News from October 2009
Legally Speaking: The Broken Gavel Awards
Last week, I wrote about judges who missed their calling, judging by the content of some recent orders and opinions from around the country.
Lawsuits allege rifles had defective triggers resulting in misfires, injuries
MARSHALL � A New Mexico resident and a Colorado resident believe they own rifles that have a tendency to unexpectedly discharge due to a defective trigger.
Suit blames welders for Galveston condo fire
Buzbee GALVESTON � A Galveston homeowners' association blames two businesses for a fire that destroyed its condominium complex in June, recent court documents say.
Appeals court to hear defense arguments for dismissal of med-mal case
A local hospital and physician claim they have been wrongly named in a medical-malpractice suit and will ask appellate justices later this month to reverse a lower judge's ruling denying their motion to dismiss.
Woman tossed by backhoe blames sleeping operator, sues two companies
Oxford A woman has filed suit against two companies after she says an employee accidentally lifted her off the ground with a backhoe.
Pothole blamed for woman's injury in suit against city
Ivey A woman has filed suit against the city of Beaumont, alleging she was seriously injured after running over a pothole.
Property owner alleges fraud in hurricane damage evaluation
A man says he was damaged after an engineering company sent an unqualified employee to evaluate his claims for damages caused to his property after Hurricane Ike struck.
Anguish management
Mental anguish isn't worth what it used to be.
58th 11/09
WILLIAM MEZZLE VS BALBOA INSURANCE CO ET AL
Abbott, Perry want appeal of Dallas judge's decision to hear gay divorce case
Callahan A state district judge in Dallas has ruled that the Texas ban on same-sex marriage violates the constitutional guarantee to equal protection under the law.
New business licenses/assumed names issued in Jefferson County
New business licenses/assumed names issued in Jefferson County, Sept. 24-Oct. 1, 2009
Trial lawyers group in debt
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-The nation's trial lawyers group appears to be struggling amid mounting debt and a decline in membership dues.
Injured doctor takes insurer to court over disability payments
Mostyn A former doctor says his insurance company refuses to pay him disability insurance for the remainder of his life after he sustained debilitating injuries in 2005 that prevented his return to work.
Furniture mover sues over neck injury
A man has filed suit against his former employer, alleging his neck was seriously injured when he attempted to lift a heavy object as part of his job duties.
Car rental agency sues to recover payments
A popular car rental agency claims an Orange company has failed to completely pay for vehicles it borrowed.
Suit blames anti-depressant drug for 2007 murder-suicide
SHERMAN -- In a suit recently transferred to the East Texas federal court, the maker of a popular anti-depressant drug is being blamed for a murder-suicide committed by a woman who had taken the drug.
Justices: No reason for railroad to share trade secrets with plaintiff
Texas Supreme Court AUSTIN � Bexar County District Judge Karen Pozza stepped out of bounds when she ordered Union Pacific Railroad to share rate-setting secrets with personal injury lawyers, the Supreme Court of Texas ruled on Sept. 25.
Latest hurricane-related insurance suits filed in Jefferson County
A total of four new lawsuits against insurance companies over hurricane damage claims were filed in Jefferson County District Court, Sept. 21-25, 2009.
Customer sues home improvement store due to sharp glass
A man has filed suit against a lumber store, saying he cut his hand on a piece of glass after employees failed to properly wrap it up.
Joseph Gonzalez claims he was shopping at defendant Sutherlands Lumber on College Street in Beaumont on Nov. 27, 2007, where he purchased a piece of glass that he had ordered.
Insurance company tries to recoup $150K it paid for roof repair
An insurance company says it was forced to dole out more than $150,000 to repair a metal roof that began leaking less than one year after it was installed.