Christopher “Chris” Billings is a Partner in the Baton Rouge office. His principal areas of practice include Products Liability, Class Actions and Mass Tort, Toxic Tort, General Casualty Litigation, Insurance, Healthcare, and Commercial Litigation.

Chris joined BS&W in 2008 after graduating from LSU Law School, and, since that time, he has developed a broad civil litigation practice.

Products Liability

Chris has defended businesses in suits arising out of the alleged manufacture and/or sale of various types of alleged defective products (e.g., Motorcycles, ATVs, H-VAC systems, Chemical Products, Valves/Gauges, etc.). Chris has deep knowledge of Louisiana law as it relates to the duties and responsibilities of manufacturers and non-manufacturer sellers, alike, including the Louisiana Products Liability Act (“LPLA”) and Louisiana’s laws on Redhibition.

Class Actions / Mass Tort Litigation

Chris is an integral part of the firm’s Class Action Defense team representing companies facing class actions and other mass tort litigation across a broad spectrum of industries including healthcare, insurance, chemical, and construction. He has successfully defended companies against class certification, secured dismissal of class representatives’ claims, and negotiated favorable settlements.

Toxic Tort / Environmental Litigation

Chris has represented premises owners, manufacturers, and other companies in suits by individuals arising out of alleged exposure to asbestos and other hazardous products, chemicals, and substances.

General Casualty Litigation

Chris has represented numerous municipalities, political subdivisions, companies and individuals (both individually and through their insurances companies) in all types of personal injury litigation, including but not limited to:

• Trucking and other Automobile Accident Claims

• Medical Malpractice

• Premises Liability (slip/trip and fall)

• Sports and other recreational activity related injuries (In connection with this work, Chris has successfully utilized Louisiana’s Recreational Immunity Statute (La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 9:2795) to obtain dismissal of suits against landowners for injuries arising out of recreational activities performed on land made available to the public.)

Insurance

Chris has litigated numerous insurance coverage issues, and has experience representing both sides (insurers and insureds) in various types of coverage disputes involving all kinds of insurance policies—whether it is helping an insured obtain coverage for a claim, accident, or occurrence under an existing policy, or assisting an insurance company in contesting coverage pursuant to the policy’s terms, conditions, and/or exclusions.

Commercial Litigation

Chris has extensive knowledge and experience representing companies involved in commercial disputes, specializing primarily in issues arising out of transference of liability through contractual indemnity provisions. Chris has also represented numerous healthcare providers and healthcare data management companies against claims and actions arising out of alleged improper billing and collection practices, including several Class Actions arising out of Louisiana’s Health Care and Consumer Billing and Disclosure Protection Act (aka the “Balance Billing Act”).

Healthcare

Mr. Billings has successfully defended hospitals and other healthcare providers in numerous premises liability actions (e.g., slip and falls), medical malpractice actions, and class actions based on alleged improper billing practices.