David Yates News
Wrongful death case against Newpark settles for $1.75M, Provost Umphrey cut around $600K
BEAUMONT – A district judge has been tasked to approve how a $1.75 million settlement in a wrongful death case is divvied up between the plaintiff, her attorneys, and a workers’ compensation carrier.
Wrongful death trial starts in JC, man was killed while working at Parkdale Mall
BEAUMONT – The trial of a wrongful death lawsuit is now underway in Jefferson County.
BP subsidiary dodges suit brought over 2013 terrorist attack, plaintiff injured knee reacting to security alarm
HOUSTON – A Texas appellate court recently affirmed the dismissal of a BP subsidiary from a lawsuit brought by a man claiming he injured his knee reacting to a security alert during a terrorist attack in 2013.
TLR announces Lilyanne McClean to join as president, addition of Marc Watts and Michael Weekley
AUSTIN – On Jan. 30, Texans for Lawsuit Reform announced Lilyanne McClean will join the organization in April as president, as well as the addition of Marc Watts and Michael Weekley to TLR’s Board of Directors.
Ferguson Law Firm lands 63K verdict against Allstate following trial of auto collision suit
BEAUMONT – A Jefferson County jury recently levied a verdict worth more than $63,000 against Allstate Indemnity for not paying benefits to an insured that was injured in an automobile collision.
Homeowner complaints stay low in 2017 despite Hurricane Harvey and hailstorms
AUSTIN - In 2017, Texas homeowners suffered significant losses as Hurricane Harvey, severe hailstorms and tornadoes ravaged the state.
But despite another year of bad weather, data from the Texas Department of Insurance shows that justified consumer complaints continued to be low, with the agency recording just 351 justified complaints out of 6.7 million policies and an estimated 700,000 homeowner claims.
Texas stands behind energy sector as climate change lawsuits mount
HOUSTON – From the east coast to the west, local governments seeking billions in damages have filed suit against big oil companies, alleging the fossil fuel industry was aware of their role in triggering climate change but opted to place profits above the environment.
Petition seeks benzene exposure history of former ExxonMobil employee
BEAUMONT – Cathy Young has filed a petition to perpetuate the testimony of Joe Young, seeking his benzene exposure history while employed by ExxonMobil.
Woman delivers baby into toilet, files petition to investigate potential suit against Christus
BEAUMONT – Christus Health Southeast Texas is facing a possible lawsuit after a woman admitted to St. Elizabeth Hospital delivered her baby into a toilet last May.
Captstone, LMS Intellibound denied summary judgment in suit alleging FLSA violations
HOUSTON – A pair of corporate defendants were recently denied summary judgment in a lawsuit brought by nearly a dozen individuals who sued the companies for unpaid overtime and paying below the minimum wage.
Paxton says he'll keep defending Texas law on the humane disposition of fetal remains
AUSTIN – On Jan. 29, Attorney General Ken Paxton announced that his office will continue fighting to honor the dignity of the unborn after a U.S. District Court issued a temporary restraining order blocking implementation of Texas’ new law on the humane disposition of fetal remains.
Continuance sought in med-mal against Christus
BEAUMONT — A continuance is being sought in a suit brought by a Jefferson County widow against Beaumont health care providers, which alleges their negligence caused the death of her husband.
Baron & Budd files suit against pharmaceutical distributors for role in creating opioid crisis in Baton Rouge
BATON ROUGE - On Jan. 24, the national law firm of Baron & Budd announced that it has been hired to represent the Parish of East Baton Rouge and the City of Baton Rouge in litigation against five of the largest pharmaceutical distributors and three drug wholesale distributors for their role in allegedly creating a public nuisance by failing to regulate orders of prescription opiates in the Parish of East Baton Rouge.
Academy hit with $1M suit for man exposing genitalia in store two years ago
BEAUMONT – A recent lawsuit against Academy is alleging the retailer failed to provide security and stop a man from exposing his genitals to shoppers nearly two years ago.
Judge Sanderson recuses himself from volatile case, may be under investigation for misconduct
BEAUMONT – Amidst facing a possible investigation into his conduct, a district judge at the Jefferson County courthouse has opted to recuse himself from a divisive civil suit.
Texas AG praises Trump nomination of Deputy Solicitor General Campbell Barker to federal court in Tyler
AUSTIN – On Jan. 23, Attorney General Ken Paxton praised President Donald Trump’s nomination of Deputy Solicitor General J. Campbell Barker to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.
Port Arthur sued for millions for handling of Gauthier disappearance case, attorney says officers turned PAPD into personal ‘playground’
BEAUMONT – Nearly three years ago, Joseph Gauthier’s truck was found empty and still running atop the Rainbow Bridge. His disappearance sparked headlines and an investigation that seemingly has only yielded a lawsuit.
Justices free TSU from suit brought over 2015 shooting death on campus
HOUSTON – Texas Southern University has immunity from a lawsuit alleging it should have done more to protect students and prevent a fatal on campus shooting, the Fourteenth Court of Appeals recently concluded.
Lamar University granted immunity in suit alleging professor denied tenure for opposing GRE
BEAUMONT – A Texas appellate court has granted immunity to Lamar University in a lawsuit brought by a professor, who alleges he was denied tenure because he opposed the Graduate Record Examinations on racial grounds.
Non-attorney questions constitutionality of not being able to run for district attorney
BEAUMONT – Not being an attorney shouldn’t exclude someone from running for district attorney, according to an appeal made by Michael David Bellow Jr. to the Texas Supreme Court.