News from July 2009
Lobbyist: AAJ looking to quietly pass plaintiff lawyer tax break
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline)- Federal legislation that would afford trial lawyers a special tax break faces an uncertain future, says one of the chief lobbyists for the nation's trial lawyers.
Seaman Jones files Jones Act suit after fall from ladder
Nederland resident Timothy David Jones filed a Jones Act suit against his employer, Cal Dive Offshore Contractors.
New business licenses/assumed names issued in Jefferson County
New business licenses/assumed names issued in Jefferson County, July 23-30, 2009
East Texas woman sues Wal-Mart over unpaid overtime
John Morgan LUFKIN � Asking for more than $100,000 in unpaid overtime wages, Pam Gellhaus has filed a lawsuit against Wal-Mart, alleging the company violated the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act.
Appeals court cuts pro se plaintiff a little slack
There's no denying that "No" is denying, according to the Ninth District appeals court in Beaumont.
This Just In: Recent civil suits filed in Jefferson County District Courts
Recent civil suits filed in Jefferson County District Courts, July 20-24, 2009
Hearing over injunction to stop BISD from razing South Park continues
A hearing over the future of South Park Middle School is attended by those who want to save the building as well as those who want to see it replaced. Every "intelligent tax payer" living in Beaumont should be "offended" that the school district wants to raze a structurally-sound building and replace it with a more expensive facility, said one local engineer at a recent hearing.
Trial lawyers face tort reform 'danger zone' in health care overhaul, says lobbyist
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline)- President Barack Obama's push for an overhaul of the nation's health care system could be stymied by Senate lawmakers, particularly moderate Democrats, the lobbyist for trial lawyers said.
Bolivar church's fight with archdiocese belongs in state court, federal judge rules
Our Mother of Mercy Catholic Church on the Bolivar Peninsula before Hurricane Ike struck. GALVESTON � The fight by a group of Port Bolivar residents to stop the Galveston archdiocese from demolishing a church is not a First Amendment issue, a federal judge ruled recently.
Woman sued over $45K credit card debt
LTD Acquistions is suing a Port Arthur woman who it says owes it more than $45,000 in credit card payments.
Port Arthur man sued for non-payment of credit card
LTD Acquistions is suing a Port Arthur man who it says owes it more than $30,000 in credit card payments.
Convenience store sued after man trips on handicap ramp
Convenience Store Sued For Improper Location of Handicap Ramp
Nurse alleges discrimination due to race
GALVESTON � A Tyler County woman claims the University of Texas Medical Branch assigned her to menial tasks because of her race, recent court documents say.
Company sues over payment for tank
Dragon Products is suing a Texas company for its alleged failure to repay a steel bobtail tank it purchased on an open account.
Families of two men killed in Houston crane collapse file suit in Jefferson County
Keith Hyde The families of two men killed when a large crane collapsed at a refinery in Houston have sued the crane company and other entities in Jefferson County District Court.
Recent patent infringement cases filed in the Eastern District of Texas
Recent patent infringement cases filed in the Eastern District of Texas, July 22-28, 2009
Teen awarded personal injury settlement, half goes to lawyers
After a year of litigation, Coca-Cola has settled a suit in which the soda company was blamed for failing to reduce the risk of delivering soda.
Latest hurricane-related insurance suits filed in Jefferson County
A total of seven new lawsuits against insurance companies regarding hurricane damage claims were filed in Jefferson County District Court during the week of July 20 through July 24.
Legally Speaking: When All That Twitters Is Not Told -- Dangers of the Online Juror (Part 3)
In previous installments of this series, we've examined how technology in the form of electronic communications by jurors has entered the jury box.
BC/BS alleges cholesterol drug makers hid unfavorable test results
MARSHALL � Insurer Blue Cross Blue Shield claims that the makers of two popular cholesterol-lowering drugs failed to disclose unfavorable trial test results in an effort to boost sales.