David Yates News
Doguet's Rice Milling secures 58K default judgment
A Beaumont company recently obtained a default judgment of more than $58,000 against a Houston company, which allegedly breached its contract because of an unpaid debt. Doguet's Rice Milling Co. filed suit against Perfected Foods Corp. on June 10 in Jefferson County District Court.
Continued: trial of discrimination suit against JC, Sheriff Mitch Woods
A discrimination claim originally brought against Jefferson County and its sheriff was set to go to trial Nov. 16 but was continued.
JC trial to focus on whether doc negligent for not ordering physical therapy
A plaintiff will try to persuade a jury her surgeon was negligent for not prescribing physical therapy following knee surgery.
New business licenses/assumed names issued in Jefferson County
DBA: 11/9 - 11/12/2015 License #:36708 Assumed Name:MOBILE EYE ASSOCIATES Address:3758 DURNESS WAY, HOUSTON, TX, 77025 Owner Name:JEFFREY S SNYDER O D & ASSOCIATES PC License #:36718 Assumed Name:SIMINO CRACKERS Address:12669 SIMINO DR., HAMSHIRE, TX, 77622 Owner Name:SIMINO WHITNEY C License #:36745 Assumed Name:DON LAFLEUR ENTERPRISE Address:160 E CROSBY, SOUR LAKE, TX, 77659 Owner Name:LAFLEUR DONNELL License #:36772 Assumed Name:LIAS TAX PREPARATIONS & NOTARY SERVICES Address:2736 ROYAL
Provost Umphrey Law Firm seeks to abate former partner’s suit
The equity partners at the Provost Umphrey Law Firm in Beaumont recently filed a motion to abate a lawsuit brought by a their former colleague, Paul ‘Chip’ Ferguson.
Dana Timaeus announces candidacy for 136th District Court in Beaumont
On Nov. 11 Beaumont attorney Dana Timaeus announced his candidacy for the 136th District Court while addressing a crowd gathered in front of the Jefferson County courthouse.
Tentative settlement reached in highly publicized AkinMears lawsuit
A tentative settlement has been reached in a lawsuit brought against AkinMears by a former employee who alleges the Houston firm, which he describes as a “mort tort warehouse,” fired him to avoid paying him millions of dollars.
Texas justices axe $1.2M pelvic mesh verdict against Johnson & Johnson
The Fifth Court of Appeals in Dallas recently reversed a $1.2 million jury verdict rendered against Johnson & Johnson for allegedly designing a defective pelvic mesh product. Linda Batiste, who justices say has a “complex” medical history, filed suit against Johnson & Johnson and its subsidiary, Ethicon, in Dallas County, alleging she was injured by the defendants’ polypropylene mesh. A jury found the medical product, the TVT-Obturator, was defectively designed, awarding Batiste $1.2 million
Fifth Circuit upholds amnesty injunction, Texas leaders praise ruling
In May, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit denied the Obama Administration’s motion for an emergency stay on an injunction halting the president’s executive amnesty order. On Nov. 9 the federal court upheld the injunction blocking its implementation until the case goes to trial.
Google, many others ask federal appeals court to end patent forum shopping
A host of retailers, online pioneers and tech developers are asking the U.S.
Beaumont appellate justices hear arguments on whether MeadWestvaco breached contract
On Nov. 5 justices seated on the Ninth Court appeals heard oral arguments on whether a multi-national corporation breached its contract with a Southeast Texas small business providing HVAC services. Way Service Ltd., a family-owned heating, ventilation and air conditioning company located in Vidor, filed suit against MeadWestvaco Corp. in 2011, claiming breach of contract. The case was tried in the 58th District Court in Jefferson County.
Tort reform video parodies $13.5M Red Bull did not give wings lawsuit
A new online video seeks to draw attention to trial lawyer abuse of consumer protection act laws by featuring a parody of a $13.5 million lawsuit against Red Bull, brought because the energy drink failed to give consumers wings.
Plaintiff seeks summary judgment in $1M suit against Groves Equipment Rental
A man who sued a driver and an equipment rental company after a collision with a truck has moved for summary judgment.
Suit alleging harassment, vandalism dismissed
A lawsuit brought by a Galveston County woman alleging domestic violence and vandalism has been dismissed. Heather Hughes Harris filed a lawsuit June 8 in Galveston County District Court against Ender Holland, also known as Dustin Chance Holland, and Hannah Scott, alleging property damage and harassment beginning in November 2014. Three months later, the parties filed notices of non-suits, court records show.
Plaintiff seeks to continue trip & fall suit against Gulf Coast Machine
A plaintiff who brought a trip and fall lawsuit against Gulf Coast Machine and Supply is seeking to continue the case.
Falling in a hospital lobby is not a med-mal claim, Texas SC rules
The Texas Supreme Court has further strengthened the line between health care liability claims and personal injury lawsuits, recently finding that a fall in a hospital lobby does not fall under the Texas Medical Liability Act. The Oct. 30 ruling stems from a suit brought by Louisa Reddic, who sued the East Texas Medical Center-Crockett after slipping on a floor mat between the hospital’s main entrance and the front desk.
AkinMears withdraws motion to seal suit exposing business dealings
In the face of continued coverage from national media outlets, AkinMears has withdrawn its motion to permanently seal a lawsuit alleging questionable business dealings committed by the Houston law firm. As previously reported, Amir Shenaq filed suit against AkinMears partners Truett Akin IV and Michelle Mears on Sept. 29 in Harris County District Court. Shenaq, the firm’s former chief business development officer, contends AkinMears fired him to avoid paying him more than $4 million for 14,000
Trial of slip & fall against Buffalo Wild Wings continued
The trial of a suit brought by a waitress who sued Buffalo Wild Wings Grill and Bar after slipping on the freshly mopped kitchen floor has been continued. Seeking exemplary damages for her injury, Amanda Beuhler filed suit against RC Port Arthur, doing business as Buffalo Wild Wings, on Dec. 13, 2013, in Jefferson County District Court.
Kilpatrick Townsend to merge with Dallas firm Crouch & Ramey
On Oct. 29 Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton announced its merger with Dallas-based Crouch & Ramey LLP, a 21-lawyer practice led by Cole Ramey.
Appeals court lifts injunction against Dream Street in fatal dram shop suit
On Oct. 29 the Ninth Court of Appeals dissolved a temporary injunction obtained in a dram shop suit brought against a nightclub and two individuals after a drunk driver allegedly killed a Nederland teen.