Crystal B. Grantham, Wife and Fred C. Grantham, Jr. v. Avondale Industries, Inc., A/K/A Avondale Shipyards, Inc.

PATRICK E. HIGGINBOTHAM, Circuit Judge:

The sole issue raised by this appeal is whether the district court was bound by federal or state authority in considering a claim of immunity under federal law in this diversity action. We conclude that although the claim is grounded in state law, whether the state or federal rule of immunity applies is a federal question, and the district court was controlled by the decisions of this court. The district court followed decisions of the Louisiana courts that conflict with this circuit's precedent. We therefore reverse.

I

In 1989, Fred Grantham was a painter…