News from April 2008
Suit filed against Home Depot two years after trip and fall
A trip to Home Depot turned into a trip to the emergency room for Ann Mattingly, who claims a store employee parked a flatbed cart behind her while she was paying for her garden supplies.
Allied Electrical sues to recover past due account
Seeking to recover $79,890.94 on a past due account, Allied Electrical Contractors of Beaumont Inc. has filed suit against Johnson Controls Inc.
Widow sues Texaco, Chevron for husband's asbestos exposure
Keith Hyde The widow of a deceased refinery worker is suing Texaco and Chevron USA for "maliciously" exposing William English to asbestos.
Housekeeper who tripped while taking out trash awarded $26k
Charles Gordon Reed A housekeeper who tripped over a crack in a driveway while hauling a bag of rubbish to the curb was awarded nearly $27,000 in damages, as the trial of Gloria Landry vs. R.F. DuBois Jr. began and concluded April 8.
TX insurers' lawyers can defend clients, SC rules
Justice Nathan Hecht AUSTIN -- Insurance companies in Texas may use their staff attorneys to defend claims against their insured parties but only when there is no conflict of interest between the two sides, the Texas SC ruled this week.
New storm, new plaintiffs for Mostyn insurance suits
The Mostyn Law Firm, which filed around 500 lawsuits last year on behalf of Hurricane Rita victims, has now turned its sights toward Hurricane Humberto � the category one storm that struck the Golden Triangle area Sept. 13, 2007.
Texas judge bans 'frivolous lawsuit' lawyer from further litigation
A federal judge in Central Texas recently ruled that a lawyer had such a long history of filing frivolous lawsuits that he banned the attorney from any further litigation in Texas federal courts.
Judicial Two Step
Efforts to establish sanity to the civil justice system are under siege. State legislatures across the nation have enacted laws aimed at creating a balance in the civil justice system particularly in medical malpractice claims. However, the courts have begun to systematically impose their own interpretation of tort reform efforts.
Couple sues toy company after son ingests recalled Aqua Dots beads
MARSHALL � A Houston couple has filed a lawsuit against Target and a toy distributor after their son became ill from swallowing a recalled toy that produces the "date rape" drug when ingested.
Legally Speaking: Lawyers Behaving Badly-Part Three
I had originally intended my "Lawyers Behaving Badly" series to be a two-parter. But these darn lawyers just keep on getting into trouble, and that trouble keeps on making news.
Refinery worker claims assault through exposure to chemicals
A gas tank cleaner is alleging Motiva's managers "assaulted" him by exposing him to "dangerous chemicals and compounds."
BP's Browne gives deposition regarding explosion
Lord John Browne After two years of legal wrangling by Beaumont attorney Brent Coon, former BP chairman John Browne gave a voluntary deposition under oath April 4.
Beaumont man sues woman for deceptive trade over loan proceeds
A Beaumont man is claiming a Port Neches woman not only took the proceeds of a loan he obtained, but took the loan collateral as well.
Worker claims employer removed safety guard from saw, sues for personal injury
Back in 2006, Kevin Broussard sliced his thumb open while using a saw supplied by his employer, T-N-T Builders. Presently, Broussard claims the company negligently furnished him with the guardless saw and has filed suit.
Second asbestos suit filed on deceased boilermaker's behalf names 55 defendants
Bryan Blevins During his career as a boilermaker and general laborer, W.Z. Hutson worked around asbestos. When he developed an "asbestos-related disease," he sued and received a claim.
Capitol Comment: U.S. budget should create solutions, not challenges
As the U.S. economy slows, and perhaps even retracts, many American families are taking a hard look at their budgets and making choices about how they'll spend their income.
Tyler woman sues Ford in product liability suit
MARSHALL -- A Tyler woman has filed suit against Ford Motor Co., alleging the vehicle's design did not protect her in a collision.
List of primary runoffs in the Democratic party
Only those who voted in the Democratic primaries or did not vote in either primary can vote in the runoff. Election Day is April 8.
BBB warns Americans to shred to prevent ID theft
The Better Business Bureau is warning Americans to shred sensitive documents while cleaning out dusty filing cabinets this spring.
Texas Times: Wild Winds, Texas Tornadoes
A burst of wildflowers and green leaves across Texas point to a welcome change of seasons, but springtime also brings an unwanted weather visitor. Texas is hit by more tornadoes than any other state.