Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Louisiana

If you can prove that the wiring was defective and that was the direct cause of the refrigerator "blow out", you should be able to recover. You could sue in small claims court if you have to. You don't need an attorney there and can sue up to $5,000 in a justice of the peace court or $3,000 in city court.

The Judge may or may not give you 100% of the cost of the new fridge. The Judge may reduce the award depending on how old the old fridge was an how much life it had in it. In other words, if the old fridge was 10 years old, the judge may only give you $1,000 towards a brand new fridge. The defendant landlord could argue that he could have replaced a 10 year old fridge with a 10 year old fridge for less than that.

In any event, if you can show that the landlord is 100% responsible, talk to the landlord first. If you can't work anything out, then sue.