News from April 2009
Legally Speaking: Brother, Can You Spare A Lawyer?
Times are tough all over during this recession.
Recent patent infringement suits filed in the Eastern District of Texas
Recent patent infringement suits filed in the Eastern District of Texas-Tyler Division, April 2-14, 2009
Proposed order would bring Hurricane Ike cases from other counties into Jeff Co MDL
James Old Jr. In February, district judges presiding over the county's civil litigation formed a Hurricane Rita MDL in an effort to ensure consistent and blanketing rulings are made while each individual suit passes through discovery. The MDL process was designed to save time, but may be about to slow up.
Sears sued for not fixing hole despite knowledge of its existence
MARSHALL � While bringing her car into a Plano Sears for repairs, Lisa Foster was riding in the passenger seat while a Sears employee backed the car into a repair stall.
Wrongful death trial against Ford continues, delays KCS hearing on docket
A wrongful death trial over a Ford Bronco blowout in Judge Donald Floyd's 172nd District Court has run longer than expected, forcing a crop of slated hearings to be reset for a later harvest.
GM sued over death allegedly caused by defective seat belts
A wrongful death suit has been filed against General Motors by a local woman who alleges her daughter's death was caused by GM's defective seat belts.
Jury finds no negligence by chiropractor accused of 'improper touch'
Pierce A woman who sought a neck adjustment then turned and sued the chiropractor for "unwanted, intrusive contact," left the Jefferson County courthouse empty handed Wednesday, April 15, as a jury found no negligence on the chiropractor's part.
Judge tells squabbling plaintiff's lawyers to sue each other, allows complex probate case to continue
Plaintiff's lawyers embattled over who gets to represent a deceased man's estate were told by a local judge to sue each other in order to sort out the mess.
Woman claims food poisoning caused by Kroger's tainted lobster
A Beaumont woman is suing a grocery store over food poisoning she alleges was caused by eating lobster purchased from the store.
Woman sues city for demolishing chapel
A Beaumont woman has filed suit against the city, alleging it violated her rights when it tore down her funeral chapel.
BISD sued over girl's sexual assault while walking home
The Beaumont Independent School District has been named as a defendant in a lawsuit alleging a student was sexually assaulted while walking home after a bus driver forced her off the school bus.
Wrongful death suit blames company for entrusting van to reckless driver
TEXARKANA, Texas � Morgyn Walston claims the car wreck which led to her husband's death is the result of American Dust Control Inc. for entrusting a company van to a reckless or incompetent driver.
Co-owner files counter suit against former partner in Kemah restaurant
GALVESTON � A LaPorte man has filed a counter suit against his partner in a Kemah eatery and his partner's attorney after being hit with a temporary restraining order.
Plaintiff non-suits Valero minutes before summary judgment hearing
Rather than duke it out, a plaintiff in a personal injury suit has chosen a more peaceful action, opting to non-suit the Valero Energy Corp. just minutes before a summary judgment hearing was set to begin in Judge Milton Shuffield's 136th District Court.
Critics see former Beaumont attorney's contract with Pennsylvania governor as 'pay to play'
A former Beaumont attorney may lose out on millions in legal fees if the Pennsylvania Supreme Court removes him from a suit against a pharmaceutical company on allegations his contract for legal fees has the appearance of a "pay to play" scheme.
Blue Cross Blue Shield settles with Texas AG over rating system, doctor referrals
AUSTIN (Legal Newsline)-Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas has agreed to stop using its doctor-rating program under an agreement the company reached with the Texas attorney general's office.
Lessons of Laminack
The case took eight months and seven hearings before dismissal. Rick Laminack's accuser couldn't come up with any evidence.
EMT hurts wrist on stretcher, sues ambulance company
A Buna woman has filed suit against Williams A. Ambulance and two of its employees, alleging her wrist snapped while she was attempting to adjust a stretcher.
143 Texas City residents sue BP over 2007 chemical release
GALVESTON � A Houston attorney has filed suit against BP on behalf of 143 Texas City residents as a result of an incident at the London-based petroleum company's Texas City refinery in April 2007.
Jefferson County sued over fatal collision involving county vehicle
A woman and the parents of a recently deceased 25-year-old man are suing Jefferson County and one of its employees over a collision that caused the man's death.