News from 2008
Exxon Valdez ruling could reshape U.S. tort law
Ted Frank WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-The U.S. Supreme Court will end the long-running class-action lawsuit over the Exxon Valdez spill any Monday between today and June 23, when it issues a ruling before the high court's term recesses.
Med-mal trial against Memorial Hermann ends in mistrial
After deliberating for three days, jurors failed to decide whether Connie Woods doused her feet with flesh-eating chemicals while under the care of Memorial Hermann Baptist Hospital Beaumont or prior to being committed, as the three-week long trial ended in mistrial.
Suit: 'Beware of Shopping Baskets' warning needed to avoid injury
A local woman is alleging Wal-Mart had a duty to warn her not to step into unattended shopping baskets left on the ground.
Woman rundown by shopping basket, sues Target for not warning of hazardous incoming carts
Most mothers tell their children to look both ways. Perhaps one of the few kids who never received the alerting advice, a Beaumont woman is alleging it was Target's duty to "warn" her to watch out for "incoming shopping carts."
Local companies in litigation over $50k contract
Texas Asphalt Sealing has filed suit against K.T. Foods, claiming the company has paid only half of what it owes Texas Asphalt for a parking lot job.
Dad files suit against theater after son falls in restroom
Regardless of what was showing on the screen, a Beaumont child gave his experience at a local movie theater "two thumbs down."
Standard Alloys sues Entergy after transformer fire damages foundry
A Port Arthur business, Standard Alloys & Manufacturing Co., has filed suit against Entergy, claiming the power company negligently ignored a faulty transformer, which sparked and caused a fire to spread throughout the plaintiff's foundry.
Widow files benzene suit on late husband's behalf
Keith Hyde A widow has filed a benzene suit against Chevron USA, convinced the company who wrote her husband's paychecks also killed him.
Oral arguments heard over class certification in product liability cases
Associate Justice Donald Corbin LITTLE ROCK, Ark. � The Arkansas Supreme Court heard arguments over multi-state class certification issues relating to product liability cases on Thursday, May 29.
Jurors don't count
Even when corporate defendants win in Jefferson County, they lose.
Lawyer vows to appeal $26 million Vioxx reversal
Mark Lanier HOUSTON(Legal Newsline)--The famed Houston plaintiffs' attorney who Thursday saw a Texas appeals court toss out his client's $26.1 million verdict against Merck & Co. Inc. over the company's drug Vioxx said his client will appeal.
Appeals courts overturn Vioxx verdicts
(Legal Newsline) - Merck & Co. Inc. notched two major legal victories Thursday, with appeals courts in Texas and New Jersey tossing verdicts against the drugmaker involving the painkiller Vioxx.
Recent patent infringement cases filed in U.S. District Courts
Marshall Division, Eastern District of Texas
New business licenses/assumed names issued in Jefferson County
Orig. Filing Date: 05/22/2008 Certificate #: 72836
Abbott, Democratic Party settle voter fraud lawsuit; both sides claim victory
Greg Abbott AUSTIN, Texas (Legal Newsline)-Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has agreed not to target people who collect others' mail-in ballots for them as part of a settlement with the Texas Democratic Party.
Texas SC decision curbs forum shopping, reinforces recent mandamus ruling
Justice Paul Green AUSTIN � If a Texas judge transfers a suit to another county on a defense motion, the plaintiff can't drop it there and sue in a third county, the Supreme Court declared May 23.
136th District Court June 2008
136TH COURT DISTRICT
Spindletop Spin to benefit pro bono program
Hundreds of cyclists are expected to roll out for the Spindletop Spin to benefit the Jefferson County Pro Bono Program on June 7. Last year's event, pictured, raised more than $25,000 to provide legal services to the needy. It's time again for hundreds of cyclists to take the roads, but they won't only be riding for fun and exercise but also to raise money for a program that provides free legal services to those in need.
Recent real estate foreclosures in Jefferson and Orange counties
Jefferson County
Retirement home employees claim discrimination after agency investigation
A band of former retirement home employees are claiming they were discriminated against after cooperating with an Adult Protection Services investigation. Apparently, the state of Texas shut down Four J's Community Living Center following the investigation.