News from October 2007
Rowan to pay $8 M for polluting Gulf
Rowan Companies Inc., a major oil and gas drilling company, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Beaumont to three felonies in connection with the routine discharge of pollutants and garbage into the Gulf of Mexico from one of the firm's oil rigs, the Justice Department announced Oct. 10.
Rita evacuee trips over lumpy rug, sues hotel
Harvey Suites Hotel near Dallas Frances Chatman escaped the looming dangers of Hurricane Rita only to fall prey to "lumpy" floor mats.
Slip and fall at H.E.B. leads to suit
H.E.B. on East Lucas Not wasting anytime, Daniel Lee Jones filed a personal injury lawsuit against H.E.B. Grocery Co. three weeks after he slipped and fell at the East Lucas store.
Discovery battle leads many Colossus defendants to settlements
As the litigation continues in the Colossus software case, many of the insurance companies involved are cutting their losses and agreeing to mediation instead of continuing the discovery battle.
Class certification delayed in Colossus litigation
Circuit Judge Kirk Johnson TEXARKANA, Ark. -- In a recent hearing, Miller County Circuit Judge Kirk Johnson heard defendants' attorneys request for a hearing for ruling on issues in the Colossus software case.
Refugio County commissioner pleads guilty to election fraud scheme
REFUGIO � A sitting Refugio County Precinct 4 commissioner pleaded guilty to felony election fraud charges in Refugio County and will also plead to an associated misdemeanor charge next week.
Judge reduces jury award in seatbelt case
MARSHALL � After losing their daughter in an auto accident, an East Texas jury awarded the Frazier family $24 million in a trial against the car's seatbelt manufacturer. However a federal judge has now reduced those damages by almost 40 percent.
Port of Port Arthur suing Flanagan for delinquent invoices
The James J. Flanagan Shipping Corp., headquartered in Beaumont, is a general contract stevedore that loads and unloads thousands of ships and handles millions of dollars worth of cargo every year all along the Gulf Coast at facilities from Brownsville to New Orleans. But now one of its oldest clients is taking Flanagan to court for around $14,000 in invoices.
Tainted testimony?
Is there a great asbestos lawsuit fraud worth uncovering here in Beaumont?
AG Zyprexa suits in money as Boston DA lands $515m
Michael J. Sullivan (R) BOSTON -- The U.S. Attorney's office in Massachusetts has no doubt bolstered attorneys-general nationwide in their on-going efforts to win big settlements from "Big Pharma" drugmakers.
Local federal prosecutors honored in Washington
BEAUMONT, TX � Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joseph R. Batte of Beaumont and John Malcolm Bales of Lufkin were honored Oct. 2 at the Justice Department's 55th Annual Awards Ceremony at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C., along with 191 Justice Department employees and 26 other individuals.
Asbestos expert used in local cases comes under scrutiny
Dr. Jay T. Segarra is a Mississippi Gulf coast resident. For almost a decade, Dr. Jay T. Segarra was considered the lung disease expert local plaintiffs lawyers called on to testify in their massive asbestos cases.
Judge Jack's fury over asbestos fraud ignored by state courts
Does anyone remember how a Democratic judge in Texas defied her party's devotion to mass torts, exposed 10,000 phony suits, imposed a whopping sanction, sparked investigations and instigated reforms?
Woman sues for post-op infection
Susan Loe had a hysterectomy in July 2005. The wound from her surgery did not heal completely for almost two years.
Orange residents sue contractor over roof
John McElroy Dissatisfied with their fairly new roof, a pair of Orange residents are suing the two contractors who built the covering.
New business licenses/assumed names filed with the Jefferson County Clerk
Orig. Filing Date: 09/27/2007 Certificate #: 71426
Orange man sues after doors couldn't stand the weather
Clay Dugas Orange County resident David Hinds has filed a deceptive trade practices lawsuit against Parker Lumber and Jeld-Wen Inc. He claims the $20,000 weather resistant doors he purchased rotted.
Flying carpet suit successfully mediated
MARSHALL -- Although previous attempts at settlement negotiations were unsuccessful, Magistrate Judge Caroline Craven was able to achieve mediation magic in the flying carpet litigation at a conference held on Sept. 25.