How to Erie-guess

On rehearing, the Fifth Circuit returned to the case of Echeverry v. Jazz Casino to make an Erie guess about Louisiana negligent-hiring law–specifically, whether it requires actual knowledge or only constructive knowledge. Finding its own precedent, and no on-point Louisiana Supreme Court opinion, the Court then reviewed intermediate-court opinions and “general Louisiana principles of negligence and negligent hiring outside of the context of independent contractors” to conclude that constructive knowledge was sufficient. It declined to certify the issue, reminding that “the availability of certification is such an important resource to this court that we will not risk its continued availability by going to that well too often.” No. 20-30038 (Feb. 17, 2021) (on rehearing).