News from September 2014
Our View: You've fooled us too many times, Judge Barbier
We don't want to think badly of people, but we don't want to be played for fools either, and when we see the same person engaging in the same suspicious behavior over and over again, we get – suspicious.
Attorney: Texas asbestos decision ‘absolutely not’ gaining traction in other jurisdictions
ST. LOUIS (Legal Newsline) – A Texas defense attorney recently said that as asbestos litigation changes, the laws governing legal causation must also change – and the recent Bostic decision from the Texas Supreme Court is a prime example of that change despite the fact that it is not having a nationwide impact yet.
Paxton a ‘weak’ candidate for Texas AG benefiting from GOP reign, professor says
AUSTIN (Legal Newsline) – Texans are no stranger to droughts, especially Democrats who run for state offices in the Lone Star State.
MDL judge ready to dismiss asbestos cases without mandated medical reports; Attorneys say law is unconstitutional
A Texas judge is ready to dismiss more than a 1,000 asbestos and silica cases for failing to have medical reports filed by a Sept. 1 deadline, but the plaintiffs’ attorneys say that deadline is unconstitutional.
Teacher accuses BISD of rights violations
A Jefferson County woman alleges she lost her teaching job under false pretenses and without proper procedure being followed.Pearline Arline filed a lawsuit Aug. 22 in the Beaumont Division of the Eastern District of Texas against the Beaumont Independent School District and Timothy Chargois.Arline says she was a contract employee with the Beaumont School District as an adult education teacher, a position
Woman accused of backing into vehicle in Dickinson
Two Galveston County women say they were hurt when another woman allegedly drove out of a driveway and crashed into them.Virginia Ramos and Dolores Gloria Bautista filed a lawsuit Aug. 21 in Galveston County District Court against Chelsea Leeann Murray. According to the complaint, Ramos was driving an Isuzu Rodeo with Bautista as a passenger in Dickinson in October 2012. As they were stopped in traffic
Port Arthur homeowners accused of not paying mortgage for years
The owners of a Port Arthur house are being threatened with foreclosure for allegedly failing to pay mortgage for nearly five years. LaSalle Bank NA, as trustee and on behalf of the holders of Bear Stearns Asset-Backed Securities I Trust 2004-HE10 and Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2004-HE10, filed a lawsuit Aug. 19 in Jefferson County District Court against Bobby Perry and Don Perry Sr.According
Port Arthur property owner allegedly owes $34K in past-due mortgage
The owner of three Port Arthur properties is being threatened with foreclosure for allegedly not making payments on a loan for nearly five years. Lillian Wilson, an accounting and bookkeeping company, filed a lawsuit in Jefferson County District Court on Aug. 25 against Patricia Fairman.According to the petition, Fairman originally borrowed more than $17,000 in August 2009, encumbering two properties
Judge rules BP will not get restitution for claims paid under flawed calculations
NEW ORLEANS – A federal judge has denied BP’s request to reclaim hundreds of millions of dollars in claims payments the company says would not have been paid to Deepwater Horizon oil spill claimants if a settlement agreement had properly been followed from its inception.
Judge asks accused to defend actions in alleged BP 'money laundering' scheme
NEW ORLEANS – Four attorneys accused of corruption in the massive Deepwater Horizon oil spill settlement were called before a federal judge this week to explain why they shouldn’t be sanctioned or barred from representing claimants in the case.
Woman blames alleged head injury on Beaumont man
A Beaumont man is being blamed for a head injury a woman allegedly received when attacked at his house.
Jefferson County woman says she is owed money for managing co-owned property
A Jefferson County woman seeks to be paid for managing property she co-owns in Beaumont.
Harris County man accuses TESCO of discrimination, retaliation
A Harris County man alleges he was fired from TESCO because he accused supervisors of racial discrimination.
Man accused of driving drunk, killing pregnant woman
The family of a pregnant woman allegedly killed by a drunk driver is suing the driver and the bar they say served drinks to the man.
ENGlobal denied motion to dismiss by appeals court
ENGlobal fought a Jefferson County court's decision to deny its motion to dismiss a contract suit but had it's appeal shot down by a Beaumont court.
Restaurant workers have harassment case remanded
Two women who filed a sexual harassment complaint against the Mexican restaurant where they worked have had their case sent back to trial court after an appeal.
Lloyd’s of London sued after alleged breach of contract, bad faith claims handling post-Hurricane Isaac
NEW ORLEANS – A man is suing his insurance company for allegedly undervaluing damage to several of his properties following Hurricane Isaac.
Harris County Sheriff's deputy alleges social media policy violates rights
A Harris County Sheriff's deputy alleges his First Amendment rights are being violated because of a recent social media policy put in place by his boss. Carl Pittman filed a lawsuit Aug. 8 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas against Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia. According to the lawsuit, Garcia enacted a social media policy July 16 that would apply to Pittman and all other
Abbott, Davis focus on differences in first debate
In the first debate in the Texas race for governor Friday night, the two candidates both did a good job pointing out the differences between themselves.
Three judges nominated for US Courts in Texas
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The White House announced last week that President Barack Obama has nominated three judges to fill vacancies in Texas federal courts.