Trauth v. Avondale Shipyard, Inc. et al
Filing
58
ORDER AND REASONS Granting 51 Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim. Party Huntington Ingalls Incorporated is Dismissed. Granting 53 Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply. Signed by Judge Jay C. Zainey on 10/24/2016. (ajn)
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
EASTERN DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA
LOUIS F. TRAUTH, JR.
CIVIL ACTION
VERSUS
NO: 14-1680
AVONDALE SHIPYARD, INC.
SECTION: "A" (3)
ORDER AND REASONS
Before the Court is a Motion to Dismiss (Rec. Doc. 51) filed by defendant
Huntington Ingalls Inc. (Avondale). Plaintiff Louis R. Trauth, Jr. pro se has filed an
opposition. The motion, scheduled for submission on October 19, 2016, is before the
Court on the briefs without oral argument. 1
Pro se plaintiff Louis F. Trauth, Jr. has filed a Complaint for Damages (Rec. Doc.
3) against Avondale alleging that he was exposed to asbestos while employed at its
shipbuilding facility. 2 Trauth alleges that he was employed with Avondale from 19651969. (Comp. && 1, 8, 9). On June 6, 2014, Trauth was diagnosed with asbestosis. (Id.
& 21). Trauth seeks recovery for physical injuries as well as mental anguish. (Id. & 30).
Avondale now moves to dismiss the claims against it contending that Trauth has
failed to state a claim for relief. Avondale argues that Trauth's claims are barred by
1
The motion was originally noticed for submission on September 21, 2016. The Court granted
Trauth's request for additional time to oppose the motion because in addition to being
unrepresented, Trauth is incarcerated out of state.
2
AT&T Corp. and BellSouth Telecommunications, LLC have already been dismissed from the
case. (Rec. Doc. 30).
1
Louisiana's Worker's Compensation Law.
In the context of a motion to dismiss the Court must accept all factual allegations
in the complaint as true and draw all reasonable inferences in the plaintiff=s favor.
Lormand v. US Unwired, Inc., 565 F.3d 228, 232 (5th Cir. 2009) (citing Tellabs, Inc. v.
Makor Issues & Rights, Ltd., 551 U.S. 308 (2007); Scheuer v. Rhodes, 416 U.S. 232,
236 (1974); Lovick v. Ritemoney, Ltd., 378 F.3d 433, 437 (5th Cir. 2004)). However, the
foregoing tenet is inapplicable to legal conclusions. Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 129 S. Ct. 1937,
1949 (2009). Thread-bare recitals of the elements of a cause of action, supported by
mere conclusory statements, do not suffice. Id. (citing Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly,
550, U.S. 544, 555 (2007)).
The central issue in a Rule 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss is whether, in the light
most favorable to the plaintiff, the complaint states a valid claim for relief. Gentilello v.
Rege, 627 F.3d 540, 544 (5th Cir. 2010) (quoting Doe v. MySpace, Inc., 528 F.3d 413,
418 (5th Cir. 2008)). To avoid dismissal, a plaintiff must plead sufficient facts to Astate a
claim for relief that is plausible on its face.@ Id. (quoting Iqbal, 129 S. Ct. at 1949). AA
claim has facial plausibility when the plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court
to draw the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct
alleged.@ Id. The Court does not accept as true Aconclusory allegations, unwarranted
factual inferences, or legal conclusions.@ Id. (quoting Plotkin v. IP Axess, Inc., 407 F.3d
690, 696 (5th Cir. 2005)).
Legal conclusions must be supported by factual allegations.
Id. (quoting Iqbal, 129 S. Ct. at 1950).
The claims against Avondale are governed by state law. Asbestosis has been an
2
occupational disease covered by Louisiana's Worker's Compensation scheme since
1952. Rando v. Anco Insuls., Inc., 16 So. 3d 1065 (La. 2009); Alexander v. Thiokol
Corp., 887 So. 2d 685 (La. App. 3d Cir. 2004). Worker's compensation benefits are the
exclusive remedy of an employee against his employer for an injury or disease arising
out of and in the course of employment, except for those injuries resulting from
intentional acts. Austin v. Abney Mills, Inc., 824 So. 2d 1137, 1141 (La. 2002) (citing
La. R.S. ' 23:1032). Trauth alleges no pre-1952 exposure to asbestos, and he alleges
no facts to suggest that his injuries arise out of intentional acts. Thus, he fails to state a
claim against Avondale for damages related to his asbestosis diagnosis.
In his opposition Trauth states that his claims should not be barred by state
worker's compensation because some of the vessels that he worked aboard were under
contract for the United States Navy. Trauth seems to suggest that in light of this federal
nexus, state workers compensation law should be cast aside so that he can pursue a
Jones Act claim.
This argument lacks merit. Giving Trauth’s Complaint the most liberal of
readings, no facts are alleged to support seaman status. As Avondale notes in its
opposition, if the Louisiana Worker’s Compensation Act (LWCA) did not apply in this
case, then the Longshore Harbor Worker’s Compensation Act (LHWCA) would apply,
and a tort suit against Avondale would likewise be barred.
Accordingly, and for the foregoing reasons;
IT IS ORDERED that the Motion for Extension of Time (Rec. Doc. 53) filed by
Plaintiff is GRANTED;
3
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Motion to Dismiss (Rec. Doc. 51) filed by
defendant Huntington Ingalls Inc. (Avondale) is GRANTED. The Complaint is dismissed
as to this defendant.
October 24, 2016
JAY C. ZAINEY
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
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