Nearly two years after filing suit, the city of Port Arthur is now in trial over an automobile collision between a city employee and a local woman.
Seeking to recover more than $34,000 in medical and indemnity benefits, the city sued Port Arthur resident Margaret Brown in August 2008, alleging she rear-ended a city employee.
On Aug. 16 the case went to trial in Judge Milton Shuffield's 136th District Court.
Court documents show that Clint Tanner, an equipment operator for the city, was a passenger in a vehicle stopped at a red light near the intersection of 7th Street and U.S. Highway 69, when Brown allegedly "failed to properly control her speed and struck the rear of the vehicle."
Tanner, injured in the incident, received worker's compensation benefits paid for by the city.
In its suit, the city says Tanner received $21,204.99 in medical benefits and $13,551.50 in indemnity benefits.
The city is asking jurors to award it $34,756.49 in monies paid for worker's comp benefits, plus interest.
The city is represented in part by Houston attorney Williams Helfand of the Chamberlain, Hrdlicka, White, Williams & Martin law firm.
Brown is represented by Beaumont attorney Richard Hatfield.
Case No. D182-314