News from March 2011
State Senate celebrates Texas Independence Day
State Sens. Judith Zaffirini, Leticia Van de Putte, Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa and Mario Gallegos view the original Texas Declaration of Independence, in the Senate Chamber on the occasion of the 175th Anniversary of the signing of the document on March 2.
Feinberg questions Barbier's authority over claims facility
Pitofsky NEW ORLEANS � Some say BP hired Kenneth Feinberg as chief of the Gulf Coast Claims Facility, and some say President Barack Obama hired him, but Feinberg fears he works for the Department of Barbier.
Capitol Comment: Texas' 175-year legacy of freedom and patriotism
One-hundred-and-seventy-five years ago, 59 brave men risked their lives to boldly put forward their belief that Texas must and ought to be a free nation. The signers, our state's forefathers, knew that by putting their name on this new declaration of independence, they were also putting their families and livelihoods in peril. But they were willing to risk it all for liberty.
Injured driver claims motorist failed to control his speed, sues
Mississippi resident Jacque Nelson has filed suit against Port Arthur local Luis Garcia, alleging he failed to control his rate of speed and struck her vehicle.
Stalled driver sues over rear-end collision
Hindered by mechanical problems, Beaumont resident Charnetta Bruno's car stalled on a busy freeway, where another motorist struck her.
Citibank sues to recover credit card debt
Citibank has filed suit against Beaumont resident Deborah Dommert, claiming the woman has defaulted on her credit card account.
Pedestrian sues after CB&I truck hits her
A Jefferson County woman has filed suit against the driver who she claims struck her as she was walking down the street a liquified natural gas facility.
DuPont sues former research chemist fearing disclosure of trade secrets
Carrington DuPont has filed suit against one of its former employees, alleging the employee has revealed the company's top secrets to a competitor, which could lead to the loss of substantial revenue.
Contractor seeks almost $3M over framer's use of non-code nails
A general contractor seeks more than $2 million in exemplary damages and $700,000 in actual damages alleging it was forced to replace every nail in more than 100 homes.
Wreck in downtown Beaumont subject of lawsuit
An Orange County woman seeks more than $2,000 from her insurance company after she says an under insured driver struck her vehicle.
'Qui tam' provision found unconstitutional in Ohio false patent marking case
On Feb. 23, the Northern District of Ohio and specifically U.S. District Judge Dan Polster issued an important opinion � in Unique Products Solutions Ltd v. Hy-Grade Valve Inc. - granting a motion to dismiss the false marking case on the grounds that the qui tam provision is unconstitutional.
Legally Speaking: Dead Men Tell No Tales -- Except in Court
I don't do probate cases, due perhaps in part to the somewhat creepy summary explanation that my Wills & Estate professor in law school gave to that area of law, calling it "present events controlled by a cold dead hand from the grave."
Man says Dollar General manager's remarks led to his firing
GALVESTON � A Galveston County man says he lost his job as a contractor because of an incident at a Dollar General Store in Dickinson two months ago.
Negotiator in John's Oyster Bar demolition sues to recover fees
The former John's Oyster Bar and later Immanuel Baptist Church building in Galveston was demolished in February 2009. GALVESTON � Galveston attorney Cris A. Rasco seeks to recover around $8,000 for negotiating a demolition with the city of Galveston for investors Robin Parsley and Scott Chandler.
Recent patent infringement/false patent marking cases filed in the Eastern District of Texas
Recent patent infringement/false patent marking cases filed in the Eastern District of Texas, Feb. 22-25, 2011.
Med-mal alleges nurse tinkered with medical implant without doc's orders
In a recent lawsuit filed against Christus Hospital St. Elizabeth, plaintiff Mark Kent alleges a nurse "inexcusably" changed the settings on his Hemovac drain.
Slip & fall filed against Texas Roadhouse
Area resident Lindsay Boggs has filed suit against the Texas Roadhouse in Port Arthur, claiming she slipped and fell at the restaurant because of a dangerous condition.
Provost Umphrey files petition to perpetuate testimony in possible asbestos claim
Groves resident Ladana Kiffe has filed a petition to perpetuate the testimony of Robert Marze, a former Texaco employee who suffers from lung cancer.
RMQ substitutes counsel in personal injury suit against Entergy
The Beaumont law firm Reaud, Morgan and Quinn recently swapped two of its attorneys in a suit brought by William Duke, who sued Entergy Texas after a power line fell on his vehicle.
IHOP manager files supplemental answer, asserts pre-existing condition in slip & fall
The owner of the Beaumont IHOP filed a supplemental answer last week, asserting that a slip-and-fall plaintiff's alleged injuries were pre-existing.