David Yates News
Phillips 66 worker allegedly exposed to asbestos in '50s, estate files lawsuit
BEAUMONT – From 1955 to 1979, the late Gerald Sullivan worked at Phillips Petroleum at its Borger facility, where he was allegedly exposed to asbestos.
Woman’s suit against Houston over fall into sewer to continue, for now
HOUSTON – A lawsuit alleging the city of Houston a storm sewer drain was missing a cover will continue for now, as the First Court of Appeals recently remanded the case back to the trial court for further proceedings.
‘Frivolous’ climate change suit provokes ire of Texas AG, accuses liberals of trying to enact policy through courts
AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton didn’t hold back following a hearing to dismiss New York City’s climate change lawsuit, accusing “liberal politicians” of trying to “enact disastrous policies through the courts because they have been unable to do so through the ballot box.”
Settled: Suit brought by Chevrolet owner alleging Tahoe had defective airbags
BEAUMONT – Before a jury could be selected, a Louisiana woman settled her lawsuit, which alleged she was injured in a vehicle accident because an airbag did not deploy.
Family Dollar seeks to compel discovery from slip & fall plaintiff
BEAUMONT — Family Dollar Stores of Texas recently filed a motion to compel discovery in a suit brought a Hardin County woman, who alleges the store’s negligence caused her to slip and fall.
Former Lamar softball coaches obtain TRO against university
BEAUMONT – The former coaches of the Lamar University women’s softball team were granted a temporary restraining order on Monday, June 11.
It’s ‘all you can eat’ at TWIA
It’s hard to resist an all-you-can-eat buffet. The idea of being able to devour as much as you want for a flat fee – going back for seconds, thirds, etc. – is very appealing, especially if you have a big appetite. But it’s best to resist the temptation to really get your money’s worth by overeating.
5th circuit appeal for injunctive relief follows allegations of ADA violations by Texas courts
SAN ANTONIO - The Manhattan resident who sued her San Antonio-based mother Mauricette Fairley for fraudulently and unconstitutionally guardianizing her blind military veteran father James Fairley has filed a notice of voluntary dismissal without Prejudice with the federal Western District Court of Texas.
Texas Watch op-ed over lack of Harvey payouts sparks rebuttals, expert calls piece the ‘same old rhetoric’
HOUSTON – In May, Texas Watch, a self-labeled consumer advocacy group, released an opinion piece arguing an “assault waged by insurance companies” in the state legislature has left many Hurricane Harvey victims still unable to resume their lives eight months later.
Texas court sides with Barnett Shale Mineral Interest owners in litigation against Chesapeake, Total
FORT WORT - A Tarrant County judge has rejected efforts by Chesapeake Exploration and Total E&P USA to dismiss claims in multidistrict litigation (MDL) filed by North Texas mineral interest owners over “sham” transactions associated with royalty payment calculations, clearing the way for the “sham” transactions claim to proceed.
Whistleblower claim not recognizable under general maritime law, justices find
HOUSTON – A man alleging he was fired for warning that a vessel could not be operated safely received no help from a Texas appellate court Thursday, as justices declined to “eviscerate the boundaries” of general maritime law.
Akerman continues Houston growth, announces new insurance litigation team members
HOUSTON ― Akerman LLP, a top 100 U.S. law firm serving clients across the Americas, today further advanced its Houston expansion with a leading group of four insurance litigators, including experienced partners David Clark and Kristen McDanald.
Veolia ES seeks summary judgment in injury suit
BEAUMONT – A defendant company is seeking summary judgment in a lawsuit brought over an on-the-job injury.
Dickinson ISD’s $9.6M judgment against TWIA axed, Tony Buzbee loses out on $1.25M in attorney's fees
BEAUMONT – A Texas appellate court recently wiped a $9.6 million judgment stemming from a Hurricane Ike lawsuit brought by the Dickinson Independent School District.
Houston attorney nonsuits United Airlines from assault suit
HOUSTON – Last year, a video showing a former United Airlines employee pushing a Houston attorney to the ground went viral. A lawsuit seeking more than $1 million in damages soon followed.
Businessman told by judge not to ‘hustle business’ in Jefferson County, appeals to Texas SC
BEAUMONT – A local district judge is being accused of acting beyond his authority by attempting to supply terms to a settlement agreement, telling a defendant entrepreneur in his court that he didn’t want him “hustling business” in Harris County and then doing business in Jefferson County.
Texas AG reaches $15.2 million in settlements with fraudulent Medicaid providers
AUSTIN – On May 30, Attorney General Ken Paxton announced $15.2 million in combined Medicaid fraud settlements with a group of Dallas-Fort Worth area Medicaid rehabilitation therapy providers.
Texas AG leads 10-state brief supporting legislative immunity in Arkansas Supreme Court case
AUSTIN – On May 30, Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a 10-state friend-of-the-court brief supporting Arkansas in its legal fight to preserve the venerable principle of legislative immunity that first appeared in the English Bill of Rights of 1689 and was incorporated into the Constitution at the founding to ensure that legislators can do their jobs without fear of retribution.
Justices not on the fence in suit over property owners’ fence, couple tried to defend right to ‘enjoy property as they saw fit’
BEAUMONT – A Polk County couple that was sued by a property association because they allegedly violated a fence restriction received no help from the Ninth Court of Appeals on Thursday.