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Case Law Database

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

Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Lynch v. City of Jellico

The case consolidated appeals from Jerry Wayne Lynch and David A. Lozano, challenging the constitutionality of several provisions within the Workers’ Compensation Reform Act of 2004. Specifically, the plaintiffs contested the mandatory benefit review conference, the multiplier used for permanent partial disability benefits, and the reliance on the AMA Guides for anatomical impairment. The trial judge had previously ruled these provisions unconstitutional, citing violations of due process, separation of powers, open courts, and equal protection, as well as the Tennessee Human Rights Act and Tennessee Handicap Act. However, the Tennessee Supreme Court reversed, affirming the constitutionality of all challenged provisions. The Court found that these statutory elements serve legitimate state interests in ensuring uniformity, predictability, and cost efficiency within the workers' compensation system, and do not infringe upon the stated constitutional rights or acts.

Workers' CompensationConstitutional LawDue ProcessEqual ProtectionSeparation of PowersOpen Courts DoctrineBenefit Review ConferencePermanent Partial DisabilityAMA GuidesMultiplier Provisions
References
28
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

United States v. Perez

This Order addresses challenges by six defendants to the constitutionality of the Sentencing Reform Act of 1984 and the Sentencing Guidelines. District Judge Nowlin found that the Act violates the separation of powers doctrine and Article I, Section 7 of the U.S. Constitution, particularly concerning the composition and authority of the Sentencing Commission and the lack of presidential presentment for the Guidelines. The Court further ruled that the Sentencing Guidelines infringe upon defendants' due process rights by unduly restricting judicial discretion in sentencing and limiting the consideration of individual circumstances. While concluding the unconstitutional provisions could be severed, the Court directed that, pending appellate review, sentences for offenses committed after November 1, 1987, should be determined as if committed before that date, accounting for the absence of parole.

Sentencing Reform ActSentencing GuidelinesConstitutional LawSeparation of PowersArticle IDue ProcessJudicial DiscretionFederal Criminal JusticeJudicial IndependencePresentment Clause
References
42
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Wesby v. Act Pipe & Supply, Inc.

Glenn Wesby was injured while working on Act Pipe & Supply, Inc.'s premises, employed by Labor Express Temporary Services. He sued Act Pipe for negligence. Act Pipe sought summary judgment, arguing that Wesby's claims were barred by Texas Workers’ Compensation statutes under either the Staff Leasing Services Act or the borrowed servant doctrine. The trial court granted summary judgment without specifying the grounds. On appeal, the court affirmed the summary judgment, finding that Wesby was Act Pipe’s borrowed servant and Act Pipe's workers’ compensation insurance applied, thus barring his common law claims, irrespective of whether notice of coverage was provided.

Personal InjurySummary JudgmentBorrowed Servant DoctrineStaff Leasing Services ActWorkers' Comp ExclusivityTemporary EmploymentNegligence ClaimsAppellate AffirmationEmployer Affirmative DefenseTexas Labor Law
References
28
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

United States v. Leitner

The government appealed a Magistrate's order granting bail to a defendant in an extradition proceeding. The defendant is wanted by Israel for multiple acts of terrorism, including attempted murder and arson, and fled to the U.S. after agreeing to testify against co-conspirators. The court emphasized that bail in extradition cases requires 'special circumstances' due to international relations and the serious nature of terrorism charges, applying stricter standards than domestic criminal cases. Finding no special hardship for the defendant and considering the flight risk and the importance of U.S.-Israel relations, the court reversed the Magistrate's decision, ordering the defendant to be held without bail.

ExtraditionBail AppealTerrorismFlight RiskInternational RelationsIsraelAttempted MurderArsonConspiracyMagistrate Reversal
References
4
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Armadillo Bail Bonds v. State

This case involves an appeal by Jerry Wardlow, doing business as Armadillo Bail Bonds, a surety, against the State of Texas regarding a criminal bail bond forfeiture. The central issue is whether article 22.16(c)(2) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, which delays final judgment against a bond for eighteen months in felony cases, violates the separation of powers doctrine of the Texas Constitution. The trial court had entered a final judgment before the expiration of the eighteen-month period, concluding the statute was unconstitutional. The appellate court affirmed the trial court's decision, agreeing that the legislative imposition of an eighteen-month delay in entering final judgment constitutes an unconstitutional interference with the judiciary's power, which includes the power to enter and execute judgments. The court reasoned that such a delay usurps judicial functions and renders the judicial branch powerless to administer justice without denial or delay.

Bail Bond ForfeitureSeparation of PowersJudicial PowerLegislative InterferenceTexas ConstitutionCode of Criminal ProcedureFinal Judgment DelayAppellate ReviewConstitutional LawJudicial Branch
References
9
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Lasater v. Hercules Powder Co.

This action was brought by employees of Volunteer Ordnance Works against their employer, operating under a government contract, seeking unpaid overtime compensation, liquidated damages, and attorney's fees under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. The dispute centered on whether time spent at plant gates and in transit on the employer's premises constituted compensable working time. The court found that while the Fair Labor Standards Act generally applied to government contracts and the plaintiffs were engaged in the production of goods for commerce, the specific time claimed was not part of a statutory workweek, particularly considering the wartime context and the benefit to the national war effort. Furthermore, the court determined that the Portal-to-Portal Act of 1947 barred the plaintiffs' claims and affirmed the constitutionality of its provisions, including Section 9, which provides a defense for employers acting in good faith reliance on administrative interpretations. Consequently, judgment was awarded to the defendant.

Overtime CompensationFair Labor Standards ActPortal-to-Portal ActWartime ProductionGovernment ContractorsEmployee WagesStatutory WorkweekJurisdictionConstitutional LawDe Minimis Rule
References
17
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Rodriguez v. Texas Employers' Insurance Ass'n

This case concerns an appeal from a summary judgment granted in favor of a workers' compensation carrier. The appellant's husband died at work, and the carrier denied death benefits, leading the appellant to sue for benefits under the Workers' Compensation Act and for treble damages under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA). While the appellant successfully recovered workers' compensation benefits, the trial court granted summary judgment on the DTPA claim, ruling that the decedent was not a "consumer" as defined by the Act. The appellate court affirmed this decision, concluding that the relationship between the decedent and the compensation carrier was statutory, not contractual, meaning there was no "purchase" of goods or services to establish consumer status under the DTPA. Therefore, the denial of workers' compensation liability alone did not give rise to a cause of action under the Deceptive Trade Practices Act.

Workers' CompensationDeceptive Trade PracticesSummary Judgment AppealConsumer StatusInsurance LiabilityStatutory RelationshipContractual RelationshipDeath Benefits ClaimTreble DamagesAppellate Court Decision
References
2
Case No. 08-06-00181-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Sep 25, 2008

Jesus Diaz De Leon D/B/A Payless Bail Bonds v. Olie S. Robinson

Mr. Diaz de Leon (Payless Bail Bonds) appealed the denial of a motion for new trial after a default judgment was entered against him in a suit brought by Mr. Robinson. Mr. Robinson sought to cancel a transaction, declare deeds void, and recover damages related to his home, which collateralized a bail bond. Mr. Diaz de Leon's attorney had a scheduling conflict and sent a substitute attorney, who was excused by the trial court, leading to a default judgment. The appellate court found that the trial court abused its discretion in denying the motion for new trial, citing the Craddock elements. The court concluded that the failure to appear was not intentional, a meritorious defense was alleged, and granting a new trial would not injure the plaintiff. Therefore, the judgment was reversed, and the case remanded for a trial on the merits.

Default JudgmentMotion for New TrialAbuse of DiscretionBail BondCollateralHomesteadQuitclaim DeedWarranty DeedDeed of TrustEviction
References
6
Case No. 03-07-00725-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 16, 2009

City of San Antonio Acting by and Through City Public Service Board N/K/A CPS Energy v. Bastrop Central Appraisal District and Chief Appraiser Mark Boehnke

The City of San Antonio, through CPS Energy, sought a writ of mandamus to compel the Bastrop Central Appraisal District (BCAD) and its chief appraiser to act on an untimely application for an open-space agricultural appraisal for 1999-2002. CPS Energy's land, previously tax-exempt for public use, lost this status retroactively after BCAD discovered a lignite mining lease with Alcoa. Although BCAD processed a similar application for 2003, it took no action on the earlier untimely applications. The appellate court affirmed the trial court's denial of mandamus, holding that BCAD had no statutory duty to act on applications filed after appraisal records approval and that CPS Energy's due-process rights were not violated, as they had opportunities to file timely applications. The court also rejected CPS Energy's estoppel argument against BCAD.

Property Tax LawAppellate ProcedureMandamus ActionStatutory InterpretationDue Process RightsTax Exemption RevocationOpen-Space Agricultural AppraisalUntimely ApplicationGovernmental EstoppelTexas Tax Code
References
21
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Martinez v. Reich

Plaintiffs, migrant workers, sued the Department of Labor (DOL) and other federal agencies, alleging violations of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and the Wagner-Peysner Act. They contended that the DOL unlawfully approved alien labor certification applications, specifically for tree planters hired by Frank Stanley. Plaintiffs argued that tree planters should be classified as agricultural workers, subject to more comprehensive protections under Subparts B and C of 20 C.F.R. § 655, rather than the less stringent procedures of Subpart A and the General Administration Letters. The court addressed the defendants' mootness argument, ruling that the case was capable of repetition yet evading review despite an earlier settlement with Stanley. Ultimately, the court found that tree planters are not agricultural workers under Part 655 and concluded that the DOL did not act arbitrarily or capriciously by applying different procedures for non-agricultural workers.

Administrative Procedures ActImmigration and Nationality ActWagner-Peysner ActAlien Labor CertificationMigrant WorkersTemporary Foreign WorkersAgricultural EmploymentNon-Agricultural EmploymentSummary JudgmentMootness Doctrine
References
11
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