Heidelberg Steinberger successfully defended a rural homeowner whose horses escaped their fence one night, and were struck by a passing motorist. That motorist and her spouse sued the homeowner alleging he had negligently secured the horses, proximately causing the accident. The Circuit Court of George County granted the homeowner's motion for summary judgment finding the plaintiffs lacked evidence the homeowner had in fact negligently secured his horses. Tristan Russell Armer represented the defendant on behalf of the firm.
While not a typical case for us, this example shows again the firm is willing to accept challenges, and deliver results.

Yesterday, the Mississippi Court of Appeals affirmed a jury verdict for a physician sued for medical negligence. In Figueroa v. Orleans, the Plaintiff claimed the physician committed malpractice when he performed an ERCP. After a four day trial, the jury found in favor of the physician. On appeal, the Plaintiff alleged the trial court committed error when it refused to allow the Defendant's deposition into evidence. The Court of Appeals disagreed, holding that because the Plaintiff extensively used Dr. Orleans deposition during cross-examination (which the jury heard), there was no error in excluding that deposition from evidence. Also the Court found no error in the fact the jury deliberated only thirty minutes before returning a verdict.
James Heidelberg and Stephen Burrow tried the case in Circuit Court. Jessica Dupont and Mr. Heidelberg represented Dr. Orleans on appeal. A copy of the decision can be found at http://www.mssc.state.ms.us/Images/Opinions/CO64089.pdf.

"US News - Best Lawyers" recently announced Heidelberg Steinberger Colmer & Burrow has been ranked as one of the top firms for Mississippi for medical malpractice defense and personal injury litigation defense.

At its June meeting, the Mississippi State Oil and Gas Board unanimously elected Jimmy Heidelberg as its Vice-Chairman for 2010 - 2011. In that capacity, Heidelberg's duties will consist of, among other things, running OGB meetings in the absence of the Chairman, representing the OGB before the Mississippi Legislature, serving as a liaison with other state agencies, including the Miss. Dept of Environmental Quality.

National Business Institute will be sponsoring a seminar; LLCs: From Formation to Special Uses on July 15 in Gulfport, MS and July 16 in Jackson, MS. Firm shareholder, Stephen Burrow, will be speaking at both sessions of this seminar on (1) Recent Trends and Developments in LLCs, and (2) LLC Formation and Operation. Mr. Burrow's talk will focus extensively upon the Revised Limited Liability Company Act passed by the Mississippi Legislature this year, and the changes and challenges it poses for practitioners.
Information regarding seminar registration can be found at www.nbi-sems.com or calling 1-800-930-6182

Heidelberg, Steinberger held its annual seminar “A Guideline for Employers and Carriers” on May 27, 2010. Karl Steinberger, Stacie Zorn, Tristan Armer and Jason Payne all made presentations to the assembled group on various employment law and workers compensation topics. A guest speaker, John Pesonney, M.D. spoke on his role as an occupational medicine specialist in the workers’ compensation arena. The seminar concluded with a discussion on new developments in the Americans with Disabilities Act and the new Genetics Information Non-Discrimination Act.
Over sixty employers, medical case workers, adjusters, health care providers and insurance agents. The firm held the seminar in the newly renovated banquet/meeting facility of The Grand Magnolia located on Magnolia Street in Pascagoula.

Mississippi Secretary of State, Delbert Hosemann, has appointed Stephen Burrow to the Corporations Law Study Group. This is the second appointment for Mr. Burrow, who previously served on the Secretary of State's Limited Liability Company Study Group. That group's two year efforts helped lead to passage of a complete overhaul of Mississippi's LLC Act in April.
Burrow, who is a shareholder in the firm, expressed surprise at the announcement. "I am flattered the Secretary appointed me again. Because he had a vibrant practice as a business law attorney before his election, working with the Secretary is both intellectually challenging and a true pleasure. He personally deserves a lot of credit for getting the LLC Act revisions through the Legislature, even after it had died multiple times."

In a case of great constitutional significance, a Chancery Court rejected a challenge to a 2007 Mississippi law which distributes new school tax revenue from oil refinery and natural gas facilities to all school districts located within a Mississippi County.

Heidelberg Steinberger will host its 17th annual employment law/workers compensation seminar, entitled “Guidelines for Employers and Carriers.”  The seminar will be held at the La Font Inn in Pascagoula, MS on Thursday, May 27, 2010 beginning at 8:30 AM and continuing until 2 PM. The seminar includes a review of the basic elements of Mississippi Workers Compensation Law, a review of certain employment laws and a presentation this year by Dr. John Pessony on new developments in Occupational Medicine

The cost is $20.00 per person.  Lunch will be provided.  For further information, please contact Rejeana Clark at rclark@hscbpa.com or 228-762-8021.

The cost is $15.00 per person and includes lunch. For further information, please contact Rejeana Clark at rclark@hscbpa.com or 228-762-8021.

Firm client, B&W Land Co., LLC secured a judgment in its favor after
a bench trial in the Circuit Court of Mobile County, Alabama.

Jason Payne, an associate with the firm, has been elected Secretary/Treasurer for the Propeller Club for the Port of Pascagoula, Mississippi for 2010-2011.

STEINBERGER DEFEATED IN CLOSE VOTE for Mississippi Bar President-Elect

Firm wins plaintiffs verdict in US District Court in suit for local businesses.

This week, a trial court dismissed a real estate agency sued for an alleged failure to disclose the location and impact of flood zones on real property damaged as a result of Hurricane Katrina.

Recently the Mississippi Court of Appeals unanimously affirmed a summary judgment dismissing a claim of professional negligence against an attorney.

In a rare win for an employer, Oxford HealthCare, represented by Tristan Armer, persuaded an administrative law judge for the Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission to deny a claimant-employee any permanent disability benefits.

After a six-day trial in state court in Biloxi, Heidelberg Steinberger won a jury verdict for their client, a gastroenterologist being sued for serious injuries and a claim of permanent disability, allegedly resulting from an endoscopic procedure and follow up medical care.

Jimmy Heidelberg has been named one of 2008's Mid-South Super Lawyers.  Super Lawyers is a listing of outstanding lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.

Led by Stephen Burrow, Heidelberg Steinberger won a jury trial in Biloxi for a neurosurgeon being sued by a brain-damaged child who claimed almost $12 million in damages.

Led by Jimmy Colmer, our attorneys obtained a defense verdict in Jones County, Mississippi, on behalf of their client, a waste disposal company.  The plaintiff alleged our client's garbage truck struck him, causing debilitating back injuries preventing his return to work.

Heidelberg, Steinberger, Colmer & Burrow successfully settled a complex lawsuit on behalf of over two hundred local homeowners whose property was flooded after Hurricane Georges.