News from November 2014
Our View: Judge Milton Shuffield, the trained sealer
Earlier this year, U.S. District Judge Max O. Cogburn Jr. overturned a lower court’s decision to seal documents and testimony in the bankruptcy estimation trial of Garlock Sealing Technologies. He affirmed that a court is a public forum and that the public has the right to know the details of court settlements.
New business licenses/assumed names issued in Jefferson County
Nov. 3 - 10, 2014
Committee to start District Clerk hand recount on Wednesday
Jefferson County officials have granted a recount request filed by the Republican candidate for District Clerk who lost the election by 785 votes.
Injury suit against Enterprise Marine transferred to federal court
Enterprise Marine Services, a Houston-based company, has successfully removed a personal injury lawsuit against it filed in Beaumont to federal court.
Plaintiff gives emotional testimony in Hurricane Ike trial
A plaintiff claiming his insurer failed to restore his home following Hurricane Ike in 2008 wept on the stand Monday morning, telling jurors he hopes no one will ever have to go through what he went through.
Texas firm's request to change venue smells of forum shopping, Garlock says
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Attorneys for Garlock Sealing Technologies say attempts by asbestos plaintiffs firm Waters & Kraus LLP to move its suit to Texas are only attempts at forum-shopping.
Two women say deputy sexually assaulted them
A Fannin County woman and a Montgomery County woman are suing over claims they were sexually assaulted while inmates under transport between facilities.Debra Thomas and Natalie Davis filed a lawsuit Oct. 8 in the Sherman Division of the Eastern District of Texas against Community Education Centers Inc.; Fannin County, Texas; Greg Garrison; and William Clifford Isaacs.According to the complaint, Thomas
Woman blames Nissan for injuries after car ran off road
A Smith County woman is suing over claims she was injured while riding in a Nissan that ran off the road, despite wearing her seat belt.Megan Heiman filed a lawsuit Oct. 9 in the Tyler Division of the Eastern District of Texas against Nissan Motor Co., citing negligence.According to the complaint, Heiman was riding in a 2013 Nissan Versa traveling northbound on FM 2636 on April 6, when the vehicle
Three-car collision leads to lawsuit
A Brazoria County woman is suing over claims she was injured in a three-car collision on FM 517.
Jasper County Docket: November 2014
JASPER COUNTY, BROOKELAND INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, RAYBURN COUNTRY MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT V. LOIS A. CARLQUIST, SALLY ANN SMIGIELSKI, STEVEN RICHARD CARLQUIST
White pre-files bills to promote east Texas economy
The 84th Legislative Session doesn’t begin until mid-January, but one local representative is already gearing up by taking advantage of the opportunity to pre-file bills he wants the lawmakers to take up when the session starts..
Woman trips outside Walgreens, files suit
A Jefferson County woman is suing over claims she was injured while shopping at a Walgreens.Bonnie Williams filed a lawsuit on Sept. 25 in the Jefferson County District Court against Walgreen Co., et al, citing negligence.According to the complaint, Williams was shopping at the Walgreens on Dowlen Road in Beaumont on Oct. 19, 2012. When she was pushing her cart out the door, the suit claims her legs
Woman says ExxonMobil fired her because of pregnancy
A woman is suing ExxonMobil, claiming she was fired from her international job due to her pregnancy.
Wireless company accuses Catamaran of trademark infringement
A Houston software company is suing over claims another company has infringed upon its registered trademark.
Man accuses Long Star College System of retaliatory discharge
A Harris County man is suing over claims he was fired from his college teaching job in retaliation for complaints about administration.
Hurricane Ike insurance trial restarts after mistrial
EDITOR'S NOTE: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified the plaintiff's attorney as Gregory Cox of the Mostyn Law Firm. The firm said Cox is not affiliated with the case.
5th Circuit won't rehear UT affirmative action case
A federal appeals court has decided not to rehear an affirmative action case against the University of Texas, despite a request to do so from the U.S. Supreme Court.
Landowner trying to sell deeded property, man claims
A man is suing over claims he entered into a contract for deed for a property, which the owner is attempting to sell.James Yanas filed a lawsuit Oct. 7 in Galveston County District Court against Billy Jo McCreery.According to the complaint, Yanas and McCreery entered into a contract for deed relating to a property on Buttonwood Drive in Texas City on Sept. 22, 2009, and Yanas has made all his payments
Woman running red light caused accident, suit says
A Galveston County woman is suing over claims she was injured in a collision at an intersection when a vehicle allegedly ran a red light.Rosalva Ramirez filed a lawsuit Oct. 7 in the Galveston County District Court against Lauren Darnaver, citing negligence.According to the complaint, on Sept. 4, 2013, Ramirez was driving southbound on Stewart Road through its intersection with 61st Street, when Darnaver,
Accident on private road injures minor, suit claims
A Galveston County woman is suing over claims a minor was injured in a collision on a private drive off state Highway 6.Amber Janak, individually and as next friend of Samantha Lynn Votaw, a minor, filed a lawsuit Oct. 7 in Galveston County District Court against Kaye Darla White, citing negligence.According to the complaint, Votaw was a passenger in a vehicle on a private drive off state Highway 6