News from December 2007
Recent patent/copyright infringement cases filed in U.S. District Courts
Marshall Division, Eastern District of Texas
Suspended educator sues WOC district
A suspended elementary assistant principle will ask Judge Patrick Clark, 128th District Court, on Dec. 31 to mandatorily reinstate her to her position.
Suit: Hurricanes are no excuse for not adhering to medical standards
Death usually follows the confusion and chaos that hurricanes cause. More than two years after Rita, Christene Denison has filed a wrongful death suit against Pinehurst Nursing and Rehabilitation and Daybreak Venture, claiming the companies failed to provide medical care to her mother during the storm.
Hotel blamed for woman's assault
Markeshia Stagg has filed a personal injury lawsuit against Super Motel 8, alleging the motel allowed a duplicate key to her room to fall into the hands of several thugs, who easily waltzed into the room and assaulted her.
Quest for 'holy water container' leads to suit
The quest for a container to hold "holy water" ended badly for Crashunda Dixson when Family Dollar employees reacted to the store alarm and frisked her as she attempted to leave.
Texas pols want do-over of divisive SC ruling - UPDATE
Craig Eiland AUSTIN -- A group of state legislators and labor organizations has asked the Texas Supreme Court to reverse a recent contentious decision that expanded employer protection in labor suits.
Coon, Umphrey in dispute over tobacco fees
Brent Coon When attorney fees from one of the largest civil settlements in legal history are on the table, it was only a matter of time before the plaintiffs lawyers started suing each other over their share of the proceeds.
Sanctions hearing in coin fraud case reset again
A hearing regarding a motion for sanctions against several attorneys involved in a coin fraud case has been rescheduled again.
Second BP trial ends early with settlement
A trial against BP ended early when the company reached a settlement Dec. 18 with several victims of the 2005 explosion at its Texas City refinery.
Shuffield announces re-election bid
Milton "Mickey" Shuffield Milton "Mickey" Gunn Shuffield has announced he will seek another term as judge of the Jefferson County 136th District Court.
Lawsuit filed over tainted chicken
Not that fried chicken makes it on the list of health foods to begin with, but two Beaumont residents are alleging they became sick after purchasing and eating tainted chicken from Popeye's.
De-benched Bartie makes run for county commissioner
Thurman Bartie may be banned from ever serving as a judge again, but that is not stopping the former justice of the peace from trying for a county seat.
Plaintiff to get new car from Lemon Law trial
John Read, along with his son, mechanic and lawyer were able to convince Judge Gary Sanderson, 60th Judicial District, that Mike Smith Autoplex and General Motors sold him a "lemon."
Man who sued IHOP for tripping over mat awarded $1 M judgment
David Vardaman and his wife Elizabeth received an early Christmas gift on Tuesday, Dec. 18 as Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court, handed them a default judgment of $1,129, 857.08 for a slip and fall that occurred at the International House of Pancakes last year.
BP exhausts fund for explosion claims
With 1,200 claims still pending, BP says it has spent all of its $1.6 billion fund set aside for claims from the 2005 explosion at its Texas City refinery.
Latest 'judicial hellhole' report has Texas counties in No. 2 spot
In spite of tort reforms in the state, Texas counties -- including Jefferson County -- have again found themselves near the top of the list of "judicial hellholes."
ATRA releases 2007 'Judicial Hellhole' report
The latest ranking of America's most unfair jurisdictions in which to be sued has been revealed in the American Tort Reform Foundation's 2007 Judicial Hellholes� report, with Jefferson County and other Texas coastal counties near the top of the list.
Texas Times: The Giving Season
The familiar red kettles and ringing bells at shopping areas across Texas this Christmas season are symbols of generosity to the less fortunate. In the Lone Star State, this holiday tradition originated from the spirit and determination of one man, a new Texan whose career led him from the navy to the army-the Salvation Army.
Legally Speaking: Santa Claus is coming to town, and he's bringing a lawyer
Children everywhere rejoice in the idea of jolly old St. Nick arriving on Christmas in his reindeer-powered sleigh laden with presents. But if things keep moving in the direction they're heading, the fat man in the red suit is going to need more than elves to help him out � he's going to need a lawyer.
Umphrey files personal injury suit against Conn's, driver
Walter Umphrey Well-known Beaumont attorney Walter Umphrey has filed a personal injury lawsuit against a well-known Beaumont-based company.