August 29 was the last day that Louisiana residents could file lawsuits against their insurers alleging that their insurers did not properly adjust, or pay, their Hurricane-Katrina related claims.  Louisiana had previously extended the time in which parties had to file lawsuits arising out of Katrina-related damage, on property claims from one to two years.

Media reports  state that approximately 650 Katrina-related insurance coverage lawsuits were filed in the Eastern District Court of New Orleans during the last three days that lawsuits could be filed.   Reportedly over 7,000 Katrina-related insurance coverage lawsuits have been filed since Katrina hit New Orleans on August 29, 2005.

Similarly, there was a flurry of filings in the state courts.  During the same three days, the Orleans Parish Civil District Court  reportedly received 2,335 new lawsuits, almost all of which are reportedly Katrina-related.  Another local court, the St. Bernard Parish court, reportedly received 500 to 600 lawsuits during those days, while reportedly receiving only 84 new lawsuits during the entire year before August 27.

We will continue to monitor Katrina-related developments and provide updates at InsureReinsure.com.