David Yates News
National watchdog calls for new federal fine against UTMB
GALVESTON – The University of Texas, Medical Branch (UTMB), has admitted the strangulation death of a monkey in a report filed with a federal agency, according to a national research watchdog group.
Justices find Jefferson County immune from asbestos suit, widow of former judge brought action
HOUSTON – Over the decades, the Jefferson County courthouse has received thousands of asbestos lawsuits but has rarely been named as a defendant in one of those cases.
Final award levied against Cowboy Motorsports in wrongful termination suit, plaintiff’s attorney says company refusing to pay
BEAUMONT — In mid August, an arbitrator handed down a final award in an unlawful employment practices lawsuit. Nearly a month later, the attorney for the plaintiff says the defendant is refusing to pay.
One year later, landmark hailstorm lawsuit reforms shows lasting results, say tort reform groups
Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse groups stood on front lines advocating reform
Final judgment of nearly $1.4M entered in JC auto collision lawsuit
BEAUMONT – A final judgment of nearly $1.4 million has been entered a week following the trial of an automobile collision lawsuit.
Texas Children’s Hospital cleared from slip & fall, deliveryman used ramp twice before slipping
HOUSTON - For the past decade, Bryon Jordan delivered bottled water to Texas Children’s Hospital, using the same wooden ramp each time.
Buckner files suit against Jefferson Central Appraisal District
Lawsuit contests the district’s efforts to levy property taxes against the faith-based senior living ministries in Beaumont.
Tort reform group releases data showing storm suit decline since passage of HB 1774
HOUSTON - One year has passed since the enactment of House Bill 1774, a piece of legislation designed to curb storm lawsuit abuse – and one tort reform group recently released data showing it has done just that.
JP candidate calls for investigation of Travis County tax assessor-collector
AUSTIN - Martin Harry, the Republican candidate for Justice of the Peace for Precinct 3 of Travis County, is calling for an investigation of Bruce Elfant, Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector.
Delta County tries to finesse the Public Information Act
Our state’s Public Information Act wouldn’t be worth much if governmental bodies did not suffer any consequences for purposely ignoring valid information requests from the public or were not penalized for intentionally providing inadequate responses.
Cross-claim brought in suit against ASAP Freight Systems
HOUSTON – In early August, a driver for ASAP Freight Systems filed suit against the Houston company, alleging he was underpaid.
Beaumont attorney John Morgan sanctioned for ‘vexatiously multiplying proceedings’ against Layne Walker
BEAUMONT – A federal judge has vindicated a former Jefferson County district judge, sanctioning a local attorney for “vexatiously multiplying” legal proceedings against him.
Pinkerton Law Firm hit with $13M suit, firm allegedly refused to pay medical screening fees after BP benzene release
HOUSTON – The University Cancer Center is suing The Pinkerton Law Firm for more than $13 million, alleging the firm breached its contract by refusing to pay for medical screening services provided after a benzene release at the BP refinery in Texas City.
Wrongful death trial against B&G Crane underway in Jefferson County
BEAUMONT – A wrongful death lawsuit is now underway in Jefferson County.
JC district court race: Templeton seeks to maximize court capacity, Chappell looks to continue Judge Floyd’s community legacy
BEAUMONT – Since 1989, Judge Donald Floyd, the first African American elected official at the Jefferson County courthouse, has presided over the 172nd District Court.
Ferguson Law recovers $1.5M for Lumberton man injured in car crash
Beaumont – A 41-year old Lumberton man has recovered $1.55 million in a personal injury case settled on the eve of his impending trial date.
Justices lift firefighter union TRO against Houston mayor over displaying city’s budget meeting
HOUSTON – The 14th Court of Appeals has found that an ancillary court abused its discretion by granting a temporary restraining order stopping the city of Houston from displaying a budget meeting on municipally funded media platforms.
Provost Umphrey lawyer working with storm attorney named in barratry scheme, dozens of insurers sued by father-son duo
BEAUMONT – While a father-son attorney duo isn’t particularly remarkable, a court records search shows that a Provost Umphrey lawyer has worked with his son, whose name was previously mentioned in a barratry scheme, on dozens of storm lawsuits throughout Texas.
Asbestos suit faults Chevron, Exxon and nine others for man’s asbestos exposure
BEAUMONT – Nearly a dozen corporations have been named in a recently filed asbestos lawsuit.
Before Texas Supreme Court: BISD immunity win in suit over death of toddler
BEAUMONT – The Texas Supreme Court has been tasked to determine whether the Beaumont Independent School District has immunity from a wrongful death suit.