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

Case No. E2020-01744-COA-R3-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 12, 2022

Jason Kovatch v. Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development

This appeal involves a denial of unemployment compensation benefits. Specifically, a former employee contends that there existed good cause as to why he resigned from his employment such that he should be entitled to unemployment compensation benefits. The Commissioner’s Designee found that no good cause existed as to why the employee terminated his employment and therefore determined that he was not entitled to benefits. The employee then filed a petition for judicial review. The trial court thereafter affirmed the Commissioner’s Designee’s decision. On appeal, we conclude that there is substantial and material evidence in the record to support the Commissioner’s Designee’s decision, and therefore, we affirm the decision of the trial court.

Unemployment BenefitsVoluntary ResignationGood CauseWork-Related Injury ClaimAppellate ReviewAdministrative LawSubstantial EvidenceEmployee RightsEmployer PoliciesJudicial Review
References
20
Case No. No. 08-22-00029-CV (TC# 2021DCV1132)
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 27, 2023

Ricardo A. Samaniego, in His Official Capacity as County Judge, Carlos Leon, in His Official Capacity as County Commissioner, David Stout, in His Official Capacity as County Commissioner, Illiana Holguin, in Her Official Capacity as County Commissioner, Carl L. Robinson, in His Official Capacity as County Commissioner v. Associated General Contractors of Texas, Highway, Heavy, Utilities & Industrial Branch and a Brothers Milling, LLC

The El Paso County Commissioners Court, including County Judge Ricardo A. Samaniego and Commissioners, appealed the denial of their plea to the jurisdiction. They were sued by Associated General Contractors of Texas and A Brothers Milling, LLC, who alleged the Commissioners Court acted ultra vires in setting prevailing wage rates for heavy-highway construction projects in El Paso County. The Appellants argued governmental immunity shielded them and that their wage determinations were final. The appellate court affirmed the trial court's denial, concluding that the Appellees had sufficiently pleaded an ultra vires claim, which falls within the trial court's subject-matter jurisdiction. The court clarified that ultra vires acts by public officials are not considered acts of the state and therefore are not subject to the finality clause.

Governmental ImmunityUltra Vires ActPrevailing Wage RatePublic WorksSubject Matter JurisdictionInterlocutory AppealPlea to the JurisdictionTexas Government CodeStatutory InterpretationEl Paso County
References
16
Case No. 03-13-00560-CV
Regular Panel Decision
May 22, 2015

Risk Management Strategies, Inc. v. Texas Workforce Commission Commissioner Andres Alcantar Commissioner Ronald G. Congleton And Commissioner Hope Andrade

Risk Management Strategies, Inc. (RMS) appealed a trial court's dismissal of its suit against the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and its commissioners regarding a determination that caregivers were employees of bank trusts, not RMS, for unemployment tax purposes. RMS sought judicial review of the TWC's decision and alleged ultra vires acts by the commissioners for misinterpreting the Texas Labor Code. The appellate court affirmed the dismissal of the judicial review claim, ruling that the statutory waiver of immunity applied only to unemployment benefits disputes, not tax liability. However, the court reversed and remanded the ultra vires claims, finding that while the commissioners were not solely bound by a 'control test,' RMS should have an opportunity to amend pleadings to demonstrate a specific statutory violation or lack of legal authority. The case was affirmed in part and reversed and remanded in part, allowing RMS to re-plead the ultra vires claims.

Unemployment Tax LiabilitySovereign ImmunityJudicial ReviewUltra Vires ClaimTexas Labor CodeEmployer-Employee RelationshipCaregiversBank TrustsStatutory ConstructionAppellate Procedure
References
19
Case No. 03-21-00294-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Jun 30, 2022

Texas Telephone Association and Texas Statewide Telephone Cooperative, Inc., and Their Participating Members Windstream Services, LLC Texas Windstream, LLC (d/B/A Windstream Communications) Windstream Communications Kerrville, LLC (d/B/A Windstream Communications) Valor Telecommunications of Texas, LLC (d/B/A Windstream Communications Southwest) Windstream Sugar Land LLC v. Public Utility Commission of Texas Peter Lake, Chairman Will McAdams, Commissioner Lori Cobos, Commissioner And Jimmy Glotfelty, Commissioner, Each in His or Her Official Capacity at the Public Utility Commission of Texas

This case involves a dispute over the Texas Universal Service Fund (TUSF), established to ensure affordable telecommunications services statewide. Rural telecommunication service providers (Rural Providers) sued the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) and its Commissioners when the PUC stopped paying full TUSF support amounts. The Rural Providers alleged ultra vires acts by the Commissioners for underfunding TUSF and creating a payment hierarchy, and violations of the APA for implementing these changes without proper rulemaking. The Court of Appeals reversed the trial court's dismissal, finding the Commissioners acted ultra vires and violated APA rulemaking procedures. The decision affirmed in part, reversed and rendered in part, and remanded in part for damages on a regulatory takings claim.

Texas Universal Service FundTelecommunications RegulationPublic Utility CommissionRural TelecommunicationsRegulatory TakingsUltra Vires ActAdministrative Procedure ActRulemaking ViolationDeclaratory JudgmentMandamus Relief
References
76
Case No. 14-08-00193-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 28, 2010

Gregory R. Mattox and Barbara Wilkerson v. County Commissioners' Court-Grimes County, Betty Shiflett-Grimes County Judge, John Bertling-County Commissioner Pct 1., and Pam Finke-County Commissioner Pct 4

The case involves Gregory R. Mattox and Barbara Wilkerson (appellants) appealing a trial court's denial of their petition for a writ of mandamus. They sought to compel the Grimes County Commissioners Court and specific county officials (appellees) to cancel a roadway dedication on a portion of Hill Forest Lane that encroached on their property. The core dispute centers on whether the cancellation of the roadway dedication was a mandatory ministerial act under Texas Local Government Code section 232.008(e) or a discretionary act under section 232.008(h), which applies if the cancellation would prevent the interconnection of infrastructure to pending or existing development. The appellate court found that genuine issues of material fact existed regarding the applicability of section 232.008(h), specifically concerning the existence of a "proposed interconnection" and "pending or existing development" on an adjacent property. Consequently, neither party was entitled to summary judgment as a matter of law. The court reversed the trial court's summary judgment in favor of appellees and remanded the case for further proceedings.

Roadway DedicationWrit of MandamusLocal Government CodeSummary JudgmentStatutory InterpretationProperty RightsSubdivision CancellationMinisterial ActDiscretionary ActAppellate Review
References
26
Case No. NO. 03-13-00332-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 18, 2015

Gordon G. McWatt, D.O. v. David Mattax, Texas Commissioner of Insurance Ryan Brannan, Commissioner of Workers' Compensation And Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation

Gordon G. McWatt, D.O., appealed an administrative penalty of $15,000 and an order to attend an educational course for violating reporting and record-keeping requirements as a 'designated doctor' with the Division of Workers’ Compensation. The audit focused on the timely submission and electronic transmission of DWC Form-69s. McWatt argued that the ALJ and Commissioner lacked authority, retroactively applied rules, misinterpreted Rule 130.1 by holding him responsible for his employer Concentra's failures, and arbitrarily assessed penalties. The court found that the Division had proper authority for the audit and that Rule 130.1 held McWatt ultimately responsible for compliance, irrespective of his employer's role in filing. Consequently, the trial court's judgment affirming the ALJ's monetary penalty and the Commissioner's non-monetary sanction was affirmed.

Workers' CompensationAdministrative LawJudicial ReviewReporting RequirementsRecord KeepingAdministrative PenaltiesMedical EvaluationMaximum Medical ImprovementImpairment RatingDesignated Doctor
References
17
Case No. W2015-00796-COA-R3-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Sep 08, 2015

Virginia H. Sanders v. Commissioner of Department of Labor and Workforce Development

Virginia H. Sanders appealed the denial of her unemployment compensation claim, stemming from her termination for alleged workplace misconduct at Baptist Memorial Hospital. Initially, the Department of Labor denied benefits, a decision reversed by the Appeals Tribunal. However, the Commissioner's Designee subsequently reversed the Tribunal, finding Sanders' actions constituted misconduct. The Chancery Court for Shelby County affirmed the Designee's decision. On appeal, the Tennessee Court of Appeals upheld the Chancery Court's ruling, concluding that substantial and material evidence supported the finding that Sanders' actions, including escalating a dispute and making a statement interpreted as a threat, violated hospital policy and constituted work-related misconduct, thereby disqualifying her from unemployment benefits.

Unemployment BenefitsWorkplace MisconductEmployee DischargeAppeals Court DecisionAdministrative Law ReviewSubstantial Evidence StandardEmployer Policy ViolationVerbal AltercationPro Se RepresentationTennessee Law
References
42
Case No. 11-20-00206-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Sep 09, 2021

the Ector County Alliance of Businesses v. Greg Abbott, in His Official Capacity as Governor of the State of Texas John W. Hellerstedt, in His Official Capacity as the Commissioner of Public Health of the State of Texas and/or as Commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services And the State of Texas.

The Ector County Alliance of Businesses challenged Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Public Health Commissioner John Hellerstedt regarding executive orders and declarations imposing COVID-19 restrictions, specifically on bars. The Alliance, comprising Ector County bar operators, argued that sections of the Texas Disaster Act were unconstitutional and that the officials acted ultra vires. The trial court initially granted pleas to the jurisdiction. On appeal, the Eleventh Court of Appeals, finding several issues moot due to intervening events like superseded orders and legislative amendments, dismissed all claims against the Commissioner and the Alliance's second through fifth causes of action against the Governor and the State for lack of jurisdiction. The court affirmed the trial court's dismissal of the Alliance's first cause of action against the Governor and the State, concluding the Alliance lacked standing for prospective relief.

COVID-19Texas Disaster ActPublic Health DisasterExecutive OrdersConstitutional ChallengeSeparation of PowersMootnessStandingSovereign ImmunityInjunctive Relief
References
38
Case No. M2011-02761-COA-R3-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 10, 2013

Kenner D. Ensey v. Karla Davis, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development

Kenner D. Ensey appealed a decision denying him unemployment benefits after he voluntarily quit his job due to alleged verbal abuse from his supervisor. The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development initially denied his claim, finding he lacked good work-related cause. The Appeals Tribunal reversed this, but the Commissioner’s Designee upheld the denial, deeming the incident isolated and insufficient for good cause. The chancery court affirmed the Designee's decision. This Court, however, reversed, concluding that Ensey had good cause to leave his employment due to the supervisor's offensive, embarrassing, and potentially violent outburst, which was condoned by the owner's inaction, despite him voluntarily quitting.

Unemployment BenefitsVoluntary QuitGood CauseVerbal AbuseSupervisor MisconductEmployer InactionAppellate ReviewAdministrative LawTennessee LawEmployment Dispute
References
9
Case No. Docket No. 13
Regular Panel Decision

Rubet v. Commissioner of Social Security

Maria Rubet, claiming disability due to a nervous condition since October 1993, sought judicial review of a decision by the Commissioner of Social Security denying her application for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. Following a remand and a subsequent hearing, an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) again found Rubet not disabled, a determination adopted by the Commissioner. Rubet failed to respond to the Commissioner's motion for judgment on the pleadings and a court order. The Court, after reviewing the record and adopting the Commissioner's analysis, found substantial evidence, including medical evaluations, to support the ALJ's finding that Rubet was not disabled. Consequently, the Court granted the Commissioner's motion to dismiss the complaint.

Social SecuritySSI BenefitsDisability ClaimAdministrative Law JudgeMedical EvaluationResidual Functional CapacityMental ImpairmentAppealsJudicial ReviewCommissioner Decision
References
3
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