Date: 10-18-2017

Case Style: Nikola P. Vekic v. Dragutin Popich, Mary A. Popich and Helen Harris Popich

Case Number: 2017-C-0698

Judge: Genovese

Court: Supreme Court of Louisiana on appeal from the Circuit Court, St. Bernard Parish

Plaintiff's Attorney: Not Available

Defendant's Attorney: Not Available

Description: This case concerns a contractual dispute regarding which party is entitled to the proceeds from the BP oil spill settlement for damages to certain oyster leases. We disagree with the Court of Appeal and find that the trial court did not err in accepting evidence beyond the four corners of the contract at issue and did not manifestly err in its factual findings and ultimate interpretation that the agreement at issue entitled the plaintiff to the settlement proceeds for property damage to the leases at issue. For the foregoing reasons, we reverse the Court of Appeal’s decision and reinstate the trial court’s judgment.

Outcome: Reversed

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

Comments: