News from 2008
Provost Umphrey attorney launches crusade against AstraZeneca
Just like the antipsychotic drugs before it, AstraZeneca's Seroquel may be linked to weight gain and diabetes, which is apparently reason enough for a Texas plaintiff's attorney to launch a crusade against the medication manufacturer.
Dem candidate for Texas CJ says Justices stumping, neglecting cases
Judge Jim Jordan AUSTIN -- The Democratic candidate for Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court has bashed the state's top bench for continuing to pile up more unresolved cases.
Report: Clinton leads with lobbyist contributions
Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., has received more contributions from the lobbyists than any other presidential candidate, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
Recent real estate foreclosures
The U.S. Bank National Association has filed an application for foreclosure against the property of Sandy Ferguson, located at 1150 Doucette Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701.
Judge must decide to accept, reject BP plea agreement
BP has pleaded guilty to criminal charges in connection with the March 23, 2005, explosion that killed 15 and injured hundreds at its Texas City refinery. Now U.S. District Judge Lee Rosenthal has to decide if she will accept the company's plea agreement.
UPDATED -- City of Port Arthur, marketer battle over contract in trial
Mark Sokolow The city of Port Arthur and its economic development corporation can't seem to distinguish who's in charge. And now because the left hand hired a marketing consultant without the right hand's permission, the city's attorney has spent the last week in court.
Wrongful death suit involving four children moved to federal court
MARSHALL � In January 2006, fire broke out in a mobile home in Harrison County, killing five people including four children. Now the wrongful death case has been moved from the county court to federal court in the Eastern District of Texas.
Appeals Court: Trial court erred, PAISD teacher did not exhaust administrative remedies
Texas justices on the Ninth Court of Appeals reversed a lower court's ruling that would have allowed a former teacher to pursue civil action against the Port Arthur Independent School District over an alleged discrimination firing.
Trip over rug at rug store results in lawsuit
While shopping at Kirkland's -- a store specializing in area rugs and other home decor -- Waneta Clark tripped over a rolled up rug and now claims the store failed to warn her of the dangerous condition.
Recent patent/copyright infringement cases filed in U.S. District Courts
Marshall Division, Eastern District of Texas
136TH COURT DISTRICT FEB. 2008
136TH COURT DISTRICT
Suit: Landlord locked house with mom, kids still inside
In a case that sounds more like a criminal matter than a civil one, the mother of three young children has filed suit against a Groves landlord for allegedly locking her and her kids inside a rental home.
Firefighters agree to four-year contract
After an appeals court overturned an arbitration decision late last year, the city of Beaumont and its local firefighters union finally came to an agreement Feb. 6 with the approval of a four-year contract.
Texans can vote for new license plate design
'My Texas,' the state's current general-issue license plate design. Should the license plates on Texas vehicles sport a blooming field of the state's beloved bluebonnets or a vista of the endless West Texas skies? Or maybe a skyline of Texas' dynamic cities?
Grandmother sues psych hospital after tripping
MARSHALL -- When attempting to visit her family at Longview Psychiatric Hospital, grandmother Mary Miller tripped on the pavement and fell. Suing for more than $75,000, Miller claims that inadequate outside lighting and uneven pavement contributed to her clumsiness and caused her to fall.
Groin rash, hurt back lead to suit against ExxonMobil
Chad Pinkerton After Johnny Philip Brown slipped and fell into some water at a petrochemical facility, he developed a disturbing red rash on his genitals.
Family blames death on chemical emissions
The family of Elbert Ray Lovett have filed a wrongful-death suit on his behalf against 48 chemical companies, claiming their benefactor was negligently exposed to toxic substances during his refinery career.
Provost Umphrey sues former attorneys for keeping settlement fees
The Provost Umphrey Law Firm is taking one of its former attorneys to court, alleging the lawyer still owes the firm its share of fees.
Commercial property owner sues two companies for digging ditch without consent
Trespassing gophers digging up yards are a common occurrence, but it's a tad stranger when the intruder is a human digging a drainage ditch in a shopping center.
Case Dismissed: Woman who collided into train tested positive for cocaine
MARSHALL -- On a clear night in October 2004, Keisha Smith, with cocaine in her system, did not hear the warning bells or see the flashing lights signaling that a train was crossing the railroad intersection.