News from September 2007
Citizens take advantage of Settlement Week options
Plaintiffs in more than 30 cases avoided the courtroom and took advantage of Jefferson County Settlement Week Sept. 17-21 to resolve disputes. For the past 18 years, the Jefferson County Settlement Week has provided citizens with a timely and cost-effective way to resolve disputes.
Collision with tractor-trailer leads to suit against Ford
1995 Ford Escort MARSHALL -- Failing to stop at a red light, a Transport Designs tractor-trailer collided with Kelli Blount's 1995 Ford Escort causing her ejection. Although wearing her seatbelt, Blount says the seatblet was defective and the ejection caused 28-year-old to injury her head, neck, back and spine.
Recent copyright/patent infringement suits filed in U.S. District Courts
Marshall Division, Eastern District of Texas
Rita victims sign up here: Insurance suits pour in as deadline nears
NOAA image of Hurricane Rita It's not common knowledge, said a Jefferson County District clerk earlier this week, but Hurricane Rita struck twice -- once in September 2005 and then again in the clerk's office.
A&M takes on GE in patent suit
According to a recent federal lawsuit, the engineers at Texas A&M probably think the folks at GE have heard one too many "Aggie jokes."
Mom sues Bausch & Lomb on behalf of daughter
A Jasper County woman claims her daughter enjoyed a normal, healthy lifestyle until she began using a contact lens solution made by Bausch & Lomb.
Car-makers get one down, two to go in triple-suit Cal. GHG attack
Theodore Boutrous SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A departing federal judge has booted California Attorney General Jerry Brown's public-nuisance lawsuit against the Big Six automakers over greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
O'Quinn update
Arbitrators Raise O'Quinn Tab for Breast Implant Clients by Almost $6M, to $41.5M
Man claims 7 years of butadiene exposure caused his leukemia
For seven years of his life Bobby Simon worked at Port Neches butane plant, where he claims he inhaled and absorbed enough carcinogenic emissions to cause him to develop leukemia.
172nd Court District,
172ND COURT DISTRICT
New business licenses/assumed names filed with Jefferson County Clerk
Orig. Filing Date: 09/12/2007 Certificate #: 71345
Commissioners address budget, tax rate on Monday
A Public Hearing will be held 1:30 p.m. Sept. 24 to allow public comment on the proposed 2007-2008 Budget for Jefferson County.
Legally Speaking: I speak lawyer
In a recent column, I discussed the importance of trained court interpreters. But some readers have reminded me that when they visit a lawyer, they feel the need for an interpreter just to understand their attorney or the legal documents put before them!
BP agrees to settle with 4 victims of 2005 refinery explosion
Brent Coon BP agreed Sept. 18 to settle claims by four victims of an explosion at its Texas City refinery, ending the first trial over the March 2005 explosion. The terms were not disclosed.
Discovery deadline extended in Wendy's personal injury suit
MARSHALL -- After reviewing a joint motion, a federal judge has granted an extension to complete discovery in a personal injury suit by a former Wendy's Restaurant employee who says she was robbed at work.
'Excessively waxed' floor leads to slip and fall suit against Cheddar's
While dinning at the Cheddar's Restaurant in Beaumont, Sandra Thornton claims she was injured when she slipped on a polished floor.
Suit says BISD teacher assaulted student
A former student at Central High School in Beaumont, Texas is claiming a teacher "excessively" disciplined him.
Kansas man files against GM in Texas suit
2004 Chevy Trailblazer MARSHALL -- A Kansas resident filed a motor vehicle product liability suit against GM, alleging his Trail Blazer did not have a stability control device.
CALA applauds transparency code for state AGs
Press release from Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse
Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) groups in Texas applauded a proposed Transparency Code issued by the American Tort Reform Association to enhance public disclosure of contractual arrangements between state attorneys general and private contingency fee lawyers.
Soapy mess leads Beaumont couple to sue Whirlpool
It may sound like a scene from an "I Love Lucy" episode, but "too much soap" in an overflowing dishwasher was no laughing matter for a Beaumont couple.