David Yates News
TWIA anticipates paying $1.13 billion in Hurricane Harvey claims
AUSTIN – In the three months after Hurricane Harvey made landfall, the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association has received tens upon tens of thousands of claims and is expecting to payout more than $1 billion in damages.
Appeal dismissed in case between city of Dallas and Sabine River Authority
BEAUMONT – An appeal focused on a jurisdiction issue in litigation between the city of Dallas and Sabine River Authority of Texas has been dismissed.
Paxton prosecutors misled grand jury to secure indictment, according to sealed brief
AUSTIN – A sealed motion has surfaced in the criminal case against Attorney General Ken Paxton, suggesting prosecutors misled the grand jury to secure an indictment.
Grandfather of DeOrr Kunz Jr. sues Philip Klein for public remarks concerning toddler’s father
BEAUMONT – Philip Klein, an area blogger and private investigator, has been hit with a libel and slander suit, brought by the grandfather of DeOrr Kunz Jr. – the Idaho Falls toddler who vanished in July 2015.
Ninth Court affirms take-nothing verdict in med-mal against SE Medical Center
BEAUMONT - Last June, a Jefferson County jury cleared the Medical Center of Southeast Texas of any negligence following a medical malpractice trial.
Texas AG files brief urging the Supreme Court to protect prayer at public meetings
AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and a coalition of 22 states are urging the U.S. Supreme Court to protect the practice of lawmaker-led prayer at public meetings.
Johnson & Johnson hit with $247M verdict, thousands of more hip implant cases waiting in the wings
DALLAS – Six plaintiffs reaped a combined $247 million in damages following a trial against Johnson & Johnson over an allegedly defective hip implant device.
‘Hurricane’ Steve Mostyn reported dead, struggled with mental health issue
HOUSTON – One of the largest funders of Democrats in the state of Texas passed away Wednesday “after a sudden onset and battle with a mental health issue,” according to a Nov. 15 statement issued by Amber Mostyn, Steve Mostyn’s widow.
Beaumont wins appeal in litigation by fired firefighter who allegedly attacked drunk driver
BEAUMONT – For the better part of a decade, litigation brought by a Beaumont firefighter, who was suspended indefinitely by the city after allegedly attacking and detaining an intoxicated driver, has bounced between venues.
Johnson & Johnson prevails in injury trial over pelvic mesh product
HOUSTON – A federal jury has found that there was no defect in a pelvic mesh product when it left the possession of Ethicon, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson.
Morgan Lewis adds veteran healthcare partners
HOUSTON -- On Nov. 13, Morgan Lewis welcomed to its Houston office two veteran healthcare lawyers who represent hospitals, health systems, and other medical providers on a wide array of regulatory, transactional, litigation, and government investigations matters across the U.S.
Texas AG files more suits against businesses accused of price gouging during Harvey
AUSTIN – On Nov. 13, Attorney General Ken Paxton filed more price gouging lawsuits against businesses accused of taking advantage of Texans affected by Hurricane Harvey.
ICT scholarships top $1M mark
AUSTIN - On Wednesday the Insurance Council of Texas Education Foundation will join the University of North Texas in celebrating the Education Foundation’s surpassing $1 million dollars in scholarships and education funding given to support insurance education in Texas.
Texas appellate court hears asbestos case filed on behalf of late JC judge
BEAUMONT – The First Court of Appeals recently heard oral arguments on whether to dismiss a lawsuit brought on behalf of a deceased judge who died of mesothelioma and was allegedly exposed to asbestos while working at the Jefferson County Courthouse.
Widow brings benzene lawsuit against Chevron, Texaco
BEAUMONT – A widow recently filed a benzene lawsuit against Chevron USA and Texaco.
Suits surface against German Pellets in Port Arthur
BEAUMONT – Two lawsuits have been filed in Jefferson County against German Pellets Texas, a company that has made headlines in recent months.
$1.1M jury award taken away from barge inspector who was thrown from gangway
BEAUMONT – In August, a Jefferson County jury awarded $1.1 million in damages to Michael Stelly, who claims he stepped onto a gangway that gave way and nearly tossed him into the water after finishing his barge inspection.
MD Anderson cures discrimination claim, justices find suit not filed within statute of limitations
HOUSTON – A trial court erred by not dismissing a discrimination claim brought against The University of Texas – MD Anderson Cancer Center, an appellate court recently found.
Sex discrimination case against TxDOT up on appeal
BEAUMONT – The dismissal of a sex discrimination lawsuit against the Texas Department of Transportation is currently before the Ninth Court of Appeals.
Texas AG praises Trump and Congress for rescinding ‘unconstitutional’ Arbitration Rule
AUSTIN – Attorney General Paxton praised President Trump for signing into law a joint resolution passed by the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives that rescinds the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s “unconstitutional” Arbitration Rule.