News from March 2008
McKeithen holds on to seat as chief of appeals court
The in-house Republican duel for the chief seat on the Texas Ninth Court of Appeals was a tight one, with the incumbent, Chief Justice Steve McKeithen, obtaining nearly 53 percent of the vote.
New business licenses/assumed names issued in Jefferson County
Orig. Filing Date: 02/28/2008 Certificate #: 72304
Recent real estate foreclosures
Chase Home Finance has filed an application for foreclosure against the property of Randolph and Mary Andrus, located at 3021 Rockwell Ave., Texas 77701.
Tempers flare as DuPont asbestos trial enters fourth week
Defense attorney Larry Cotten Tempers began to flare last week as the possible billion-dollar asbestos trial of Willis Whisnat Jr. et al vs. DuPont De Nemours wrapped up its third week of testimony on Friday, March 7.
Coastal Chemical sued for hiring negligent driver
MARSHALL -- While traveling with children down Highway 31 near Kilgore, Michael Reddock alleges a tractor-trailer violently rear-ended him, pushing his vehicle into oncoming lanes of traffic and causing him to collide into another vehicle.
Suit alleges safety devices failed causing worker to fall to his death
While employed by Gritz Towers in Goliad, Brandon Driggers worked at high altitudes constructing and maintaining communication towers. When attempting to place a cross member on a tower, the 29 year old fell to his death.
Recent patent/copyright infringement cases filed in U.S. District Courts
Marshall Division, Eastern District of Texas
BP employee claims heat stroke symptoms ignored, sues refinery and supervisor
GALVESTON -- A worker at BP's Texas City refinery claims his supervisor ignored signs that he was suffering from heat exhaustion, which eventually led to a stroke that has left him paralyzed.
Woman files suit against deceased Mid-County doctor for allegedly botching gallbladder surgery
Angela Broussard, 22, suffered from nausea and stomach cramps after having a cholecystectomy performed at the Medical Center of Southeast Texas last year.
Injured theater-goer sues Jefferson Theater, management
Frances Devall says she was severely injured while attending a Lamar University production at the Jefferson Theater nearly two years ago.
Plaintiff alleges termination due to employer's greed
Lucie Treddenick GALVESTON -- A Galveston County man claims he was terminated without discussion, in spite of an employment agreement, simply for the purposes of "greed, personal control and power."
Two Marshall cases allege GM produced faulty seatbelts
MARSHALL � Two recent federal lawsuits filed in the Eastern District of Texas accuse GM of producing faulty seatbelts.
Jury determines tree damage from Rita 'act of God' not homeowner's negligence
While the "if a tree falls and nobody hears it" philosophical question still remains unanswered, Jefferson County jurors were able to answer a question of a more legal nature: If a tree falls during Hurricane Rita is it considered an Act of God or negligence?
Rita suits still continue to trickle in Orange Court
Mostyn ORANGE -- Hurricane Rita lost strength and dissipated more than two years ago; however, the lawsuits that followed in her wake continue to trickle in.
Galveston County subdivision attempts restraining order
Marina del Sol in Kemah GALVESTON -- Two property owners had plans to renovate a lot in a Kemah subdivision three years ago, but their plans were rejected by the home owners association. But the property owners continued with some of the construction anyway and now the homeowners association is seeking a restraining order against them.
Collision at Orange car wash leads to suit against owner
ORANGE -- Instead of a clean car, an Orange man came home with a dented vehicle after being rear-ended by a car wash employee.
Legal watchdog urges voters: Know your judicial candidates
AUSTIN � With the primary elections over, Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) groups are urging voters to spend the coming months learning about all judicial candidates' backgrounds and qualifications before heading to the polls for the general election in November.