News from August 2017
Ken Paxton, nine other attorneys general pen letter asking for DACA repeal
AUSTIN – On June 29, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton penned a letter to U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions asking the Trump administration to phase out the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program by Sept. 5.
Judge grants approval to $97.5 settlement against J.C. Penney
TYLER – A Texas federal judge granted preliminary approval to an arrangement that requires J.C. Penney to pay $97.5 million to a group of investors who alleged in 2013 the retailer lied about its financial situation.
Chip Ferguson is at it again
Paul “Chip” Ferguson purportedly brought in nearly $60 million in fees during his 26-year association with Provost Umphrey, often by suing parties tenuously connected with purported victims of alleged injuries.
James Harden formally denies allegations raised in 2016 personal injury lawsuit
HOUSTON – Houston Rockets point guard James Harden is not known for his defensive prowess, but he went on a full court press against allegations he masterminded an assault at a Houston restaurant last year, per recent Harris County District Court records.
Justices keep M.D. Anderson locked in med-mal over clinical trial death
HOUSTON – An appellate court recently found that the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center does not have governmental immunity in a medical malpractice complaint.
Texas ACLU demands communications between Paxton and Trump on DACA
HOUSTON — On Aug. 7, the American Civil Liberties Union of Texas, along with affiliates in 9 other states and the national ACLU, filed open records requests demanding copies of any communications between the Texas Office of the Attorney General and the federal government regarding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
Texas named as one of the most business friendly states in the country, lawsuit reform credited as part of the reason
AUSTIN – The state of Texas was recognized as one of the most business-friendly in the country and tort reformers said capping how much a person can collect on a lawsuit is part of the reason.
Paxton says Fort Bend Independent School District must have voter approval to make tax changes
AUSTIN – Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is refuting Representative John Zerwas and Fort Bend Independent School District’s argument for bypassing tax legislation to reduce their tax rates without a tax ratification election.
Private school, headmaster seek dismissal of bullying lawsuit
GALVESTON – A local private school and its headmaster are seeking the dismissal of a lawsuit arising from allegations of bullying, recent Galveston County District Court records show.
Man claims Aramark employee struck him with golf cart, caused injuries
HOUSTON – A Houston man alleges he was injured when he was struck by a golf cart and pinned against a wall.
Couple alleges Denny's failed to implement adequate security, seeks damages for robbery
HOUSTON – A Harris County couple is seeking damages after they were allegedly robbed while dining at a Denny's restaurant.
GAHC3 Friendswood TX MOB alleges it is owed rent from Galveston County man
GALVESTON – A Galveston County resident is alleged to have failed to pay rent on a Friendswood property.
Kroger shopper seeks more than $100,000 in relief after fall in aisle
BEAUMONT – A Lumberton woman alleges she was injured in a fall at a grocery store because of a congested aisle.
Higman Marine Services Inc. alleged to have terminated employee because of disability
HOUSTON – A Harris County woman alleges she was wrongfully terminated because of her disability.
Former Kwik Kar at Champions employee alleges he is owed unpaid overtime
HOUSTON – A former employee of a business owned by a Spring man alleges that he was not paid overtime during his employment.
Motorist accuses AT&T employee of negligence after collision
HOUSTON – A Houston woman alleges she was injured in a collision with an AT&T employee.
Dismissed: Lawsuit against McCarthy Burgess & Wolfe
SHERMAN – A Plano alleging that a debt collector unlawfully contacted him has voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit.
Widow files lawsuit after husband killed in robbery
HOUSTON – A lawsuit has been filed in response to a late 2015 robbery at a north Houston shopping center which killed a married father of one.
Dallas police sergeant files suit against social media companies over terrorist group usage
DALLAS – Dallas Police Sgt. Demetrick Pennie has filed a lawsuit against several social media sites including Twitter, Facebook and Google. The suit, which was filed in the wake of his research into trending topics and the ease with which terrorist groups can organize and raise funding, alleges that the popular websites give a platform that promotes terror attacks both domestic and abroad.
N.Y. man claims entities tied to Android aviation app owe him $150K
HOUSTON – A New York man claims he is owed payment on a loan associated with the acquisition of an aviation-related Android application and has filed a lawsuit in an effort to recover the funds in question, per recent Harris County District Court records.