News from September 2016
Passenger blames driver of another car for causing crash
MARSHALL — A Gregg County man is suing a Florida motorist, alleging his negligence caused a crash that injured the plaintiff.
Patent infringement case against AT&T, Microsoft dismissed
DALLAS – Attorney fees have been awarded to AT&T Inc. and Microsoft Corp. in an infringement case that claimed the two companies copied several software patents.
Texas AG challenges sex change procedure rule change
WICHITA FALLS -- The state of Texas has filed a federal complaint on behalf of religiously affiliated healthcare providers and four states regarding a rule change in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that forces them to offer specific services to patients seeking sex change procedures.
Texas AG supports ExxonMobil's efforts to dismiss subpoena for internal climate change documents
ABILENE – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and 10 other state attorneys general are backing ExxonMobil Corp.’s effort to squash a state civil administrative subpoena for more than 40 years of the oil giant’s internal documents, which some believe could show the corporation misled its investors regarding evidence of climate change.
Grounds for Concern?
We have seen many examples of an “engaged judiciary” at the state court level, and it isn’t always pretty. Advocates of resuscitated constitutional protection for economic liberties—which were demoted to second-class status during the New Deal with the abandonment of the “substantive due process” doctrine in West Coast Hotel Co. v. Parrish (1937)—often argue in favor of a more rigorous standard of judicial review, across the board, when laws are challenged. This heightened judicial role is some
Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs wins fair housing case
AUSTIN, Texas -- A federal district court recently dismissed an ongoing fair housing lawsuit by Inclusive Communities Project, Inc. (ICP), alleging the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) violated the Fair Housing Act by awarding too many federal tax credits to minority communities.
Mikal Watts non-suited from Deepwater ID theft suit
HOUSTON – Texas trial lawyer Mikal Watts has been non-suited from litigation brought over identity theft following the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Worker blames Alvin plant operators for forklift injuries
GALVESTON — A Hidago County man is suing a League City business, alleging the defendant's negligence caused the plaintiff to be run over by a forklift.
Two vocational nurses accuse nursing home operators of failure to pay overtime
GALVESTON — Two Galveston licensed vocational nurses are suing nursing home facility operators, alleging failure to pay proper overtime.
Gregg County worker alleges employers failed to pay overtime
TYLER — A Gregg County man is suing multiple employers, alleging failure to pay overtime in violation of workers compensation acts.
Motorist blames trucking business, driver for causing crash
GALVESTON — A Fort Bend County motorcyclist is suing a trucking business and driver, alleging the driver's negligence caused a crash that injured the plaintiff.
Disabled woman alleges former employer violated federal law
SHERMAN — A disabled woman is suing a Valley View business, alleging failure to uphold Americans with Disabilities Act regulations.
Motorist blames driver, transport providers for causing crash
BEAUMONT — A Shepherd woman motorist is suing a driver and transport providers, alleging negligence in preventing injuries.
Smith County woman blames Dillard's for fall on broken escalator
MARSHALL — A Smith County woman is suing Dillard's, alleging the defendant's negligence caused the plaintiff is to sustain injuries on an escalator.
Customer blames supermarket operator for injuries
HOUSTON — A Texas woman is suing a supermarket operator, alleging the defendant's negligence led to the plaintiff suffering injuries.
Petroleum worker alleges energy business failed to pay overtime
HOUSTON — A Kentucky woman is suing a Katy energy company, alleging failure to pay proper overtime.
Judge grants Voss motion to dismiss, but says allegations surrounding law firm ‘are concerning’
HOUSTON – After reviewing several “voluminous” filings, a federal judge has rejected an insurance company’s bid to keep The Voss Law firm locked in litigation it suspects was brought on a plaintiff’s behalf without her knowledge, agreeing the firm’s behavior was “concerning” but ultimately not a matter for the court.
SEIU civil trial calls into question inner workings of labor union
HOUSTON – Earlier this month, a Harris County jury ordered Service Employees International Union to pay Professional Janitorial Services - Houston $5.3 million in damages, finding the Chicago-based labor union made false claims about the company’s business practices and treatment of employees.
Attorney General Paxton reaches $1.175 million settlement with Katz Boutique for selling synthetic marijuana
Attorney General Paxton settles its first lawsuit against the Harris County Shops for selling synthetic marijuana. After increased reports of overdoses on the illegal drugs in Texas, the Office of Attorney General teamed up with narcotics investigators on cases resulting in a total of ten lawsuits filed against Harris County shops.
Texas bank wins collateral estoppel appeal against insurance agency
BEAUMONT – A Texas bank has won its appeal of a summary judgment based upon collateral estoppel.