News from 2015
Joe’s Crab Shack settles securities suit for $1.8M, attorneys reap $900K
By DAVID YATES In January, the owners of Joe’s Crab Shack and several other popular restaurant chains reached a $1.8 million settlement in a federal securities class action lawsuit. On Friday, June 5, District Judge Vanessa Gilmore signed an order approving the settlement, awarding the plaintiffs’ attorneys in the case $600,000 from the settlement fund, plus $304,009.77 in expenses.
Joe’s Crab Shack settles securities suit for $1.8M, attorneys reap $900K
In January, the owners of Joe’s Crab Shack and several other popular restaurant chains reached a $1.8 million settlement in a federal securities class action lawsuit.
Experts designated in $1M injury suit against Echo Maintenance, December trial slated
By DAVID YATES A plaintiff recently designated his experts in his suit against Echo Maintenance, which alleges he was injured at work when he fell through improperly laid out caliche. Citing negligence, Charles Rowry filed a lawsuit Oct. 14 in Jefferson County District Court against Echo Maintenance. According to the complaint, Rowry was employed by Motiva Refinery as a lead RCM on Feb. 14, 2014, when one of his subordinates asked for assistance turning on an important pump across from the No. 2
Experts designated in $1M injury suit against Echo Maintenance, December trial slated
A plaintiff recently designated his experts in his suit against Echo Maintenance, which alleges he was injured at work when he fell through improperly laid out caliche.
Property purchaser brings action against seller
A Galveston County resident is suing a woman from whom he purchased property, alleging breach of contract.
Car owner sues woman who rear-ended his daughter
A Harris County father filed a lawsuit against a League City woman alleging vehicular negligence in a 2015 accident that damaged his car and hurt his daughter. Ty Holland filed individually and as next friend to Jady Holland against Kaitlyn Clute in Galveston County District Court June 9, claiming liability in a May 2015 motor vehicle collision. According to the suit, Clute’s negligence caused damages to a 2003 Hyundai Elantra driven by Jady Holland and owned by Ty Holland.
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