. 194-196, 199, 201, 210.

12 Crosby v. Louisiana Health Service and Indem. Co., 647 F.3d 258, 262 (5th Cir. 2011) (“Generally, the scope of

discovery is broad and permits the discovery of ‘any nonprivileged matter that is relevant to any party’s claim or

defense.’”), citing Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(b)(1) and Wyatt v. Kaplan, 686 F.2d 276, 283 (5th Cir. 1982).

case, considering the importance of the issues at stake in the action, the amount in controversy, the

parties’ relative access to relevant information, the parties’ resources, the importance of the

discovery in resolving the issues, and whether the burden or expense of the proposed discovery

outweighs its likely benefit.13 A court must additionally limit the frequency or extent of discovery

if it determines that: “(i) the discovery sought is unreasonably cumulative or duplicative, or can be

obtained from some other source that is more convenient, less burdensome, or less expensive; (ii)

the party seeking discovery has had ample opportunity to obtain the information by discovery in

the action; or (iii) the proposed discovery is outside the scope permitted by Rule 26(b)(1).”14

Furthermore, “[i]t is well settled law that magistrate judges are afforded broad discretion in ruling

on discovery matters.”15

B. The Motion Will Be Denied as to Interrogatory No. 5 because Plaintiffs Do Not

Possess the List that LIGA Seeks to Compel16

LIGA generally contends that the applicable law obligates Plaintiffs to exhaust all other

insurance coverage before recovering from LIGA, which includes the obligation to exhaust

coverage from policies issued to all joint tortfeasors, not just policies issued to Eagle and

McCarty.17 Furthermore, LIGA claims that is it entitled to a full credit for “any applicable limits

stated in other insurance policies, as well as other amounts recovered by plaintiffs from any source,

including but not limited to, settlements, Medicaid and Medicare payments, and other health

insurance payments. The credit that is obtained reduces the amount that is potentially owed by

13 Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(b)(1).

14 Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(b)(2)(C).

15 Albemarle Corp. v. Chemtura Corp., No. 05-1239, 2008 WL 11351528, at *1 (M.D. La. Apr. 22, 2008), citing

Merritt v. International Bro. of Boilermakers, 649 F.2d 1013 (5th Cir. 1981).

16 The parties’ briefs address a number of substantive legal issues that are not germane to the resolution of the instant

Motion and therefore will not be addressed. See, e.g., Plaintiffs’ opposition memorandum pp. 18-25 and LIGA’s reply

memorandum at R. Doc. 199, pp. 10-14.

17 R. Doc. 181-1, p. 4, citing La. R.S. § 22:2062(A)(1) and (A)(4).

LIGA…” pursuant to La. R.S. § 22:2062(A)(2).18 To that end, Interrogatory No. 5 seeks a list that

states how much was paid by each health and accident insurance provider identified by Plaintiffs

for any injury, loss and damage alleged in the Complaint.19 LIGA argues that this request is

relevant to the potential credit it is allowed for “other insurance,” as referred to in La. R.S. §

22:2062(A)(2), and the potential credit it is allowed for Medicare payments.20 According to LIGA,

Plaintiffs’ response, which referred LIGA to the medical records produced, is insufficient, as

LIGA’s review of the records may yield a different calculation than Plaintiffs’ calculation of the

amounts paid.21

Plaintiffs disagree with LIGA’s interpretation of applicable law in several respects,

including LIGA’s assertion that it is entitled to a credit for health insurance payments pursuant to

La. R.S. § 22:2062(A)(2). Plaintiffs contend that subsection (A)(2) does not apply; rather,

Plaintiffs argue that La. R.S. § 22:2062(A)(6)22 applies to limit LIGA to credits for amounts paid

18 R. Doc. 181-1, p. 4, citing La. R.S. § 22:2062(A)(2), which provides: “Any amount payable on a covered claim

under this Part shall be reduced by the full applicable limits stated in the other insurance policy, or by the amount of

the recovery under the other insurance policy as provided herein. The association and the insured shall receive a full

credit for the stated limits, unless the claimant demonstrates that the claimant used reasonable efforts to exhaust all

coverage and limits applicable under the other insurance policy. If the claimant demonstrates that the claimant used

reasonable efforts to exhaust all coverage and limits applicable under the other insurance policy, or if there are no

applicable stated limits under the policy, the association and the insured shall receive a full credit for the total recovery.

(a) The credit shall be deducted from the lesser of the following: (i) The association’s covered claim limit. (ii) The

amount of the judgment or settlement of the claim. (b) In no case, however, shall the obligation of the association

exceed the covered claim limit of this Part.”

19 R. Doc. 181-1, p. 8 and R. Doc. 181-5, p. 5: “For the health and accident insurance policies identified in your answer

to Interrogatory No. 3, please provide a list stating how much was paid by each health and accident insurance provider

for any injury, loss, and damage alleged in the Petition.” LIGA clarifies that it does not seek the total amount of

medical expenses billed.

20 R. Doc. 181-1, pp. 8-9, citing Brown v. Norma-Fuegero, 2014-0826 (La. App. 4 Cir. 4/22/15), 165 So. 3d 1059.

21 R. Doc. 181-1, pp. 8-9 and see Plaintiffs’ responses and objections to Interrogatory No. 5 at R. Doc. 181-7, pp. 6-7

and R. Doc. 181-8, p. 2 (supplemental response).

22 “In the case of a claimant alleging personal injury or death caused by exposure to asbestos fibers or other claim

resulting from exposure to, release of, or contamination from any environmental pollutant or contaminant, any and all

other insurance available to the insured for the claim for all policy periods for which insurance is available must first

be exhausted before recovering from the association, even if an insolvent insurer provided the only coverage for one

or more policy periods of the alleged exposure. Only after exhaustion of all solvent insurer’s total policy aggregate

limits for any alleged exposure periods will the association be obligated to provide a defense and indemnification

within the obligations of this Part, subject to a credit for the total amount thereof, whether or not the total amount has

actually been paid or recovered.”

by other insurers of Eagle, McCarty, and the Avondale executive officers.23 Thus, Plaintiffs

contend that the health insurance payment information LIGA seeks is irrelevant. Plaintiffs argue

that LIGA’s authority, i.e., Brown v. Norma-Fuegero, deals with Medicaid payments, for which

all parties get a credit and which is treated differently than health insurance.24 Further, Plaintiffs

assert that they do not have a list that shows how much was paid by health and accident insurance

providers and do not otherwise know this amount.25 Plaintiffs contend that they have already

provided the only information they have, i.e., Mr. Reulet’s medical bills, pursuant to Fed. R. Civ.

P. 33(d).26 Plaintiffs have also provided LIGA with signed medical authorizations so that LIGA

can obtain Mr. Reulet’s medical records directly. Plaintiffs argue that they are not required to sift

through the records and calculate a total; rather, that is LIGA’s burden, as LIGA seeks to assert

entitlement to a credit for the amounts paid as an affirmative defense.27

In reply, LIGA reiterates that it is entitled to a credit for health insurance payments, and

requires a calculation from Plaintiffs “so that LIGA will know whether Plaintiffs contest the

amount that LIGA calculates to discern if the amount is something that has to be litigated at trial

or can resolved before trial.”28 Further, LIGA contends that Brown is persuasive because the

Brown court held that the Medicaid payments were subject to a LIGA credit and “Medicare is no

different than Medicaid.”29

23 R. Doc. 187, pp. 3-4. LIGA does not address its purported obligations to the Avondale executive officers.

24 R. Doc. 187, p. 4 distinguishing Brown.

25 R. Doc. 187, pp. 2-3.

26 R. Doc. 187, pp. 1-2. See Plaintiffs’ responses and objections to Interrogatory No. 5 at R. Doc. 181-7, pp. 6-7 and

R. Doc. 181-8, p. 2 (supplemental response).

27 R. Doc. 187, pp. 1-4.

28 R. Doc. 199, p. 6. LIGA asserts that, to the extent Plaintiffs contest the form of the request, i.e., interrogatory versus

a request for production, LIGA is willing to serve a request for production for the information but avers that Plaintiffs

will continue to object to producing the information sought. R. Doc. 199, p. 6.

29 R. Doc. 199, p. 7. LIGA also contends that the Court should not consider Plaintiffs’ argument that LIGA law

conflicts with federal Medicare law (see R. Doc. 199, pp. 6-7); however, Plaintiffs have not asserted that argument

herein.

Setting aside the prematurity of LIGA’s requests (addressed below) and the issue of which

subsection of La. R.S. § 22:2062 applies, a party is not required to produce information that is not

in its custody, possession, or control.30 Plaintiffs represented in brief and during the telephone

conference that they do not need a list of the amount of medical payments paid by each insurer;

that they do have such a list; and that they have already produced the relevant information they

possess, i.e., the medical bills and records of the deceased.31 LIGA does not dispute Plaintiffs’

contention that they do not have the requested list; rather, LIGA seeks to compel Plaintiffs to create

one so that LIGA has a calculation computed by Plaintiffs, primarily to evaluate a potential

settlement.32 However, Plaintiffs are not required to create a list or a calculation. If LIGA desires

a total of the amounts paid by the health insurers, it can evaluate the bills and records and make its

own calculation. Notably, in Becnel v. Lamorak Insurance Company, another asbestos exposure

case involving the same counsel, that court denied LIGA’s nearly identical Motion to Compel

seeking the same insurer payment information, finding:

Denied. Given that they do not readily possess responsive

information, Plaintiffs are not required to comb through

voluminous medical records already in the possession of

Defendants to ascertain what amounts were actually paid by

various insurance providers. If Defendants wish to ascertain that

information, they can do that work themselves.33

The undersigned agrees. Accordingly, LIGA’s Motion will be denied as to the information sought

by Request for Production No. 5.34

30 See Fed. R. Civ. P. 34 and S. Filter Media, LLC v. Halter, No. 13-116, 2014 WL 4278788, at *5 (M.D. La. Aug.

29, 2014) (“Rule 34 requires that a responding party produce responsive documents that are within their ‘possession,

custody or control.’”).

31 R. Doc. 187, pp. 1-3.

32 R. Doc. 181-1, p. 9 and R. Doc. 199, p. 6.

33 Plaintiffs’ Notice of Supplemental Authority at R. Doc. 196, p. 1, quoting R. Doc. 196-1, Becnel v. Lamorak

Insurance Company, No. 19-14536, (E.D. La. Jan. 13, 2022) at R. Doc. 233.

34 To the extent that LIGA references a suggestion discussed during the conference to resolve this request, to which

Plaintiffs objected (i.e., authorizations executed by Plaintiffs directed to Mr. Reulet’s insurers for the release of

C. The Motion Will Be Denied as to Interrogatory No. 7 and RFP No. 4 because

Settlement Information is Prematurely Sought

Interrogatory No. 7 seeks a list stating the amounts each person paid in settlement for the

survival and wrongful death claims asserted in this case, and RFP No. 4 requests production of the

associated settlement agreements.35 LIGA argues that amounts paid in settlement are relevant

because they are potentially the subject of a statutory credit pursuant to La. R.S. § 22:2062(A)(2).36

According to LIGA, Plaintiffs’ objection to production of the information on the basis that La.

R.S. § 22:2062(A)(2) does not apply to asbestos cases is mis-founded, and contends that two

decisions of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana in other asbestos exposure

cases, Cortez v. Lamorak Ins. Co. and Dempster v. Lamorak Ins. Co., have previously rejected

Plaintiffs’ argument that La. R.S. § 22:2062(A)(6) applies to the exclusion of La. R.S. §

22:2062(A)(2).37

Plaintiffs generally argue that while the fact of settlement, and the identity of the parties to

a settlement are subject to disclosure, the specifics of settlements are not discoverable.38 Plaintiffs’

settlement with Defendant CF Industries contains a confidentiality clause, and Plaintiffs contend

that disclosure of settlement amounts to LIGA would have a chilling effect on future settlements

documents showing the amounts paid), Plaintiffs will not be ordered to provide such releases at this time because the

issue of LIGA’s potential credits is premature, as discussed below. The parties are encouraged to explore this

resolution again as necessary once the issue of credits becomes ripe.

35 R. Doc. 181-1, p. 9 and R. Doc. 181-5, p. 5: “For each settlement identified in your answer to Interrogatory No. 6,

please provide a list stating the amount each person paid in settlement for the survival claim and wrongful death

claim,” and R. Doc. 181-5, p. 6: “Please produce all settlement agreements identified in your answer to Interrogatory

No. 6.”

36 R. Doc. 181-1, pp. 9-10, citing Williams v. USAgencies Cas. Ins. Co., 18-52071, (La. App. 1 Cir. 9/26/18); 256 So.

3d 1127, 1137 and see Plaintiffs’ responses and objections at R. Doc. 181-7, pp. 7-8, 11-12.

37 R. Doc. 181-1, pp. 5-7, citing Cortez v. Lamorak Ins. Co., No. 20-2389 (E.D. La. Oct. 28, 2021), R. Doc. 307, and

Dempster v. Lamorak Ins. Co., No. 20-95 (E.D. La. Oct. 28, 2021), R. Doc. 355, both attached to LIGA’s Motion at

R. Docs. 181-3 and 181-4.

38 See Plaintiffs’ responses and objections to these requests at R. Doc. 181-7, pp. 7-8, 11-12. See also R. Doc. 187,

pp. 5-7, citing, e.g., Allison v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., No. MDL-875, No. 07–69104, 2010 WL 3384723 (E.D.

Pa. August 19, 2010) (MDL for asbestos cases) and Davis v. Johns-Manville Products, No. 77–2282, et seq., 1990

WL 162844 (E.D. La. October 16, 1990).

and are generally protected from disclosure by Fed. R. Evid. 408.39 C.F. Industries, now

dismissed, adopts this argument in opposition to disclosure.40

As to the Cortez and Dempster decisions upon which LIGA relies, Plaintiffs contend those

do not hold that settlement agreements are discoverable. Rather, according to Plaintiffs, both

decisions pertained to the issue of whether Eagle could file a supplemental answer to assert the

same affirmative defense in each of those cases (i.e., that LIGA credits had become available to it

due to the post-suit liquidation of Bedivere and Lamorak). Plaintiffs point out that the ruling in

Dempster, holding that LIGA was entitled to credits, was subsequently reversed, based on a finding

that credits to LIGA only become an issue “if Movants are cast in judgment and plaintiffs attempt

to collect against the Association,” at which point the issue of credits can be litigated.41 Further,

Plaintiffs contend that Eagle’s motion to re-open discovery on the issue of credits was also denied,

and the discovery LIGA seeks to conduct in this case was not permitted.42 Plaintiffs argue that the

settlement documents and amounts need not be addressed at this time because the issue of whether

LIGA can take a credit for them in not ripe until LIGA or Lamorak is cast in judgment, which may

never occur. Plaintiffs suggest that the interest of all parties is best protected by taking up this

39 R. Doc. 187, pp. 5-6. F.R.E. 408(a) provides: “Evidence of the following is not admissible--on behalf of any party-

-either to prove or disprove the validity or amount of a disputed claim or to impeach by a prior inconsistent statement

or a contradiction: (1) furnishing, promising, or offering--or accepting, promising to accept, or offering to accept--a

valuable consideration in compromising or attempting to compromise the claim; and (2) conduct or a statement made

during compromise negotiations about the claim--except when offered in a criminal case and when the negotiations

related to a claim by a public office in the exercise of its regulatory, investigative, or enforcement authority.”

40 R. Doc. 195, pp. 1, 3-4 and see R. Doc. 204.

41 R. Doc. 187, p. 7, citing Dempster v. Huntington Ingalls, Inc., No. 20-95 (E.D. La. Dec. 14, 2021), R. Doc. 373, at

R. Doc. 187-1 herein (also attached to LIGA’s Motion at R. Doc. 181-5, p. 34). Plaintiffs argue that LIGA

misrepresents that the magistrate judge’s ruling was reversed “on other grounds,” and thus incorrectly implies that the

district judge agreed with the magistrate’s ruling on the issue of whether LIGA is allowed to claim all the credits to

which it asserts entitlement. Rather, Plaintiffs argue that the district judge did not reach the issue of whether Eagle’s

suggested amendment was futile because the prejudice in permitting the amendment was conclusive. R. Doc. 187, p.

8, citing Dempster, No. 20-95 (E.D. La. Dec. 14, 2021) at R. Doc. 373, p. 8.

42 R. Doc. 187, p. 7, citing Dempster, No. 20-95 (E.D. La. Dec. 14, 2021), R. Doc. 373.

issue if Plaintiffs obtain a judgment against LIGA or Lamorak, at which time the relevant

settlement agreements can be reviewed in camera by the Court.43

Next, and similar to Plaintiffs’ argument challenging disclosure of the amounts paid by

insurers, Plaintiffs renew the argument that LIGA is not entitled to the credits in both La. R.S. §

22:2062(A)(2) and (A)(6).44 Rather, Plaintiffs contend that LIGA is only potentially entitled to

credits under the latter subsection because that subsection specifically addresses claims against

LIGA in asbestos exposure cases, “and it only applies the credit to other insurance policies of the

insured (i.e., other insurance companies that also insured Eagle, McCarty, and the Avondale

executive officers). It does not extend the credit to other insurance policies of other insureds,” or

settlements with other defendants/tortfeasors.45 Plaintiffs argue that La. R.S. § 22:2062(A)(6) was

passed specifically to provide for claims against LIGA involving asbestos exposure, and LIGA’s

interpretation that both subsections (A)(2) and (A)(6) apply in asbestos exposure cases renders the

latter provision meaningless.46 Plaintiffs argue that they have not settled with any insurers of

McCarty, Eagle, or the Avondale executive officers to which (A)(6) applies, and their settlement

with CF Industries is irrelevant.47

43 R. Doc. 187, pp. 7-8. Plaintiffs also argue that “it is not uncommon in asbestos litigation for copies of settlement

documents to be produced in camera to the Court at the time of trial with the settlement amounts redacted and without

production of the documents to the defendants. Settlement documents are typically produced for the purposes of

determining the identity of settled parties so that the remaining parties can attempt to seek a virile share credit if they

prove the fault of a settled party.” Id. at pp. 8-9.

at trial.

44 R. Doc. 187, pp. 9-15. CF Industries also urges this argument. R. Doc. 195, p. 2. As mentioned, the portions of the

briefs not germane to the instant motions are not addressed. R. Doc. 187, p. 12 (argument regarding statutory cap).

45 R. Doc. 187, pp. 10-11, 14.

46 R. Doc. 187, pp. 10-11, 13-14 and citing S. Silica of La. v. La. Ins. Guar. Ass’n, 07-1680 (La. 4/8/08); 979 So. 2d

460 as rejecting LIGA’s interpretation of the statute. Plaintiffs argue that asbestos cases are not typical tort cases

because they “typically involve decades of exposure and multiple triggered policies.” R. Doc. 187, p. 11. For this

reason, Plaintiffs argue that LIGA’s authority in support of credit for payments by other defendants are inapplicable

because they involve regular torts. R. Doc. 187, p. 13.

47 R. Doc. 187, p. 15.

Alternatively, Plaintiffs contend that even if subsection (A)(2) was applicable, LIGA has

not shown that Plaintiffs’ settlement with CF Industries is relevant because (A)(2) does not permit

LIGA to get a credit for all settlements received by Plaintiffs. Rather, Plaintiffs contend that (A)(2)

only applies to recovery Plaintiffs receive under another insurance policy, and Plaintiffs have not

asserted any claims against any insurer of CF Industries.48 Plaintiffs also contend that LIGA has

not shown that Plaintiffs recovered under any insurance policy of CF Industries or that CF

Industries had any insurance policies covering the same claims as those against LIGA’s insureds.

Plaintiffs argue that LIGA should be required to make these showings before Plaintiffs are required

to disclose their confidential settlement terms with CF Industries.49

LIGA replies that it is entitled to the production of settlement information because “[t]he

LIGA Law states that LIGA has no further obligation to defend an insured after the amount of

money received by Plaintiffs to which it is entitled to a credit exceeds its maximum liability as set

forth in the LIGA Law.”50 Further, LIGA argues that it is entitled to the information now and as

settlements occur because a delay in the production causes LIGA to incur defense costs that erodes

away its available funds. LIGA claims that withholding this information thwarts LIGA’s ability

to settle claims because, without the settlement information, LIGA cannot assess its potential

obligations in the case.51

LIGA contends that it is unfair for Plaintiffs to seek the benefits of recovery against LIGA,

yet obstruct LIGA from obtaining the information it is entitled to receive to evaluate whether the

claims are covered and its potential credits. By seeking recovery, LIGA avers that Plaintiffs “have

48 R. Doc. 187, pp. 15-16.

49 R. Doc. 187, pp. 16-17. Plaintiffs argue that LIGA’s non-asbestos authority only contemplates credits for

settlements with insurance companies, not non-insurers. R. Doc. 187, p. 18, citing Williams, 256 So. 3d at 1128, and

Brown, 165 So. 3d 1059.

50 R. Doc. 199, p. 2.

51 R. Doc. 199, p. 2.

opened the door” to allow LIGA to obtain information regarding settlements Plaintiffs have

received.52 Further, LIGA contends that Plaintiffs’ disclosure of the fact of settlement and the

names of the settling parties is insufficient, as LIGA requires the releases to learn the identity of

the insurers of the settling parties, as well as to confirm the scope of the settlement for itself.53 On

this note, LIGA argues that Plaintiffs’ settlement agreement with CF Industries should be produced

because it could identify an insurer responsible for that settlement. LIGA argues that

confidentiality can be maintained through production of the documents just to LIGA or in camera

to the Court.54 Finally, LIGA reiterates that it is entitled to the credits in La. R.S. § 22:2062(A)(2)

and is not limited to the credit in (A)(6), as found in Dempster.55

Both sides devote substantial argument to the issue of which statutory provision applies to

LIGA’s potential credits, i.e., La. R.S. § 22:2062(A)(2), La. R.S. § 22:2062(A)(6), or both. That

issue will be determined by the court at the appropriate time. For present purposes, LIGA is not

entitled to take any credits yet because LIGA’s insureds have not been found liable to Plaintiffs.56

For this reason, and as ultimately determined in each case cited by the parties considering similar

discovery requests by LIGA, the request for the settlement information is not ripe. See Becnel:

“As for the request for settlement amounts paid by others and settlement agreements reflecting

such payments, Defendants are clearly not entitled to discover that information at this stage of the

52 R. Doc. 199, p. 4. LIGA contends that Plaintiffs’ authority restricting disclosure of settlement information is not

applicable because LIGA was not involved in those cases. Id., citing Allison, 2010 WL 3384723 and Davis, 1990 WL

162844.

53 R. Doc. 199, p. 4.

54 R. Doc. 199, p. 5.

55 R. Doc. 199, p. 9. LIGA contends that Eagle could not amend its answer because discovery was closed and the trial

date was approaching, but the applicability of subsections (A)(2) and (A)(6) was not overruled.

56 At this point, the only settlement agreement Plaintiffs have entered is with a non-insurer, which Plaintiffs argue

does not give rise to a credit LIGA can take, but this is also an issue to be determined by the court at a later time, if

necessary.

proceedings;”57 Cortez: “the court finds the settlement amounts and settlement agreements are not

discoverable at this time,”58 and Bouillion: “The issue of whether the Plaintiff has used reasonable

efforts to exhaust all coverage limits is premature. Plaintiff cannot attempt to completely exhaust

all other coverage until it has obtained a judgement against one or more tortfeasors.”59 LIGA’s

efforts to argue otherwise are unavailing. LIGA can seek this information when the issue is ripe.

III. CONCLUSION

LIGA’s request for a list of amounts paid by Mr. Reulet’s health and accident insurers is

denied because Plaintiffs have not compiled this information and they have produced information

to permit LIGA to obtain and/or to calculate these amounts. LIGA is not entitled to the settlement

amounts or agreements at this time to evaluate potential credits because that issue is not yet ripe.

IT IS ORDERED that Motion to Compel Complete Responses to Discovery Requests,60

filed by Defendant Louisiana Insurance Guaranty Association, is DENIED.

Signed in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on June 13, 2022.

S

ERIN WILDER-DOOMES

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

57 R. Doc. 196, p. 1, quoting the order at R. Doc. 196-1, pp. 1-2 (Becnel, No. 19-14536, (E.D. La. Jan. 13, 2022), R.

Doc. 233 (Order on Motion January 13, 2022)). LIGA intends to appeal this ruling. R. Doc. 199, p. 4.

58 R. Doc. 210-1, p. 1, (Cortez, No. 20-2389 (E.D. La., Feb. 24, 2022), R. Doc. 415 (Order)). The Cortez court also

held that a Fed. R. Civ. P. 26 proportionality analysis favored withholding production, as the prejudice to Plaintiffs in

disclosure of confidential settlement terms outweighed the prejudice to LIGA. Id. at p. 3. Notably, an earlier decision

in Cortez was relied on by LIGA for its position on the statutory construction of the LIGA law. See R. Doc. 181-1,

pp. 6-8.

59 R. Doc. 194-1, p. 2, (Bouillion, No. 2018-2993 (Orleans Parish Civ. Dist. Ct., Jan. 5, 2022) (Written Reasons for

Judgment)). See also the judgment in Brazan, denying a very similar motion to compel filed by LIGA seeking

production of settlement information without an assignment of written reasons. R. Doc. 201 attaching January 26,

2022 Judgment denying LIGA’s Motion to Compel at R. Doc. 201-1, No. 2019-06170 (Orleans Parish Civ. Dist. Ct.,

Jan. 26, 2022) (Judgment), and LIGA’s Motion to Compel and Reply in support at R. Docs. 201-2 and 202-3. Except

for the discussion of Louisiana’s discovery rules (and two other discovery requests, which are related to Interrogatory

Nos. 5, 7 and RFP No. 4) the Brazan motion is very similar to the one LIGA filed in this case. Compare R. Doc. 201-

3 to R. Doc. 181-1. The Brazan reply appears nearly identical to, and was filed only three days before, the one filed

in this case, suggesting that the court considered similar information. Compare R. Doc. 201-2 to R. Doc. 199.

60 R. Doc. 181.