Cherqui v. Westheimer Street Festival Corp.
This case involves an appeal by Albert Cherqui from a directed verdict in a personal injury lawsuit against the Westheimer Street Festival Corporation, the City of Houston, and Officer John Bryson. The incident arose when off-duty police officers, paid by the Corporation, were enforcing no-parking signs at a festival. Cherqui, after being ticketed, had a confrontation with Officer Bryson in his home, leading to a wrist injury and subsequent arrest. The appellate court affirmed the trial court's decision, ruling that the Corporation was not vicariously liable because the officers were acting in their official capacity and as independent contractors. Furthermore, the City was immune from liability due to a lack of direct proximate cause between the placement of no-parking signs and Cherqui's injury, and Officer Bryson was entitled to official immunity as his actions were deemed to be in good faith.