News from January 2009
Suit names 58 defendants over man's asbestos exposure
Lou Thompson Black A man and his wife have filed an asbestos suit against 58 defendant corporations, claiming the asbestos-related disease with which the man was diagnosed was wrongfully caused.
Ike damage has homeowner taking windstorm insurer to court
A Jefferson County woman has filed suit against Texas Windstorm Insurance Association, alleging she was not paid money to which she was entitled after Hurricane Ike destroyed sections of her home.
Developer sues builder over allegedly keeping excess profits
A developer and home builder are in a legal dispute over allegations the builder swindled more than $40,000 from the property owner.
As new salmonella scare makes headlines, local suits filed over previous peanut butter recall
As new complaints of possibly salmonella contaminated peanut butter products has HEB pulling items from its shelves, a Beaumont woman is filing suit against the grocer over an earlier salmonella outbreak she claims made her ill two years ago.
Woman sues Market Basket, Conagra over allegedly tainted peanut butter
A Beaumont woman who claims a jar of Peter Pan peanut butter made her violently ill two years ago has filed suit against the company that manufactured the peanut butter and the grocery store that sold it to her.
Free Press for the Special Few
Since our first edition in 2007, we've heard lots of lawyer complaints.
Judicial council reopens investigation on Kent after additional charges filed
New criminal charges against U.S. District Judge Samuel Kent has prompted the 5th Circuit judicial council to reopen its judicial misconduct investigation against the Houston judge.
New business licenses/assumed names issued in Jefferson County
New business licenses/assumed names issued in Jefferson County, Jan. 8-15,2009
Jury to begin deliberations in six-week medical malpractice trial
For almost two months, the water-cooler topic around the Jefferson County Courthouse has been the bizarre medical malpractice trial carrying on in Judge Donald Floyd's 172nd District Court.
Recent real estate foreclosures
Recent real estate foreclosures filed in Jefferson County, Jan. 8-9, 2009
This Just In: Recent civil suits filed in Jefferson County District Courts
Recent civil suits filed in Jefferson County District Courts, Dec. 30, 2008-Jan. 9, 2009
Couple seeks treble damages from insurer over Hurricane Rita claim
A Jefferson County couple has filed suit against Capitol County Mutual Fire Insurance Company, alleging they were not paid money to which they were entitled after Hurricane Rita destroyed sections of their home.
Voyager named in suit by policyholder seeking Hurricane Ike recovery payment
A Jefferson County man has filed suit against Voyager Indemnity Insurance Company, alleging he was not paid money to which he was entitled after Hurricane Ike destroyed sections of his home.
Suit against Carnival alleges minor sexually assaulted during cruise
GALVESTON � A Harris County woman alleges her 13-year-old daughter was sexually assaulted during a cruise last summer and is suing Miami-based Carnival Cruise Lines Inc. on behalf of the child in Galveston County District Court.
Texas SC enforces forum selection clause in contract case
AUSTIN � Hidalgo County District Judge Noe Gonzalez kept jurisdiction of a lawsuit that belonged in Illinois, the Supreme Court of Texas ruled on Jan. 9.
Recent patent infringement suits filed in U.S. District Courts
Recent patent infringement suits filed in the Eastern District of Texas, Jan. 8-13, 2009
Plaintiff's attorney plays race card during mistrial hearing over Record's trial coverage
Valorie Davenport On Dec. 3, one of the first days of the medical malpractice trial of Stacy Thompson vs. Dr. James Woodruff, squabbling between opposing counsel caused Judge Donald Floyd to tell the attorneys he would declare a mistrial "and hold someone in contempt" if their disruptive behavior didn't cease.
Galveston man feels bad, but files personal injury suit against church anyway
GALVESTON � A Galveston man is suing a local church for a hip injury he reportedly sustained in early 2007 while performing yard work.
Woman's suit alleges cold remedy took away sense of smell
MARSHALL � An East Texas woman has filed suit against the makers of Zicam, alleging the cold remedy caused her to lose her sense of smell.
Legally Speaking: Legislators Gone Wild
With the Texas Legislature going back to work this month in Austin, several readers reminded me that while this column has looked at lawyers and judges behaving badly, it hasn't devoted much space to chronicling the foibles of those who actually make the laws.