[B]Date Decided[/B]: May 10th, 2010
[B]Decided By[/B]: Louisiana Eastern District Court (federal)
[B]Court[/B]: U.S.D.C. E.D. Louisiana
[B]Citation[/B]: Gautreaux v. Tetra Applied Technologies, LLC., 2010 WL 1930925 (E.D. LA 2010)
[B]Background[/B]:
Anthony Gautreaux wasattempting to install seal rings on a drill pipe located on a drilling bargeowned by Tetra Applied Technologies LLC (“Tetra”) when he allegedly sufferedsevere and disabling injuries. At thetime of the injuries he was employed by Superior as a pipe thread representative. Gautreaux filed suit against Tetra seekingdamages in 2008 and amended his complaint to add Forest Oil as a defendantbecause the work causing his injuries came as a result of a job call out byForest Oil.
In response, ForestOil filed a third party claim against Superior alleging that it was oweddefense, indemnity, and additional insured status under a Master ServiceContract between them and Superior. Superior argues, however, that Forest Oil’s claims are prohibited underthe Louisiana Oilfield Anti-Indemnity Act. Both parties have filed a motion for summary judgment requestingdismissal of Gautreaux’s claims on the basis of the independent contractordefense. Read More…