Shipowner Was Entitled to Have Case Transferred to County Court

A vessel owner was entitled to a transfer of the lawsuit against him from a Texas district court to the court at law for the same county, pursuant to Local Rules designed to circumvent forum-shopping by plaintiffs who file, dismiss and re-file their actions as the two allegedly injured seamen had done. Case: In re Hooks, No. 01-12-00503-CV, 08/23/2012, published. Facts: Gilberto Adame and Francisco Ozuna sued Mike Hooks for injuries they sustain aboard his vessel. They asserted claims for negligence under the Jones Act, unseaworthiness and maintenance and cure. Adame first filed suit in Harris...