News from March 2011
Refinery workers seek $500M from BP over 2009 Texas City benzene leak
Buzbee GALVESTON � Galveston attorney Tony Buzbee has a filed a $500 million lawsuit against BP Products North America Inc. and Pasadena Tank Corp. on behalf of eight contractors who claim their health has been affected as a result of a benzene leak.
FIA Card Services files suit over unpaid credit card balance
FIA Card Services has filed a lawsuit against Beaumont resident Joseph Kirbow, alleging the man refuses to pay his credit card balance.
Latest Hurricane Ike-related insurance suits filed in Jefferson County
A total of five new lawsuits against insurance companies over Hurricane Ike damage claims were filed in Jefferson County District Court, Feb. 29-March 4, 2011.
Port Arthur sues 5 hotels to collect occupancy tax
The city of Port Arthur filed multiple lawsuits against five area motels on Monday, alleging the defendants neglected to turn over hotel occupancy taxes collected last year.
Legally Speaking: Separating Myth From Reality-The Truth About 'Hot Coffee'
Without a doubt, most Americans are more familiar with the notorious McDonald's "hot coffee" case than with landmark Supreme Court decisions.
Proposed bill would close trial lawyer loophole in asbestos suits
Miller State Rep. Doug Miller (R-New Braunfels) has filed House Bill 2034, which would halt abuses in asbestos lawsuits by requiring plaintiffs' lawyers to seek compensation from federal bankruptcy trusts before going to trial against solvent defendants.
Man claims pressure ulcer caused by physical therapy, sues Baptist Hospital
Alleging a piece of physical therapy equipment caused him to develop a pressure ulcer, Bobby Foxworth filed suit against Memorial Herman Baptist Beaumont Hospital.
Woman wants exemplary damages from H-E-B for slip & fall
Seeking exemplary damages, Sandra Harris has filed suit against H-E-B Grocery, alleging she slipped and fell while shopping at the store nearly two years ago.
New website helps veterans with legal problems
WASHINGTON � The first website in the nation to focus exclusively on federal legal rights and resources important to veterans has been launched and is receiving visitors from all 50 states and 77 countries worldwide, including Iraq and Afghanistan.
Justices split three ways in decision to remand malpractice case
Texas Supreme Court Justices AUSTIN- Sympathy sometimes sways a jury, but for once it swayed the Supreme Court of Texas.
Deadline nears for Law Day high school art contest
First place winner from the 2010 Law Day Art Contest. In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower established Law Day to help students and the public understand how the law protects our freedoms through programs and activities conducted by schools, courts, bar associations and civic groups.
Woman sues after crash with tractor trailer in Dickinson
GALVESTON � Mariah Hedrick is suing McLane Co. Inc. and Transco Inc. over an accident in Dickinson last May.
Man walks into plate glass door, sues owner of Mexican vacation home
GALVESTON � Claiming he severely cut his knee and nearly lost his hand after he ran into a sliding glass door at a rental home in Mexico, John Geddie is suing the home's owner.
Woman thrown from car in crash files suit against driver, insurer
GALVESTON � Claiming she was involved in a wreck which caused her to be thrown from her vehicle two years ago, Annie Hill has filed suit against Erika Fullen and Hartford Casualty General Agency Inc.
Apartment owner sues management after building loses housing authority approval
GALVESTON � Alleging that his apartment building in Galveston fell into disrepair because of mismanagement, Los Angeles resident Daniel Ikentani is pursuing legal action against Apartments Galveston and real estate broker Ginette Childress.
Tow truck driver seeks $5M for crash with plumbing company vehicle
GALVESTON � After a vehicle he drove for a local towing company was reportedly broadsided on a Galveston street, Emmanuel Kastis is seeking $5 million in damages from Mitchell Chuoke and Mitchell Chuoke Plumbing Inc.
Woman who fell at Sam's Club wants surveillance video of incident
Area resident Patricia Morrison has filed a petition to discover evidence against Sam's Wholesale Club, seeking to obtain surveillance video coverage of her falling and breaking her hip.
Slip & fall filed against Nederland Chevrolet
Although car salesmen often have a reputation for being slick, Gilbert Cadena claims he stepped in a "slippery substance' and fell while perusing cars at Nederland Chevrolet.
Are things changing regarding motions to change venue in false marking cases?
Although the federal Eastern District of Texas has traditionally been reluctant to grant motions to change venue in false patent marking cases, it appears things are changing.
Jury finds granddaughter withheld home sale proceeds, awards grandma $37K
A Jefferson County jury found in favor of a Groves grandmother on Tuesday, awarding her more than $37,000 in home sale proceeds that had been withheld by her granddaughter.