News from April 2008
Legally Speaking: Whatever happened to �
I frequently hear from readers curious about what happened after a column � how did a particular case turn out, what happened to a particular litigant, and so forth.
Jury awards $100K to plaintiff in auto wreck trial
Mark Sparks Provost Umphrey attorney Mark Sparks landed a $100,000 verdict for his client on Wednesday, April 23, as the automobile collision trial of Joni Cooke vs. Allco Ltd. et al concluded.
Harris poll ranks Texas litigation climate 41 out of 50
Tom Donohue, president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce The liability system in Texas ranks among the bottom 10 in the nation, according to a survey of corporate lawyers released Wednesday.
Parents of China shooting survivor file suit, allege mom should have anticipated husband's violence
In the summer of 2006, the close-knit community of China, Texas, was devastated by a murder-suicide that left a man, woman and two of their children dead and two other children traumatized.
Doguet's sues milling company over non-payment for rice products
A local rice producer has filed suit against a milling company over an unpaid account.
Family of press operator invokes discovery rule, files suit for benzene exposure
MARSHALL -- After a 45-year career as a press operator for multiple newspapers and print shops in Baltimore Md., Neil Kelly was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia in April 2005 and died only seven months later on Nov. 16, 2006.
Nederland couple files suit to have billboard removed from property
As the Lamar Advertising slogan says, "you can drive away but you can't turn us off." According to some Nederland property owners, you can't get them off your property once they put up a billboard either.
Train conductor sues after collision with log truck
MARSHALL � A collision between a train and a log truck in East Texas resulted in a lawsuit filed by the train conductor against not only the trucking company he believes is at fault, but also against the railroad company he claims failed to provide for his safety.
Woman sues apartment owners after stove explodes
David Starnes An exploding stovetop splashed scalding hot water all over Ena H. Davis's face. Davis claims her three minor children, who witnessed the incident, were traumatized.
Wrongful death suit filed against Boston Scientific over cardiac defibrillator
The family of an Orange man who died after a cardiac defibrillator implant have sued the manufacturer, alleging the device was defective.
Houston-area couple sues Union Carbide for man's asbestos exposure
GALVESTON -- A Houston area couple has filed suit against several chemical and polymer companies, alleging that years of asbestos exposure led to the man's malignant pulmonary cancer.
Woman files slip-and-fall suit against local residents
A Port Arthur woman has filed suit against two Beaumont residents, alleging she was allowed to fall while walking down a ramp.
Class action alleges Valero shorted workers on overtime pay
Beaumont's Reaud, Morgan & Quinn law firm launched a new class action against Valero Energy, alleging the oil giant circumvented paying its contractors overtime by classifying workers' wages as "per diem."
Man alleges jet skis defective, sues cycle shop
Nearly two years ago, R.J. Wortham Jr. purchased a new jet ski from Golden Triangle Cycle Center. When his new toy sputtered out on him, Wortham brought it back for repairs, along with another allegedly defective jet ski.
Family sues Chevron for worker's benzene exposure
Provost Umphrey attorney Keith Hyde filed a benzene suit on the behalf of a widow who lost her husband to leukemia last year.
Widow's suit blames Chevron for husband's asbestos exposure
The widow of a former carpenter has filed suit against Chevron USA, claiming the oil company negligently and maliciously exposed her late husband to asbestos.
Bathroom blow-up
This week's lesson in workplace litigation risk management: be sure to take care when hiring men who aspire to be women.
Huff joins elite group of female fire chiefs
Ann Huff joined a unique group this month when she became the first woman chief of the Beaumont Fire Department. The appointment makes Huff one of four female chiefs in Texas and one of 36 in the United States.
58th District Court
58TH COURT DISTRICT
Recent real estate foreclosures
U.S. Bank National Association has filed for an application to foreclose on the property of James and Janie Kelly, located at 560 Carnahan Place, Beaumont, Texas 77707.