News from December 2008
Justices: Texas law trumps Jones Act in silicosis case
Justice Don Willett AUSTIN � Texas silica law outweighs federal maritime law, the Supreme Court of Texas ruled Dec. 5 in sending a Harris County suit to a multi-district pretrial court.
No reason for Maine asbestos case in Texas MDL, Supreme Court says
AUSTIN � The Supreme Court of Texas has released three companies from a lawsuit over asbestos exposure that occurred in Maine.
Jones Act suit blames Weeks Marine for seaman's fall
GALVESTON � A local seaman blames his employer for a fall he suffered on the job three months ago, recent court documents say.
Benzene suit blames six companies for man's leukemia
Keith Hyde GALVESTON � A Brazoria County couple is suing a group of petrochemical companies, alleging the man's prolonged exposure to benzene was the cause of his leukemia.
Legally Speaking: Law and the Fog of War, Part II of II
In Part I, we examined the historic application of the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act, or MEJA, to Jose Nazario, a decorated ex-Marine, for alleged actions during combat in Iraq in 2004.
Suit alleges improperly repaired boiler led to explosion
MARSHALL � Working at Value Cleaners in Texarkana, Jerry Hill's employer requested that he check recent repairs made to the cleaner's boiler.
Family sues after carriage overturns in Galveston
White model carriage from Seahorse & Classic Carriage GALVESTON � A family's ride in a horse drawn carriage through Galveston's historic East End District this summer ended in a lawsuit after the carriage overturned.
Scaffold worker hit by salt cake sues Temple-Inland
ORANGE - Hit on the head by a 30-pound piece of salt cake while working on Temple-Inland's premises nearly three years ago, Melvin Franklin is now alleging the company failed to provide him with a safe workplace and has filed suit.
Man who plunged off highway sues construction company for not barricading gap
ORANGE � Believing he was using a highway exit ramp, Michael Reifsnider shot off Interstate 10 through a gap in a construction barricade and plunged into a pile of dirt and debris.
This Just In: Recent civil suits filed in Orange County District Courts
Recent civil suits filed in Orange County District Courts, Nov. 17 - Dec. 1, 2008
AG seeks to protect Texans from foreclosure rescue scams
Greg Abbott (R) AUSTIN (Legal Newsline)- Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott on Wednesday said he is seeking legislation that would boost his statutory authority to help protect Texans from foreclosure rescue scams.
Chamber begins frivolous lawsuit awareness campaign
Rickard WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A campaign by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for Legal Reform says frivolous lawsuits are harming small businesses and the families that rely on them.
Jury finds 'Mad Black Woman' did not copy Fort Worth woman's play
Tyler Perry Tyler Perry's "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" was not a rip off of a Fort Worth woman's "Fantasy of a Black Woman" play, a federal jury in Marshall decided Tuesday, Dec. 9.
Beaumont woman sues insurer, agents, adjusters for failing to pay Rita claim
A Jefferson County woman has filed suit against Empire Indemnity Insurance Company, ZC Sterling Insurance Agency, Claim Adjustment Specialists and two of it adjusters, alleging she was not paid money to which she was entitled after Hurricane Rita destroyed sections of her home.
Couple seeks payment from Farmers over damaged foundation claim
A Jefferson County couple has filed suit against Farmers Insurance Exchange, alleging the company wrongfully denied their insurance claim.
Asbestos suit blames 33 defendants for operator's exposure
Bryan Blevins A Texas woman has filed an asbestos suit on behalf of her recently deceased husband against 33 defendant corporations, claiming the asbestos-related disease with which he was diagnosed was wrongfully caused.
Son of former Gulf employee claims asbestos exposure caused dad's death
A League City man has filed an asbestos suit on behalf of his recently deceased father against Chevron, claiming the pulmonary asbestosis and lung cancer with which he was diagnosed was wrongfully caused.
Beaumont woman sues Capitol County over Rita claim
A Jefferson County woman has filed suit against Capitol County Mutual Fire Insurance Company, ICA Adjuster Inc. and three of its adjusters, alleging she was not paid money to which she was entitled after Hurricane Rita destroyed sections of her home.
Preliminary settlement approved in class action over manufactured homes' wheels and axles
TEXARKANA, Ark. � Miller County Circuit Judge Jim Hudson has approved a preliminary settlement agreement in a class action against a seller of manufactured homes for allegedly reselling the homes' wheels and axles.
Galveston home owner claims repair checks being withheld
GALVESTON � A Galveston man claims he is not receiving checks from his insurance company to help him pay for repairs to his storm-damaged residence, recent court documents say.