Liskow Secures Summary Judgment Win Affirming Statutory Employer Status

Court denies plaintiff's request for discovery, finding Methanex entitled to tort immunity under Louisiana Workers' Compensation Act

Mar. 24, 2026 at 8:09am

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Liskow & Lewis law firm secured a complete summary judgment for their client Methanex in a personal injury lawsuit, with the court finding that Methanex was the statutory employer of the plaintiff under the Louisiana Workers' Compensation Act and therefore entitled to tort immunity. The court denied the plaintiff's request for additional discovery, ruling that the plaintiff failed to explain how the evidence sought would impact the statutory employer determination and had not diligently pursued discovery.

Why it matters

This case affirms that statutory employers in Louisiana are protected from tort liability for non-intentional injuries to workers, even if the worker was employed by a different company on the worksite. The ruling highlights the importance of clearly establishing statutory employer status early in litigation to avoid lengthy discovery disputes and secure dismissal of claims.

The details

The plaintiff filed a personal injury lawsuit against Methanex and several other defendants after allegedly sustaining injuries while working for Turner Industries at Methanex's plant in Geismar, Louisiana. Methanex removed the case to federal court and moved for summary judgment, arguing it was the plaintiff's statutory employer under the Louisiana Workers' Compensation Act and therefore entitled to tort immunity. The plaintiff opposed the motion, seeking additional discovery under Rule 56(d). However, the court found the plaintiff failed to explain how the requested discovery would impact the statutory employer determination and had not diligently pursued discovery. Ultimately, the court granted summary judgment for Methanex, finding the undisputed facts showed Methanex was the plaintiff's statutory employer based on its contract with Turner and the nature of the turnaround work the plaintiff was performing.

  • The personal injury incident occurred at Methanex's Geismar, Louisiana plant.
  • The plaintiff filed the lawsuit in the 19th Judicial District Court for East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana.
  • Methanex removed the case to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana.

The players

Methanex USA, LLC

A subsidiary of Methanex Corporation, a major producer and supplier of methanol.

Methanex Louisiana, LLC

Another subsidiary of Methanex Corporation involved in the case.

Turner Industries Group LLC

The company the plaintiff was working for at the time of the incident at the Methanex plant.

Knight

The plaintiff who filed the personal injury lawsuit against Methanex and other defendants.

Liskow & Lewis

The law firm that represented Methanex and secured the summary judgment win.

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The takeaway

This ruling affirms the broad protections afforded to statutory employers in Louisiana under the workers' compensation system, even when the injured worker is employed by a different company on the worksite. It underscores the importance for companies like Methanex to clearly establish their statutory employer status early in litigation to avoid lengthy discovery disputes and secure dismissal of tort claims.