News from February 2008
New business licenses/assumed names issued in Jefferson County
Orig. Filing Date: 02/21/2008 Certificate #: 72259
Obama visits Beaumont
With the Texas Primary only five days away, Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama packed the Julie Rogers Theater in downtown Beaumont on Feb. 28.
No lawsuits over devices if FDA approved, says USSC
Justice Antonin Scalia WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Plaintiffs cannot sue the makers of a medical device that cause harm if the device has been approved by the federal regulator, the U.S. Supreme Court (USSC) ruled last week.
Supporters say Texas med-mal caps are meeting reform goals
The Texas legislature overhauled the state's civil justice system five years ago with the passage of Texas House Bill 4 - the Medical Malpractice and Tort Reform Act of 2003.
Class action challenges Texas cap on medical malpractice damages
MARSHALL -- Seeking to nullify the Medical Malpractice and Tort Reform Act of 2003,a class action suit filed in the Marshall court of the Eastern District of Texas argues that the state's limits on non-economic damages are unconstitutional.
Recent real estate foreclosures
Household Finance Corp. III has filed an application for foreclosure against the property of Alonzo Knight, located at 2065 Utica, Beaumont, Texas 77703.
Family files wrongful death suit against dialysis center
The children of the late Emma Lee Randolph claim the Kidney Center of Beaumont and several of its physicians allowed their mother to sit in her own waste while she received dialysis. Randolph's children allege the neglect she experienced contributed to her death.
Suit: Injured employee told to clean bailer while still running
A QualiTech Maintenance employee has filed suit against Goodyear Tire, claiming he was instructed by a Goodyear manager to clean the company's bailer while the machine was running.
Fall in parking lot leads to suit against Logan's
After dining at Logan's Roadhouse, Staci Eatman tripped over a piece of protruding metal while walking to her vehicle. Eatman claims she was injured because the restaurant negligently allowed a dangerous condition to exist on its premises.
Recent patent/copyright infringement cases filed in U.S. District Courts
Marshall Division, Eastern District of Texas
Widow blames benzene for husband's leukemia, sues four refineries
D'Juana Parks The wife of a deceased refinery worker has filed suit against four oil companies, claiming her husband was negligently exposed to benzene.
Woman sues bank after falling in hole in parking lot
Dropping by her bank, Michelle McInnis exited her vehicle and stepped in a hole in the parking lot, which caused her to drop to the ground.
Testimony continues in possible billion dollar asbestos trial against DuPont
DuPont was well aware asbestos in the work place was killing its workers in the early 1960s, said plaintiff's expert Dr. Edwin Holstein, as testimony continued in the trial of Willis Whisnat Jr. et al vs. DuPont De Nemours.
Suit alleges defective coupling caused fatal propane fire
K-M Products MacCoupler MARSHALL -- Gary Wayne Suggs, 51, was attempting to refill a propane container in a fifth-wheel trailer when a flash fire occurred, causing fatal injuries.
Funeral home, injured plaintiff reach settlement
Following destruction of their church by Hurricane Rita, members turned to Mercy Funeral Home for a place to gather for worship and meetings. On her way to a service in 2005, one church member, Mary Francois Lee, tripped over a concrete barrier in the parking lot.
Racial discrimination suit filed against Goodyear's Tyler plant
MARSHALL -- Instead of remaining on strike at the Tyler Goodyear plant, employee Shaira Lynch returned to work believing Goodyear's "zero tolerance" for trouble would be sufficient to avoid co-workers' harassment.
60th CD 3/2008
60th Court District
Breaking: Judge makes rulings in Jones v. Scruggs
OXFORD, Miss. - A state judge ruled Tuesday that the actions of indicted trial lawyer Richard "Dickie" Scruggs apply to the rest of the firms that made up the former Scruggs Katrina Group.