News from February 2014
Abbott packs Beaumont cafe during stop on gubernatorial campaign
Vietnam veteran Garry Trinkle wanted to hear Greg Abbott when he stopped in Beaumont, but he didn’t expect the gubernatorial candidate to call him out of the crowd.
Civil litigation stayed as lawyer undergoes investigation for fraud concerning 'phantom' BP claims
NEW ORLEANS – A federal court has stayed litigation brought against Texas-based plaintiff’s attorney Mikal Watts by BP while he is under criminal investigation for allegedly falsely representing himself as counsel for several deckhands and fishermen supposedly affected by the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Republican challengers after Texas SC seats are not pro-tort reform, says TLR founder
HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) – While many contend Republicans and tort reform go hand-in-hand, one influential Texas businessman says the GOP challengers running against the incumbent Texas Supreme Court justices are not pro-tort reform.
Deaf women claim they were denied sign interpreter at hospital
Two deaf woman are suing a hospital alleging they were refused the aid of a sign language interpreter.
Police officer with the Spring Branch Independent School District sued
A Houston resident is suing over claims of illegal detention, false arrest and excessive force.
Woman sues for $1 million after falling at Parkdale Mall
A Hardin County woman is suing a company and a department store after she fell outside a JC Penney at a Beaumont mall.
Divorce attorney sued by client
A man is suing his divorce attorney after the attorney signed an agreement to give the ex-wife 50 percent of a retirement account.
Defense getting better at handling False Claims while DOJ short on staff, experts say
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) – Parties on both sides of False Claims Act cases tend to agree that the number of lawsuits and amount of money they redistribute to the U.S. government has significantly increased since the statute was amended in 1986.
Adams named to court at law bench after Davis' death
Port Arthur attorney Langston Adams has been appointed to serve out the term of late Judge John Paul Davis in Jefferson County Court at Law No. 3.
White House announces new actions aimed at curbing ‘trolls,’ strengthening patent system
WASHINGTON (Legal Newsline) — Last week, the Obama administration announced a series of executive actions that aim to protect businesses from so-called “patent trolls,” strengthen the country’s patent system and foster innovation.
Kelly team wins Mock Trial competition
The team from Msgr. Kelly Catholic High School in Beaumont is the winner of the 2014 Region V Mock Trial Competition.
Recent patent infringement cases filed in the Eastern District of Texas
MARSHALL DIVISION
Jefferson County 136th District Court: Docket for April 2014
JUAN REID V. HALLMARK GROUP ET AL
New business licenses/assumed names issued in Jefferson County
License #: 2014004169
Legally Speaking: The element of surprise
In many aspects of life, there’s something to be said for the element of surprise, whether it’s catching your spouse off guard with an unexpected gift for no reason, or simply changing up your usual dinner order at a favorite restaurant.
Our View: We also find the phrase 'subhuman mongrel' offensive
Remember that smirking cowboy from Crawford that all the Democrats used to make fun of – you know, the one that was president of the United States before the present one?
Barge deckhand files suit after slipping and falling while aboard
A deckhand is suing his employer over injuries he allegedly sustained when he slipped and fell while aboard a barge.
Oil rig worker injured at sea files suit against Hornbeck, BP
A worker is suing over injuries he allegedly suffered while working on an oil rig.
Company sues former employee over trade secrets
A company is suing one of its former employees for allegedly exposing trade secrets.
Roof worker sues construction company over fall from ladder
A roof worker is suing a construction company after he fell off a ladder and broke both his ankles.