SOUTHEAST TEXAS RECORD

This Just In
Recent civil suits filed in Jefferson County District Courts,
May 31-June 4

May 31
Zelma LeBlue vs. Chevron USA et al
PA -- Keith Hyde, J -- Donald Floyd
Zelma LeBlue, surviving spouse of Willie Joseph LeBlue, filed a suit against Chevron and Texaco for exposing Willie to asbestos while employed as a rigger and operator. Willie LeBlue died of lung cancer in April 2006. Plaintiff argues the companies knew for decades that asbestos-containg products could cause the disease and therefore acted with malice.
Case No. E179-402

Kathryn Crocker et al vs. Chevron USA et al
PA -- Keith Hyde, J -- Bob Wortham
The survivors of Johnie Crocker Jr. filed a suit against Chevron and Texaco for exposing Johnie to asbestos while employed as an operator and shift foreman. Crocker died of lung cancer in April 2006. Plaintiff argues the companies knew for decades that asbestos-containg products could cause the disease and therefore acted with malice.
Case No. A179-403

Damion Robertson vs. Horizon Offshore, Inc.
PA - Blaine Tucker, J - Bob Wortham
Nearly two years ago, Damion Robertson injured himself by removing a ground clamp while at sea. With the Jones Act on his side, Robertson has decided to sue his former employer Horizon Offshore Inc. Robertson is suing for past and future loss of earning capacity, medical costs, physical pain and impairment and mental anguish.
Case No. A179-406

Eldwin Garrett vs. BNSF Railway Co.
PA - Sara L. Youngdahl, J � Donald Floyd
Injuring himself while installing an end-of-train device for the BNSF Railway Co, Eldwin Garrett is citing the Federal Employers Liability Act and suing the company for negligence.
Case No. E179-407

Glenn Parker, IV, vs. Motiva Enterprises LLC
PA � Stephen Foster, J � Gary Sanderson
Glenn Parker, IV, slipped and "fell on dangerous" steps while at the Motiva refinery in Port Arthur. Parker claims the oil giant is negligent for having such treacherous steps on its premises.
Case No. B179-410

Johannes Quelle vs. Dr. Robert Phelps
PA � Gerald Eddins, J � Bob Wortham
Johannes Quelle has brought a medical malpractice lawsuit against Dr. Robert Phelps, claiming the physician failed to the "normal procedure" on him. Quelle had a history of back problems and back surgeries. He was complaining of pain following one back surgery and on June 9, 2005 another "negligent" surgery was performed.
Case No. A179-412

Dillon Parker, Jr. vs. A.W. Chesterton et al
PA - Phillip Kanayan, J - Bob Wortham
Dillon Parker, Jr. is suing A.W. Chesterton, along with 145 other companies, for conspiring to mine, process, sell and distribute asbestos products, suppressing the information pertaining to the fiber's hazardous influence on human health, and purposely inflicting him with an asbestos disease.
Case No. A179-413

Kirk and Michelle Martin vs. Bedrock Pools
PA � Wyatt Snider, J � Bob Wortham
Nearly a year ago Kirk and Michelle Martin paid Bedrock Pools $58,000 to design and build them a first-class pool and porch area. To this date, the job remains unfinished. The Martins are claiming the company has violated the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act and filed a suit against Bedrock with the Jefferson County District Court on May 31, seeking exemplary damages.
Case No. A179-415

June 1
Bessie Mae Larkin et al vs. Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
PA - Keith Hyde, J - Milton Shuffield
A month after filing a first suit against 43 corporations that allegedly exposed her late husband to asbestos, Bessie Mae Larkin and her children filed a second asbestos lawsuit on June 1 against Chevron U.S.A., Inc. as the sole defendant.
Case No. A179-419

Anthony and Coretta Alexander vs. the Medical Center of Southeast Texas
PA - Jim Perdue, J - Donald Floyd
Anthony and Coretta Alexander have brought a medical-malpractice lawsuit against the Medical Center of Southeast Texas and several of its physicians for failing to provide an ordinary standard of care, and failed "to correctly diagnose and treat Anthony's staphylococcus aureus blood infection.
Case No. E179-421

June 4
Nederland Economic Development Corp. vs. Shannon Landry et al
PA - James Wimberley, J - Donald Floyd
The Nederland Economic Development Corp. will seek to recover $12,500 in incentive funds loaned to Shannon Landry, owner of the Jaguar Salon and Day Spa.
Case No. E179-431

Sharon Campbell vs. For Tips To Toes et al
PA - Trenton Bond, J - Bob Wortham
Sharon Campbell is suing the Beaumont beauty shop For Tips To Toes. She is claiming her toes became infected after her pedicure, forcing her to seek medical attention where physicians removed two of her toenails.
Case No. A179-432

Shirley Schultz vs. Chicago Bridge & Iron Co. et al
PA � Keith Hyde, J � Gary Sanderson
The family of Frederick Schultz mourned his death almost two years ago. They claim his former employer, Chicago Bridge & Iron Co., exposed him to asbestos, which ultimately caused him to die of mesothelioma. Frederick's widow, Shirley, and their children Joyce, Debra and William, have filed a personal injury lawsuit against Chicago Bridge, Mobil Oil and Chemical Co., ExxonMobil Corp. and E.I. Dupont De Nemours & Co.
Case No. B179-433

Charles and Russell Schroeder vs. Texaco and Michelin North America
PA � Keith Hyde, J � Donald Floyd
The Children of the late Warren Schroeder are suing their father's former employer, Texaco, Inc. for negligently and maliciously exposing him to asbestos. According to the plaintiffs' petition, Warren worked at the Port Arthur Texaco refinery as a helper and operator. During his time there he was exposed to "toxic materials, including asbestos."
Case No. E179-434

DeLoris Coleman et al vs. Ametek, Inc. et al
PA � Ian Cloud, J � Milton Shuffield
The heirs of Joe Coleman's estate are suing four corporations for conspiring to inflict him with an asbestos-related disease.
Case No. D179-435

Joel Hernandez vs. Chevron U.S.A. et al
PA - Barry Bennett. J - Milton Shuffield
A contracted worker for the Port Arthur Chevron refinery, Joel Hernandez was "lawfully" riding his bike when a plant truck allegedly ran a stop sign and struck him. He is suing the company for failing to post biking crossing signs.
Case No. D179-436

June 5
Patsy Roberts et al vs. Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas et al
PA � Clay Dugas, J � Bob Wortham
Needing an upgrade to his heart device, Joseph Roberts was admitted to Memorial Hermann Baptist Hospital. However, a complication during the procedure left him in a vegetative state. Roberts died a few weeks later. Blaming the hospital for her husband's death, Patsy Roberts, along with her adult son Quinton, filed a medical-malpractice lawsuit against Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas, Memorial Herman and Dr. Wayne Margolis.
Case No A179-437

Larry Arceneaux vs. Boswell Oil Co. et al
PA -- Randall Collins, J -- Gary Sanderson
As a seaman for 30 years, Arceneaux claims he was exposed to benzene which has resulted in a diagnosis of lymphoma. He is suing several shipping companies for negligence and fraud.
Case No. B179-443

Recent civil filings in Orange County District Court

May 30
Linda Hudson et al vs. E.I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company Inc.
PA -- Michael McGown, J � Buddy Hahn
The family of a former employee of Du Pont's Sabine River Works are claiming the drinking water supply at the facility is the cause of the man's death. The facility has its own water treatment plant, and the plaintiffs claim that while Ralph S. Hudson was employed at Sabine River Works, he ingested drinking water contaminated with haloacetic acid, a known carcinogen. Plaintiffs allege Du Pont was grossly negligent and seek punitive and exemplary damages.
Case No. D070-270-c