Judgment Affirmed Against Louisiana DOT and Contractor in Work Zone Drop-Off Fatality

A Louisiana motorist died of injuries received in a crash where a pavement refinishing project ended in an unmarked drop-off across the travel lane. Although construction zone signs were posted, there was no edge striping and the center stripes were partially obscured. When the motorist’s widow sued the state and the highway construction company, the trial court awarded damages of more than $1,100,000. The state appealed the assignment of fault and the amount of damages. The appeals court affirmed.