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

Case No. 15-25-00013-CV
Regular Panel Decision
May 07, 2025

State of Texas, the Texas Facilities Commission, the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Mike Novak, in His Official Capacity as Executive Director of the TFC, and Rolland Niles, in His Official Capacity as Deputy Executive Commissioner for the System Support Services Division of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission v. Broadmoor Austin Associates, a Texas Joint Venture

Broadmoor Austin Associates leased office space to the Texas government, specifically the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), through the Texas Facilities Commission (TFC). Rent has been unpaid for nearly two years due to alleged misconduct by state officials. Broadmoor asserts that sovereign immunity does not bar its claims for breach of contract, citing Chapter 114's express waiver for contracts involving construction and related services. Additionally, Broadmoor brings ultra vires claims against TFC Executive Director Mike Novak and HHSC Deputy Executive Commissioner Roland Niles, alleging their actions were beyond legal authority or a failure to perform ministerial duties. Broadmoor seeks prospective injunctive and declaratory relief to ensure these officials comply with state law, specifically regarding the availability of appropriated funds for the lease.

Sovereign ImmunityBreach of ContractUltra Vires DoctrineState AgenciesGovernment ContractsLease AgreementsLegislative AppropriationsExecutive AuthorityJudicial ReviewTexas Facilities Commission
References
69
Case No. 15-25-00012-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 17, 2025

State of Texas, Acting by and Through the Texas Facilities Commission, for and on Behalf of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission; The Texas Facilities Commission; Mike Novak, in His Official Capacity as Executive Director of the Texas Facilities Commission; The Texas Health and Human Services Commission; And Rolland Niles in His Official Capacity as Deputy Executive Commissioner for the System Support Services Division of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission v. 8317 Cross Park, LLC

This is an interlocutory appeal from a denial-in-part of Appellants’ plea to the jurisdiction. Appellee filed an action against the State of Texas, TFC, HHSC, Executive Director Mike Novak of TFC, and Deputy Executive Commissioner for System Support Services Division of HHSC Rolland Niles alleging causes of action for breach of lease, ultra vires conduct related to the termination of the lease, and declaratory relief. Appellants argue that the trial court erred in denying their plea because Chapter 114 of the Texas Civil Practices and Remedies Code does not waive sovereign immunity for the State of Texas, HHSC, or TFC for breach of lease claims, and the lease is not a contract for goods or services covered by Chapter 114. Furthermore, Appellants contend that the Uniform Declaratory Judgments Act (UDJA) does not waive sovereign immunity for Appellee's declaratory judgment claim as it does not challenge the constitutionality or validity of a statute, and Appellee has not alleged a cognizable ultra vires claim against the state officials. Appellants seek reversal of the partial denial of their plea to the jurisdiction and dismissal of Appellee's claims.

Sovereign ImmunityBreach of LeaseDeclaratory JudgmentUltra ViresTexas Civil Practices and Remedies CodeTexas Government CodeAppellate ProcedureJurisdictionState AgenciesContract Law
References
44
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 31, 2004

Schramm v. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory

This case concerns an appeal by third-party defendants W.T. Hickey Corp. and Hickey Electric Co., Inc., from an order denying their motion to dismiss claims for common-law indemnification and contribution as premature. The defendant third-party plaintiff, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, also filed a cross-appeal. The court examined Workers' Compensation Law § 11, which limits employer liability to third parties for contribution or indemnity unless a "grave injury" is proven, and discussed the distinction between general and special employment. The appellate court found the third-party defendants failed to provide sufficient evidence to establish a special employment relationship. Consequently, the cross-appeal was dismissed as the defendant was not aggrieved, and the original order was affirmed.

Workers' Compensation LawThird-Party ActionIndemnificationContributionGrave InjuryGeneral EmployerSpecial EmployerSummary Judgment MotionAppellate ReviewCross-Appeal
References
12
Case No. 03-03-00763-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Dec 16, 2004

Antonio Nash v. the Blood and Tissue Center of Central Texas

This employment discrimination case involves Antonio Nash appealing a summary judgment in favor of The Blood and Tissue Center of Central Texas (BTC). Nash, an African-American facilities manager, was terminated by BTC for alleged violations of company policy, including sexual harassment, breach of confidentiality, and an unauthorized background check. He claimed racial discrimination, retaliation, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, arguing BTC's reasons were pretextual. The appellate court affirmed the trial court's judgment, concluding Nash failed to present sufficient evidence to create a genuine issue of material fact regarding pretext or discriminatory motivation. The court also addressed Nash's challenges to the consistency of BTC's articulated reasons, the adequacy of BTC's investigation, and the exclusion of certain evidence, finding no reversible error.

Employment DiscriminationSummary Judgment AppealRacial DiscriminationPretextMcDonnell Douglas FrameworkBurden-Shifting AnalysisCompany Policy ViolationsConfidentiality BreachSexual Harassment AllegationsUnauthorized Background Check
References
29
Case No. 2016-06-2191, State File No. 21968-2016
Regular Panel Decision
Jul 28, 2017

Ingram, Chad v. Grocers Inc. & Cold Storage Co., Inc.

Chad Ingram, an employee of Grocers Ice & Cold Storage Co., Inc. (operating as Creation Gardens), sustained a left wrist injury in March 2016. After receiving initial workers' compensation benefits and returning to work, he was terminated in December 2016 before his initial compensation period expired. Mr. Ingram sought increased permanent partial disability benefits, contending his termination was retaliatory due to his injury. However, Creation Gardens asserted the termination was for cause, citing Mr. Ingram's insubordinate and confrontational behavior, including customer complaints and aggressive interactions with his supervisor. The Court determined that Mr. Ingram was indeed fired for misconduct that violated ordinary workplace expectations, and he failed to prove his termination was pretextual. Consequently, the Court denied his claim for increased benefits and dismissed the case.

Workers' Compensation BenefitsPermanent Partial DisabilityEmployment TerminationMisconductWorkplace RetaliationCause for TerminationJudicial ReviewImpairment RatingEmployer-Employee DisputeLegal Precedent
References
2
Case No. CA 10-02269
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 29, 2011

ELLICOTT GROUP, LLC v. STATE OF NEW YORK EXECUTIVE DEPT.

This case addresses an appeal concerning the authority of the State of New York Executive Department Office of General Services (OGS) to mandate a prevailing wage clause in a lease agreement with Ellicott Group, LLC, for privately owned property. OGS had adopted a policy requiring prevailing wages for certain work, even if it did not meet the technical definition of 'public work' under the Labor Law. The Supreme Court, Erie County, had granted summary judgment to Ellicott Group, LLC, concluding that OGS lacked statutory authority and violated the separation of powers doctrine. The Appellate Division affirmed this judgment, holding that OGS, as an administrative body, usurped the legislative function by enacting a policy defining when prevailing wages should be paid, a role reserved for the Legislature.

Prevailing Wage LawLabor Law Article 8Labor Law Article 9Public WorkLease AgreementExecutive AuthorityLegislative FunctionSeparation of PowersAdministrative LawDeclaratory Judgment
References
14
Case No. 03-08-00288-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Oct 24, 2008

Texas Society of Professional Engineers v. Texas Board of Architectural Examiners and Cathy Hendricks, Executive Director

The Texas Society of Professional Engineers appealed the trial court's partial grant of a plea to the jurisdiction filed by the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners (TBAE) and its Executive Director. The Society sought declaratory and injunctive relief to prevent the TBAE from initiating enforcement proceedings against licensed engineers for alleged violations of the Architecture Practice Act, asserting engineers are exempt and TBAE lacks jurisdiction. The trial court granted the plea in part, ruling it lacked jurisdiction over most claims except those challenging TBAE rules. The Court of Appeals affirmed this order, concluding the Society lacked associational standing to pursue the broad relief requested under the Uniform Declaratory Judgments Act. This was because such claims required a fact-intensive, case-by-case analysis of individual engineers' conduct, not pure issues of law.

JurisdictionAssociational StandingDeclaratory JudgmentInjunctive ReliefPlea to the JurisdictionProfessional LicensingArchitectureEngineeringAdministrative LawRegulatory Authority
References
14
Case No. 2021 NY Slip Op 00461
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 28, 2021

Matter of Executive Cleaning Servs. Corp. v. New York State Dept. of Labor

Executive Cleaning Services Corporation and Cef Saiz, the petitioners, challenged a determination by the Commissioner of Labor, alleging they failed to pay prevailing wages for cleaning services provided to the Ossining Public Library. The Department of Labor initiated an investigation following an employee complaint and concluded that the contract was subject to the prevailing wage provisions of Labor Law article 9. Petitioners argued the library was not a 'public agency' as defined by Labor Law § 230 (3), thus exempting their contract from prevailing wage requirements. The Appellate Division, Third Department, ultimately agreed with the petitioners, finding that despite its public function and ties to the school district, the Ossining Public Library does not fit the statutory definition of a public agency under Labor Law § 230 (3). Consequently, the Commissioner's determination was annulled, the petition granted, and the action for declaratory judgment severed and remitted to the Supreme Court.

Prevailing Wage LawLabor Law Article 9Public Agency DefinitionOssining Public LibraryEducation CorporationCPLR Article 78 ProceedingDeclaratory Judgment ActionBuilding Service ContractsSchool District Public LibraryAdministrative Law
References
18
Case No. 03-10-00019-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Oct 12, 2011

Dr. Don Brantley, Belinda Castillo, Dr. Corinne Alvarez-Sanders and Patricia Logterman// Texas Youth Commission Cherrie Townsend in Her Official Capacity as Executive Director v. Texas Youth Commission Cherrie Townsend in Her Official Capacity as Executive Director// Dr. Don Brantley, Belinda Castillo, Dr. Corinne Alvarez-Sanders

This case concerns challenges by current and former employees of the Texas Youth Commission (TYC) against the constitutionality of Senate Bill 103, which converted TYC employment from 'for-cause' to 'at-will.' The plaintiffs, including Dr. Don Brantley, Belinda Castillo, Dr. Corinne Alvarez-Sanders, and Patricia Logterman, sought declaratory, injunctive, and monetary relief based on alleged wrongful termination, due process violations, defamation, and unconstitutional takings. The district court partially granted and denied TYC's plea to the jurisdiction. The appellate court affirmed the dismissal of Castillo's claims for lack of ripeness and the defamation and takings claims for all plaintiffs due to sovereign immunity. It reversed in part, allowing Alvarez-Sanders and Logterman to replead their wrongful-termination/due-process claims for equitable relief against a proper state official, and similarly reversed in part Brantley's wrongful-termination/due-process claim.

Employment LawPublic EmployeesAt-Will EmploymentFor-Cause EmploymentDue ProcessConstitutional LawRetroactive LegislationEx Post Facto LawBill of AttainderSovereign Immunity
References
37
Case No. 03-14-00396-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 06, 2015

Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners and Yvette Yarbrough, Executive Director v. Texas Medical Association

The Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners (TBCE) and its Executive Director, Yvette Yarbrough, are appealing a decision from the Third Court of Appeals in Austin, Texas. They have filed a motion for panel rehearing and/or en banc rehearing. The appellants argue that the Court's previous memorandum opinion contains three fundamental errors: misstating appellate issues, resolving subject-matter jurisdiction using a prohibited method, and misstating the administrative rule at issue. They contend that the Court misunderstood their challenge to the trial court's jurisdiction regarding the Texas Medical Association's (TMA) claim to invalidate a provision of the Scope of Practice Rule (22 Tex. Admin. Code § 75.17(d)(1)) concerning chiropractors' authority to "diagnose" diseases. TBCE asserts that this claim is a collateral attack on a prior judgment in TMA I where the same issue was litigated and decided in TBCE's favor. They argue that subject-matter jurisdiction should be decided on a claim-by-claim basis and that the Court erred in its interpretation of the administrative rule number. They are requesting an opportunity for oral argument due to the significance of the issues for chiropractic practice in Texas.

Workers' CompensationChiropractic Scope of PracticeMedical AssociationCollateral AttackSubject Matter JurisdictionAdministrative LawRule InvalidationTexas LawAppellate ProcedureMotion for Rehearing
References
6
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