Hays & Martin, L.L.P. v. Ubinas-Brache
Hays & Martin, L.L.P. appealed a trial court's judgment ordering them to pay Emmanuel E. Ubinas-Brache for damages stemming from a letter of protection. The underlying dispute involved Ubinas-Brache, a surgeon, seeking payment for services rendered to Israel Garcia, an injured worker, after Garcia's workers' compensation carrier denied payment and Garcia settled his lawsuit with Sears. Hays & Martin, L.L.P. had issued a letter promising to protect Garcia's medical bills at the time of settlement. The appellant challenged the trial court's jurisdiction, the appellee's right to sue for unpaid medical bills, the contractual validity of the letter of protection, and the sufficiency of evidence for attorney's fees. The appellate court affirmed the trial court's judgment, finding the dispute was a breach of contract outside workers' compensation administrative remedies, the letter was an enforceable contract, and the attorney's fees were justified.