News from September 2014
Fifth Circuit reaches split decision in Texas Optometrists v. Wal-Mart; $1.3M civil penalty evaporates
NEW ORLEANS – The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has partly affirmed and partly reversed a district court’s decision regarding Wal-Mart’s regulation of its optometry doctors’ hours.
Beaumont dance hall accused of negligence after alleged assault
A man is suing a Beaumont dance hall that he alleges failed to protect him from a physical attack. Daniel Brack filed the lawsuit against the Dixie Dance Hall, The Dixie Dance Hall Ltd. and Crockett Street Entertainment Inc. in Beaumont on Aug. 13 in Jefferson County District Court. Brack says he was at the Dixie Dance Hall in Beaumont on Dec. 28, 2013, when he was assaulted and seriously injured.
Siemens files lawsuit against company it claims illegally downloaded software
A software manufacturing company has filed suit against a business it says is utilizing the company's software without a license.Siemens Product Lifecycle Management Software, of Plano, says it developed a product called NX 8, which assists with product design, manufacturing and simulation. At some point, Siemens alleges it discovered BTL Machine, of Corona, Calif., was using its NX 8 software without
Trio says defendant refused to pay following settlement agreement
Three men say they have not received money owed to them following a lengthy court battle.Rodney D. Vannerson, Enos Cabell and Tom Roberson filed a lawsuit Aug. 7 in U.S. Court for the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas against Vincent Paul Young Jr., Vincent Young and Delphine M. James. In the complaint, the plaintiffs allege they originally were named as defendants in a case in which
Judge Barbier: BP was 'grossly negligent' in Deepwater Horizon disaster
A federal judge has ruled that BP is the main company responsible for the 2010 explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig and subsequent oil spill.
Deepwater Horizon special master Louis Freeh recuperating from car accident
NEW ORLEANS – Former FBI director Louis Freeh, who has investigated claims of fraud in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill claims process, released a statement days after he was seriously injured in a single car accident in Vermont.
Halliburton agrees to $1B settlement over Deepwater Horizon spill
Houston-based Halliburton Energy Services – a subcontractor on BP’s Deepwater Horizon oil rig – has agreed to pay more than $1 billion to settle claims from coastal businesses that were damaged from the 2010 rig explosion and oil spill.
TLRPAC endorses state Sen. Glenn Hegar for Texas Comptroller
Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC today endorsed state Sen. Glenn Hegar for Texas Comptroller.
New business licenses/assumed names issued in Jefferson County
Aug. 18-22, 2014
BP files motion to remove Patrick Juneau as claims administrator
NEW ORLEANS – Oil giant BP PLC has filed a motion to have Patrick Juneau removed as claims administrator in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill litigation, arguing that he is biased and has not been forthcoming about potential conflicts of interest.
Woman says man's negligence, drinking led to accident
A Galveston County woman says that she was injured in a crash the defendant caused while driving under the influence of intoxicants.
Man claims two other drivers' negligence led to injury crash
A Texas man is suing two other drivers, whose negligence, he says, led to severe injury from which he still suffers.
Equipment rental company wants customer to pay up
An equipment rental company is suing a repeat client who they claim would return equipment but never pay the bill.
Depuy Orthopedics and J&J sued over knee bone cement
NEW ORLEANS – A woman is suing a bone cement manufacturer claiming the product was defective and has caused her to need additional surgery.
Angelina County man pleads guilty to fraudulent insurance claim over Bugatti Veyron
A 39-year-old Lufkin man has pleaded guilty to federal violations in the Beaumont Division of the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney John M. Bales.
Cruz: Students must always aim high
By Sen. Ted Cruz
Jefferson County 172nd District Court: Docket for October 2014
SHARECKA BOWIE ET AL V. CATERPILLAR INC ET AL
Recent patent infringement cases filed in the Eastern District of Texas
MARSHALL DIVISION
St. Tammany Parish sues to prevent fracking; Cites concerns over aquifer
COVINGTON, La. – Louisiana is, by and large, a state that welcomes new oil and gas projects. This comes as no surprise – the industry provides jobs for residents and a substantial tax base for the state treasury. From 20-year-old tax exemptions to the recent passage of Senate Bill 469, which blocks lawsuits against 97 oil and gas companies, the industry is secure and welcome in the state.
Appeals court reverses lower court finding against religious discrimination, upholds dismissal of retaliatory firing claims
NEW ORLEANS – The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has partly reversed and partly affirmed a district court’s decision in a suit dealing with Title VII religious discrimination and retaliation claims.