News from October 2007
60TH COURT DISTRICT NOV. 2007
TERRIE T SALTER ET AL VS. MARSHALL B PACKARD MD ET AL
Shocked worker says live wire unmarked, sues ship builder
While installing an HVAC system on board a ship, Robert Snider brushed against a wire and says electricity began coursing through his body. Snider claims the live wire was unmarked and is seeking more than $100,000 for his injuries from Orange Shipbuilding Company Inc. and Rio Marine Inc.
Discrimination trial against Dillard's begins in Jefferson County
For more than a decade, Dillard's department stores have made national headlines after the apparel distributor was accused of racially discriminating against African American customers. Shortly after the news spread, lawsuits started popping up across the country.
Entergy trial focuses on franchise fees
The city of Port Arthur will ask jurors to make Entergy honor a 43-year-old franchise agreement and force the electricity provider to pay the city hundreds of thousands of dollars in allegedly unpaid franchise fees.
Texas mediation system in need of reform, law professor tells Beaumont group
James Alfini Mediation based on party self-determination is becoming threatened by current practices and the "colonization" of the dispute resolution arena by attorneys, the president of a Southeast Texas law school said recently to a legal group in Beaumont.
Gerson honored for commitment to mediation
Believing that not all cases need to go to court, Judge Al Gerson was the first judge in Jefferson County to adopt a local rule requiring mediation in appeals filed in small claims litigation.
Cooper Tire denies worker injury due to negligence
TEXARKANA � When Cooper Tire's union workers went on strike in March 2005, Zane Franks was moved from his laboratory technician position to the mixing department. Claiming he had no experience and received no training, Franks became entangled in a machine and injured his right arm.
Second suit filed for machinist's asbestos disease
Bryan Blevins When he was alive, William Holmes sued and received a settlement for an asbestos-related disease. Now deceased, Holmes' benefactor is suing on his behalf for a different asbestos-related disease.
Suit filed over drowning at Smith Lake
Aimee Varner lost her life this summer when she drowned at Smith Lake Swimming Park in Orange County.
Orange suit blames benzene for man's leukemia
D'Juana Parks Family members of the late Archie Dubose are claiming their benefactor's leukemia was caused by benzene exposure and are suing his former employers.
Drug user files discrimination suit, seeks $5.5 M from Army Depot
TEXARKANA -- Oklahoma resident Eric Payne says THC found in his system was by prescription, and therefore he was wrongfully terminated as an illegal drug user by the Red River Army Depot.
DuPont worker steps in hole, sues company
While working at a local DuPont plant, Dariel Jones stepped into a gas-filled hole and suffered second and third degree burns to his right leg and foot.
Sandblaster blames asbestos for malignancy
A sandblaster who already received a settlement for a non-cancerous disease is filing suit again, this time for a malignancy blamed on asbestos exposure.
Slip, fall leads to suit against PA Wal-Mart
While checking out at the Port Arthur Wal-Mart, Charlotte Green slipped and fell in a puddle of water. She claims she was injured and has filed suit against the mega center.
Trial to focus on Entergy fees to city of Port Arthur
The city of Port Arthur will battle Entergy in court this week in hopes of recovering unpaid franchise fees.
Employee sues paint store after customer's lewd behavior goes unchecked
A Tyler woman is taking her former employer to court, alleging the paint store management did nothing to stop repeated lewd behavior by a customer.
Texas SC opinion could affect insurers in litigation with each other
Justices of the Texas Supreme Court AUSTIN � Texas Supreme Court Justices unanimously agree that Liberty Mutual Insurance can't force Mid-Continent Insurance to pay half of a car crash settlement that Liberty Mutual accepted but Mid-Continent resisted.
He of the thin skin
Wealthy Corpus Christi plaintiff's lawyer Mikal Watts says he isn't running for U.S. Senate anymore.
New business licenses/assumed names filed with Jefferson County Clerk
Orig. Filing Date: 10/19/2007 Certificate #: 71596
Sky Tech starts third suit for patent infringement
Stephen Susman After successfully reaching a settlement with computer giant IBM last year, Sky Technologies is taking on another company alleging infringements on its business software patents.