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Case Law Database

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

Case No. Motion sequence Nos. 002 and 005
Regular Panel Decision

UMG Recordings, Inc. v. Escape Media Group, Inc.

UMG Recordings, Inc. sued Escape Media Group, Inc. for common-law copyright infringement and unfair competition. Escape asserted DMCA safe harbor and CDA preemption defenses, along with Donnelly Act and tortious interference counterclaims. The court denied UMG's motion to dismiss the DMCA safe harbor defense, ruling it applies to pre-1972 recordings. However, the court granted UMG's motion to dismiss the CDA preemption defense, clarifying that the CDA's intellectual property exemption covers both federal and state laws. Additionally, Escape's Donnelly Act counterclaim was dismissed, but UMG's motions to dismiss the tortious interference counterclaims were denied, rejecting defenses like the Noerr-Pennington doctrine and economic interest.

Copyright InfringementDMCA Safe HarborPre-1972 RecordingsUnfair CompetitionCommunications Decency ActTortious InterferenceDonnelly ActNew York Common LawInternet Service ProvidersAntitrust
References
34
Case No. ADJ1717969 (VNO 0449705)
Regular
Mar 20, 2013

ERIKA ROLLINS vs. FILM PAYMENT SERVICES, KID BROTHERS PRODUCTION, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION for LEGION, in liquidation, ST. PAUL FIRE & MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) rescinded an arbitrator's award because the arbitration proceedings lacked a proper record, violating Labor Code sections requiring findings on all facts and compliance with case record standards. The WCAB returned the matter for further proceedings to ensure a complete record is created, adhering to due process principles and established case law. If a compliant record cannot be created, the case will be remanded for a new arbitrator selection. The parties sought reconsideration of the original award, which found Travelers' insurance to be "other insurance" and held them liable for the applicant's injury, ordering CIGA's dismissal.

California Insurance Guarantee AssociationCIGASt. Paul Fire & Marine Insurance CompanyTravelersWorkers' Compensation Appeals BoardArbitrator's AwardReconsiderationOther InsuranceInsurance Code Section 1063.1(c)(9)Prejudgment Interest
References
3
Case No. ADJ13111007
Regular
Oct 13, 2025

CHARLES MISERENDINO vs. CLUB DEMONSTRATION SERVICES, INC.; QBE SPECIALTY INSURANCE

Applicant filed a petition for removal from an order taking the matter off calendar, issued on September 10, 2024, by the WCJ. Applicant contended that the issue of additional panels was ripe for adjudication. The Appeals Board granted removal, finding that the WCJ's order violated due process by being issued without creating a record or explaining the need for further development, thus constituting irreparable harm. Consequently, the Board rescinded the September 10, 2024 order and returned the matter to the trial level to create a record, refraining from making a judgment on the warrant for additional panels without a formal record.

Petition for RemovalOrder Taking Matter Off CalendarAdjudicationDue Process ViolationIrreparable HarmSubstantial PrejudiceWCJ ReportRescind OrderReturn to Trial LevelCreate Record
References
6
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Texas State Board of Chiropractic Examiners v. Greg Abbott, Attorney General of the State of Texas

The Texas State Board of Chiropractic Examiners (the Board) sued the Attorney General seeking a declaration that certain chiropractic records were exempt from disclosure under the Texas Public Information Act (PIA). The records were part of the Board's investigation file concerning a complaint, which the Board considered confidential under Occupations Code section 201.206(a). The Attorney General's Open Records Division (ORD) initially opined that patient access provisions (sections 201.404 and 201.405) created an exception, requiring disclosure with proper consent. The trial court granted summary judgment for the Attorney General, mandating disclosure. On appeal, the court reversed, holding that the patient access provisions did not create an exception to the confidentiality afforded the Board's investigation files, thus the documents were exempt from mandatory disclosure.

Public Information ActConfidentialityChiropractic RecordsInvestigation FilesStatutory ConstructionSummary JudgmentPatient AccessGovernmental BodyAttorney General OpinionAppellate Review
References
48
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

New York State Police v. Charles Q.

A State Trooper, acquitted of criminal charges, had his criminal records sealed. His employer, the State Police (petitioner), subsequently sought to unseal these records for use in a disciplinary proceeding. The County Court initially granted the application to unseal. On appeal, the court reversed the County Court's order, ruling that the State Police, when conducting a disciplinary proceeding against one of its employees, is not acting as a 'law enforcement agency' under CPL 160.50 (1) (d) (ii) and thus has no statutory right to access sealed records. Furthermore, the court found that the petitioner failed to meet the 'compelling demonstration' required for exercising the court's inherent power to unseal records, as it did not demonstrate that other investigative avenues had been exhausted or were unavailable. Consequently, the application to unseal the records was denied.

Sealed recordsCriminal Procedure Law 160.50Disciplinary proceedingState TrooperPublic employerLaw enforcement agencyInherent court powerUnsealing recordsAppellate reviewAdministrative determination
References
6
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Morales v. Ellen

This appeal concerns the application of the Texas Open Records Act (TORA) regarding the disclosure of investigative records pertaining to sexual harassment allegations against John Ellen, a former police lieutenant. The Attorney General challenged a trial court's decision that withheld the names and detailed statements of witnesses, citing privacy concerns, while ordering the release of Ellen's affidavit and the police board's findings. The appellate court affirmed the trial court's judgment, balancing the public's right to information about government affairs against the privacy rights of individuals involved in intimate and embarrassing sexual harassment investigations. It concluded that disclosing witness identities would discourage future reporting and cooperation, thereby upholding the privacy exemption under TORA.

Texas Open Records ActTORASexual HarassmentPrivacy RightsInvestigative RecordsGovernment TransparencyWitness ProtectionPublic OfficialsEctor CountyAppellate Law
References
11
Case No. 05-15-00073-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 16, 2015

Estate of David Anthony Toarmina

This document is an 'Agreed Correction of Reporter’s Record' filed by Danyel Moffett, Appellant, and Vincent Toarmina, Appellee. The parties agree to correct the Reporter’s Record by including two exhibits, Def. Ex. 29 and Def. Ex. 30, which are Charles Vincent Toarmina’s Response to Request for Disclosure and Charles Vincent Toarmina’s First Supplemental Response to Request for Disclosure, respectively. These exhibits were admitted at trial but not included in the original record. The parties agree that these documents are true and correct copies and should be made part of the Reporter’s Record for all purposes.

Appellate ProcedureCorrection of RecordExhibitsDiscoveryTexas Rules of Civil ProcedureProbate CourtEstate LawDisclosure RequestAppellate Court FilingAgreement of Parties
References
7
Case No. 02-21-00164-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Jun 09, 2022

Todd Gallaher v. Denton Media Company, Inc. D/B/A Denton Record Chronicle

Appellant Todd Gallaher, a political consultant, sued Appellee Denton Media Company, Inc. d/b/a Denton Record-Chronicle for defamation, alleging libelous statements in a series of articles. The articles detailed allegations of Gallaher's misconduct during the 2008 primary election, claiming he was "charged," "prosecuted," and "sentenced" for misrepresentation of identity. Gallaher also contended defamation regarding statements that he declined to comment for the articles. The trial court granted summary judgment for the Newspaper. The appellate court affirmed, ruling that some claims were time-barred, statements about charges were protected by the statutory defense of truth for public concern, and statements about declining comment were not defamatory.

DefamationLibelSummary JudgmentFirst AmendmentFreedom of PressPublic ConcernStatutory Defense of TruthStatute of LimitationsAppellate ReviewTexas Election Code
References
24
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Mister Vee Productions, Inc. v. LeBlanc

This case involves a dispute over copyright infringement and breach of contract. Three corporations—Mister Vee, Delightful, and Vigor—sued individuals known as The Rhythm Makers, Paul Service, and corporations Arista Records, G.Q. Publishing, and Arista Music. Delightful alleged copyright infringement for the song 'Soul On Your Side.' Mister Vee and Vigor claimed The Rhythm Makers breached an exclusive agreement by recording other songs with Arista. The court addressed defendants' motion to dismiss non-copyright claims due to lack of pendent jurisdiction. The court ultimately declined jurisdiction and dismissed the state law claims, finding they did not share a 'common nucleus of operative fact' with the federal copyright claim.

Copyright InfringementBreach of ContractPendent JurisdictionFederal CourtState Law ClaimsMusic Industry DisputeExclusive Recording AgreementMotion to DismissJudicial EconomyCommon Nucleus of Operative Fact
References
12
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Blair v. Texas Employment Commission

William G. Blair appealed an order requiring him to produce employment and payroll records to the Texas Employment Commission (TEC). Blair claimed the records were privileged under the Fourth, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments, fearing self-incrimination, and offered to produce them only if granted immunity. The Attorney General then filed an application in the 72nd District Court of Lubbock County, which ordered Blair to produce the records. The appellate court affirmed the trial court's judgment, applying the "required records" doctrine, which is an exception to the self-incrimination privilege for records mandated by law for governmental regulation, especially concerning public welfare and the collection of taxes for unemployment compensation.

Required Records DoctrineSelf-IncriminationFifth AmendmentFourth AmendmentFourteenth AmendmentEmployment RecordsPayroll RecordsAdministrative SubpoenaGovernmental RegulationPublic Welfare
References
4
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