Dal-Briar Corp. v. Baskette
Dal-Briar Corporation, the Relator, filed a mandamus action against Judges Baskette, Callan, and Paxson, seeking to deconsolidate three underlying lawsuits. The original cases involved former employees Margie Garcia, Manuel Apodaca, and David Durbin suing Dal-Briar for discriminatory termination under the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act after filing claims. Dal-Briar contended that despite common legal questions, the distinct factual scenarios and defensive strategies in each employee's case would lead to substantial jury confusion and prejudice if consolidated. The court, applying Texas Rules of Civil Procedure 174(a), balanced judicial economy against the risk of an unfair outcome. It concluded that the potential for prejudice and confusion outweighed the convenience of consolidation, conditionally granting the writ of mandamus and directing the respondent judges to vacate the consolidation order due to the lack of an adequate remedy at law for Dal-Briar.