News from 2008
Suit alleges faulty pressure cooker burned mother, daughter
TEXARKANA, Ark. � An Arkansas woman claims that burns she and her daughter sustained were the result of a defective pressure cooker and have sued the product's maker
Insurers to pay for cell phone radiation suits, Texas SC says
Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson AUSTIN � Insurers who covered cellular telephone companies for bodily injuries must pay for national radiation litigation, the Texas Supreme Court decided Aug. 29.
Kent pleads not guilty to sex crimes before Houston judge
U.S. District Judge Samuel Kent HOUSTON -- U.S. District Judge Samuel Kent found himself on the other side of the bench Sept. 3 as he pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual abuse of a female employee before another federal judge in Houston.
Recent patent infringement cases filed in U.S. District Courts
Recent patent infringement cases filed in the Eastern District of Texas, Aug. 27-29, 2008
Foundation awards grant to Catholic Charities for legal aid to poor
AUSTIN � The Texas Access to Justice Foundation has announced that its 2008-2009 allotment of grants, totaling more than $24 million, will be distributed to 40 nonprofit organizations throughout Texas.
Texas county comes up dry, state supreme court rules
A handful of Dallas County residents will continue to have to drive out of their way to wet their whistles, as the Texas Supreme Court has denied their petition for a writ of mandamus forcing the Dallas County Commissioners Court to call an election to change a justice precinct from dry to wet.
Texas SC forces appeals court to take another look at doctor's appeal
Justices seated on the Texas Supreme Court reversed a lower court's ruling Aug. 29, forcing the Second Court of Appeals to review a physician's medical malpractice appeal.
Woman trips over pallet, sues Wal-Mart
MARSHALL -- Seeking more than $100,000, Patsy Nan Golightly is suing Wal-Mart after she tripped over an empty wooden pallet and fell.
BBB, FBI warn of relief scams following Hurricane Gustav
In the aftermath of disasters, relief agencies appeal to citizens for monetary donations to aid those in devastated areas. But the Better Business Bureau and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are also appealing to citizens to beware of scams from fraudulent groups that seek only to make a profit for themselves.
Suit alleges Yamaha 'Rhino' ATV unreasonably dangerous
TEXARKANA - While driving his Yamaha Rhino 660 all terrain vehicle on a gravel parking lot, Levi McDermott was injured when the ATV tipped over and trapped his left leg under the vehicle, court papers say.
Legally Speaking: "The Legal System Doesn't Get Much Weirder Than This"
As regular readers of Legally Speaking know, I periodically point out some of the stranger goings-on in the legal system.
Texas SC: Landowner cannot seek damages from subsurface trespass
AUSTIN(Legal Newsline)-Even if a landowner holds a claim to minerals or water below his property, he cannot seek damages from subsurface trespass, the Texas Supreme Court ruled last week.
Ford Park site of emergency preparations for Hurricane Gustav
Hundreds of ambulances and buses were staged at Ford Park, ready to respond to areas hit by Hurricane Gustav. The Jefferson County entertainment complex, Ford Park, was not the place for a concert over Labor Day weekend.
Gustav misses SE Texas; Area prepared for the worst
Many businesses, like this florist shop on Calder Avenue in Beaumont, took necessary precautions before Hurricane Gustav. As Hurricane Gustav swelled to wind speeds of 145 mph and possible landfall anywhere from the upper Texas coast to east of New Orleans, emergency management officials from local, state and federal agencies were taking no chances.
Evacuation order lifted, county offices to reopen Thursday
Some of the outer bands of Hurricane Gustav could be seen darkening the skies near the Jefferson County Courthouse on Monday afternoon as the storm made landfall in Louisiana. The mandatory evacuation order for Jefferson, Orange and Hardin counties has been lifted, according to a news release from the Beaumont police.
Jefferson County announces Settlement Week
Settlement Week is all about timely, cost effective justice. On Monday, Sept. 15, Jefferson County's Settlement Week project begins.
Judge joins the modern age: Floyd orders E-file for all new cases
Judge Donald Floyd is bringing his court into the 21st Century, ordering that all cases filed in the Jefferson County 172nd District Court now be submitted as E-file cases.
BREAKING: Evacuation Ordered for Jefferson County!
Westbound lanes of Interstate 10 are filling up as residents flee from Louisiana in advance of Hurricane Gustav. Local officials have called for the mandatory evacuation of all residents of Jefferson County beginning at 6 a.m. Sunday in anticipation of Hurricane Gustav.
"Dr. Kirchmer Calling"
U.S. pharmaceutical companies are already among the most regulated in the world. Do they really need the freewheeling scrutiny of Southeast Texas' plaintiff's bar?
Recent patent infringement cases filed in U.S. District Courts
Recent patent infringement cases filed in the Eastern District of Texas, Aug. 20-26, 2008