A group of 21 victims of the New Orleans New Year’s Day truck ramming attack, which killed 14 people and injured dozens, has filed a lawsuit against the city and contractors, alleging negligence and failure to protect the public.
The attack, carried out by Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who was inspired by the Islamic State group, occurred on Bourbon Street—one of the city’s busiest areas—on January 1.
The lawsuit was filed in Orleans Parish Civil District Court on Wednesday and claims that the city’s negligence and mismanagement created conditions that made the tragedy possible.
Victims of the Attack Seek Justice
The plaintiffs include survivors of the attack and family members of those who lost their lives, including Antoinette Klima, the lead plaintiff, whose partner Reggie Hunter was killed. Klima described the devastating loss of Hunter, the father of her 12-year-old son.
“I’ve survived Hurricane Katrina. I’ve lost loved ones before,” Klima said. “And still nothing compares to the pain of losing Reggie and having to break the news to our son.”
The victims are being represented by New Orleans-based law firm Maples & Connick and Chicago-based Romanucci & Blandin, a firm known for securing high-profile settlements, including a $27 million settlement for the family of George Floyd and a $98 million verdict for the family of Botham Jean.
What Went Wrong? Key Allegations of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit accuses the city of New Orleans, the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD), and two contractors—Mott MacDonald and Hard Rock Construction—of failing to implement effective security measures despite warnings about the potential for vehicle-ramming attacks.
Key allegations include:
1. Security Warnings Were Ignored
The lawsuit claims that city officials and contractors had prior knowledge of the potential risks. In April 2024, a contractor presented a scenario involving a truck turning onto Bourbon Street and ramming into pedestrians—precisely what occurred during the attack.
2. Bollard System Replacement Mishandled
The city was in the process of replacing an outdated and faulty bollard system (protective barriers designed to block vehicle access) ahead of the February Super Bowl in New Orleans. The plaintiffs argue that the focus on Super Bowl preparedness left New Year’s Eve and the Sugar Bowl poorly protected.
“The city of New Orleans so recklessly and outrageously mismanaged the timing of the bollard replacement system projects … that it left the obvious and significant target night of New Year’s and the Sugar Bowl badly exposed,” said attorney Michael Cerasa of Romanucci & Blandin.
3. Inadequate Police Barriers
The lawsuit states that the NOPD did not follow its own security plan, which called for a large truck as a barricade. Instead, officers used a smaller police cruiser, which the attacker easily maneuvered around in his rented F-150 truck.
4. Contractor Negligence
The city’s contractor, Mott MacDonald, is accused of installing “poorly designed and manufactured” security barriers that frequently malfunctioned and required replacement. Hard Rock Construction is being blamed for attempting to replace the bollards during one of the busiest nights of the year, exacerbating vulnerabilities.
A Preventable Tragedy with Long-Term Impacts
The lawsuit recounts the chaos and terror on Bourbon Street as victims crawled to safety amid life-threatening injuries. Many survivors are now struggling with severe physical injuries, emotional trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Daniel Ortega, a plaintiff from Alabama, described the long-term psychological impact:
“I have been experiencing a lot of nightmares that have caused me to go endless nights without sleep and continue to prevent me from attending public places during busy hours,” he said in a written statement.
City Officials and Contractors Decline to Comment
The New Orleans Police Department, the French Quarter Management District, and other defendants have declined to comment on the lawsuit, citing pending litigation. However, the case could become complex as more details emerge, and attorneys suggest that additional defendants may be added as responsibility is pieced together.
Piecing together the responsibility will be a “jigsaw puzzle,” according to attorneys, given the involvement of multiple agencies and contractors.
Seeking Compensation, But “The Losses Are Immeasurable”
Attorney Antonio Romanucci, representing the plaintiffs, said it is too early to determine how much the victims will seek in damages, but he emphasized that no amount of compensation can truly make up for the losses.
“The losses here are immeasurable,” Romanucci said, noting that many victims face lifelong injuries and emotional trauma.
The lawsuits aim to hold city officials and contractors accountable for their alleged failure to prevent a known threat. As New Orleans prepares for the upcoming Super Bowl, the case could bring changes to security protocols and public safety measures.
For the victims and their families, the lawsuits represent a step toward justice and accountability in the wake of a preventable tragedy.