News from December 2008
Suit alleges illnesses caused by contaminated peanut butter
TEXARKANA, Texas � An East Texas woman claims the peanut butter she purchased at a local Wal-Mart in 2006 was contaminated with salmonella and caused her to develop respiratory problems and pancreatitis.
Legally Speaking: Law and the Fog of War, Part I of II
With its rich wood paneling, guest gallery, and polished Olympus of a judge's bench, Courtroom No. 1 in the federal courthouse in Riverside, Calif., was unlike any battlefield on which former Marine Corps Sgt. Jose Luis Nazario Jr. had ever found himself.
Local woman sues drug maker after adverse reaction to arthritis med
A Jefferson County couple has filed suit against Centocor, alleging the woman experienced an adverse reaction after taking one of its medicines to treat her rheumatoid arthritis.
Abbott sues Port Arthur shrimp processing plant over sanitation violations
Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has filed suit against Titan Seafood and its owner, alleging the company violated multiple sanitary rules and operated without an active food manufacturer's license.
Another suit blames insurer, adjusters for not paying full hurricane claim
A Jefferson County woman has filed suit against Capitol County Mutual Fire Insurance Company and two adjusters, alleging she was not paid money to which she was entitled after Hurricane Rita destroyed sections of her home.
Appeals court rules estate of woman killed by hurricane still owes debt on house
Justice Hollis Horton Hurricane Rita killed Bertha Costello, but according to the Ninth District appeals court in Beaumont, it didn't transform her from homeowner to renter.
Recent real estate foreclosures
Jefferson County
Insurer, adjusters sued over Hurricane Rita claim
A Jefferson County couple has filed suit against Capitol County Mutual Fire Insurance Company, ICA Adjusters and five of its adjusters, alleging they were not paid money to which they were entitled after Hurricane Rita destroyed sections of their home.
Med-mal suit blames doctor, Renaissance for woman's misdiagnosis
A Groves couple has filed suit against a Jefferson County doctor and Renaissance Hospital, alleging the woman's condition worsened because the doctor failed to properly diagnose her.
Woman sues over misleading house note
A Jefferson County woman has filed suit against Master Financial and Housing Opportunities of Texas, claiming she lost more than $10,000 after the sale of her home because of misleading information the companies supplied.
Family sues Ford, Firestone after Explorer rollover kills passenger
TEXARKANA, Ark. � Eight years after the voluntary recall of Bridgestone/Firestone tires, another lawsuit has been filed by the family of the victim of a fatal Ford Explorer rollover allegedly caused by the tires.
Judge Floyd threatens to hold lawyers in contempt during med-mal trial
Judge Donald Floyd Following several outbursts, a medical-malpractice trial came to a brief halt on Wednesday, Dec. 3, when Judge Donald Floyd had the bailiff escort jurors out of his court so he could mediate a dispute between the opposing attorneys.
Elderly woman on casino trip claims bus driver left her in parking lot
Brian White Like many Southeast Texans, a Harris County woman boarded a bus for a trip to one of the casinos just across the state line in Louisiana.
Port Arthur couple sues Allstate over Hurricane Rita claim
Steve Mostyn A Jefferson County couple has filed suit against Allstate Texas Lloyd's and four adjusters, alleging they were not paid money to which they were entitled after Hurricane Rita destroyed sections of their home.
Suit alleges post office unsafe work environment
MARSHALL -- After only a few hours of training, Donald Smith claims he was crushed by a rack of mail while unloading it at the post office. He is now suing the post office for failing to provide a safe working environment.
Help clinics, live chats offer free legal services to Texas hurricane victims
Several of the state's legal aid organizations are offering a variety of free services to help victims of Hurricane Ike deal with legal problems.
Worker claims construction company did not live up to employment contract
A Louisiana man has filed a breach of contract complaint against One Stop Construction and Restoration, alleging it did not give him a three-year notice as outlined in a contract before it terminated him.
Suit claims hospital failed to treat infant in timely manner
Two Hardin County residents have filed suit against Memorial Hermann Baptist Hospital and a doctor, alleging their infant son was not treated in a timely or appropriate manner when they brought him to the hospital.
Court records show expert witness not in hospital when judge granted continuance
Brad Allen JASPER � In April, Houston attorney Brad Allen asked Jefferson County District Judge Donald Floyd to delay the start of a trial because his expert witness lay in a hospital bed with spinal injuries after falling from a horse.