John O'Brien News
'Judicial Hellholes' report: Kudos to Texas Supreme Court for fixing Dallas appeals court's bad decisions
AUSTIN - The Texas Supreme Court undid damage caused by an appeals court on the verge of becoming a "Judicial Hellhole," the American Tort Reform Association notes in its annual report.
Hinting at sexual abuse doesn't rise to defamation by dentist
HOUSTON - A Texas family who went to court to punish their dentist for suggesting their teenaged daughter had possibly been the victim of sexual abuse has again seen their case tossed.
5 new cases to know: Unwelcome nudes, discrimination alleged in Houston schools and more
Discrimination lawsuits from a homosexual teacher and a Black zoo-worker, plus a hotel guest allegedly disturbed by nude photos sent by its manager, are among five new cases of interest in Southeast Texas.
Doctors defeat collection effort after colleague hit with big verdict in brain damage case
HOUSTON - A man who once scored an eight-figure medical malpractice verdict in Harris County has struck out on his effort to collect the full amount.
Tobacco lawyers sent back to trial against each other
HOUSTON - The fight among two law firms and a litigation-funder for tobacco money is not over yet, even after the sides agreed their fee-sharing agreement was unambiguous.
Brent Coon defeats malpractice lawsuit over BP oil spill claim
BEAUMONT - It has taken four years, but a Texas appeals court has finally affirmed victory for personal injury lawyer Brent Coon in a malpractice lawsuit accusing him of mishandling a 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill claim.
Netflix and pizza: Jail officer defeats claim she ignored suicidal man
NEW ORLEANS - A Harris County city and corrections officer won't be liable for the death of a suicidal man who was in custody at its jail, as a federal appeals court has ruled claims were filed too late.
Harris County defends arrest of gun-wielding woman who felt threatened
HOUSTON - Harris County says it was right to pursue criminal charges against a worker at a vehicle impound lot who pulled her personal firearm during a confrontation with an aggressive man who had just been released from prison.
Law firm makes plea for victory in case of broken Beirut bombing litigation partnership
HOUSTON - A law firm accused of unfairly canceling a partnership with others to pursue lawsuits over a 1983 bombing in Beirut is asking a federal judge to grant it summary judgment.
Devon Energy not 'at home' in Texas, can't be sued there for New Mexico accident
HOUSTON - An Oklahoma company can't be sued in Texas for injuries to a Louisiana man working in New Mexico, a Texas appeals court has found.
Six-figure verdict after toddler shot out of ambulance
HOUSTON - It's a $300,000 verdict for a father who sued City Ambulance after his 21-month-old daughter was sent flying onto the highway while being transported.
Texas law unfair to business, company facing AG probe complains
AUSTIN - Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's defense of a law that allows him to examine corporate records is unconvincing, one of his targets says in a lawsuit that could change th way investigations are handled in the state.
Legislature's tactics to delay execution of Robert Roberson rejected by Texas Supreme Court
AUSTIN - The Texas Supreme Court has found lawmakers can't use any means necessary to delay the execution of a death-row inmate.
Told they must make settlement public, sides want it off the record
GALVESTON - Nevermind, sides are telling a Texas federal magistrate judge they initially asked to approve their Fair Labor Standards Act settlement.
5 new cases to know: Teacher sleeps with student and a fatal pastry
A lawsuit against the United Independent School District has followed criminal charges against a teacher who allegedly had sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old boy more than a dozen times. This is among five new cases of interest in Southeast Texas.
Woman's lawsuit over tiny bump in Walmart parking lot tossed
HOUSTON - Walmart has defeated a trip-and-fall lawsuit brought against it in Houston, as a federal judge there has found small irregularities in parking lots like the one at issue are not unreasonably dangerous.
Judge touts public interest in refusing to seal FLSA settlement
GALVESTON - A Texas judge won't keep secret a settlement between a man and Professional Sprinklers LLC in a case that alleges labor code violations.
5 new cases to know: $50M Wrongful death suit over last month's helicopter crash, plus more
A wrongful death lawsuit over the recent fatal helicopter crash in Houston is among five new lawsuits of note in Southeast Texas.
AG Paxton makes plea to preserve investigative powers called unconstitutional
AUSTIN - Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is defending what he says is his right to examine the books of a company that makes parts for Boeing, as he faces a possible ruling saying otherwise.
Baytown cop beats lawsuit after traffic stop turns ugly
NEW ORLEANS - A federal appeals court has ruled for a Baytown cop who had his dog go after a suspect in a traffic stop on Valentine's Day.
NEW ORLEANS - A federal appeals court has ruled for a Baytown cop who had his dog go after a suspect in a traffic stop on Valentine's Day.