News from December 2015
Insurer seeks to avoid paying claim for injured workers
HOUSTON -- An Ohio insurance company is suing another insurance firm to determine if the plaintiff has to pay a claim.
Employee alleges Bluestar Directional failed to pay overtime
HOUSTON -- An employee is suing a Kingswood oil drilling company, alleging lack of overtime pay for work weeks totaling more than 40 hours, per the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Patient alleges UT-Galveston Medical Branch, doctor left him partially deaf
A Galveston County man is suing a hospital and a doctor, alleging a botched medical procedure left him partially deaf.
ILR: What the Silver conviction reveals about asbestos litigation fraud
Story Copy Institute for Legal Reform, December 8, 2015 The conviction last week of former New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver reveals more than just the level of corruption in the Empire State capital.
Texas cities among most frequent targets for personal injury lawyer ad dollars
On Dec. 16 Texans Against Lawsuit Abuse (TALA) announced a new statewide consumer education campaign, urging Texans to “Don’t Let a Lawyer Be Your Doctor.” Small business owners, health care providers and lawsuit reform advocates have joined forces to press for greater consumer awareness in personal injury lawyer advertising.
Texas woman alleges Rosenberg police unlawfully searched her home
HOUSTON -- A Rosenberg woman alleges three Rosenberg police officers unlawfully held her children at gunpoint while they searched her home for drugs.
Harris County man alleges excessive force by Webster, Nassau Bay police
GALVESTON -- A Harris County man is suing police officers from Webster and Nassau Bay, alleging excessive force.
Henderson County worker alleges Maximus guilty of wrongful termination
TYLER--A Henderson County woman is suing a Virginia-based company, alleging wrongful termination under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
East Texas, Hidalgo County named as ‘judicial hellholes’ by tort reform group
A tort reform group has christened the nation’s leading venue for patent litigation, the Eastern District of Texas, and Hidalgo County, home to more than 10,000 hailstorm lawsuits, as “judicial hellholes.” The American Tort Reform Association released its “Judicial Hellholes” report for 2015-2006 on Dec. 17, shining a spotlight on nine courts or jurisdictions with reputations for unfairness.
Man injured jumping off mini Segway, sues Sonic Automotive
BEAUMONT – An Orange man is suing Sonic Automotive of Texas for injuries he received while trying to jump off a mini Segway.
John Wayne’s hit with personal injury suit
BEAUMONT – an area resident has filed a personal injury suit against the owner of John Wayne’s in Magnolia.
Defense attorney withdraws in trampoline injury suit
In August 2013, Philip Hayhurst sued Bungee Fun Zone and Solid Rock Productions, alleging he should have been instructed on the safe use of a bungee trampoline. Court records show that on Sept. 18 Solid Rock’s former attorney, David Grove, filed a motion to withdraw, which was granted on Oct. 9.
Railyard worker takes whistleblower role against Union Pacific
HOUSTON--A Kennard man is suing Union Pacific, alleging his first action, brought to the U.S. Department of Labor, was delayed, allowing him to file in federal court.
Employee alleges disability discrimination by T-Mobile
HOUSTON--A former worker is suing T-Mobile, alleging disability discrimination and retaliation.
Employee alleges UT Medical Branch, Galveston guilty of race discrimination
A Galveston County woman is suing a University of Texas medical branch, alleging employment discrimination and retaliation.
International energy firm in Sugar Land seeks declaratory relief from ex-employee
An international energy company with an office in Sugar Land, is suing a former employee for declaratory relief in his ongoing medical case.
Katy worker alleges ConocoPhillips did not pay overtime
HOUSTON--A Katy employee is suing an oil and gas production company, alleging unpaid overtime wages.
Texas citizens react to Sen. Cruz and Gov. Abbott’s announcement of the State Refugee Security Act
Citizens of Texas have reacted to the Governor Greg Abbott and Senator Ted Cruz’s announcement of the State Refugee Security Act with both criticism and praise. “How DARE you think you speak for me.
Groups argue trial lawyers abusing discovery to force hail suit settlements
Several groups, including the world's largest business federation, recently filed amicus briefs in two actions pending before the Texas Supreme Court, arguing trial lawyers are abusing discovery to force insurers to settle even frivolous lawsuits. In November, State Farm Lloyds filed two petitions for writ of mandamus with the high court, seeking to overturn a district judge’s decision to impose a protocol for the production of electronically stored information (ESI for short) in a hailstorm la
Galveston man says Antigua Apartments' negligence caused him injuries
A Galveston man is suing a local apartment building and its owner, alleging negligence for injuries sustained due to inadequate lighting and a faulty handrail.