News from October 2008
Manager sues after learning pipe service company had no equipment
James John Briggs claims he was offered a job as operations manager of a pipe services company only to discover the company did not have any of the equipment needed to do the job. When the company later fired him, he sued the owners for fraud and breach of contract.
Pipefitters sue refinery for failing to clear pipe prior to repair
Two pipefitters say they sustained respiratory injuries when the pipeline they had been instructed to work on had not been properly cleared and suddenly released hazardous chemicals into the air.
Legally Speaking: Saying It With Style
Titles, it has been observed, say a lot, whether you're talking about books, movies, songs, or television shows. If you go to see a Bruce Willis movie like "Die Hard," "Die Hard With a Vengeance," or "Live Free and Die Hard," chances are that you know you won't be viewing a weepy, touchy-feely, relationship movie.
Texas Times: An Epic Storm
The end of a violent storm calms some of our fears, but stirs up a new set of concerns and challenges.
Tool salesman blames rollover on heavy load, tire defect
MARSHALL � Leaving a tool trade show with a truck bed loaded with displays, sales representative Phillip Hoover was returning the company truck when he lost control of the vehicle and it overturned.
Employee sues Jefferson County over race discrimination
Alleging he was passed over because of his race, John Cezar has filed a discrimination suit against his employer, Jefferson County.
Blevins files three asbestos suits in two weeks
Provost Umphrey attorney Brian Blevins is no stranger to the Jefferson County courthouse, filing three asbestos lawsuits in two weeks.
Couple sues 30-plus companies for husband's asbestos-related illness
Blevins Texas couple Gerald and Gladys Beasley have filed an asbestos suit against A.O. Smith and 30 other defendant corporations, alleging the defendant's caused Gerald's asbestos-related disease.
Property owner sues insurer over hail damage claim
Urban Quest Properties is suing its insurance provider for failing to honor more than two dozen claims made after its properties were showered with hail.
Hurricane Rita suits still pouring three years after touchdown
Mostyn A Port Arthur woman has sued Capitol County Mutual Fire Insurance for allegedly denying a portion of her Hurricane Rita claim.
This Just In: Recent civil suits filed in Jefferson County District Courts
Recent civil suits filed in Jefferson County District Courts, Sept. 26-Oct. 2, 2008
Suit over PA man left to die in bushes after wreck returns to district court
The death of Shanon Dean Hartley made news back in November 2004 when a homeowner found the man's decomposing body in a flowerbed a week after he had been in a car wreck.
Investors sue to recover $1.65 M from fraudulent condo development
Carolina Beach, N.C. TEXARKANA, Texas � In 2005, two Arkansas men thought they were investing $1.65 million in a hot deal in North Carolina to develop condominiums on the last available beachfront on the entire East Coast.
Program encourages Texans to vote in judicial contests
Three justices on the Texas Supreme Court face opposition in the general election next month, but according to a recent poll most Texas voters will skip over the high court and other judicial contests on the Nov. 4 ballot.
Recent patent infringement cases filed in U.S. District Courts
Patent infringement cases filed in the Eastern District of Texas, Oct. 3-7, 2008
Abbott signs agreement with Shell to curb youth smoking
Abbott AUSTIN-Shell Oil Products U.S. has signed an agreement with Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott aimed at curbing underage smoking.
First phase of new courthouse security measures installed
A worker prepares the entrance lanes that will guide visitors through new X-ray machines at the Jefferson County Courthouse. As soon as December rolls around, the public can expect to wait a few seconds at a security checkpoint currently being installed at the Jefferson County Courthouse main entrance while officers X-ray their belongings.
Total donates $1M to Red Cross for Ike victims
The owners of a Port Arthur refinery are lending a hand to help their employees and other area residents that have been affected by Hurricane Ike.
Judge finds no evidence refineries polluted PA neighborhoods
Judge Gary Sanderson In September 2007, the Texas Ninth District Court of Appeals dealt a blow to toxic tort attorney Tom Pearson when it removed a host of children from a class action alleging Premcor, Motiva and several other refineries were releasing harmful pollutants into Port Arthur neighborhoods.
136th Court District 11/1 - 11/30/08
MICHAEL ALBANESE VS. COMPAQ COMPUTER CORP