News from June 2015
Pedestrian struck down in intersection brings driver to court
A Missouri resident filed a lawsuit against a Galveston woman alleging vehicular negligence in a 2013 pedestrian accident. Megan Prescott of St. Peters, Missouri, filed against Dominique Tipps in Galveston County District Court June 8, claiming negligence in a June 2013 motor vehicle accident in Galveston.
Property purchaser brings action against seller
A Galveston County resident is suing a woman from whom he purchased property, alleging breach of contract.
Houston law firm seeks to stop former attorney from ‘courting’ personal injury clients
By DAVID YATES A Houston personal injury law firm recently sued one of its former attorneys for allegedly seeking to court its clients.
Tort reform group offers cheers and jeers at end of Texas legislative session
By DAVID YATES A Texas tort reform group is praising several bills that survived Texas’ 84th legislative session, but also says legislatures “failed to tackle” a key problem – storm chasing trial lawyers. The session ended June 1, during which lawmakers considered a number of issues of importance to the legal reform community, according to Texans Against Lawsuit Abuse. TALA cites several measures, including: - Asbestos reform legislation: Rep. Doug Miller, R-New Braunfels, and Sen. Charles Sc
THEIR VIEW: Counting successes from the legislative session
By Gov. GREG ABBOTT Texas is strong.
Ninth Court to hear whistleblower suit against BISD
By DAVID YATES BISDlogoAn appeals court has agreed to hear a whistleblower lawsuit against the Beaumont Independent School District, which seeks immunity from the claim. Plaintiff George W.
Richard Dawkins hit with $58M defamation suit, plaintiff claims famous atheist called him ‘stupid’
By JOHN SUAYAN, GALVESTON BUREAU SHERMAN – A Collin County man has brought a defamation lawsuit against famed British ethologist Richard Dawkins. Karl L.
New study criticizes tort reform in Texas, incites strong rebuke
By DAVID YATES The “gatekeepers” to civil justice system, plaintiff attorneys, are losing incentive to practice because of tort reform, according to a new study – a report furnished by, in the opinion of one man, two “left wing academics who never met a lawsuit they didn’t like.” On June 2 the American Bar Foundation sent out a press release promoting a new book: Tort Reform, Plaintiffs’ Lawyers, and Access to Justice, essentially a study examining more than 20 years of “tort reform activity” i
PA seafood companies accused of perpetrating $3M Deepwater Horizon fraud
By KYLE BARNETT NEW ORLEANS – A pair of Texas seafood processors owned by a man previously imprisoned for fraud are facing more than $3 million in Deepwater Horizon claims clawbacks after court officials said the firms were not in business at the time of the 2010 oil spill. Alliance & Associates LLC and Crystal Seafood Company of Port Arthur are accused in court documents of fraudulently receiving a $3.16 million damage claim from the BP settlement fund.
Plaintiff lands 18.8K verdict following JC auto collision trial
By DAVID YATES On Tuesday, June 9 a plaintiff, who brought suit over an automobile collision in Port Arthur, landed a jury verdict totaling nearly $19,000 in damages. Citing negligence, Juwon Dancy filed a lawsuit May 20, 2014, in Jefferson County District Court against Kerry Wayne Roberts. The trial began June 8 and concluded the following day. According to the original petition, Dancy was driving at the intersection of Dequeen and Thomas boulevards in Port Arthur on Aug. 6, 2013, when a veh
Plaintiff lands 18.8K verdict following JC auto collision trial
On Tuesday, June 9 a plaintiff, who brought suit over an automobile collision in Port Arthur, landed a jury verdict totaling nearly $19,000 in damages.
Seaman’s widow sues Texaco alleging asbestos-related death
Represented by The Lanier Law Firm, a Port Arthur resident brought a lawsuit against her late husband’s employer for alleged negligence under the Jones Act.
Seaman’s widow sues Texaco alleging asbestos-related death
A Port Arthur resident brought a lawsuit against her late husband’s employer for alleged negligence under the Jones Act in 2013. Dolores Respess filed individually and as executrix of the estate of Roland Respess, deceased, against Texaco Inc. of Paradis, Louisiana; Energy Transfer Partners as successor-in-interest to Sunoco s/i Sun Oil Co. of Dallas; and Ingram Corporation s/i Ingram Ocean Systems Inc. of New Orleans in Galveston County District Court June 5, claiming liability in her husband’
Navy veteran cites civilian employer for FMLA breach
A Montgomery County resident brought a lawsuit against his Massachusetts-headquartered employer for an alleged employment law violation in 2014.
Navy veteran cites civilian employer for FMLA breach
A Montgomery County resident brought a lawsuit against his Massachusetts-headquartered employer for alleged employment law violation in 2014. Craig Allen Johnson filed against Target Logistics Management LLC, doing business in Texas, of in Houston Division of the Southern District of Texas June 3, claiming violation of Family and Medical Leave law in a December 2014 workplace incident. According to the suit, Johnson, who served in the U.S.
Injured industrial worker demands employer cooperation
A Newton County resident filed a petition to take oral depositions from a Jefferson County firm and its agents in the interest of investigating a potential 2014 personal injury claim against his employer. Jeff Hobson of Burkeville filed a petition in Jefferson County District Court June 1, deposing employees or representatives of EMS USA, located at 17691 Highway 124 in Beaumont, regarding an unspecified November 2014 workplace accident. According to the suit, Hobson intends to discover whethe