News from October 2009
Small dent turns into big repair headache for boat owner, suit claims
Ryan Citrano claims he went to have a small dent in the hull of his boat repaired, but when he picked it up seven weeks later, the vessel had extensive damage.
Man files Jones Act suit over unspecified injuries
A Jefferson County man has filed suit against his employer, which he says failed to provide him with a safe place to work and caused him to suffer career-ending injuries.
Latest hurricane-related insurance suits filed in Jefferson County
A total of nine new lawsuits against insurance companies regarding hurricane damage claims were filed in Jefferson County District Court, Sept. 28 - Oct. 2, 2009.
Employee alleges Tyson violated FMLA
SHERMAN � A forklift operator at the Tyson plant in Sherman alleges that her employer violated the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) by not allowing her intermittent leave due to a swollen knee.
Capitol Comment: U.S. & NATO Must Act Swiftly, Decisively for Afghanistan Success
Just a few short months ago, President Obama summed up our responsibilities in Afghanistan when he said, "This will not be quick, nor easy. But we must never forget: This is not a war of choice. This is a war of necessity.... This is fundamental to the defense of our people."
Suit: Medtronic should pay for medical monitoring after leads failed
An East Texas man claims a cardiac defibrillator implanted in his chest could fail at any time, so he wants the company that made the device to pay for the continued monitoring of his condition.
Former cop sues BPD for alleged discrimination
After nearly being terminated and rejected for promotion 35 times, an African-American patrol officer claims his troubles with the Beaumont Police Department were racially motivated.
This Just In: Recent civil suits filed in Jefferson County District Courts
Recent civil suits filed in Jefferson County District Courts, Sept. 28-Oct. 1, 2009
Toyota accuser delivers four boxes of documents to Marshall court
Biller MARSHALL - The former Toyota attorney who claims the company concealed important safety information arrived at the federal courthouse in Marshall with four boxes of documents that could be evidence Toyota committed fraud.
Man blames railroad when truck gets stuck on tracks
MARSHALL � Driving his 18-wheel motor carrier through Marshall, Juan Hosea Gates was attempting to cross railroad tracks when his truck became stuck and was struck by a Union Pacific train.
New business licenses/assumed names issued in Jefferson County
New business licenses/assumed names issued in Jefferson County, Oct. 1-7, 2009
Recent patent infringement cases filed in the Eastern District of Texas
Recent patent infringement cases filed in the Eastern District of Texas, Oct. 1-7, 2009
Appeals court upholds incarceration of Port Arthur gang member
Gang members can serve time for deadly threats even if it is other members of the gang that pose the threats, Ninth District appeals judges ruled on Oct. 1.
Mistrial declared in Houston attorney's silica kickback case
The trial against a Houston attorney accused of using bribery to settle silica lawsuits ended in mistrial when jurors deadlocked after two days of deliberations.
Attorney duel: Brent Coon wants back rent from lawyer tenant
Coon A big fish in litigation against a smaller fish says a tenant on his property is on the hook for hundreds of thousands of dollars in back rent.
Trial against local hospital focuses on doctor's employment contract
Buck the "good old boy" system and you'll likely find yourself unemployed. That was the argument plaintiff's attorney Gary Cornwell presented to jurors at the start of a trial over a doctor's contract with a local hospital.
Public Citizen sues to force Texas to regulate greenhouse gases
DALLAS (Legal Newsline) - Environmentalists in Texas this week sued in an effort to force the state to regulate carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions.
Galveston residents allege racial discrimination
GALVESTON - Two Galveston County residents are suing a privately-owned industrial contracting company for terminating them after the plaintiffs complained about racism on the job.
Success of reforms highlight Lawsuit Awareness Week in Texas
AUSTIN � Bobby Jenkins, president of ABC Home & Commercial Services, worries about the threat of lawsuit abuse on his company and the people that work for him. But since civil justice reforms in the state of Texas, Jenkins, whose company serves Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Bryan/College Station, says he feels more comfortable.
Galveston Bay property owners sue over crack in protective barrier
Sailboat on Galveston Bay GALVESTON � Two couples are suing a Houston real estate management company after they discovered cracks in the barrier that was supposed to protect their property from the waters of Galveston Bay.