Jones Act Doesn't Preempt State
The Supreme Court of Texas ruled that a state law respecting a procedural framework for claims for personal injury allegedly caused by silica and asbestos is not preempted by the federal law regarding claims for personal injury of crewmembers (the Jones Act). In the instant case, the plaintiff alleged injury from asbestos and silica while employed by defendant corporation aboard a vessel. He brought suit in state court under the Jones Act. Plaintiff failed to comply with certain procedural requirements of the state law and the defendant moved to have the case transferred to another court in accordance with the state law. Plaintiff opposed the transfer, arguing that the Jones Act preempted the state law. The court hearing the motion agreed with the plaintiff and the defendant appealed.
W&T Offshore Announces Appointments
W&T Offshore, Inc. announced the appointment of Karen S. Acree as Vice President and Controller. John D. Gibbons, the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, has assumed the additional position of Chief Accounting Officer. William W. Talafuse, formerly Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, has accepted other duties with the Company. Acree has 25 years of public company accounting and financial reporting experience, including most recently as Vice President and Controller of Bois d'Arc Energy, Inc. an NYSE-traded company. Prior to joining Bois d'Arc, Ms. Acree was with Global Santa Fe Corporation, beginning her career there in 1982, holding the position of Assistant Controller at the time she left the company in March 2006. She earned a B.B.A.
