News from 2009
Refinery worker claims gas blast to face was intentional
A Harris County man has filed suit against his former employer and supervisor, alleging his supervisor vented a flammable gas into his face during training.
State AGs, supreme courts don't go unnoticed in Hellholes report
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - Several state attorneys general and state supreme courts were put under the microscope by the American Tort Reform Foundation in its annual "Judicial Hellholes" report, released Dec. 15.
South Florida the top 'Judicial Hellhole'
ATRF President Sherman Joyce WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - South Florida is again the country's most plaintiffs-friendly jurisdiction, according to the American Tort Reform Foundation's annual "Judicial Hellholes" report, released Dec. 15.
Hospital asks judge to disregard jury verdict
In spite of having a trial end its favor in October, Memorial Hermann Baptist Beaumont Hospital is presently asking a local judge to discard a $156,000 jury award and enter a new judgment of $261,000.
Hospital, doctor dismissed from local med-mal suit
A local hospital and physician claiming that they were wrongly named in a medical-malpractice suit had their case dismissed by appellate justices on Thursday, Dec. 10.
Companies engaged in dock dispute ordered into arbitration
Two companies engaged in a legal dispute over a dock were ordered into arbitration on Thursday, Dec. 10, by justices seated on the Ninth District Court of Appeals of Texas.
U.S. trial bar still searching for its next leader
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-The nation's trial lawyer group is still looking for a new leader, or so an Internet posting by a leading executive recruitment firm indicates.
CBO stands by estimate tort reform will save taxpayers billions
Douglas Elmendorf WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)--The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office says it stands by its analysis that medial malpractice limits would save American taxpayers billions of dollars.
House passes bill that would curb state AG powers
Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-State attorneys general powers are limited in a bill that narrowly passed the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday.
Poll: Americans divided over which party would fix health care
U.S. Capitol WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)-Americans are divided on whether the trust Democrats or Republicans to overhaul the nation's health care system, which critics say is fraught with waste and lawsuit abuse, a national poll indicates.
Rugg deserves thanks for his stewardship
It may not be his money, but Tom Rugg is frugal with it.
ASARCO sets aside millions for environmental cleanup
Abbott AUSTIN(Legal Newsline)- ASARCO LLC has placed $52 million into a custodial trust fund to help bankroll environmental cleanup at the company's now-closed smelter in El Paso, the state attorney general's office said Thursday.
1/09 136th
ALBERT LABLANC VS. MOLINA VENTURES LLC ET AL
Report: States use little tobacco settlement funds for related programs
Myers WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline)�Although states are raking in billions of dollars in revenue this year from the 1998 tobacco multistate settlement, officials are spending a paltry amount on antismoking efforts, a national report says.
Latest hurricane-related insurance suits filed in Jefferson County
A total of six new lawsuits against insurance companies regarding hurricane damage claims have been filed in Jefferson County District Court, Nov. 23-Dec. 4, 2009.
Wrongful death suit filed on behalf of cyclist killed in Beaumont
A daughter has filed suit against the motorist who killed her father while he was out riding his bicycle.
Injured worker seeks TRO regarding explosion at Valero Texas City refinery
GALVESTON - A Galveston County man has filed a temporary restraining order against two boilermaking companies in an effort to stop the defendants from removing material from an alleged scene of a recent explosion at Valero's Texas City refinery, recent court documents say.
Women's center sued for medical negligence
A local woman has filed suit against the Women's Center of Beaumont and the surgeon who operated on her.
Motorist sends biker flying
Earlier this year, Chelsea Hubert veered into oncoming traffic and struck Kevin Savoie while he was out riding his motorcycle.
Christmas shopper sues Wal-Mart for fall in aisle
The day before Christmas 2007, Susan Henderson braved the crowds at Wal-Mart to pick up some last minute items. But before she could cross everything off her shopping list, she tripped over some packaging material.