2013 Making a Difference Award | TTLA is now accepting nominations for the Making a Difference Award which is periodically awarded at the discretion of the TTLA Executive Committee and recognizes a client (past or present) of a TTLA member whose actions demonstrates the critical role of the civil justice system in protecting the rights of Texas families. Nominees should demonstrate a desire to promote the public good through the civil justice system and best exemplify the attributes of a true advocate. Nomination deadline is November 1, 2013. Click on the headline to download the nomination form. |
Lawsuit Filed Against Bar over Underage DUI Deaths | | The parents of a 16-year-old Colorado girl, who died in a drunk driving accident along with two of her friends, have filed a lawsuit against a bar for serving the underage girl alcohol. The blood-alcohol levels of all three girls were well above the legal limit when they ran their car into a tractor after leaving the bar. The lawsuit names the restaurant and bar and at least one of its bartenders as defendants. Staff Report, The Denver Channel 09/28/2013 | Read Article: The Denver Channel |
Lawsuit Accuses Teacher of Abusing Disabled Student | | The family of a disabled boy in North Texas has filed a lawsuit against one of his teachers and the school district, claiming that the boy was physically abused. The boy's mother began noticing bruises on her son in 2008, and after several injuries including a knot on his head, a broken thumb, and a dislocated knee, requested a school investigation in 2010. After the investigation, the boy's abuse by his teacher was confirmed. Staff Report, CBS 11 09/26/2013 | Read Article: CBS 11 |
Trial over 2010 Oil Spill Resumes | | A trial over BP's 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has resumed with a federal judge hearing claims that the company misled federal officials and withheld information about the amount of crude spewing from its blown-out well. Associated Press, The Washington Post 09/30/2013 | Read Article: The Washington Post |
Problems Prompt Change at State Psychiatric Hospitals | | Five months after federal regulators blamed Terrell State Hospital for the death of a patient, state leaders say they are overhauling operations at the 10 psychiatric facilities in Texas. They're making top bosses visit patients throughout the state; regularly inspecting how well doctors are performing; and revamping the way they identify and solve problems. They also say they have tackled major deficiencies identified during two federal investigations at Terrell State Hospital, such as substandard nursing care and filthy conditions. Andrea Ball, Austin American Statesman 09/30/2013 | Read Article: Austin American Statesman |
Placements Suspended with Texas Foster Care Contractor | | The state has stopped placing abused and neglected children with Texas Mentor, a division of National Mentor Healthcare, after finding more problems at the company's nearly 400 foster homes, a third of them in North Texas. A recent state sweep of foster homes run by Texas Mentor disclosed more instances of substandard care, the Department of Family and Protective Services said Friday. I ROBERT T. GARRETT, The Dallas Morning News 09/30/2013 | Read Article: The Dallas Morning News |
12-to-15 Passenger Vans Banned by DISD Following News 8 Investigation | | The passenger vans being used to transport hundreds of DISD students are being pulled off the streets beginning Monday. The action follows a News 8 investigation which exposed the vans as both dangerous and illegal for public school transportation in Texas. The dangers of the passenger van vulnerabilities are so prominent, the federal government has banned the sale of these vans to public schools. Brett Shipp, WFAA.com 09/30/2013 | Read Article: WFAA.com |
Judges Outsource Workloads as Cases Get More Complex | | Judges typically have appointed special masters to broker settlement negotiations or monitor enforcement of consent decrees in school-desegregation cases. But contending with tight courtroom budgets and facing increasingly complex patent litigation or product-liability disputes that can involve hundreds”even thousands”of plaintiffs, judges increasingly are farming out other aspects of litigation to special masters as well. A special master's responsibility can be broad, with duties set out by court order, though the judge has ultimate authority and can overrule a special master's decisions. Special masters' fees are paid for by the parties, who generally want to expedite litigation, ultimately saving on legal fees and other costs. DIONNE SEARCEY, Wall Street Journal - $$ Subscription Required 09/30/2013 | Read Article: Wall Street Journal - $$ Subscription Required($) |
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