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

Case No. 03-23-00316-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 16, 2025

City of Killeen, Texas and Ground Game Texas v. Bell County, Texas; The 27th Judicial District Attorney's Office; And the Bell County Attorney's Office

The City of Killeen, Texas, and Ground Game Texas appealed the trial court's denial of their pleas to the jurisdiction. The underlying lawsuit, filed by Bell County, the 27th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, and the Bell County Attorney’s Office, challenged the constitutionality and validity of a Killeen ordinance decriminalizing misdemeanor marijuana possession. Appellants argued that the appellees lacked standing and that governmental immunity barred the suit. The appellate court affirmed the trial court's order, concluding that the District Attorney’s Office had standing due to the ordinance's interference with its prosecutorial discretion and duties. It also found that governmental immunity was waived for challenges to an ordinance's validity and for concurrent claims for injunctive relief under the Uniform Declaratory Judgments Act.

Decriminalization OrdinanceMarijuana PossessionPlea to the JurisdictionGovernmental ImmunityStandingProsecutorial DiscretionUniform Declaratory Judgments ActTexas Local Government CodeTexas Health & Safety CodeTexas Code of Criminal Procedure
References
29
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Benavidez v. TRAVELERS INDEMNITY COMPANY OF CONNECTICUT

This case addresses two key issues concerning judicial review of a Texas Workers' Compensation Commission Appeals Panel decision. The first issue is when a party seeking judicial review is required to file a copy of its petition with the Commission under Texas Labor Code section 410.253. The second issue is whether untimely notice to the Commission under this section deprives the trial court of jurisdiction over the judicial review action. The court of appeals had previously held that the filing was required within forty days of the Appeals Panel decision and was mandatory and jurisdictional. However, the Supreme Court, referencing Albertson’s, Inc. v. Sinclair, clarifies that the petition must be filed with the Commission on the same day it is filed in the trial court, and while timely filing is mandatory, it is not jurisdictional. Consequently, the court of appeals' judgment was reversed, and the case was remanded to the trial court for further proceedings.

Workers' CompensationJudicial ReviewAppeals Panel DecisionTimely FilingJurisdictionMandatory RequirementTexas Labor CodeCourt of Appeals ReversalRemandCivil Procedure
References
3
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Singh v. Ross

The plaintiffs appealed an order from Queens County, dated September 26, 2003, which denied their motion for nunc pro tunc judicial approval of a settlement under Workers’ Compensation Law § 29 (5). This law requires either carrier consent or judicial approval within three months of a settlement to avoid forfeiture of future workers' compensation benefits. While judicial approval can be sought beyond the three-month period if the settlement is reasonable, the delay is not due to the party's fault, and the carrier is not prejudiced, the Supreme Court denied the motion. The court found the over one-year delay in seeking approval was attributable to the plaintiffs' own fault or neglect. The appellate court affirmed this decision.

Workers' CompensationJudicial ApprovalSettlementNunc Pro TuncDelay in ApplicationCourt DiscretionAppellate ReviewPersonal InjuryThird-Party ActionForfeiture of Benefits
References
6
Case No. 1999-05407
Regular Panel Decision

Red Cap Valet, Ltd. v. Hotel Nikko (USA), Inc.

This case involves appeals by defendants Ramon Rosa and Leigh Russo from orders of the Supreme Court, Nassau County, concerning defamation and tortious interference with a contract. Ramon Rosa's appeal regarding an order denying his cross-motion to dismiss for lack of personal jurisdiction was withdrawn. The Appellate Division modified another order, granting Leigh Russo's motion to dismiss the fourth cause of action (defamation) against her, finding the statement subject to qualified privilege and the plaintiff failed to allege malice. Additionally, the plaintiff was denied leave to replead the sixth cause of action (conspiracy to tortiously interfere with contractual relations) against both defendants, as New York does not recognize an independent tort for conspiracy. The Supreme Court's decision to not dismiss the second cause of action against Ramon Rosa for tortious interference with prospective contractual relations was upheld.

DefamationTortious InterferenceContractual RelationsMotion to DismissPersonal JurisdictionLeave to RepleadQualified PrivilegeAppellate ReviewCivil ProcedureConspiracy
References
8
Case No. 2019 NY Slip Op 01077
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 13, 2019

Matter of Simon

This disciplinary proceeding concerns attorney Alan Michael Simon, who was previously removed from his judicial position by the New York Court of Appeals for extensive judicial misconduct. The misconduct included bullying, ethnic smearing, poor temperament, engaging in a physical altercation, repeatedly threatening officials with contempt without cause, and improperly interfering in a political election. The Grievance Committee for the Ninth Judicial District brought three charges of professional misconduct against Simon, alleging conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice, conduct adversely reflecting on his fitness as a lawyer, and conduct involving dishonesty, deceit, fraud, and misrepresentation. The court found the charges sustained under the doctrine of collateral estoppel, given the prior findings by the Court of Appeals. Despite Simon's arguments for mitigation, including his good faith and election as mayor, the court deemed his actions "truly egregious" and noted his continued lack of insight. Consequently, Alan Michael Simon was disbarred, effective immediately.

Attorney DisciplineJudicial MisconductDisbarmentProfessional MisconductCollateral EstoppelGrievance CommitteeAppellate DivisionRules of Professional ConductEthical ViolationsAttorney and Counselor-at-Law
References
4
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 30, 1991

Rodrigues v. City of New York

This case involves an appeal concerning a lawsuit filed by Antonio Rodrigues and Inner City Drywall Corporation against various defendants, including District Attorney Morgenthau, Assistant District Attorneys Mechmann and Mass, Melvin Eckhaus (a paid informer), and two labor unions. The plaintiffs alleged causes of action including false arrest, malicious prosecution, abuse of process, civil rights violations, and tortious interference with contractual relations. The core of the dispute centers on Eckhaus's activities as an informer, allegations of extortion and entrapment, and the prosecutor defendants' alleged misuse of Grand Jury subpoenas without a Grand Jury being convened, alongside claims of press leaks. The Supreme Court initially denied motions to dismiss the civil rights and tortious interference claims, while granting dismissal of the abuse of process claim with leave to replead. The appellate court affirmed this decision, ruling that the prosecutor defendants were not entitled to absolute immunity for their investigative actions, particularly the improper issuance of Grand Jury subpoenas, as these functions fell outside their quasi-judicial scope. The appellate court also upheld the claim for tortious interference with contractual relations.

Civil Rights ViolationsAbuse of ProcessMalicious ProsecutionFalse ArrestTortious Interference with ContractProsecutorial ImmunityGrand Jury SubpoenasEntrapmentExtortionPress Leaks
References
22
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Exxon Corp. v. Allsup

Robert Allsup sued Exxon Corporation for tortious interference with his lifetime employment contract with King Ranch and with a prospective employment relationship with Don Brock, Distributor (DBD). Allsup, a gate guard since 1961 with a verbal lifetime employment agreement, was effectively managed by Exxon and its subcontractors from 1976. In 1988, Exxon awarded the gate guard contract to DBD, who, under Exxon's influence and based on prior complaints from Exxon personnel, refused to hire Allsup. The jury found Exxon tortiously interfered with Allsup's contract and awarded damages. The appellate court affirmed the finding of tortious interference and associated damages, including exemplary damages, but reversed the finding regarding negligent handling of employment relationship as it constitutes an intentional tort.

Tortious InterferenceContractual RelationshipProspective EmploymentLifetime ContractActual MalicePunitive DamagesJury VerdictTexas Appellate CourtEmployer InterferenceAffirmative Defense
References
46
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 25, 1997

Harosh v. Diaz

The plaintiff appealed an order from the Supreme Court, Queens County, dated August 25, 1997, which denied his motion to renew a prior motion for judicial approval of a compromise and settlement. The plaintiff was injured in 1993 when struck by the defendants' vehicle and settled his action against them for $10,000 in 1994. He subsequently filed a Workers' Compensation claim and, in February 1996, moved for approval of the settlement under Workers' Compensation Law § 29 (5), which was initially denied without prejudice. His renewed motion in May 1997 was denied as untimely, a decision the appellate court affirmed. The court emphasized that judicial approval beyond the statutory three-month period requires demonstrating the settlement's reasonableness, lack of petitioner's fault for the delay, and no prejudice to the carrier, which the plaintiff failed to do.

Appellate DecisionWorkers' Compensation LawSettlement ApprovalTimelinessPersonal InjuryAutomobile AccidentInsurance CarrierJudicial ReviewRenew MotionQueens County
References
3
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Hartford Insurance Co. v. Crain

Hartford Insurance Company appealed the dismissal of its suit for judicial review of a Texas Workers’ Compensation Commission (TWCC) appeals panel decision concerning the medical necessity of spinal surgery for Crain. The central legal question involved the applicable deadline for filing a petition for judicial review: either the 40-day period under Texas Labor Code Section 410.252 or the 30-day period under the Texas Administrative Procedure Act (APA) Section 2001.176. The trial court had granted Crain’s plea to the jurisdiction, ruling Hartford's appeal untimely based on the APA's 30-day deadline. The appellate court reversed this decision, holding that the more specific 40-day deadline provided in Labor Code Section 410.252 applies to all appeals-panel decisions, including those regarding medical necessity disputes, thus controlling over the APA's general provisions. The case was subsequently remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

Workers' Compensation LawJudicial Review ProcessStatutory InterpretationAppellate ProcedureFiling DeadlinesTexas Labor CodeAdministrative Procedure ActMedical NecessitySpinal Surgery DisputesSubject Matter Jurisdiction
References
12
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Rivera v. Holder

Plaintiff David Rivera, a correctional officer, initiated a Title VII retaliation lawsuit against Defendant Eric H. Holder, Jr., alleging adverse actions after he assisted a co-worker with an EEOC complaint. Rivera's claims included an unfair performance review and unjustified Absent Without Leave (AWOL) status. Crucially, after filing his own EEOC complaint, Rivera subsequently filed for bankruptcy but failed to disclose this pending administrative proceeding in his bankruptcy petition. The Defendant moved for summary judgment, arguing judicial estoppel. The Court found Rivera's omission was not inadvertent, as he had knowledge of the claim and a motive to conceal it from creditors. Consequently, the Court granted the Defendant's motion, dismissing Rivera's complaint with prejudice based on judicial estoppel.

Judicial EstoppelSummary JudgmentBankruptcyEEOC ClaimTitle VIIRetaliationFederal Bureau of PrisonsUndisclosed AssetsPrior Inconsistent PositionFifth Circuit
References
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