News from July 2008
Beaumont jury awards Dallas company $18M in patent infringement case
A Beaumont jury has awarded DeepNines Technology of Dallas $18 million in a federal patent infringement case against McAfee, one of the world's largest Internet security companies.
Huntsman dismissed from railroad worker's FELA suit
Perry Ashworth's leg was mutilated and severed below the knee last year when the rail car he was working on at the Huntsman Refinery rolled over him.
Pilot files Jones Act suit for injury during boat transfer
A Harvey Gulf tug is shown towing a drilling rig. While transferring from one boat to another, seaman Ricci Anderson grabbed a handrail to steady himself as the boat rocked. In court papers Anderson says the strain of having to reach up and grab the handrail caused severe injuries to his arm.
Widow's suit questions husband's death in Galveston regatta
Crew of the Cynthia Woods just before the start of the Regatta de Amigos on June 6. GALVESTON � Linda and Roger Stone fell in love on a sailboat 20 years ago and it was on a sailboat that Roger Stone met his demise last month at the age of 53, recent court documents say.
Benzene lawsuit names 41 companies as defendants
Darren Brown A local couple is pursuing a benzene claim against 41 chemical and oil companies that they allege failed to adequately test their products before placing them on the market.
Ironworker claims faulty lift caused hand injury
An ironworker is alleging that a defective machine trapped him in a manlift for 20 minutes and left his hands permanently injured, court documents say.
The cost of crooked lawyers: Recent wave of legal malfeasance affects us all, even reform-minded Texas
Richard Weekley Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger has observed that 10 percent of politicians go around giving the other 90 percent a bad name.
Texas Times: Water from on High
Water is the lifeblood of Texas. Starting with our state's early inhabitants, the availability of water determined where Texans would live.
Beaumont man sues insurance agent for defamation
John Morgan A Beaumont man has filed suit against Charles E. Gibbs and his insurance agency for "barraging him with racial epithets," court papers say.
Attorney awaits judge's decision on sanctions
Lawyer Bill Voss has seen two of his colleagues dismissed from the possibility of professional sanctions, but the Houston attorney is still waiting to see if the same will be true for him.
Capitol County faces 11 new Rita suits
Steve Mostyn Two area law firms have filed 11 new cases against Capitol County Mutual Fire Insurance, alleging the company has denied full benefits to victims of Hurricane Rita.
Med-mal suit blames podiatrist for foot pain
A Beaumont woman is suing the podiatrist who operated on her foot, claiming the doctor failed to warn her of the risks of surgery.
Study: Arbitration a better venue for consumers than courtrooms
Lisa Rickard WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-A legal analysis of thousands of debt collection cases shows that arbitration is a better venue for consumers to settle disputes than are already crowded courthouses.
Asbestos suit faults 44 companies for man's death
Lou Thompson Black As a refinery worker, Albert L. Waugh allegedly inhaled "great quantities" of asbestos during his career. Now deceased, his benefactor claims Waugh's death was maliciously caused by dozens of companies.
Judge Floyd levies $2M judgment against man who assaulted woman
Seven years ago, Rodney Rife assaulted Terry Reese, who turned around and sued him.
Former coach files race bias lawsuit
A former coach for the Beaumont Independent School District claims she was fired because of her race and gender.
Jones Act suit filed against Kirby Inland Marine
Merchant mariner John R. McGee has filed a lawsuit against Kirby Inland Marine for injuries he received more than two years ago while working aboard one of the firm's ships.
Nursing home blamed for woman's back injuries
Clay Dugas While a resident of Gulf Health Care Center-Port Arthur, Mary Bayard had a history of falling. Two years ago, she started complaining of back pain.
Woman sues over husband's nursing home fall
Since nursing home staff found him in a pool of his own blood two years ago, Clifford Ozen has suffered from seizures and decreased mobility, court papers say.
Colorado couple files slip-and-fall suit against Whataburger
MARSHALL � Arriving early for a business meeting at a Whataburger, Vernon and Jacque Wallis notified a cashier that the floor was slippery.