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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

Striegel v. Hillcrest Heights Development Corp.

Plaintiff Robert Striegel sought partial summary judgment against Hillcrest Heights Development Corporation under Labor Law §§ 240(1) and 241(6) for injuries sustained from a fall while working on a sloped roof. Striegel, an employee of Sahlem's Roofing and Siding, slipped on a frost-covered sub-roof, fell, and slid down the roof, alleging that Hillcrest, as owner and general contractor, failed to provide safety devices. Defendants argued that the injury was from lifting or that the fall was onto the roof surface, not from an elevated height, citing White v Sperry Supply & Warehouse. The court distinguished White, finding that the sloped roof in this case made the fall directly related to gravity, thus falling within the purview of Labor Law § 240(1). Consequently, the court granted Striegel partial summary judgment on liability and also granted Hillcrest a conditional judgment for common-law indemnification against Sahlem’s, finding no active negligence on Hillcrest's part.

Construction AccidentSummary JudgmentLiabilityIndemnificationLabor LawElevated Work SiteGravity-Related HazardRoofingFall ProtectionPersonal Injury
References
4
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Tower Insurance v. Classon Heights, LLC

This case is a declaratory judgment action regarding an insurance coverage disclaimer based on late notice of a personal injury claim. Plaintiff Tower Insurance issued a liability policy to Classon Heights and Renaissance Realty, who were notified of an accident involving Elizabeth Gonzalez on their premises in October 2006. Despite knowing about the incident where Gonzalez fell and was taken to a hospital, the insureds waited five months, until March 2007, to notify Tower Insurance. Tower Insurance subsequently disclaimed coverage due to the untimely notice and initiated this action to declare it had no duty to defend or indemnify the insureds. The Supreme Court granted summary judgment to Tower Insurance, concluding that a five-month delay was untimely as a matter of law and the insureds' belief in nonliability was unreasonable given their immediate knowledge of Gonzalez's fall and hospital transport.

Insurance CoverageDisclaimer of CoverageLate Notice of ClaimPersonal InjuryDeclaratory JudgmentSummary JudgmentDuty to NotifyPolicy ConditionsTimeliness of NoticeReasonable Belief
References
11
Case No. 04-14-00746-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Oct 09, 2014

Alamo Heights ISD v. Catherine Clark

Alamo Heights Independent School District (AHISD) appeals a trial court's denial of its plea to the jurisdiction in a case brought by former teacher Catherine Clark. Clark alleges gender discrimination and retaliation under the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act (TCHRA). AHISD argues that Clark failed to establish a prima facie case for her claims and did not provide sufficient evidence of pretext for her termination, which AHISD asserts was based on numerous performance deficiencies and unprofessional conduct. The district contends the trial court erred by not applying the McDonnell Douglas burden-shifting framework as part of its jurisdictional analysis, praying for a reversal of the trial court's order and dismissal of Clark's claims.

TexasEmployment DiscriminationRetaliationGender DiscriminationHostile Work EnvironmentGovernmental ImmunityMcDonnell Douglas FrameworkTCHRAPlea to JurisdictionAppellate Law
References
85
Case No. 2015 WL 6163252
Regular Panel Decision

Alamo Heights Independent School District v. Catherine Clark

Catherine Clark sued Alamo Heights Independent School District, alleging sexual harassment and retaliation under the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act (TCHRA). Clark, a coach and physical education teacher, accused a female co-worker, Ann Monterrubio, of same-sex harassment and bullying, which included sexually suggestive comments and actions. Following her internal complaints and an EEOC charge, Clark was placed on a growth plan and subsequently terminated. The Supreme Court reversed the court of appeals' judgment, ruling that Clark failed to provide sufficient evidence that the alleged harassment was gender-motivated and that her termination was retaliatory under the 'but-for' causation standard. Consequently, governmental immunity was not waived, and the trial court lacked subject-matter jurisdiction.

Workplace DiscriminationSexual HarassmentRetaliation ClaimTexas Commission on Human Rights ActSame-Sex HarassmentHostile Work EnvironmentGovernmental ImmunityBurden-Shifting FrameworkMcDonnell DouglasBut-For Causation
References
83
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Tucker v. Wyckoff Heights Medical Center

Karen Tucker, a pro se plaintiff, sued Wyckoff Heights Medical Center and Dr. Ronald Guberman for breach of contract, Title VII retaliation, defamation, and tortious interference with prospective business relations. The defendants moved to dismiss the complaint, which the court treated as a motion for summary judgment. Plaintiff's claims stemmed from her assertion that she was entitled to a residency completion certificate despite not completing the program, and alleged retaliatory and defamatory actions by defendants regarding her employment. The court granted the defendants' motion for summary judgment, finding that many of Tucker's claims were barred by a prior settlement agreement or failed on the merits, as her factual allegations did not support the legal elements of her claims. The court also denied Tucker's request to amend her complaint as futile, though it allowed her to pursue breach of contract claims in New Jersey.

Employment DiscriminationRetaliationDefamationTortious InterferenceSummary JudgmentPro Se LitigationBreach of ContractSettlement AgreementMedical ResidencyFederal Civil Procedure
References
52
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 18, 2011

Brooklyn Heights Ass'n Inc. v. National Park Service

The plaintiffs (Brooklyn Heights Association, Inc. et al.) filed an action against defendants (National Park Service et al.) seeking a preliminary injunction to prevent alleged violations of federal and state law, specifically regarding the Land and Water Conservation Fund Act (LWCFA). The dispute centered on the National Park Service's (NPS) 2008 and 2011 decisions to revise the "6(f)(3) boundary map" for Empire Fulton Ferry State Park, which excluded the Tobacco Warehouse and Empire Stores. Plaintiffs argued these revisions, made under the guise of correcting a "mistake," were arbitrary, capricious, and contrary to LWCFA statutes and regulations, which mandate a conversion process for such changes after a grant closes. The court agreed with the plaintiffs, finding that the administrative record belied any claim of original mistake and that NPS lacked inherent authority to bypass the required conversion procedures. Consequently, the court granted the preliminary injunction, setting aside NPS's decisions, restoring the original boundary map, and enjoining any drilling or construction on the affected structures during the litigation.

Land and Water Conservation Fund ActPreliminary InjunctionAdministrative Procedure ActNational Park ServiceEnvironmental LawHistoric PreservationFederal RegulationsPublic Land UseStatutory InterpretationAgency Action Review
References
38
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Washington Heights-West Harlem-Inwood Mental Health Council, Inc. v. District 1199, National Union of Hospital & Health Care Employees, RWDSU

This case involves a dispute between District 1199, National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees, and Washington Heights-West Harlem-Inwood Mental Health Council, Inc. The union sought to enforce an arbitration award requiring the Council to rehire and provide back pay to an employee, Edward Lane. The Council cross-moved to vacate the award, arguing that no valid collective bargaining agreement with an arbitration clause existed between the parties. Although the parties had acted under the terms of a proposed agreement for a period, including processing some grievances and wage increases, no formal, signed contract had ever been executed. Citing recent appellate court decisions emphasizing contract formalism over implied intent, the District Court granted the Council's motion to vacate the arbitration award and denied the union's motion to enforce it, concluding that without a signed agreement, there was no contractual duty to arbitrate.

Arbitration AwardSummary JudgmentContract FormationCollective BargainingLabor DisputeContract FormalismVacation of AwardEnforcement of AwardMeeting of the MindsFederal Court
References
23
Case No. 08-23-00124-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 21, 2024

David Hornberger, in His Official Capacity, Ryan Anderson, in His Official Capacity, Brian Hamilton, in His Official Capacity, Bonnie Giddens, in Her Official Capacity, Lisa Krenger, in Her Official Capacity, Perry Shankle, in His Official Capacity, Stacy Sharp, in Her Official Capacity, Dr. Dana Bashara, in Her Official Capacity, and Alamo Heights Independent School District v. Selina Jones, Roy Hummel and Leslie Michelle Pruitt

This case concerns an appeal regarding governmental immunity and the applicability of Chapter 21 of the Texas Property Code to a property acquisition not involving eminent domain. The Alamo Heights Independent School District (AHISD) purchased an apartment complex, displacing its tenants, who subsequently sued AHISD and its officials for relocation assistance under Texas Property Code Sections 21.043 and 21.046. The Residents asserted ultra vires claims, arguing that AHISD officials failed to perform ministerial duties. The trial court denied AHISD’s jurisdictional challenge and granted partial summary judgment to the Residents. On interlocutory appeal, the Eighth District of Texas Court of Appeals reversed, holding that Chapter 21, which governs eminent domain proceedings, does not apply to properties acquired through an arm’s length purchase. Therefore, the court concluded that AHISD’s governmental immunity was not waived, and the trial court lacked subject matter jurisdiction over the Residents' claims, leading to the dismissal of the case.

Governmental ImmunityStatutory ConstructionEminent DomainRelocation AssistanceTexas Property CodeUltra Vires ClaimSummary JudgmentAppellate JurisdictionBexar CountyEl Paso Court of Appeals
References
54
Case No. 2023-03-00982
Regular Panel Decision
Jul 10, 2025

Sanders, Brandy v. NORTHSHORE HEIGHTS ASSISTED LIVING

Northshore Heights filed a motion for summary judgment against Brandy Sanders, arguing a lack of evidence for a causal connection between her employment and injury. Ms. Sanders alleged a right wrist and back injury from moving a patient in October 2022 but couldn't recall the exact date and provided no medical evidence linking her injuries to employment. Her request to voluntarily nonsuit was denied due to the pending summary judgment motion, and her attorney's request for additional time to withdraw or substitute counsel was also denied as no formal motion was filed. The Court found Northshore Heights met its burden by demonstrating Ms. Sanders's insufficient evidence, and she failed to present specific facts to dispute causation, leading to summary judgment in favor of the employer and dismissal of her claim with prejudice.

Summary JudgmentCausationWorkers' Compensation ClaimDismissal with PrejudiceMedical EvidenceAttorney WithdrawalMotion PracticeProcedural RulesInsufficient EvidenceRight Wrist Injury
References
6
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Dec 05, 1978

Sanders v. Southfield Heights, Inc.

In an action to recover damages for wrongful death, the plaintiff appealed an order from the Supreme Court, Rockland County. The order granted defendant Southfield Heights, Inc.'s motion for summary judgment, dismissing the complaint against it. The complaint alleged causes of action for negligence and wrongful death. The court found that no reasonable view of the allegations supported a claim of intentional tort. Sections 10 and 11 of the Workers' Compensation Law served as an absolute bar to the action against the respondent. Consequently, the dismissal was deemed proper, and the order was affirmed insofar as appealed from.

Wrongful DeathNegligenceSummary JudgmentWorkers' Compensation LawIntentional TortDismissalAppeal AffirmedAbsolute Bar
References
1
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