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Access over workers' compensation decisions, including En Banc, Significant Panel Decisions, and writ-denied cases.

Case No. 03-15-00285-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Jul 01, 2015

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. And Audi of America, Inc. v. John Walker III, in His Official Capacity as Chairman of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Board The Honorable Michael J. O'Malley, the Honorable Penny A. Wilkov, in Their Official Capacities as Administrative Law Judges for the State Office

This case involves an appeal filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. and Audi of America, Inc. (Appellants) against John Walker III, Chairman of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Board, and Administrative Law Judges Michael J. O'Malley and Penny A. Wilkov (Appellees). Appellants sought injunctive relief in district court to prevent Appellees from proceeding with an allegedly ultra vires remand of an administrative contested case after a Proposal for Decision (PFD) had been issued. The district court dismissed the lawsuit based on governmental immunity and failure to exhaust administrative remedies. Appellants argue that Appellees' actions, including ordering the remand and reopening evidence, exceeded their statutory authority under the Administrative Procedure Act and Texas Occupations Code, making governmental immunity inapplicable and exhaustion of remedies unnecessary.

Administrative LawUltra Vires ActsGovernmental ImmunityExhaustion of RemediesJudicial ReviewAgency AuthorityState Office of Administrative HearingsRemandContested CasesStatutory Interpretation
References
31
Case No. 15-25-00061-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 02, 2025

Francisca Okonkwo, Administrative Law Judge, Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation, in Her Official Capacity and Fort Bend County v. Joshua David Heiliger, Individually, and on Behalf of the Estate of Lauren Brittane Smith, and on Behalf of Death Benefits Beneficiaries Joshua David Heiliger and Emma Destiny Heiliger

Fort Bend County appeals a temporary injunction granted by a Harris County District Court, which prevents discovery of mental health records in an ongoing workers' compensation dispute. The underlying administrative case involves a claim for death benefits by Joshua Heiliger, whose spouse, Lauren Brittane Smith, was a paramedic. Heiliger asserts Smith's mental health condition and stress contributed to her death, thus placing her mental health at issue. The Division of Workers' Compensation's Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) issued a subpoena for Smith's mental health records from her psychiatrist, Dr. John Marcellus. Heiliger bypassed the administrative process by obtaining the injunction in District Court. Fort Bend County argues the District Court erred in interfering with the Division's exclusive jurisdiction and that Heiliger failed to exhaust administrative remedies or demonstrate irreparable injury, as Texas law provides a qualified privilege for mental health records with exceptions relevant to this case.

Workers' CompensationTemporary InjunctionDiscovery DisputeMental Health RecordsSubpoena EnforcementAdministrative Law JudgeExclusive JurisdictionExhaustion of Administrative RemediesQualified PrivilegePatient-Litigant Exception
References
53
Case No. 14-18-00274-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 17, 2020

Dr. Louis Patino, D.C. Dr. Stephen Wilson, M.D. And Dr. Gary Craighead, D.C. v. Texas Department of Insurance-Division of Workers' Compensation Commissioner Cassandra J. Brown and Dr. Donald Patrick, in Their Official and Individual Capacities State Office of Administrative Hearings, Texas Chief Administrative Law Judge Cathleen Parsley in Her Official Capacity Tommy Broyles, in His Official Capacity The State of Texas And the Attorney General of the State of Texas

Three doctors, Patino, Wilson, and Craighead, appealed the dismissal of their claims against the Texas Department of Insurance-Division of Workers’ Compensation and other state entities. The doctors were excluded from the state's workers' compensation approved doctor list between 2004 and 2007, leading to administrative penalties and a subsequent lawsuit. The trial court dismissed their claims for lack of jurisdiction, asserting immunity. The appellate court affirmed the dismissal of claims challenging final agency orders due to unexhausted administrative remedies and collateral attack immunity. However, the court reversed the dismissal of the doctors' constitutional challenges to the Workers’ Compensation Act and ultra vires claims against the Commissioner, concluding these claims were properly pleaded and not barred by sovereign immunity.

Physician ExclusionAdministrative LawJudicial ReviewSovereign ImmunityUltra Vires ClaimsConstitutional ChallengeDue Process RightsProfessional LicensingGovernment RegulationTexas Labor Code
References
24
Case No. 13-14-00725-cv
Regular Panel Decision
Jul 23, 2015

Dos Republicas Coal Partnership v. David Saucedo, as Floodplain Administrator and County Judge of the Maverick County Commissioners Court, and the Maverick County Commissioners Court

Dos Republicas Coal Partnership (DRCP) appeals the Floodplain Administrator's denial of its permit for mining operations in a floodplain. DRCP argues the Administrator's decision, based on an over-expansive view of the ordinance and personal experience, renders the ordinance unconstitutionally vague and is preempted by state law. They contend their permit application met all conditions, as expert testimony showed the mining plan would decrease existing flood risks, making the permit grant a ministerial duty, not discretionary. DRCP also challenges the lack of a written explanation for the denial, arguing it signifies arbitrary and capricious action. The brief requests the Court to reverse the trial court's judgment and issue a writ of mandamus for the permit.

Floodplain ManagementCoal MiningPermit DenialAdministrative DiscretionStatutory PreemptionWater Quality RegulationTexas LawAppellate ReviewMandamusEnvironmental Law
References
26
Case No. 01-15-00583-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Sep 11, 2015

the Honorable Mark Henry, County Judge of Galveston County v. the Honorable Lonnie Cox, Judge of the 56th District Court of Galveston County

This interlocutory appeal concerns a temporary injunction obtained by District Court Judge Lonnie Cox on behalf of Ms. Bonita Quiroga against County Judge Mark Henry of Galveston County. The injunction directed Judge Henry to reinstate Ms. Quiroga's employment as court administrator with a salary of $113,000. The core dispute is over the salary range for the court administrator position, with Judge Cox proposing $85,000-$120,000 and the Commissioners Court setting it at $57,705-$63,695 due to decreased responsibilities. The Appellant argues that new amendments to Section 75.401 of the Government Code, effective September 1, 2015, render the temporary injunction moot. The new statute grants exclusive power to the judges served to appoint the court administrator and to the Commissioners Court to set the salary range, nullifying the injunction's directives. Therefore, the Appellant requests the Court of Appeals to set aside the temporary injunction and dismiss the underlying injunction suit.

Interlocutory AppealTemporary InjunctionMootnessGovernment CodeCourt AdministratorSalary DisputeGalveston CountyCommissioners CourtAppellate ProcedureDismissal
References
3
Case No. 8 N.Y.3d 892
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 22, 2007

In the Matter of Cagle v. Judge Motor Corporation

This case involves a motion for reargument of a motion for leave to appeal. The initial motion for leave to appeal was previously denied, as referenced in 7 NY3d 922. Kim M. Cagle, as Voluntary Administrator of the Estate of John R. Cagle, Deceased, is the appellant. Judge Motor Corporation and the Workers' Compensation Board are the respondents. The Court of Appeals of the State of New York considered the motion on February 5, 2007, and rendered its decision on March 22, 2007.

Motion for ReargumentLeave to AppealWorkers' CompensationEstateVoluntary Administrator
References
1
Case No. Z docket
Regular Panel Decision
Oct 29, 2007

Matter of Administration for Children's Servs. v. Silvia S.

The Administration for Children's Services (ACS) filed a motion in Family Court, Queens County, seeking an order to compel the respondent, Silvia S., to produce her psychological, psychiatric, and medical records. ACS argued that these records were necessary to investigate allegations of child neglect involving Silvia S. and her child, Daniel C., following incidents related to her seizure disorder, homelessness, and postpartum depression. The court, presided over by Judge Edwina G. Richardson-Mendelson, denied the motion. The judge found that ACS had not demonstrated a meritorious cause of action for neglect and was improperly seeking pre-petition disclosure to determine if a cause of action existed. The court also emphasized the need for confidentiality under HIPAA and Mental Hygiene Law § 33.13, concluding that the interest of justice did not outweigh the respondent's need for privacy given the lack of a stated cause of action and no harm to the child.

Child NeglectMedical Records DisclosurePsychiatric RecordsPsychological RecordsPre-Petition DisclosureCPLR 3102(c)Family Court Act § 1038(d)HIPAAMental Hygiene Law § 33.13Confidentiality
References
9
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Natural Resources Defense Council v. United States Food & Drug Administration

This Memorandum and Order addresses several motions in a case brought by environmental and public interest groups against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The plaintiffs sought to compel the FDA to initiate proceedings to withdraw approval of certain antibiotics used non-therapeutically in livestock. The court, presided over by Magistrate Judge James C. Francis IV, granted in part the plaintiffs' motion to strike certain documents, adopted the Government's proposed schedule for complying with a previous order, and denied the Government's motion for a stay pending appeal. The judge found the FDA's decades-long delay in fulfilling its statutory duty to be unreasonable, justifying the imposition of a compliance timetable.

Antibiotic ResistanceAnimal Feed RegulationFDA EnforcementAdministrative Procedure ActFood, Drug, and Cosmetic ActMandamusJudicial ReviewStay Pending AppealSummary JudgmentPublic Health
References
41
Case No. 04-12-00681-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Jul 24, 2013

the Texas State Office of Administrative Hearings v. Carol Birch, Charles Homer, Ann Landeros and Carol Wood

This is an interlocutory appeal concerning the denial of a plea to the jurisdiction filed by the Texas State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) in a wrongful termination case. Former Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) Carol Birch, Charles Homer, Ann Landeros, and Carol Wood sued SOAH, alleging employment discrimination and retaliation under the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act (TCHRA) and common law wrongful termination. The SOAH appealed the trial court's denial of its pleas to the jurisdiction, arguing the ALJs failed to provide prima facie evidence for their claims, thus negating sovereign immunity waiver. The appellate court affirmed the denial of SOAH's plea for Wood's and Birch's age and gender discrimination claims, and Birch's retaliation claim for seeking accommodation due to sufficient evidence. However, the court reversed and rendered judgment dismissing all claims by Landeros and Homer, Wood's retaliation claim, Birch's disability discrimination claim, and Birch's retaliation claim related to speaking out against disparate treatment, due to insufficient evidence.

Employment DiscriminationRetaliationSovereign ImmunityPlea to the JurisdictionConstructive DischargeAdverse Employment ActionTexas Labor CodeTCHRAAdministrative Law Judges (ALJs)Age Discrimination
References
52
Case No. 03-14-00548-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Dec 30, 2014

M&M Orthodontics P.A.and Harlingen Family Dentistry v. Texas Health and Human Services Commission Dr. Kyle Janek, in His Official Capacity as the Executive Commissioner of Texas Health and Human Services Commission Carole Hurley, Chief Administrative Law Judge for the Texas Health and Human Services Commiss

Appellees, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Dr. Kyle Janek, and Administrative Law Judges Carole Hurley, Keith Grantham, and Rick Gilpin, filed an unopposed joint motion requesting a 60-day extension to file their brief in the Third Court of Appeals, Austin, Texas. The current deadline is December 31, 2014, and the requested extension would move it to March 2, 2015. This is their first request for an extension. The primary reason for the extension is recent developments in the underlying administrative proceedings, specifically the filing of Notices of Nonsuit against Appellants, which may render the appeal moot. Appellees anticipate filing a joint motion to dismiss in the near future and require additional time to confer with Appellants and their counsel. Additionally, counsel for both the HHSC Appellees and the ALJ Appellees cited demanding litigation schedules and upcoming holiday office closures as reasons for needing more time.

Extension of TimeMootnessNonsuitAdministrative ProceedingsAppellate ProcedureTravis CountyThird Court of AppealsTexas Health and Human Services CommissionAppellees' BriefLitigation Schedule
References
7
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