Both lawsuits contain similar allegations and were filed by attorney Jimmy Faircloth in the 15th Judicial District Court in Lafayette. Faircloth once served as executive counsel to former Gov. Bobby Jindal.
The health care plaintiffs are seeking temporary and permanent injunctions against the vaccine mandates, as well as declaratory judgements against Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center and Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center.
Ochsner Lafayette General is south Louisiana’s largest regional health system with more than 4,500 employees across the flagship Ochsner Lafayette General Medical Center and six separately owned or managed hospital affiliates.
The Ochsner lawsuit asserts Louisiana citizens have “a fundamental right to decide whether to obtain or reject medical treatment” as outlined in the state constitution, state law and court rulings regarding informed consent and invasion of privacy.
The lawsuit also cites scientific claims that COVID-19 vaccines do not prevent the transmission of the virus.
“There is no longer any serious argument that mandating vaccines will prevent transmission or eradicate the disease as previously claimed,” the court filing reads. “Nevertheless, Defendant is attempting to force Plaintiffs, and others, to undergo vaccination for COVID-19 over their personal objections and in disregard of their uniquely well-informed understanding of the virus and treatment options.
“In the best possible light, these hospital mandates are a misguided effort to participate in a public health crusade by coercing private-sector employees to undergo medical treatment for their own good and the good of the public at large.”
This article was originally published by Washington Examiner. Read the full article.
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