News from February 2008
Judge issues TRO against preschool in light of abuse allegations
A restraining order has been issued against Wesley United Methodist Church, prohibiting the church from tampering with or destroying any evidence that might prove allegations of inappropriate touching between two children at its preschool.
Lawyer ends up with cash as Port Arthur, marketer walk away empty handed
Attorney George Gordon failed to sway jurors. He couldn't get them to buy the argument that the city of Port Arthur owed his client, Bill Diamond, $75,000 in marketing services rendered for the Port Arthur Economic Development Corporation's Business Park on Spur 93.
Five-foot fall leaves man unable to work, sues Valero
The average NBA player can leap anywhere from three to four feet in the air. Not a professional athlete, Quenten Pete fell 5 feet while working at the Port Arthur Valero plant. Claiming the oil company negligently failed to provide him with scaffolding, Pete says he can no longer work and has filed suit.
Previously dismissed claims refiled against Tyson
MARSHALL � An Alabama judge may have failed to certify a nationwide class in a case against Tyson Foods Inc., but that did not stop two plaintiffs from pursuing their own litigation against the food processing company.
Family of seaman struck by lightning sues Blessey Marine
A seaman aboard the Blessey Marine Service vessel Charles Clark, Brandon Jenkins lost his life after lightning struck him last August. Seven months later, Clark's wife has filed suit against Blessey Marine, claiming the company negligently instructed him to work in inclement weather.
Dryer blamed for housefire, Conn's sued
Two years after purchasing a dryer from Conn's, Sheila Ignacio claims a spark from her dryer's power cord ignited a fire and burned down her home. She has filed suit against Conn Appliance Inc.
NEW! Galveston County: Recent filings
New! This Just In: Recent filings in Galveston County civil courts
Class action alleges Lowe's denied overtime pay to workers
MARSHALL -- As a Lowe's employee, Tammy Sue Rogers had to check out equipment, complete paperwork and perform other tasks before and after her shift in the warehouse. Rogers claims the home improvement store should pay her overtime for those activities and is suing Lowe's for violating labor standards.
Legally Speaking: Justice for sale?
Perhaps it's only appropriate that in a hotly-contested election year, the latest legal thriller from trial lawyer-turned-literary-cottage-industry John Grisham centers on the buying of influence in the courts by moneyed special interests.
Coin company, former employee agree to permanent injunction
Last month, U.S. Money Reserve Inc. filed a lawsuit and a request for a permanent injunction against Stephen Dominguez, a former employee, who allegedly quit and made off with the coin company's trade secrets.
Consumer Alert: Scammers Taking Advantage Of New Federal Economic Stimulus Package
Texans should be aware of a scam that has emerged in connection with the proposed federal economic stimulus package. Under recently passed legislation, the IRS will mail tax rebate checks to eligible Texans over the next few months. President Bush has indicated he will sign the package into law on Wednesday.
PA company sued over water puddle in parking lot
Joel Grossman Making her way through a parking lot, Diana Gordon slipped when she stepped in a puddle. Claiming Marine Fueling Service Inc. allowed its parking lot to become "uneven and worn" � a condition that "dangerously caused water to pool" � Gordon has filed suit against the marine fueling company.
Man seeks $100k for 10-foot fall off scaffold
Attempting to lift some plywood while on a scaffold, Ramiro Ordonez lost his balance and plummeted 10 feet. He claims the scaffold's constructer, C.S. Quality Construction Inc., negligently failed to install toe boards and handrails and has filed suit.
Suit: Spill from boiling pot of crawfish leaves man disabled
A Jefferson County man was expecting something hot and spicy when he attended a company crawfish boil. Instead he got something hot and scalding when the stockpot full of mudbugs spilled onto his foot.
Time to bench Judge Kent
U.S. District Judge Samuel Kent is known to play favorites, say some lawyers in Galveston, where he's served on the federal court for 17 years.
$41 Million Patent Infringement Verdict Awarded in Contact Lens Case
MARSHALL, Texas � A federal court jury in Marshall, Texas, has awarded more than $41 million to Pennsylvania-based Rembrandt Vision Technologies, L.P., in a patent infringement lawsuit against Georgia-based CIBA Vision Corp.
Kent connection not Buzbee's first time in the headlines
Tony Buzbee Galveston attorney Tony Buzbee is used to being in headlines for his legal victories, but he recently made the news again for having lunch with a judge right after the judge ruled in his favor.
Kent's social scene called into question
Judge Samuel Kent It is improper for judges to seek or accept gifts from those with business before their courts, but whether it is proper for judges to jump into a lawyer's sports car and head off for a seafood lunch is a different matter coming into question in Galveston.
New business licenses/assumed names issued in Jefferson County
Orig. Filing Date: 01/31/2008 Certificate #: 72142