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

Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

White Budd Van Ness Partnership v. Major-Gladys Drive Joint Venture

A joint venture, Plaintiff/Appellee Major-Gladys Drive Joint Venture, sued Defendant/Appellant The White Budd Van Ness Partnership, an architectural firm, for damages stemming from their alleged failure to properly investigate and advise on the use of 'C-Tile' in a shopping center construction. The 'C-Tile' proved unsuitable and had to be replaced. The jury found the architects liable for deceptive trade practices, including misrepresentations and unconscionable actions, as well as negligence and breach of contract. The trial court entered a judgment of $498,157.40 plus attorney's fees against the architects. On appeal, the court affirmed the applicability of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA) to professional architectural services and extended the implied warranty of good and workmanlike performance to such services. The appellate court overruled various points of error raised by the architects, including issues related to a 'Mary Carter' settlement agreement with a co-defendant contractor. The judgment was reformed to disallow a $41,000.00 credit granted to the architects and, as reformed, was affirmed.

Architect MalpracticeDeceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA)Professional Services LiabilityImplied WarrantyUnconscionable ActionNegligenceBreach of ContractConstruction DefectsC-Tile FailureExpert Testimony
References
26
Case No. 08-04-00179-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 25, 2005

Francisco Garcia, Individually and as Next Friend of Francisco Garcia, Jr., and Kevin Garcia, Minor Children v. J. J. S. Enterprises, Inc., D/B/A/ PDQ Drive-In Grocery

Francisco Garcia, individually and as next friend for his minor children, Francisco Garcia, Jr. and Kevin Garcia (the Garcias), appealed the trial court's summary judgment in favor of J.J.S. Enterprises, Inc. (J.J.S. Enterprises). The case originated from the death of Rosario Michelle Garcia, who died during a robbery at her employer, PDQ Drive-In Grocery. Mrs. Garcia, a cashier, pursued a shoplifter against company policy, fell from a moving vehicle, and was fatally injured. The Garcias filed a wrongful death suit alleging negligence, but J.J.S. Enterprises moved for summary judgment citing a pre-injury waiver. The Court of Appeals affirmed the summary judgment, ruling the pre-injury waiver valid and enforceable, thereby barring the Garcias' lawsuit.

Wrongful DeathNegligenceSummary JudgmentPre-Injury WaiverOccupational Accident PlanNon-Subscriber EmployerTexas LawPublic PolicyFair NoticeActual Knowledge
References
21
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Siragusa v. State

The court unanimously affirmed the dismissal of claims made under Labor Law §§ 200, 240 (1), and 241 (6). The appellate court agreed with the trial court's finding that the accident resulted from the claimant's negligence in driving off the shoulder, rather than any negligence on the part of the State. It was noted that claims under Labor Law §§ 200 and 241 (6) are subject to the defense of comparative negligence. Furthermore, Labor Law § 240 (1) was deemed inapplicable as the incident did not involve risks associated with falling from an elevated work site or being struck by falling objects, clarifying that a highway's contour does not constitute an elevated work platform.

NegligenceComparative NegligenceLabor Law 200Labor Law 240Labor Law 241Elevated Work SiteHighway AccidentWorker SafetyAffirmationAppellate Review
References
5
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

O'Neil v. Roman Catholic Diocese

A student worker at St. Ephrem’s Church (the plaintiff) experienced sexual harassment from a visiting priest. After a particularly egregious incident, she informed other parish priests who promptly referred her to law enforcement. The plaintiff subsequently sued the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn and St. Ephrem’s Church for sexual harassment, negligence, negligent hiring, and negligent supervision, arguing they should have known of the priest's propensity. The Supreme Court, Kings County, granted summary judgment to the Diocese defendants, dismissing the plaintiff's claims, finding they lacked actual or constructive knowledge. The appellate court affirmed this decision, concluding that the defendants met their burden in demonstrating no prior knowledge of the visiting priest's conduct and acted diligently once informed.

Sexual HarassmentHostile Work EnvironmentNegligenceNegligent HiringNegligent SupervisionSummary JudgmentEmployer LiabilityConstructive KnowledgeDiscriminationNew York City Human Rights Law
References
8
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Health Acquisition Corp. v. Program Risk Management Inc.

The plaintiffs, home health care companies (Health Acquisition Corp., Bestcare, Inc., and Aides at Home, Inc.), sued various defendants, including accounting firm DeChants, Fuglein & Johnson, LLP (DFJ) and actuarial firm SGRisk, LLC, for professional negligence and negligent misrepresentation. The suit arose after the self-insurance trust they were members of became insolvent, leading to significant assessments from the Workers' Compensation Board. Plaintiffs alleged defendants concealed the trust's true financial state and their liability risks. The Supreme Court initially dismissed claims against DFJ and SGRisk. However, the appellate court reversed this decision, finding the complaint adequately alleged "near-privity" and negligence against both firms, even clarifying that actuaries could be held liable for common-law negligence despite not being licensed professionals for malpractice claims. A partial appeal concerning leave to amend the complaint was dismissed.

professional negligencenegligent misrepresentationCPLR 3211 (a)motion to dismissgroup self-insurance trustWorkers' Compensation Law § 50joint and several liabilityactuariesaccountantsnear-privity
References
15
Case No. 2-08-132-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 13, 2009

Elizabeth Santana, Individually and as Personal Representative of the Estate of Rojelio Santana, and as Next Friend of Diana Santana, Rojelio Santana, Jr., Marissa Santana, Pauline Santana and Frederico Santana v. Arpin America Moving System, LLC and Paul Arpin Van Lines, Inc.

Elizabeth Santana appealed the trial court's summary judgments for Arpin America Moving System, LLC (AAMS) and Paul Arpin Van Lines, Inc. (PAVL). Her husband, Rojelio Santana, an independent contractor, was killed in a truck accident while an unlicensed "lumper" he hired was driving a vehicle owned by AAMS and leased by PAVL. Santana alleged negligence, negligence per se, res ipsa loquitur, negligent entrustment, and gross negligence against AAMS and PAVL. The court found that Rojelio Santana was an independent contractor and not driving at the time of the accident, and that the "lumpers" were not employees of AAMS or PAVL, rendering Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) doctrines inapplicable. Consequently, the appellate court affirmed the trial court's summary judgment, finding no evidence of causation linking any alleged negligence or FMCSR violations by AAMS or PAVL to the accident, nor any basis for negligent entrustment or res ipsa loquitur.

Summary Judgment AppealNegligence Per SeFMCSRStatutory EmployeeVicarious LiabilityNegligent EntrustmentProximate CauseIndependent ContractorWrongful DeathCommercial Vehicle Accident
References
34
Case No. 2024 NY Slip Op 04297 [230 AD3d 721]
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 28, 2024

6 Harbor Park Dr., LLC v. Town of N. Hempstead

The plaintiff, 6 Harbor Park Drive, LLC, appealed a judgment from the Supreme Court, Nassau County, which dismissed its complaint against defendant Angeles Portela following a jury verdict. The action stemmed from property damage caused by water and debris flowing onto the plaintiff's property. Earlier stages of the litigation saw several other defendants, including the Town of North Hempstead, granted summary judgment, leaving only a specific claim regarding mulch placement against Portela for trial. The plaintiff alleged Portela's negligent mulch application increased run-off, but the jury found Portela not negligent. The Appellate Division affirmed the judgment, concluding that the Supreme Court properly exercised its discretion in evidentiary rulings and that any other errors were harmless.

Property DamageNegligenceJury VerdictAppellate ReviewEvidentiary RulingsSummary JudgmentWater Run-offMulch ApplicationHarmless ErrorJudicial Discretion
References
8
Case No. 08-21-00044-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Dec 20, 2022

Evelyn Garza, Individually, and on Behalf of Ruben Roberto Garza, Malorie Elissa Garza, Valerie Marie Garza, and Alice Hernandez Garza v. Adrian Darius Samuel, RDL Energy Services, LP, RDL Energy, LLC and JPH Holdings, LLC

This appellate opinion addresses the vicarious liability of employers (RDL Energy Services, LP, RDL Energy, LLC, and JPH Holdings, LLC) for a traffic accident caused by an employee (Adrian Samuel) while commuting to a remote oil field worksite. The case examines the "coming and going" rule and its "special mission" exception, where the employee was driving a company vehicle, was paid for travel time, and was directed to drive overnight. The court also considers a negligent entrustment claim against the employers. The court reverses the summary judgment for the employers on the vicarious liability claim, finding a genuine issue of material fact, but affirms the summary judgment on the negligent entrustment claim due to the remoteness of the employee's prior driving offenses.

Vicarious LiabilityEmployer-Employee RelationshipComing and Going RuleSpecial Mission ExceptionNegligent EntrustmentOil Field IndustryTraffic AccidentSummary Judgment ReviewCourse and Scope of EmploymentTexas Appellate Law
References
32
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Estupinan v. Cleanerama Drive-In Cleaners, Inc.

The plaintiff, administratrix of Francisco Estupinan's estate, sued Cleanerama Drive-In Cleaners, Inc. and John Bellasario for damages after Bellasario, a fellow employee, assaulted and killed Estupinan. Cleanerama moved to dismiss, arguing the action was barred by the Workmen's Compensation Law, as an award had already been made. The court clarified that the exclusive remedy rule applies unless the employer actively instigated the assault, not merely through respondeat superior. Finding no evidence of Cleanerama's willfulness, the appellate court reversed the order denying dismissal and granted Cleanerama's motion to dismiss the complaint against it.

Employer LiabilityWorkers' Compensation ExclusivityAssault in EmploymentRespondeat SuperiorIntentional Tort ExceptionMotion to DismissAppellate Court DecisionScope of EmploymentEmployer NegligenceWillful Act
References
6
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Hall v. Sonic Drive-In of Angleton, Inc.

Majorie Marie Hall, an employee of Sonic Drive-In, sued Sonic and its manager, Michael Cantrell, for premises liability, assault, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Hall was injured when she cut her hand on a freezer cover left on the floor. Later, Cantrell allegedly assaulted her by grabbing her wrist to make her hold a french-fry scooper. The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of Sonic and Cantrell on all claims. Hall appealed, arguing that material fact issues existed for her premises liability claim, the assault claim was improperly dismissed based on a faulty interpretation of intent, and the intentional infliction of emotional distress claim was not even addressed in the summary judgment motion. The appellate court reversed and remanded the trial court's judgment, finding that Hall raised genuine issues of material fact for premises liability, that an 'intent to injure' is not the only element for assault, and that the intentional infliction of emotional distress claim was not properly addressed by the summary judgment motion.

Premises LiabilityAssaultIntentional Infliction of Emotional DistressSummary Judgment AppealEmployer LiabilityEmployee InjuryWorkplace SafetyForeseeabilityCause-in-FactActual Knowledge
References
36
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