David Yates News
Supreme Court to determine future of employer arbitration agreements, lower courts divided on issue
NEW ORLEANS – Earlier this month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit sided against the National Labor Relations Board, finding that Convergys Corp. has the right to require employees to arbitrate disputes against the company, keeping them from initiating class action lawsuits.
Dispute over election of PA City Council position set for trial in November
PORT ARTHUR – In May, Tiffany Hamilton was a candidate for Port Arthur City Councilmember for District 2, losing the race by three votes.
Now in trial: suit alleging barge inspector thrown from gangway
BEAUMONT - Jury selection began Aug. 14 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.
Continued: $1M slip and fall suit against Baptist Hospitals
BEAUMONT – A slip and fall lawsuit against a Beaumont hospital that was previously set for trial in September has been continued.
Fifth Circuit affirms dismissal of civil rights suit against former JC Judge Layne Walker
BEAUMONT – On Aug. 9, The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit affirmed a federal court’s dismissal of a civil rights suit brought by African-American attorney Stella Morrison against former 252nd District Judge Layne Walker.
President of Mostyn’s Texas Association of Consumer Lawyers arrested, violent behavior was ‘fueled by alcohol’
DALLAS – The president of the Texas Association of Consumer Lawyers was recently arrested for assaulting several people while apparently intoxicated.
Texas AG files intervenes in property tax suit against Dumas ISD
AUSTIN— On Aug. 9, Attorney General Ken Paxton intervened in a property tax lawsuit against Dumas Independent School District, stating that the district violated state law and the Texas Constitution when it reduced the district’s local option homestead exemption.
East Texas jury levies $21M verdict against Hughes Network Systems for patent infringement
MARSHALL – An East Texas jury recently found Hughes Network Systems should pay a defense contractor more than $21 million in damages for infringing a broadband patent used at offshore drilling sites.
Baron & Budd investigating potential claims against Cardinal Health
DALLAS - The Texas-based law firm of Baron & Budd is investigating potential claims related to allegations that Cardinal Health rounded the time worked each day by its employees in the company’s favor, which may have resulted in an underpayment of wages to affected employees.
Texas AG files brief in 5th Circuit to defund Planned Parenthood
AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton is urging the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit to overturn a district court decision that blocked Texas from cutting off state Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood.
Justices keep M.D. Anderson locked in med-mal over clinical trial death
HOUSTON – An appellate court recently found that the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center does not have governmental immunity in a medical malpractice complaint.
Texas ACLU demands communications between Paxton and Trump on DACA
HOUSTON — On Aug. 7, the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, along with affiliates in 9 other states and the national ACLU, filed open records requests demanding copies of any communications between the Texas Office of the Attorney General and the federal government regarding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
Dismissed: Lawsuit against McCarthy Burgess & Wolfe
SHERMAN – A Plano alleging that a debt collector unlawfully contacted him has voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit.
Ninth Court affirms ruling dismissing Delta Downs from $1M dram shop suit
BEAUMONT — A dram shop suit against a Louisiana casino doesn’t belong in a Texas district court, according to an Aug. 3 opinion issued by the Ninth Court of Appeals.
Baron & Budd brings suit against pharmaceutical distributors for alleged role in creating opioid crisis
DALLAS – On Aug. 2, the Dallas law firm of Baron & Budd announced that they have filed lawsuits on behalf of four Ohio counties against the nation’s largest pharmaceutical distributors for their alleged role in the widespread diversion of prescription opiates for nonmedical purposes.
United Airlines employee caught on video pushing man down countersues
HOUSTON – In June, Ronald Tigner, an area attorney, filed suit against United Airlines, alleging two years ago a pair of employees laughed at him, cursed at him and physically injured him for asking for a new boarding pass.
Suit brought against Port Arthur over police lieutenant position
JEFFERSON COUNTY – A lawsuit has been brought against the city of Port Arthur seeking review of a decision by a commission that cost a police officer a promotion.
UPS hit with $2M suit after delivery driver rear-ends Mercedes
BEAUMONT – The United Parcel Service is being sued for an automobile collision that ended with a fatality and was allegedly caused by one of its delivery truck drivers last June.
Man trips over package while exiting home, sues Fedex for $1M
BEAUMONT – Fedex was recently hit with a $1 million lawsuit, brought by a man who allegedly tripped and fell over a package while exiting his home.
Dallas photographer awarded $1M, jury finds former clients defamed her with false TV interview, online posts
DALLAS – In 2014, a contract dispute between Andrea Polito, a wedding and portrait photographer, and her clients made headlines and went viral.