News from May 2018
The success of our judicial system begins with you
In mid-April, a 4-year-old boy was summoned to jury duty in Pennsylvania but was unable to go because “he has preschool that day.” The situation was a light-hearted reminder that 1) errors do happen and 2) some potential jurors do have legitimate reasons they can’t serve. On the whole, however, jury service is a critical component of our justice system and depends on everyday citizens—those us well beyond our preschool years—showing up and to do our duty.
Appellate court axes $17M verdict against Austin Bridge & Road, finds worker’s comp was remedy
HOUSTON – The First Court of Appeals has wiped a $17 million jury verdict against Austin Bridge & Road in a wrongful death lawsuit.
Woman alleges Beaumont Independent School District terminated her in retaliation for report
BEAUMONT – A former Beaumont Independent School District employee alleges she was wrongfully terminated after reporting a suspected theft.
Cotton Holdings employee alleges she was injured by falling ceiling at construction project
HOUSTON – An employee of a contractor alleges she was injured when a ceiling fell on her during a remodeling project.
Property suit against Jefferson County back up on appeal
BEAUMONT – In 2016, the Ninth Court of Appeals reinstated a civil case against Jefferson County alleging wrongful foreclosure of a tax sale.
Patient seeks more than $1 million from CHI St. Luke's Health over allergic reaction to iodine
HOUSTON – A patient is seeking more than $1 million in damages from a Harris County health care facility after suffering an allergic reaction to an iodine-based agent used in a procedure when the facility knew of the allergy.
Seaman seeks more than $1 million from Weeks Marine Co. over alleged injuries
HOUSTON – A Starr County man alleges that he was injured twice during his employment on a vessel as a seaman.
Class action certified in Methodist Dallas Medical Center meal break case
DALLAS – A nurse has been granted the right to a conditional class action suit against Methodist Dallas Medical Center Auxiliary, et al. over interrupted meal breaks that allegedly resulted in overtime work without pay.
Gilstrap grants partial new trial to Google in patent infringement suit
MARSHALL – Google has been granted partial post-trial relief in a patent infringement suit over malicious software protection for computer systems.
Woman hits head on allegedly exposed metal pipe at medical facility, pursues legal action
HOUSTON – A Harris County woman claims she suffered a head injury last year while visiting a local community health center.
Pete's Liquor & Wine claims Finial Group misrepresented information about liquor store
HOUSTON – A Pearland business alleges that it was damaged by relying on false practices made to it by several entities regarding a liquor store.
Woman alleges driver's seat in Camry failed in rear-end collision
HOUSTON – A woman alleges her 1998 Toyota Camry had a defective occupational restraint system and caused injuries to her minor son.
14th Court of Appeals reverses in part, remands in part decision over real estate deal
HOUSTON – The 14th Circuit Court of Appeals reversed in part, remanded in part and affirmed in part a judgment by the 190th District Court in Harris County after concluding the trial court should not have submitted any question inquiring into the enforceability of the oral condition between Ali Mokaram and Osama Abdullatif over a commercial real estate deal.
Rinker's Boat World alleges former employee embezzled thousands
HOUSTON – A Harris County business alleges its former bookkeeper embezzled more than $381,000 during her employment.
State senator working with Watts on home turf opioid lawsuit, lawyers billing Hidalgo County $3,800 an hour
HIDALGO COUNTY – A state senator is representing a county in his district in more ways than one – a litigious venture that could prove incredibly profitable for the legislator.
Passengers allege Nederland man failed to yield in Port Arthur collision
BEAUMONT – Two Port Arthur residents allege a Nederland man failed to yield and caused a collision in Port Arthur.
Judge in massive opioid case watching plaintiff lawyer spending, orders them to fly coach
CLEVELAND (Legal Newsline) - The judge overseeing multidistrict litigation against the opioid industry ordered plaintiffs’ attorneys to keep monthly records of the time they spend on their cases down to a tenth of an hour and imposed strict rules on who can collect fees, in an effort to prevent the excesses that have drawn criticism in other class actions and mass tort cases.
Attorney general says Abbott can call special election to fill Farenthold's seat
AUSTIN – In a response written to Gov. Greg Abbott on April 23, Attorney General Ken Paxton said the governor may have authority to suspend state election laws and call an expedited special election to fill the vacancy in Congressional District 27, which occurred due to former-U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold's resignation.
More than $200,000 sought from George Bush Intercontinental Airport by woman who fell
HOUSTON – A Spring woman alleges she was injured because of the condition of the floor at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport.
Houston man seeks more than $200,000 from Houston, police department over dog bite
HOUSTON – A resident of Houston has filed suit against the city and its police department after he was bitten by a dog owned by the city.