David Yates News
Judge seals suit exposing AkinMears business dealings
Citing irreparable harm, a Houston judge recently sealed a breach of contract suit against AkinMears – a suit exposing questionable business dealings allegedly committed by firm.
‘Mass tort warehouse’ fires fund officer to avoid paying him millions for acquiring 14,000 mesh claims, suit alleges
The Houston law firm AkinMears allegedly fired its business development officer in order to avoid paying him millions of dollars for the thousands of medical mesh lawsuits he acquired for the firm, according to a recent lawsuit.
Texas AG applauds stay of ‘illegal’ water rule
On Oct. 9 a federal court halted the Obama Administration’s new waters of the U.S.
Texas AG sues Volkswagen over environmental violations
On Oct. 8 Attorney General Ken Paxton filed suit against Volkswagen and Audi over violations of state consumer protection laws, along with a separate suit charging that the companies violated clean air standards in Texas.
Appeals court affirms summary judgment win for Beaumont YMCA
A Texas appeals court recently affirmed a lower court’s ruling granting summary judgment in favor of the Young Men’s Christian Association of Beaumont.
Arnold & Itkin seek summary judgment in $4M suit for not paying client referrals
Arnold & Itkin are seeking summary judgment in a $4 million suit brought by a man alleging the Houston law firm refused to pay him for personal injury clients he solicited for the lawyers.
Toxic tort firm increases Gulf Coast presence
A Delaware-based asbestos law firm has expanded into Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi, increasing its presence along the Gulf Coast. According to an Oct. 5 press release, Maron Marvel Bradley & Anderson added 32 attorneys, all of whom focus their practices on toxic tort litigation, products liability and environmental litigation. “Our goal, from the very founding of our firm, has been to become the premier mass toxic tort firm in the country – this move helps get us there,” said James J.
Aetna seeks sanctions against North Cypress in $120M kickback suit
Aetna Life Insurance recently filed a motion for sanctions in its against fraudulent billing case against North Cypress Medical Center As previously reported, Aetna filed suit against North Cypress and CEO, Dr. Robert Behar, on Feb. 23 in the U.S.
SCOTUS declines to hear $2.1M 'Whoomp! (There It Is)' royalty case
Justices seated on the U.S.
Jefferson County: $1M Jones Act suit settles before trial
A Jones Act suit seeking more than $1 million in damages was slated for trail on Oct. 6 but settled before a jury could be called in and selected.
Woman sues ADT after burglary, assault by three men
Alleging her security system failed to detect a break in of her Jefferson County home, Betty Kotz has filed suit against ADT Security Systems. The suit was filed Sept. 29 in Jefferson County District Court and also names Tyco Integrated Security as a defendant. According to the lawsuit, Kotz has been an ADT customer for many years.
Trial of suit alleging barge inspector thrown from gangway starts
Jury selection began Oct. 5 in the trial of a suit brought by Michael Stelly, who claims he stepped onto a gangway that gave way and nearly tossed him into the water after finishing his barge inspection. On March 4, 2013, Stelly filed suit against OilTanking of Beaumont, Amspec Services and Harley Marine in Jefferson County district Court. The trial is expected to last approximately two weeks, according to a courthouse official.
Gulf States, federal government announce settlement with BP over Deepwater Horizon spill
On Oct. 5 Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that Texas, together with four states and the federal government, reached a settlement with BP that fully resolves all remaining government claims against the company resulting from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster.
On cockroaches and some asbestos attorneys
La cucaracha, la cucaracha Ya no puede caminar.
Jefferson County 136th Court District : November 2015
SAN AUGUSTINE DEVELOPMENT V.
Texas Congressman says asbestos reform needed to protect veterans, first responders
A U.S. Congressman from Texas says reform is needed to stop trial lawyers from draining billions of dollars from asbestos trust funds – money set aside for veterans, firefighters, industrial workers and other Americans suffering from an asbestos-related illness.
Slip & fall at ice machine results in suit against Valero
Valero Energy was recently hit with a slip and fall lawsuit seeking up to $200,000 in damages.
Texas, Harris County launch $100M suit against Volkswagen over ‘emissions scandal’
Harris County and the state of Texas have brought a $100 million environmental suit against Volkswagen, alleging the auto manufacture installed software to fool emissions testing of its clean diesel vehicles.
Record number of physicians flock to Texas, group credits tort reform
Since Texas enacted medical liability reforms more than a decade ago, physicians have been migrating to the Lone Star State in record numbers nearly every year, with an all time record high in 2015.
Two district judges at Beaumont courthouse retiring
Two of the four district judges who handle Jefferson County’s civil case load will hang up their robes at the end of next year.