News from September 2014
Recent patent infringement cases filed in the Eastern District of Texas
BEAUMONT DIVISION
Circus goer files suit after being knocked to the ground by clown
NEW ORLEANS – A circus attendee has filed suit after a clown, employed by the circus, bumped into her causing her to fall and suffer serious injuries.
BP spokesman tells environmental journalists they got it wrong
NEW ORLEANS – In a speech given to the Society for Environmental Journalists on Sept. 3, BP spokesman Geoff Morrell told the group that he was discouraged by speculative reporting that took place during and after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill regarding the impact the spill would have on the environment.
New business licenses/assumed names issued in Jefferson County
Aug. 25-29, 2014
Law firm’s app block calls, evaluates Telephone Consumer Protection Act claims
STAMFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) – A prolific-filing law firm specializing in debt collection harassment cases has helped develop an app that it says could help those who download it make up to $1,500 per robocall or debt collection call.
Study finds patent cases reach record high, but law professor says numbers are ‘misleading’
NEW YORK (Legal Newsline) – According to a recent study on patent litigation, the number of U.S. patent cases filed increased in 2013.
Texas tort reform group endorses SC Justice Jeff Boyd
HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) – On Thursday, Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC endorsed the election of Justice Jeff Boyd to the Supreme Court of Texas.
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.
International Paper accused of fraud and slander
A Jefferson County company is accusing International Paper of fraud and slander. Signature Associates, Signature Special Services and Signature Industrial Services of Beaumont filed a complaint against Tennessee-based International Paper Co., Greg Bennett and Alliance Engineers & Project Consultants of Beaumont on Aug. 8 in Jefferson County District Court.
Tractor-trailer owner accused of negligence for faulty brake light
The owner of a tractor-trailer is being asked to pay more than $1 million for a crash allegedly caused by a faulty brake light.Rojaramani Bai Thronagiri Basisthagorata, also known as Roja Thronagiri, individually and as guardian of the estate of Rama Bhoopal Reddy Jammuladinne and as next friend of minors Meghana Reddy Jammuladinne and Kirthi Reddy Jammuladinne, filed a lawsuit against BTS Logistics,
Enbridge Energy accused of discrimination
A former Enbridge Energy employee alleges she was discriminated against because she is an African-American female. Kenya Thompson filed the discrimination complaint against Enbridge Employee Services Inc. of Houston, Enbridge Energy Partners, Enbridge Energy Co. Inc. and Enbridge Energy LP on Aug. 8 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas. Kenya Thompson says she is an African-American
Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services sued over claims of discrimination against employee
A Texas woman is suing over claims she was discriminated against in her employment with a state agency.Yolanda F. Douglas filed a lawsuit Aug. 6 in the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas against the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, citing discrimination. According to the complaint, Douglas was employed by the defendant, known as DARS, as a management support
Jefferson County 60th District Court: Docket for November 2014
JOHN SCHIWART ET AL V. SHARIQ AHMAD
Beaumont man accused of causing crash in Port Arthur
A Beaumont man is accused of ramming into the side of a pickup truck and causing serious injuries to its passenger.Penny Cade filed the complaint against Jim Crawford Jr. on Aug. 12 in Jefferson County District Court. Cade says she was a passenger in a Dodge Ram pickup truck going west on state Highway 73 in Port Arthur on Sept. 12, 2012. She says Crawford, driving a Ford F-150 pickup truck, slammed
Couple accused of failing to pay for Beaumont home
A couple is accused of defaulting on an agreement to buy the Beaumont home they lived in for more than a year.Estella M. Wendt filed a complaint against Miguel A. Lopez and Erica Lopez on Aug. 12 in Jefferson County District Court. On Dec. 16, 2011, Wendt says she executed and delivered to the Lopezes a deed "purporting to convey" a piece of property on Evalon Street in Beaumont. According to the complaint,
Beaumont dog owner sued over alleged pit bull attack
A Beaumont dog owner is accused of allowing four pit bulls to attack a passer-by.
Wal-Mart sued after woman slips on tissue
A Gregg County woman is suing over claims she was injured after slipping on a tissue in a Wal-Mart store.
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. District Court for the Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas against Vincent Paul Young Jr., Vincent Young and Delphine M. James.
OSHA citations over practices at company that led to employee death upheld on appeal
NEW ORLEANS – The U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled against Texas-based Austin Industrial Specialty Services in its appeal of Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) citations over circumstances that led to the death of a worker.
Fifth Circuit upholds decision denying attorneys’ demand for timely access to court records for advertising purposes
NEW ORLEANS – The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has affirmed a district court’s decision prohibiting attorneys from demanding “quick” access to criminal citations.