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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

Saylor v. Lakeway Trucking, Inc.

In this workers’ compensation case, the employee, William H. Saylor, sought benefits for mental injuries allegedly arising from contact with hazardous material during his employment as a truck driver for Lakeway Trucking, Inc. On June 15, 1999, Saylor was splashed with hazardous liquid while investigating a leak, subsequently being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and chronic depression. The trial court found his mental injuries compensable, concluding they arose out of and in the course of his employment, and determined he was 100% permanently disabled regarding his mental faculties. This court affirmed the trial court's judgment, finding the mental injury rationally connected to the hazardous material exposure and supported by sufficient medical and lay testimony, and that the 100% permanent disability finding was not against the preponderance of the evidence.

Workers' CompensationMental InjuryPost-traumatic Stress DisorderChronic DepressionHazardous Material ExposureOccupational DisabilityPermanent DisabilityVocational DisabilityCausationMedical Evidence
References
14
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Hull-Hazard, Inc. v. Roberts

Justice Levine dissents from the majority's decision, which annulled the respondent's determination that held Hull Corporation jointly liable with Hull-Hazard, Inc., for violations of Labor Law § 220. Levine argues for a liberal construction of Labor Law § 220, citing its remedial and protective purposes for workers' rights. He emphasizes the extensively interlocking relationship between Hull Corporation and Hull-Hazard, Inc., highlighting shared ownership, officers, managerial staff, and employee benefit plans. According to Levine, Hull Corporation, as a successor employer, should not be permitted to evade liability given its clear knowledge and use of Hull-Hazard's resources, drawing parallels to federal labor law on successor liability. He concludes that the imposition of joint liability was rational and should have been confirmed. The overall determination was modified by annulling the finding of a willful violation of Labor Law § 220 (2) and the joint liability of Hull Corporation, and then confirmed as modified.

Joint LiabilitySuccessor EmployerLabor Law ViolationsCorporate InterlockingDissenting OpinionConcurring OpinionRemedial LegislationUnfair Labor PracticesAnnulment of DeterminationWillful Violation
References
5
Case No. CA 10-01067
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 01, 2011

TIMMONS, JOSEPH v. BARRETT PAVING MATERIALS, INC.

Joseph Timmons sustained injuries while working on property owned by Barrett Paving Materials, Inc., leading to a lawsuit alleging Labor Law violations. Barrett Paving then initiated a third-party action against Timmons' employer, Schneider Brothers Corporation, and a separate action against Colony Insurance Company. The Supreme Court granted Barrett's motion for summary judgment, dismissing the Labor Law claims in Action No. 1, and denied Colony's motion in Action No. 2, declaring Barrett an additional insured. The Appellate Division affirmed the lower court's judgment, concluding that Labor Law §§ 240(1), 241(6), and 200 were inapplicable to the facts of the case. The court also affirmed Schneider's duty to defend Barrett and Colony's obligation to provide coverage to Barrett as an additional insured.

Labor LawSummary JudgmentAppellate DivisionWorkers' Compensation LawIndustrial Code RegulationsCommon-Law NegligenceContractual IndemnificationAdditional Insured EndorsementConstruction Site SafetyGravity-Related Accidents
References
23
Case No. 01-07-00003-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Jun 26, 2008

in Re Bison Building Materials, Ltd.

Bison Building Materials, Ltd., a nonsubscriber to the Workers' Compensation Act, established an employee injury plan with an arbitration clause. Employee Tracy Sambrano was injured, received benefits, but then sued Bison for negligence, despite signing a post-injury waiver. The trial court denied Bison's motion to compel arbitration. On appeal, the court held that Sambrano had accepted the arbitration terms by continued employment and that the Federal Arbitration Act preempted state laws that would prevent enforcement. Consequently, the court conditionally granted mandamus relief to compel arbitration, finding Bison had not waived its right, and dismissed Sambrano's interlocutory appeal.

Arbitration AgreementFederal Arbitration Act (FAA)Texas General Arbitration Act (TGAA)Workers' Compensation NonsubscriberEmployee Welfare Benefit PlanERISA PreemptionMandamus ReliefInterlocutory AppealWaiver of ArbitrationContract Defenses
References
44
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Claim of Lopez v. Superflex, Ltd.

The claimant, suffering from acute bilateral kidney failure, filed a workers' compensation claim alleging causation by exposure to toxic chemicals at his workplace while painting and packing industrial hoses. The Workers’ Compensation Board initially denied the claim, asserting insufficient evidence of chemical exposure and lack of causal link. However, the appellate court found that the Board's decision was based on incorrect facts and lacked substantial evidence, highlighting that material safety data sheets confirmed kidney damage as a potential hazard of the chemicals used. Furthermore, the court noted that medical expert testimony supported causation, and an OSHA report, mischaracterized by the Board, did not disprove harmful exposure. Consequently, the appellate court reversed the Board’s decisions and remitted the matter for further proceedings, concluding that sufficient evidence supported the link between workplace conditions and the claimant's kidney failure.

Occupational diseaseKidney failureToxic chemical exposureWorkers' Compensation BoardAppellate reviewCausationMedical expert testimonyOSHA reportRemittedSubstantial evidence
References
11
Case No. 08-10-00082-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 31, 2011

State v. Cemex Construction Materials South, LLC

The State of Texas sued Cemex Construction Materials South, L.L.C. for conversion, breach of contract, and trespass to try title, asserting ownership of valuable building materials on four parcels of public school lands in El Paso County. The State claimed these mineral rights were reserved under the 1895 Land Sales and Mining Acts during original sales in 1900, 1906, and 1912. The trial court denied the State's motion for partial summary judgment and granted Cemex's motion. On appeal, the court reviewed the rulings de novo and found that the State unequivocally reserved mineral rights. Consequently, the appellate court reversed the trial court's judgment, granted the State's motion for partial summary judgment, and remanded the case for further proceedings.

Mineral RightsPublic School LandsSummary JudgmentState of TexasConversion ClaimBreach of ContractMining Act of 1895Land Sales Act of 1895Real Property LawStatutory Interpretation
References
27
Case No. 04-15-00117-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 02, 2015

Rhino Contractors, LLC v. Vulcan Construction Materials, LP

Rhino Contractors, LLC, appeals a trial court's default judgment in favor of Vulcan Construction Materials, LP. Vulcan sued Rhino for breach of contract or on a sworn account, alleging Rhino failed to pay $454,846.76 for materials supplied for its construction business, plus 18% interest and attorney's fees. The default judgment included these amounts along with prejudgment interest and court costs. Rhino argues the trial court erred in denying its motion for new trial because it never received proper notice of the lawsuit, thus failing to file an answer. Rhino also asserts it has a meritorious defense, including claims of double billing and improper credits on invoices from Vulcan, and that granting a new trial would not prejudice Vulcan. Furthermore, Rhino contends the damages, prejudgment interest, and attorney's fees awarded were unliquidated and not supported by legally or factually sufficient evidence, as Vulcan's affidavit lacked an itemized account and its attorney's fee affidavit did not meet required evidentiary standards.

Default JudgmentBreach of ContractSworn AccountMotion for New TrialService of ProcessCraddock FactorsMeritorious DefenseDamagesPrejudgment InterestAttorney's Fees
References
43
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Steel v. Rhone Poulenc, Inc.

Plaintiffs, including Kenda Steel and the estate of Jeffrey Steel, appealed a summary judgment in favor of Rhone Poulenc, Inc. in a wrongful death action. They alleged Jeffrey Steel's malignant brain tumor and his son Gregory's leukemia were caused by exposure to hazardous chemicals from Jeffrey's work at Rhone, which were unknowingly brought home. The trial court granted summary judgment, finding claims against other defendants barred by limitations and lack of medical causation, and later extended this to Rhone based on limitations for Jeffrey's claims. Plaintiffs argued the discovery rule tolled the statute of limitations, contending the link between Jeffrey's tumor and chemical exposure was not discoverable until a 1990 newspaper article. The appellate court reversed the summary judgment, concluding Rhone failed to negate the discovery rule and a material fact issue remained regarding when Jeffrey Steel should have reasonably discovered the nature of his actionable injury.

Wrongful DeathSummary JudgmentStatute of LimitationsDiscovery RuleMedical CausationOccupational DiseaseHazardous ChemicalsBrain TumorLeukemiaCollateral Estoppel
References
28
Case No. 2016-03-1322
Regular Panel Decision
Oct 16, 2017

Skinner, John Matthew v. Marion Environmental, Inc.

This expedited hearing concerned John Matthew Skinner's request for medical and temporary total disability benefits, and attorney's fees, stemming from an alleged occupational illness (Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome - CIRS) developed during his employment with Marion Environmental, Inc. Mr. Skinner, an Emergency Manager/Incident Commander/Hazmat Response Technician, claimed exposure to hazardous materials including mold and mycotoxins over ten years. Marion Environmental disputed the exposures and challenged the credibility of Mr. Skinner's physician, Dr. Oenbrink, due to disciplinary actions. The Court found Mr. Skinner provided sufficient notice of his occupational illness, entitling him to a panel of physicians. However, the Court concluded Mr. Skinner did not present sufficient evidence to likely prevail on the merits of causation for his alleged illness arising primarily out of his employment at this time. Consequently, his claims for reimbursement of past medical expenses, temporary disability benefits, and attorney's fees were denied without prejudice, allowing him to pursue these benefits later. The Court ordered Mr. Skinner to select a physician from a previously offered panel.

Occupational DiseaseChronic Inflammatory Response SyndromeCIRSHazardous Materials ExposureMold ExposureToxic ExposureMedical BenefitsTemporary Total DisabilityExpedited HearingCausation
References
4
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Matter of Campbell v. Interstate Materials Corporation

The claimant, an operating manager for Interstate Materials Corporation, suffered injuries to his neck, back, and knees in August 2006 and a second lower back injury in April 2008. A Workers' Compensation Law Judge initially classified the claimant with a permanent total disability and struck the independent medical examiner's report. The Workers' Compensation Board reversed this, finding the IME report improperly precluded due to the examiner's hospitalization and reclassified the claimant with a permanent partial disability, equally apportioned between the two accidents. The Appellate Division affirmed the Board's decision, finding no abuse of discretion in considering the IME report and that substantial evidence supported both the permanent partial disability classification and the equal apportionment of the disability.

Permanent Partial DisabilityPermanent Total DisabilityWorkers' Compensation BoardApportionment of DisabilityMedical EvidenceIndependent Medical Examination (IME)Cross-Examination RightsAbuse of DiscretionSubstantial EvidenceConflicting Medical Opinions
References
12
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