David Yates News
Sole Dem running for HD 28 raises $294K in 30 days – half of funds from out-of-state donors
HOUSTON – Over the last four weeks, Elizabeth Markowitz, the sole Democrat running in the Nov. 5 special election for House District 28, raised more than $294,000 in contributions – a good portion of which was supplied by groups in Washington D.C.
Allstate settles lawsuit over underinsured motorist benefits right before trial
BEAUMONT – Before a trial could get underway, a settlement was reached in a lawsuit brought over underinsured motorist benefits.
Let Chase Taylor rest in peace
Richard and Catherine Taylor’s son, Chase, died two years ago, early on October 10, 2017, in a one-vehicle accident on U.S. 90 in Beaumont that remains a mystery. A passenger in a pickup truck driven by a friend, he died of a gunshot wound to the head.
RMQ secures final judgment of $200K following trial of JC med-mal suit
BEAUMONT – The Reaud Morgan & Quinn recently secured a final judgment of nearly $200,000 for their client, who sued over a post-surgical infection.
Dark money from Dems powering push to make Markowitz next rep of HD 28
HOUSTON – Democrats believe they finally have a shot at reclaiming the Texas House in 2020, a bid for dominance that may start with a win in the rapidly approaching special election for HD 28 – a race that has apparently drawn the attention of influential people living outside of the state.
More than 2 dozen companies named in asbestos suit, Provost Umphrey handling case
BEAUMONT – More than two dozen companies have been named in an asbestos lawsuit being handled by the Provost Umphrey Law Firm.
Benzene suit alleges exposure over 23-year career
BEAUMONT – A benzene suit has been filed against several companies, including Chevron, ExxonMobil, Texaco and Total Petrochemical.
Parents of Chase Taylor sue Buffalo Wild Wings, two other bars – son died of gunshot wound after drinking all night
BEAUMONT – Two years ago, the son of Richard and Catherine Taylor went to multiple bars, drinking until the “early morning hours.” Around 3:00 a.m., he died from a gunshot wound to the head while inside of a vehicle.
Justices reverse order forcing Farmers to issue retroactive HO-B polices
BEAUMONT – A 17-year old lawsuit against Farmers Insurance has tumbled back down to the trial court where it originated, landing in the lap of a new district judge who must now decide what remedy, if any, is appropriate to address the insurer’s “improper non-renewal” of HO-B policies.
Harris County Attorney Ryan wins million dollar judgment against smoke shop
HOUSTON - Harris County Attorney Vince Ryan won a permanent injunction last week to stop the sale of illegal synthetic marijuana by a smoke shop located in east Harris County. The shop also agreed to pay one million dollars in penalties to Harris County, the City of Houston, and the State of Texas.
Benzene suit names two dozen companies as defendants, including BP, Chevron, Exxon
BEAUMONT – A recently filed benzene suit has named two dozen companies as defendants, a list that includes BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil and Texaco.
Opinion about possibility of flood damage is not actionable, argues TWFG Insurance Services in Harvey suit
BEAUMONT - TWFG Insurance Services and one of its agents are seeking to dismiss a Hurricane Harvey lawsuit, arguing that the agent’s opinion about possible flood damage is not actionable.
Texas AG leads multi-state coalition win in suit to protect Texans and physicians from Obamacare mandate
AUSTIN – Attorney General Ken Paxton today applauded the United States District Court for declaring unlawful a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regulation that redefined discrimination on the basis of “sex” to include “gender identity” and “termination of pregnancy.” The federal rule intruded into the doctor-patient relationship, and would have forced doctors to perform controversial operations and abortions, even if they believed the procedures were not in the best interests of their patients, or violated their deeply held religious or conscientious beliefs.
Storm attorney Eric Dick continues to flood courts with appraisal suits
HOUSTON – Despite receiving a slap on the wrist last year, local storm attorney Eric Dick continues to file lawsuits seeking to compel appraisal against insurance companies in Harris County.
Ferguson Law’s Mark Sparks assumes presidency of Jefferson County Bar Association
BEAUMONT – Mark C. Sparks, a partner in Beaumont’s The Ferguson Law Firm, has assumed the presidency of the Jefferson County Bar Association following his election earlier this year.
At least 103 Texas counties have retained counsel for opioid suits – 19 don’t appear to have approved contingent fee contracts
HOUSTON – At least 103 out of the 254 counties in the state of Texas have retained counsel to represent them in opioid litigation, according to records obtained by The Record.
Harris County Attorney Ryan adds to environmental law team
HOUSTON - County Attorney Vince Ryan welcomes back environmental law specialist Clarissa Bauer to the County as he strengthens his team to combat the rising number of environmental enforcement cases.
Settlement agreement shows Hidalgo County received $668K for construction defect suit, fails to show congressman’s cut
McALLEN – A settlement agreement obtained by The Record reveals that Hidalgo County was issued a check for more than $668,000 for a construction defect lawsuit – a case that entitles a sitting member of Congress to a cut of the action.
Arnold Foundation sues former board member, accuses Denis Calabrese of exploiting trust to steal millions
HOUSTON – Denis Calabrese, a convicted felon, has been hit with a lawsuit alleging he received millions of dollars in kickbacks while in a position of power with the Laura and John Arnold Foundation.
NCLA wins stay pending appeal from Fifth Circuit in post-Lucia SEC case
WASHINGTON - It took barely a couple of hours after oral argument on the motion in New Orleans, for a panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit to issue an order staying the SEC’s enforcement proceedings against NCLA client Michelle Cochran, according to a press release.