David Yates News
Benzene suit filed against Texaco, 36 other companies for toxic emissions
BEAUMONT – a Benzene lawsuit has been brought against Texaco and 36 other corporate defendants.
Potential asbestos suit filed against Chevron, Texaco
BEAUMONT – The Provost Umphrey Law Firm is seeking to investigate the merits of a potential asbestos lawsuit against Chevron USA and Texaco. Through PU attorney Keith Hyde, Diana Wyble filed a petition to perpetuate the testimony of Harry Doyle on May 20 in Jefferson County District Court.
Status conference held in suit against indicted Layne Walker, former judge wants case dismissed
BEAUMONT – A Status conference was held May 23 in a suit against a former district judge who had a process server arrested for allegedly disrupting his court.
State Farm continues win streak against Mostyn, victorious following hail trial
State Farm continues to pile up its victories against Houston attorney Steve Mostyn and his firm, coming out on top in a recent hail trial in Dallas County.
The battle for fees and cases, bankruptcy court competition ‘run amok,’ says law professor
HOUSTON - When Enron filed for bankruptcy, the troubled energy firm, like many major Texas companies before and after, opted for an east coast venue, rather than litigate in a Houston federal courtroom only a few blocks away.
Barratry class action against hail firm alleges ‘elaborate web of fraud’
DALLAS - A piece of barratry litigation out of Dallas County alleges Texas hail lawyers, public adjusters and roofers are currently involved in an “elaborate web of fraud” to “line their pockets” by taking advantage of storm victims. Last March, Ambrocia Ortega filed a RICO suit against several business and individuals, alleging an “Insurance Claim Contract” had been executed with defendant Lambcorp in 2013 to repair the plaintiff’s roof.
Jefferson County sues Beaumont, wants more money to house city prisoners
Jefferson County recently sued the city of Beaumont, seeking to force the city to pay more money for housing its prisoners.
JC auto collision suit settles
Before a jury could be selected, a Jefferson County man who claims he was injured in a collision settled.
Injury suit against local company settles before trial
BEAUMONT - A Harris County resident who sued after sustaining injuries while unloading tank trucks filled with chemical product has settled his lawsuit.
PU, ExxonMobil reach settlements in suits over refinery blast
BEAUMONT – More than three years after a deadly explosion at its Beaumont, Texas, refinery, ExxonMobil has settled negligence lawsuits filed by the parents of two workers who were killed and six others who were injured in the April 17, 2013 blast. The Provost Umphrey Law Firm in Beaumont represents the family members.
Attorney sues Law Offices of Gilbert T. Adams, seeks $5M punitive award and TRO to save father’s desk
A former attorney at the Law Offices of Gilbert T.
Texas governor, AG applaud state SC ruling on school financing
AUSTIN - Texas’ highest court upheld the state’s public funding system as constitutional on Friday, opining that it’s not the judiciary’s role to “second-guess whether our system is optimal.” Gov. Greg Abbott issued a statement calling the ruling “a victory for Texas taxpayers and the Texas Constitution.” “The Supreme Court's decision ends years of wasteful litigation by correctly recognizing that courts do not have the authority to micromanage the state's school finance system,” Abbott said.
Ninth Court axes whistleblower suit against BISD
BEAUMONT – On Thursday the Ninth Court of Appeals dismissed a whistleblower suit against the Beaumont Independent School District. Shaunte Guillory made local headlines in early December when she filed suit against BISD in Jefferson County District Court, alleging she was demoted from principal at Mae Jones-Clark Elementary to assistant principal at King Middle School after making a complaint about Assistant Superintendent Dwaine Augustine.
April showers bring May storm suits; 113 filed in Webb County in 4 days
HOUSTON – Spring has definitely come in like a lion in Texas so far, but no lamb is in sight yet as a torrent of storm lawsuits are currently flooding state courts.
Provost Umphrey names 26 corporate defendants in benzene suit
More than two-dozen corporations have been named as defendants in a benzene lawsuit brought by the Provost Umphrey Law Firm in Beaumont.
Business defamation case set to be dismissed for want of prosecution
Nearly two years ago, a human resources company and its owner sued multiple defendants, accusing them of ruining its business reputation.
Judge Alvarez declines to sanction hail attorney
A federal judge who recently threatened to sanction a hail attorney declined to do so following a Friday hearing.
Federal judge considers sanctioning Mostyn for bringing baseless hail claims
MCALLEN - On Friday morning Houston attorney Steve Mostyn found himself 400 miles from home in the small border town of McAllen, forced to stand in front of a federal judge to explain why he shouldn't be sanctioned for bringing factually unsupported hail suits against insurers.
Status conference set in suit accusing Premrl Construction of shoddy work
GALVESTON – A status conference date has been set in a lawsuit brought by two homeowners accusing a construction company of poor workmanship on a project on their home.
Mostyn sued, attorney’s storm damage expert alleges breach of contract
HOUSTON - One of the outfits “Hurricane” Steve Mostyn uses to calculate the damages a storm inflicts upon a client’s property is suing the Houston attorney for breach of contract. Seeking more than $700,000 in past due invoices, Quinney Holdings, doing business as Loss Solutions, filed suit against Mostyn and his firm on May 2 in Harris County District Court.