News from December 2017
Alco Collections Inc. alleged to have violated debt collection laws in letter to consumer
HOUSTON – A Houston consumer has filed suit against a debt collector over the contents in a letter it sent her.
Woman seeks more than $1 million over collision allegedly caused by distracted Domino's driver
GALVESTON – A Texas City woman is seeking damages after her vehicle was struck by an allegedly distracted pizza delivery driver.
Dentist alleges nonpayment for services, pursues legal action
HOUSTON – A dentist has pursued legal action on claims of nonpayment, recent Harris County District Court records show.
Man seeks return of security deposit from 360 & Associates
HOUSTON – A Justin man has filed a suit against his former landlord for the refund of his security deposit.
Carpenter says he was fired for suffering from epilepsy
HOUSTON – A carpenter alleges his epilepsy was the reason he was terminated from Star Cooling Towers, L.P.
Tractor-trailer driver seeks damages from Roadrunner Transportation, driver after collision
GALVESTON – A Louisiana tractor-trailer driver has filed suit against another tractor-trailer driver and his employer over alleged injuries sustained in a collision in Chambers County.
Tankerman files negligence suit against Penn Maritime, Kirby Corp. after falling on job
HOUSTON – A Florida woman is seeking damages after she was injured while working aboard a towing vessel.
Former Hilmer Construction Services worker alleges he is owed unpaid overtime wages
HOUSTON – A construction worker has filed a class-action lawsuit against his former employers over allegations they failed to pay overtime premiums.
Consumer claims Stellar Recovery Inc. failure to mark disputed alleged debt hurt credit score
HOUSTON – A consumer alleges a debt collector failed to report that she had disputed an alleged debt on her credit report.
Man blames Houston bar for attack by security personnel
HOUSTON – An evening at a bar along the city’s Washington Corridor earlier this month ended in an assault on a patron, according to a lawsuit filed on Dec 21 in the Harris County 125th District Court.
Photographer claims cigar distributor ran image without permission
SHERMAN – A Florida photographer has brought a copyright lawsuit against a cigar distributor in Plano.
Ex-Barrett Steel employee says company discriminated, terminated him because of race
HOUSTON – A Spring man is suing Barrett Steel for allegedly discriminating against him because of his race and retaliating against him for complaining about the mistreatment with termination, recent Houston federal court records show.
Justice Kennedy’s Too-Late Lament for Tolerance
I have been silent about Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, not because I lack interest in the case, but because it has already generated extensive commentary here and throughout the commentariat. Court watchers, like fortune tellers reading tea leaves, speculate how the justices will line up, with Justice Anthony Kennedy likely casting the swing vote in favor or against the Colorado baker, Jack Phillips, who declined for religious reasons to create a gay wedding cake.
Baron & Budd investigating Papa John’s for allegedly failing to pay employees for training time
DALLAS – The national law firm of Baron & Budd announced it is investigating cases on behalf of current and former Papa John’s employees who may not have been paid all wages due to them for time spent participating in online training.
Tort reform group endorses Katy Boatman for First Court of Appeals
HOUSTON – On Dec. 21, Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC endorsed Katy Boatman of Houston in her campaign for Place 7 on the First Court of Appeals in Harris County and nine surrounding counties.
Texas AG issues opinion on guns in churches
AUSTIN – Licensed handgun owners can legally carry loaded weapons into Texas churches that do not have posted signs banning weapons, Attorney General Ken Paxton said in a legal opinion, released Dec. 21.
Appeals court upholds ruling in Praise Deliverance Church eviction case
HOUSTON – The 1st District of Texas Court of Appeals has affirmed a county court at law's judgment for possession in a case involving a church and the purchasers of a foreclosed property.
S.C.G.C. Inc. alleged to have failed to pay appropriate rate for overtime work
HOUSTON – A man has filed suit against his former employer over allegations that he was paid straight time for overtime work.
Woman alleges slippery substance caused fall at Landmark Industries Energy LLC
HOUSTON – A Harris County woman is seeking damages after a fall at a Houston property.
Woman claims Timothy Webb Construction failed to perform contracted work
GALVESTON – A consumer claims a Hitchcock contractor failed to perform work as contracted on a residential property.