News from April 2008
Refinery worker blames company doc for missing signs of cancer
A Huntsman Petrochemical employee is suing the company doctor, claiming the physician ignored warning signs of his enlarging prostate.
Suit against hospital alleges automatic doors closed on woman
Christus St. Michaels TEXARKANA, Ark. � During regular business hours on March 17, 2005, Dairy Ora Ducket was leaving a Texarkana hospital when she fell and claims she suffered serious bodily injuries after the automatic doors closed in on her.
Boaters seek $1M from bulk carrier for creating damaging wake
GALVESTON � The sinking of a small boat carrying two seafarers in the Houston Ship Channel is the focus of a lawsuit filed in Galveston County District Court April 28.
Widow fights insurance decision with petition for judicial review
Seeking the reversal of a workers' compensation panel hearing that left her penniless, a widow has filed a petition for judicial review against the insurance company.
Second suit filed against pool company
A San Juan fiberglass pool Not happy with the cracks running through their pool, an Orange County couple has filed suit against the makers and the sellers of their backyard swimming pool.
Personal injury suit filed against JT Wein after auto collision
Tina Smith Provost has filed suit against JT Wein Inc. and one of its truck drivers, claiming Raul B. Flores negligently caused an automobile collision by failing to control his rate of speed.
Suit alleges hand crushed when employee turned on roller machine
MARSHALL -- Lisa Stewart alleges that an employee of Milprint Inc. in Longview asked her for help loading material onto a machine, but when she attempted to help, Stewart states the employee turned the machine on, crushing her hand.
No show plaintiff has trial dismissed
The lawyers had agreed upon a trial date and potential jurors had been summoned. The only problem: the plaintiff was nowhere to be found.
Trinity Industries blamed for man's wild hose ride
A contracted employee was sandblasting railway equipment in Vidor when his air hose somehow became tangled up in a rotating auger, which first pulled him up against the wall of a railcar and then underneath it, severely injuring him.
Gregory to replace Ratcliffe as U.S. attorney
Rebecca Gregory Following nominations by U.S. Sens. John Cornyn and Kay Bailey Hutchison, Rebecca Gregory has been named the new U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas, the Department of Justice announced April 29.
136th Court Docket May 2008
DAVID CALLAWAY ET UX VS. AMERIPOL SYNPOL
Letter to the Editor: UTSA alum reacts to Browning's column
As a UTSA Alum, I am dismayed by Mr. John Browning's recent article in the Southeast Texas Record (Legally Speaking: The World Turned Upside Down-Part 1).
Broussard's takes on defunct pre-need providers over contract financial obligations
Like most funeral homes, Broussard's Mortuary offers pre-need arrangements to consumers through third-party planning service companies. However the Beaumont-based mortuary claims several of those third-parties engaged in fraudulent business practices, leaving Broussard's with millions of dollars in financial obligations to customers.
Contractor sues to collect balance of repair bill
A local building contractor has filed suit against the owner of a Port Arthur business complex to collect an outstanding balance for improvement work.
Legally Speaking: The World Turned Upside Down-Part I
After the British army formally surrendered to George Washington at the Battle of Yorktown, heralding the end of the Revolutionary War, Gen. Cornwallis' once-proud military band played a tune they must have thought quite appropriate � "The World Turned Upside Down."
Galveston woman sues to collect discrimination damages owed by employer
GALVESTON � A local woman has filed suit in Galveston County District Court Apr. 23 in an effort to collect damages from a former employer that were awarded to her four years ago.
Seaman seeks $2.5 M in personal injury suit against dredging company
Tony Buzbee GALVESTON � Accusations of negligence and disregard for safety may compel a Port Lavaca-based ship company to compensate an injured ex-workerup to $2.5 million.
Immigrants claim couple defrauded them into home purchase
Not fluent in English, three immigrants are alleging a Nederland couple took advantage of their inability to communicate and duped them into buying a Port Arthur home that had a lien against it.
Family sues Live Oak Cemetery for being unable to locate grave
Live Oak Cemetery on West Port Arthur Road After years of ignored requests and pleas, the frustrated family of the late Clarence Walker has given up on Live Oak Cemetery ever being able to identify where their patriarch is laid to rest on its own accord, and filed suit against the troubled funeral home on April 25.
West Enders sued for refusing to pay contractor
A construction company, hired following Hurricane Rita, is pursuing litigation against a West End couple after they allegedly refused to fully pay the contractors for clearing fallen trees and fixing the roof on the couple's property.