News from December 2008
Southeast Texas Record "Most Viewed Stories of 2008"
From suits against corporations to odd personal injury cases, a variety of stories caught the attention of Southeast Texas Record Web site readers.
U.S. Supreme Court asked to hear Texas exorcism case
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-The U.S. Supreme Court has been asked to hear the case of a former Texas woman who claims she was abused during a forced exorcism in 1996.
Lawsuits claim welding fumes cause Parkinson's-like illness
Carlile Law Firm in Marshall MARSHALL -- Two recently filed lawsuits filed in Marshall allege workers developed nervous system disorders because of exposure to welding fumes without adequate ventilation.
Lawsuit alleges man's death caused by lack of maintenance staff
MARSHALL � Attempting to fix an industrial dryer used in the process of pottery manufacturing, supervisor Frederick Beham climbed into the machine and attempted to make repairs when it restarted, crushing him to death.
Legally Speaking: For Better or Verse? Poetic Justices
In earlier installments of this series ("When Judges Get Cute," "Lyrical Law"), we examined how judges have used song lyrics and humor in writing judicial opinions. In this final segment, we'll look at how judges over the years have employed rhymed verse in their opinions.
La Marque ISD sued after it abandoned deeded property
GALVESTON � A deceased Galveston County woman's trust seeks to recover property allocated to the La Marque Independent School District 70 years ago after the latter reportedly stopped using the land.
Merry Christmas from the Jefferson County District Clerk's Office!
Jefferson County District Clerk Lolita Ramos and her staff held their annual Christmas party on Dec. 22, where the holiday cheer was just as plentiful as the daily legal filings.
Morgan's nonsuit motion contains apology to Jamail
John Morgan One local attorney has apologized in writing to another local attorney he alleged had acted unprofessionally while handling his divorce.
Developer sues supplier over property lien
Big Wheel Development Inc. has filed suit against Rural Pipe and Supply, alleging it failed to partially release a lien on 39 lots of a subdivision.
Justices deny appeal from man in state mental facility
Justice Charles Kreger BEAUMONT � Twenty years after a jury sent Andrew Sawyer Weller to a mental hospital instead of prison for killing his parents, Weller has lost a bid for freedom.
Man seeks full disability for work-related foot problem, sues employer
MARSHALL � While working as a press operator and general laborer for Exopack in December 2006, Larry Rosborough says he suffered a repetitive trauma to his left foot.
Louisiana courts the focus of new report
James Copland NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) - The Manhattan Institute's latest edition in its "Trial Lawyers, Inc." series explores the impact Louisiana's legal system has had on the state's slow population growth.
Lawyers behaving badly not limited to Jefferson County courts
In a local court, Judge Donald Floyd has twice had to issue stern warnings to misbehaving attorneys during an ongoing trial, but the theatrics in his court are nothing compared to the brawl that broke out between lawyers in a New Orleans courtroom recently.
Condo owners v. Mother Nature
Ike was the third-most destructive hurricane to ever make landfall in the U.S., an unprecedented weather event for Southeast Texas.
New business licenses/assumed names issued in Jefferson County
New business licenses/assumed names issued in Jefferson County, Dec. 11-17, 2008
Recent real estate foreclosures
Recent real estate foreclosures filed in Jefferson County
Recent patent infringement suits filed in U.S. District Courts
Recent patent infringement suits filed in the Eastern District of Texas, Dec. 11-12, 2008
This Just In: Recent civil suits filed in Jefferson County District Courts
Recent civil suits filed in Jefferson County District Courts, Dec. 8-11, 2008
Republican Huffman wins District 17 Senate seat
Joan Huffman (R) In a runoff election Dec. 16, Republican Joan Huffman successfully won the seat to represent District 17 in the Texas Senate.
The district includes portions of Jefferson, Harris, Brazoria, Fort Bend and Galveston counties.
Suit: Condo builder misled plaintiffs about units' safety behind Galveston seawall
Artist's rendering of the proposed Diamond Beach condominiums in Galveston GALVESTON � A Galveston County couple and a California woman claim a Galveston condominium builder misinformed them about the ability of the Galveston seawall to protect the property from hurricanes.