This Just In: Recent civil filings in Jefferson County District Courts

Oct. 10

- Rita Ogden vs. Memorial Hermann Baptist Behavioral Health Center et al
PA - Kenneth Lewis, J - Donald Floyd
Slurring his words and vomiting, a 10-year-old bipolar patient at Memorial Hermann Baptist Behavioral Health Center suddenly collapsed and slipped into coma. The young boy was life-flighted to a Houston hospital and diagnosed with ventricular tachycardia due to lithium toxicity. Four years after the incident, the guardian of the child is claiming Memorial Hermann medical personnel were "oblivious" to the fact that they were administrating "lethal doses of lithium" to her grandson. Acting as next of friend, Rita Ogden filed a medical malpractice lawsuit against Baptist Hospitals of Southeast Texas and Doctors Ravikumar Kanneganti and Sharad Kulkarni.
Case No. E180-497

Oct. 11

- Kayla Carpenter vs. Texas Department of Transportation et al
PA - Jane Leger, J- Bob Wortham
During the night, Kayla Carpenter darted across a Highway 73 feeder road and was struck by an oncoming motorist. Her left leg had to be amputated. Blaming the Texas Department of Transportation and the city of Groves for failing to properly light the roadway, Carpenter, an Orange County resident, filed a personal injury lawsuit with the Jefferson County District Court on Oct. 11.
Case No. A180-506

Oct. 12

- Roy Johnson vs. KDR Supply, Inc.
PA - Sid Stover, J - Bob Wortham
Roy Johnson was a passenger in a company vehicle when he was rear-ended by a truck owned by KDR Supply, Inc. He claims her was injured and is suing KDR.
Case No. A180-512

Oct. 15


-Alex Frausto vs. BNSF Railway Co.
PA � Sara Youngdahl, J � Milton Shuffield
For nearly four decades Alex Frausto worked for BNSF Railway Co. During his long tenure, Frausto claims to have suffered repetitive trauma to his back, knees, shoulder and neck. In other words, Frausto is alleging 38 years of manual labor have left him in a disfigured and impaired state. Under the Federal Employers Liability Act, Frausto filed suit against BNSF Railway. Frausto is suing for past and future physical pain, lost earnings, disfigurement, impairment and medical expenses.
Case No. D180-519

- Performance Car Audio et al vs. Elite Ridez et al
PA - James Wimberley, J � Donald Floyd
A local car audio outlet is seeking an injunction against a former store manager, who allegedly made off with company secrets, including customer lists, and opened his own store. Bryan Kirbow Enterprises, doing business as Performance Car Audio, filed his petition and application for injunctive relief against John Blank and his new company, Elite Ridez.
Case No. E180-521

- Hector Mendoza vs. Jimmy Nguyen et al
PA - Quentin Price, J - Donald Floyd
A seaman aboard a shrimp boat, Hector Mendoza was injured when a piece of equipment broke and swung across the ship's deck, striking him in the face. Although the injury occurred three years ago, Mendoza is invoking the Jones Act and suing Jimmy Peter Nguyen, owner of the Quoc Thai III shrimping boat.
Case No. E180-522

Oct. 16

- Port Arthur Independent School District vs. Rutha Ned
PA - David Oubre, J � Bob Wortham
Port Arthur Independent School District has filed suit against Rutha Ned in hopes the court will reverse an insurance case hearing that awarded Ned continued disability. Ned had injured her back on Oct. 31, 2005. She has been drawing compensatory benefits since her injury. PAISD argues Ned has preexisting lumbar conditions, and that she "reached maximum medical improvement" in June 2006. A contested case hearing was held on June 30, 2006, where a hearing officer awarded Ned continued disability.
Case No. A180-526

- Helen Tuckerville vs. Beaumont Nursing and Rehabilitation et al
PA - Curtis Leister, J - Gary Sanderson
Helen Tuckerville has filed suit against Beaumont Nursing and Rehabilitation and Daybreak Venture, claiming the companies negligently injured her and then refused to pay her benefits. Tuckerville is suing for her benefits, plus attorney fees.
Case No. B180-527

- Stephanie Fore et al vs. Gregory and Deborah Breaux
PA - Stephanie Fore, J - Donald Floyd
Stephanie Fore is suing Gregory and Deborah Breaux. She claims her daughter was bitten by the couples' dog. She is suing for physical pain, lost time from work and medical expenses.
Case No. E180-529