News from January 2017
Backpage.com cites Fifth in congressional hearing over allegations of human trafficking
AUSTIN – Executives of the adult website Backpage.com sat down for a congressional hearing earlier this month in Washington, D.C. The site, which is the focus of an ongoing investigation, chose its Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination during the hearing.
Civilian seaman blames U.S. government for injuries
HOUSTON — A civilian seaman is suing the U.S. government, alleging its negligence caused the plaintiff to be injured aboard a ship.
Customer blames Fiesta Mart for injuries
HOUSTON — A Houston man is suing Fiesta Mart, alleging the defendant's negligence led to injuries for the plaintiff.
Tenant blames Houston apartment operator for shooting injuries
HOUSTON — A Harris County tenant is suing a Houston apartment operator, alleging the defendant's negligence led to the plaintiff being shot and injured.
TLR announces legislative proposal targeting ‘storm-chasing lawyers’
AUSTIN - Storm chasing is the new ambulance chasing, according to Texans for Lawsuit Reform, an advocacy group that recently announced its 2017 legislative proposal aimed at ending hailstorm litigation abuse.
Mother, son blame tractor-trailer operators for crash
MARSHALL — A Louisiana mother and her son are suing tractor trailer operators, alleging their negligence led to a crash that injured the plaintiffs.
Pilot blames tugboat operator for injuries
HOUSTON — A Montgomery County man is suing a Houston tugboat operator, alleging negligence led to injuries for the plaintiff.
Best Lawyers names Chip Ferguson ‘Lawyer of the Year’
BEAUMONT – Attorney Paul ‘Chip’ Ferguson has been named “Lawyer of the Year” in Plaintiffs’ Product Liability Law by Best Lawyers.
Texans for Lawsuit Reform: Storm-chasing lawyers hurt real people
Storm-chasing trial lawyers are constantly evolving their tactics. While these efforts have proven lucrative for the handful of lawyers willing to push the boundaries of lawful practice and professional ethics, they have widespread consequences for the Texans being caught in the maelstrom of their litigation tactics.
Dutch citizen alleges father, business owes broke agreement
HOUSTON — A Netherlands man is suing his father and his business, alleging breach of an agreement.
Customer blames Denny's for injuries
HOUSTON — A Harris County woman is suing Denny's, alleging the defendant's negligence led to injuries for the plaintiff.
Worker accuses former employer of sexual harassment
HOUSTON — A Harris County woman is suing a Houston company, alleging a hostile work environment, retaliation and sexual harassment.
Judge tosses Voss Law hail suit, considers sanctioning firm for keeping clients ‘in the dark’ for own ‘benefit’
DEL RIO – A federal judge has ordered The Voss Law Firm in Houston to show cause on why its attorneys “should not be held in contempt, fined, imprisoned” and “reported to the State Bar of Texas” for seemingly keeping a pair of hailstorm clients “in the dark” for their own “benefit.” On Jan. 20, U.S.
Lender alleges borrowers owe more than $200,000
HOUSTON — A Texas woman is suing two borrowers, alleging failure to pay back a loan of nearly $200,000.
Employee accuses eviction service of failure to pay overtime
HOUSTON — A Harris County man is suing an eviction service company, alleging violation of applicable minimum wage law and workers compensation acts in failing to pay overtime.
Physician accuses health care providers of fraudulent practices
SHERMAN — A Colorado physician is suing Texas health care providers, alleging fraudulent and unconscionable trade practices.
Dallas officials consider creating new pension plan, allowing old one to dissolve
DALLAS – In the most recent development in the ongoing saga of the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System (DPFP), city officials have proposed a controversial plan that would not save the current system at all.
Plaintiffs' attorneys in BP securities litigation seek $20.25 million in fees
&&& HOUSTON – Three firms that represented plaintiffs in nearly seven years of BP PLC securities litigation that included three cases and ended in a $175 million settlement have asked a federal court to award a total of $20.25 million, or 11.57 percent of the settlement fund, in fees in connection with their work.
Federal judge's injunction gives NLRB time to decide Dish Network case
FORT WORTH – An injunction by a federal judge in Texas has given the National Labor Relations Board time to decide whether Dish Network Co. legally cut the wages of union employees by about half.
Harris Co. man claims Baytown PD mistreated him because of hearing disability
GALVESTON – A Harris County man is claiming that the Baytown Police Department refused to accommodate his hearing disability while he was in its custody two years ago.