CompFox AI Summary
The case involves a dispute between neighbors Larry and Tina Bullard and George D. and Jini Solomon in Titus County, Texas. The Bullards sued the Solomons and their contractor, Perry Steitler, for property damage caused by flooding from a lake built on the Solomons' property, which destroyed pine trees on the Bullards' land. The Bullards' lawsuit was consolidated with Steitler's breach of contract suit against the Solomons. A jury found that Solomon violated the Texas Water Code by diverting surface waters, causing ongoing damage, and that Solomon was negligent and grossly negligent. The jury awarded actual and $50,000 in exemplary damages to the Bullards, and damages to Steitler for breach of contract, along with attorney's fees to both the Bullards and Steitler. The final judgment included a permanent injunction against Solomon to reduce the dam level. Solomon appealed several points, but the appellate court affirmed the trial court's judgment. The court notably held that punitive damages could be assessed for gross negligence in violating the Texas Water Code, that the Bullards' pleadings supported the awarded damages for loss of use of real property, and reformed the judgment to explicitly condition appellate attorney's fees on a successful appeal. Solomon's other complaints, including the injunction, were found to be waived or without merit.
Solomon v. Steitler is a workers' compensation case decided in Texas Court of Appeals, 6th District (Texarkana). This case addresses legal issues related to compensation claims, benefits, and court rulings.
It is commonly referenced in legal research involving workers' compensation laws in Texas Court of Appeals, 6th District (Texarkana).
Full Decision Text1 Pages
The case involves a dispute between neighbors Larry and Tina Bullard and George D. and Jini Solomon in Titus County, Texas. The Bullards sued the Solomons and their contractor, Perry Steitler, for property damage caused by flooding from a lake built on the Solomons' property, which destroyed pine trees on the Bullards' land. The Bullards' lawsuit was consolidated with Steitler's breach of contract suit against the Solomons. A jury found that Solomon violated the Texas Water Code by diverting surface waters, causing ongoing damage, and that Solomon was negligent and grossly negligent. The jury awarded actual and $50,000 in exemplary damages to the Bullards, and damages to Steitler for breach of contract, along with attorney's fees to both the Bullards and Steitler. The final judgment included a permanent injunction against Solomon to reduce the dam level. Solomon appealed several points, but the appellate court affirmed the trial court's judgment. The court notably held that punitive damages could be assessed for gross negligence in violating the Texas Water Code, that the Bullards' pleadings supported the awarded damages for loss of use of real property, and reformed the judgment to explicitly condition appellate attorney's fees on a successful appeal. Solomon's other complaints, including the injunction, were found to be waived or without merit.
Read the full decision
Join + legal professionals. Create a free account to access the complete text of this decision and search our entire database.