News from August 2017
Trial lawyers clash with storm bill supporters over Harvey insurance claims
HOUSTON – Not long after Hurricane Harvey crashed upon Texas shores, trial lawyers began publicly urging victims to file insurance claims before Sept. 1 – the date a new law aimed at ending weather-related lawsuit abuse goes into effect.
Jefferson County appealing lower court’s ‘failure’ to dismiss sergeant’s whistleblower suit
BEAUMONT – In late September, the Ninth Court of Appeals will hear oral argument on whether a district judge erred by not dismissing a whistleblower suit brought against Jefferson County by one of its sergeants.
Paxton vows to defend cConstitutionality of SB 4
AUSTIN – On Aug. 30, Attorney General Ken Paxton vowed to continue fighting for Senate Bill 4 after a U.S. District Court judge ruled that the law is unconstitutional and that San Antonio is the proper venue for multiple lawsuits challenging the law.
Appellate court dismisses appeal of Sealy officials in Town Park Center dispute
HOUSTON – The developers of Town Park Center, a retail complex in Sealy, won the latest round in a continuing lawsuit against the city of Sealy when the Court of Appeals for the 1st District of Texas dismissed an appeal from the 155th District Court in Austin on Aug. 24.
U.S. attorneys state Watts should be 'immediately disqualified' from Uresti case
SAN ANTONIO – At a court hearing on Aug. 7, Texas state Sen. Carlos Uresti, (D-San Antonio) argued that attorney Mikal Watts should not be disqualified as his attorney, despite the fact they both represented the same client, Denise Cantu, several years ago.
14th Court of Appeals sends Tony's Barbeque and Steakhouse settlement dispute back to lower court
HOUSTON – The 14th Court of Appeals has reversed rulings made by a Texas district court in a settlement case between a restaurant and a lot owner.
Recent patent infringement cases filed in the Eastern District of Texas
MARSHALL DIVISION Aug. 25 CODING TECHNOLOGIES, LLC V. AMERICAN AIRLINES, INC. 2:17-cv-00612-JRG
Harris Co. man disputes charges from toll road authority in lawsuit
HOUSTON – A Harris County man has sued the Harris County Toll Road Authority, claiming the entity laid dubious charges on him.
Woman files suit after Beaumont collision, alleges driver failed to yield
BEAUMONT – A Beaumont woman alleges she was injured in a collision in the city when another driver failed to yield to the right of way.
Shopper alleges she was injured in Port Arthur Walmart in fall
BEAUMONT – A Port Arthur Walmart shopper alleges she was injured in the store because of water on the floor.
BC&L Inc. alleged to owe more than $12,000 for services
GALVESTON – A Brazos County woman alleges a third-party medical claim and payment administrator failed to pay her for two months' worth of work.
All Tex Staffing & Personnel Inc. alleges former employee violated confidentiality agreement
HOUSTON – A Harris County staffing company alleges that a former employee is unlawfully using trade secrets to compete with it.
Hong Kong Food Market employee seeks more than $200,000 after fall on job
HOUSTON – A Houston grocer has been named in a suit by an employee who is seeking damages after suffering skull fractures in a fall.
Jefferson County 172th District Court Docket: September 2017
EVERETT WAYNE COLLIER ET AL, ATTY SPARKS, MARK C vs. BBVA COMPASS BANCSHARES INC ET AL, NO COUNSEL, TAHERZADEH, PLLC
Deion Sanders’ $2.2M defamation verdict against Pilar axed by Texas appellate court
DALLAS – The heated divorce of Deion and Pilar Sanders made headlines in 2013, as accusations of cheating and child abuse surfaced in the media.
Consumer claims Premier Recovery Group attempted to collect already settled alleged debt
HOUSTON – A consumer claims that a debt collector is attempting to alleged an alleged debt that he already settled.
JJ Platinum Ventures Inc. bridal consultant alleges she was terminated in retaliation over wage complaint
HOUSTON – A bridal consultant alleges she was terminated in retaliation of her complaints regarding overtime pay.
Woman files suit against Avery Trace, others after fall on premises allegedly caused by stairs
BEAUMONT – A Port Arthur woman alleges a defective staircase caused her to fall.
Delivery driver alleges Royal AC Inc. failed to pay correct overtime rate during his employment
HOUSTON – A Houston business is alleged to have paid a former employee straight time for overtime work.
Michael Andrews & Associates LLC, Autovest LLC alleged to use unfair means to collect debt
HOUSTON – A consumer alleges she was damaged because a debt collector failed to state in a letter that all disputes must be done in writing.