News from July 2010
Passenger sues over auto collision
Nearly two years ago, Michelle Singletary was a passenger in a vehicle traveling on Highway 12 in Vidor when Daniel Burgess allegedly failed to yield the right of way and caused an automobile collision.
Bridge City man claims apartment complex threw his gold on street
In the wake of Hurricane Ike, James Harrison alleges the owners of Harvest Apartments in Bridge City took all of his possessions out of his unit, allegedly including 20 pieces of gold and three big-screen TVs, "and threw them outside where the property was damaged and stolen."
Police association sues Bridge City over sergeant position
The Bridge City Police Association is suing the city and Chief of Police Paul Davis, alleging the defendants circumvented the collective bargaining agreement.
Contingency fees OK for public suits, Calif. SC decides
SAN FRANCISCO (Legal Newsline) - The California Supreme Court has decided its stance on contingency fee agreements between public entities and private attorneys should be loosened.
The Specter of legal plunder
The aptly surnamed Arlen Specter is trying once again to bestow a generous tax break on the plaintiff's attorneys who comprise a significant portion of his and his fellow Democrats' contributor base. The efforts of the shifty U.S. senator from Pennsylvania are opposed, once again, by Rep. Lamar Smith, Texas' stalwart representative from San Antonio.
Recent patent infringement/false marking cases filed in the Eastern District of Texas
Recent patent infringement/false marking cases filed in the Eastern District of Texas, July 13-19,2010
The Seminal Decision of 'Bilski v. Kappos'
In the seemingly pro-patent decision of Bilski v. Kappos, the U.S. Supreme Court relied on prior decisions -- instead of the test that was articulated by the Federal Circuit -- to find Bilski's business method unpatentable.
USSC rules in arbitration of arbitration disputes
Scalia WASHINGTON � When an agreement to arbitrate disputes contains an agreement to arbitrate disputes over arbitration, an arbitrator and not a judge must determine the validity of the entire agreement, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in June.
Senate Judiciary Committee approves Kagan
Kagan WASHINGTON(Legal Newsline) - Elena Kagan, President Barack Obama's U.S. Supreme Court nominee, won approval from the Senate Judiciary Committee Tuesday.
Cordray wants his lawyers to be lead counsel in BP suit
Cordray LAFAYETTE, La. (Legal Newsline) - Ohio Attorney General Richard Cordray wants the private lawyers representing Ohio pension funds to be named lead counsel in a class action lawsuit against BP.
Financial reform passes
Miller WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) - A group of Democratic state attorneys general are excited that President Barack Obama signed federal financial reform legislation into law Wednesday.
Overtime suit filed against Centerpoint
Claiming he's owed overtime pay, Christopher Boone recently filed suit against Centerpoint Entergy.
Fed up mailman sues after being attacked by dog, twice
Following two separate hectic encounters with the same "big black dog," a U.S. Postal Service employee is taking action by suing the owner of the canine.
Latest Hurricane Ike-related insurance suits filed in Jefferson County
A total of six new lawsuits against insurance companies over Hurricane Ike damage claims were filed in Jefferson County District Court, July 12-16, 2010.
Suit claims exercise bicycle unreasonably dangerous for unattended minor
SHERMAN-A mother has filed a lawsuit against the manufacturers of an exercise bicycle after her unattended child got his hand caught in the equipment and lost his fingers.
Wedding venue accused of encroaching on government property
SHERMAN-The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has filed a lawsuit against a wedding and special events venue on Lake Texoma for encroaching and trespassing on government land.
Highland Village sued for demoting fire captain
SHERMAN-A former captain with the Highland Village Fire Department has filed suit against the city alleging violations of the Family Medical Leave Act after he received a demotion for allowing a subordinate to swap shifts due to a medical problem.
Man sues lumber company over payment for timber
A Jefferson County man claims a lumber company refuses to pay him for timber harvested on his property.
Driver who hit school bus sued by injured student
A woman has filed suit against the driver who she claims struck the bus on which a child rode.
Dealership sued over employee's fender bender
Juhan As Sylvia and James Brown were turning onto Fannett Road, they were allegedly rear-ended by Michelle Bobbitt, an Allen Samuels Auto Group employee.