News from July 2008
BP trial ends in settlement after nine weeks
GALVESTON � Jurors in the latest trial arising from the March 2005 explosions at the BP refinery in Texas City like those before them will not get a chance to deliberate, as the four remaining plaintiffs settled their claims Monday evening.
Asbestos trial nixed, case settles
Philip Kanayan A pool of 40 potential Jefferson County jurors breathed a collective sigh of relief Tuesday, July 22, when defendants reached a settlement just prior to what likely would have been a protracted asbestos trial.
Attorney blames hotel ashtray for loss of finger
Pool area of the Moody Gardens Hotel in Galveston GALVESTON � An overflowing ashtray at a Galveston hotel caused a Hill Country attorney to fall and sever one of his fingers, the lawyer claims in a recent lawsuit.
Amputee sues orthopedist for loss of finger
Mickey Das Nearly two years ago, Ted Slaughter maimed his left hand with a circular saw. A week following his injury Slaughter had surgery to repair his badly wounded hand, and to this day claims he has trouble performing daily functions.
Teen with bullet in head sues surgeon that tried to remove it
Joshua Bush The strange case of Joshua Bush, the Groves teen with a bullet lodged in his forehead, took another odd twist when Bush filed a lawsuit accusing the doctor who tried to remove the projectile of medical battery.
Second asbestos suit filed on pipe-fitter's behalf names 19 defendants
Bryan Blevins During his career as a pipe-fitter, Gliese Bergeron worked around and breathed asbestos dust. When he developed an "asbestos-related disease," he sued and received a claim.
Judiciary Committee to probe 'pro-business' Supreme Court rulings
Patrick Leahy (D) WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing Wednesday to discuss recent Supreme Court decisions that critics say have unfairly favored big business.
Law students work in legal aid offices throughout Texas
AUSTIN -- Twenty law students from around the state are participating in the Access to Justice Internship Program this summer.
New business licenses/assumed names issued in Jefferson County
New business licenses/assumed names issued in Jefferson County, July 10-16, 2008
RadioShack settles with Texas AG for $630,000
AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline)-National electronics retailer RadioShack Corp. has agreed to pay the Texas attorney general's office $630,000 to settle an investigation into the company's identity-theft protection practices.
Fund established to restore Texas Governor's Mansion
A June 8 fire heavily damaged the 150-year-old Texas Governor's Mansion. AUSTIN � Last month an arsonist set fire to the historic mansion that has been home to governors of Texas for more than 150 years. Now the state's first lady will spearhead the fundraising efforts for the mansion's restoration.
Recent real estate foreclosures
Deutsche Bank National Trust Co. has filed a foreclosure application against the property of Pauline Hemmingway, located at 4416 Alamosa, Port Arthur, TX 77642.
This Just In: Recent civil suits filed in Jefferson County District Courts
Recent civil suits filed in Jefferson County District Courts, July 9-15, 2008
Recent patent infringement cases filed in U.S. District Courts
Recent patent infringement cases filed in U.S. Courts, Eastern District of Texas, July 11-15, 2008
Judge denies motion for sanctions against coin fraud attorney
Judge Donald Floyd has denied a motion for sanctions against Houston attorney Bill Voss for allegations he violated a court order in connection with litigation against a Beaumont company that deals in rare coins.
Justices vacate judgment against elderly woman
Texas Supreme Court AUSTIN � Showing consideration for an elderly woman, the Texas Supreme Court forgave her daughter's attempts to mislead Smith County District Judge Randall Rodgers.
Legally Speaking: The Power of the Pen
Thomas Jefferson once said that he would rather have newspapers without a government than government without newspapers.
Former Terminix manager sues over wrongful termination
MARSHALL � Terminix branch manager Jaclyn Baker claims she was fired for making complaints about her supervisors, court papers say.
UTMB, docs named in breast surgery lawsuit
UTMB-Galveston GALVESTON � A local married couple blames The University of Texas Medical Branch and two of its physicians for a procedure that reportedly yielded negative results for the wife.
Vacation ends in lawsuit against Galveston resort
GALVESTON � An Angelina County woman went on vacation at a Galveston resort only to leave with lingering and excruciating pain as a souvenir, court documents say.