HOUSTON - The largest school district in Texas has submitted a contingent contract to the Office of the Attorney General for approval in order to file a lawsuit against Juul Labs.
The Houston Independent School District requested a review of contingent fee legal services on June 17, OAG records show.
Under the questionnaire portion of the request, HISD states that it intends to bring claims against JUUL for harm caused to the organization and its students by the defendant’s e-cigarette products.
“JUUL products are rampant in the nation’s schools, with the percentage of 12th graders who reported consuming nicotine almost doubling between 2017 and 2018,” HISD’s request states. “Consistent with this national trend, youth in the Houston Independent School District are using e-cigarettes at high rates — rates which continue to climb.
“The swift rise in a new generation of nicotine addicts has overwhelmed parents, schools, and the medical community (including county public health departments) on the front lines dealing with this crisis, drawing governmental intervention at nearly every level — but it’s too little, too late.”
According to HISD’s contingent contract, the district is represented by Baron & Budd, the Beasley Allen Law Firm, Goza & Honnold, Husain Law + Associates, Panish, Shea & Boyle, The Harris Law Firm, Wagstaff & Cartmell, Walkup, and Melodia, Kelly & Schoenberger.
The list of Texas municipalities seeking to sue Juul is steadily growing.
In May, the Harris Health System submitted a contingent contract to the OAG for approval in order to pursue e-cigarette and vaping litigation.
Last April, Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee filed a lawsuit in California state court against JUUL and several of its executives.