News from February 2009
Arkansas judge orders expedited hearing for class certification against Nationwide
Judge Kirk Johnson TEXARKANA, Ark. � Believing that Nationwide Insurance intentionally withheld information regarding a Pennsylvania lawsuit dealing with allegations of an overhead and profit scheme, Miller County Circuit Court Judge Kirk Johnson granted an order providing for an expedited class certification hearing. The hearing is set for 9 a.m. Feb. 19.
This Just In: Recent civil suits filed in Jefferson County District Courts
Recent civil suits filed in Jefferson County District Courts, Jan. 29-Feb. 6, 2009
Recent patent infringement suits filed in U.S. District Courts
Marshall Division
After Supreme Court denies request, Arkansas class action against GM continues
TEXARKANA, Ark. � The U.S. Supreme Court denied a request by General Motors to review a class action pending against the auto maker in the Miller County Circuit Court of Arkansas. The decision denying the petition for writ of certoriatia was released Jan. 12.
Landrieu tells trial lawyers America needs to find its 'mojo'
Mitch Landrieu At a gathering of trial lawyers, Louisiana's lieutenant governor said New Orleans' slow recovery has become symbolic of the United States and more funding was needed for remediation if America hopes to recover its "mojo."
Chief justice tells lawmakers it's time for merit appointments to Texas judiciary
Wallace Jefferson AUSTIN � The Texas judiciary will be made stronger if judges are appointed based on merit rather than elected along party lines, the chief justice of the state's high court said Wednesday.
Community college professor's suit alleges racial discrimination
GALVESTON � A professor at a community college in Texas City claims he is the target of racial discrimination, court papers say.
Plaintiff rests in amputee's medical malpractice trial
Brian Sutton Plaintiff's attorney Brian Sutton has rested his case against one healthcare facility and several doctors on Wednesday, Feb. 11, as the trial of Jerry Sylvester vs. Christus et al approaches its end.
Legally Speaking: Lincoln the Lawyer
Feb. 12, 2009, signifies more than just another annual celebration of the birthday of our 16th president � it marks the 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln's birth on Feb. 12, 1809.
Appeals court erases verdict, remands case over attorney's fees back to trial court
A year ago, The Southeast Texas Record reported that defense attorney Roger McCabe, who represents Port Neches-Groves Independent School District in a suit filed by Pyramid Constructors Inc., promised to appeal after losing a trial over attorney's fees.
Texas SC serves ace to lawyer in case over tennis squabble
Attorney John Osborne of Houston improperly sued two women who beat his clients at tennis, Ninth District appeals judges in Beaumont ruled on Feb. 5.
Railroad employee sues UP over spine injury
A former Union Pacific Railroad Company employee claims in a lawsuit against the company his spine was injured while he was working for the railroad.
Man sues after falling from construction basket at junior college
MARSHALL -- In a construction basket 50 feet above ground, John Henry Jackson was applying plaster to a building at Tyler Junior College. He claims that without warning the telescopic handler started to shake and the chain extending the boom malfunctioned.
Trailer companies sued after toddler unlatches ramp
A Bridge City woman claims her toddler son was injured after he was able to unlatch a metal ramp attached to a trailer which then fell on him.
Constitutionality of historic tobacco settlement debated
Caldwell SHREVEPORT, La. (Legal Newsline) - A federal judge in Louisiana was asked Monday to rule 1998's Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement signed by 52 states and territories unconstitutional.
Texas AG sues Rodeway Inn franchise for price gouging
AUSTIN(Legal Newsline)-Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott's office Tuesday said it has charged the owners of a Rodeway Inn franchise with price gouging.
Suit against 27 companies cites 'Pustejovsky' in second asbestos claim
Blevins A Texas man has filed an asbestos suit on behalf of his recently deceased relative against 27 defendant corporations, claiming the asbestos-related disease with which the deceased man was diagnosed was wrongfully caused.
Fishermen blame boat crash on unmarked pipeline
Two local fishermen have filed suit against Golden Pass Pipeline, alleging the company's unburied pipeline caused them to sustain injuries after their boat ran over it.
Three local suits filed against Mylan over Digitek
Three Jefferson County residents have filed separate suits against Mylan Pharmaceuticals, alleging they suffered physical pain after they took the prescription drug Digitek, which they claim contained twice the approved level of its active ingredient.
AAJ spokesperson: U.S. Chamber's tort reform efforts are 'wrong'
NEW ORLEANS -- With President George W. Bush out and President Barack Obama in, a spokesperson for America's leading trial lawyers association says things are looking up for the lawsuit industry, but warned the world's largest business federation remains an obstacle.