Glisson v. General Cinema Corp. of Texas
James E. Glisson and Dorothy Glisson appealed a summary judgment that denied them exemplary damages for the death of their son, David Anthony Glisson, who was fatally injured while employed by General Cinema Corporation of Texas. Although they received death benefits, the Glissons sought additional exemplary damages under Article 8306, Section 5 of the Texas Workmen's Compensation Law and Article 16, Section 26 of the Texas Constitution, alleging gross negligence. The trial court's summary judgment was based on the interpretation that parents are not included among the beneficiaries authorized to recover exemplary damages under these statutes. The appellate court affirmed, upholding the lower court's construction that the statutory language "heirs of his or her body" does not encompass parents, aligning with long-standing Texas precedent. The court also dismissed the Glissons' equal protection challenge, finding a rational basis for the classification of beneficiaries.