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

Case No. 14-18-00274-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 17, 2020

Dr. Louis Patino, D.C. Dr. Stephen Wilson, M.D. And Dr. Gary Craighead, D.C. v. Texas Department of Insurance-Division of Workers' Compensation Commissioner Cassandra J. Brown and Dr. Donald Patrick, in Their Official and Individual Capacities State Office of Administrative Hearings, Texas Chief Administrative Law Judge Cathleen Parsley in Her Official Capacity Tommy Broyles, in His Official Capacity The State of Texas And the Attorney General of the State of Texas

Three doctors, Patino, Wilson, and Craighead, appealed the dismissal of their claims against the Texas Department of Insurance-Division of Workers’ Compensation and other state entities. The doctors were excluded from the state's workers' compensation approved doctor list between 2004 and 2007, leading to administrative penalties and a subsequent lawsuit. The trial court dismissed their claims for lack of jurisdiction, asserting immunity. The appellate court affirmed the dismissal of claims challenging final agency orders due to unexhausted administrative remedies and collateral attack immunity. However, the court reversed the dismissal of the doctors' constitutional challenges to the Workers’ Compensation Act and ultra vires claims against the Commissioner, concluding these claims were properly pleaded and not barred by sovereign immunity.

Physician ExclusionAdministrative LawJudicial ReviewSovereign ImmunityUltra Vires ClaimsConstitutional ChallengeDue Process RightsProfessional LicensingGovernment RegulationTexas Labor Code
References
24
Case No. 03-15-00285-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Jul 01, 2015

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. And Audi of America, Inc. v. John Walker III, in His Official Capacity as Chairman of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Board The Honorable Michael J. O'Malley, the Honorable Penny A. Wilkov, in Their Official Capacities as Administrative Law Judges for the State Office

This case involves an appeal filed by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. and Audi of America, Inc. (Appellants) against John Walker III, Chairman of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Board, and Administrative Law Judges Michael J. O'Malley and Penny A. Wilkov (Appellees). Appellants sought injunctive relief in district court to prevent Appellees from proceeding with an allegedly ultra vires remand of an administrative contested case after a Proposal for Decision (PFD) had been issued. The district court dismissed the lawsuit based on governmental immunity and failure to exhaust administrative remedies. Appellants argue that Appellees' actions, including ordering the remand and reopening evidence, exceeded their statutory authority under the Administrative Procedure Act and Texas Occupations Code, making governmental immunity inapplicable and exhaustion of remedies unnecessary.

Administrative LawUltra Vires ActsGovernmental ImmunityExhaustion of RemediesJudicial ReviewAgency AuthorityState Office of Administrative HearingsRemandContested CasesStatutory Interpretation
References
31
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Sep 28, 1979

Fiat Motors of North America, Inc. v. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the Department of Transportation

Plaintiff Fiat Motors of North America, Inc. sought a preliminary injunction to prevent the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) from holding a hearing concerning alleged defects in Fiat vehicles and a repurchase campaign. Fiat contended it was deprived of adequate notice, an opportunity to present its views, and a hearing before an impartial tribunal. The court, presided over by District Judge Metzner, applied the exhaustion of remedies doctrine, emphasizing that judicial intervention is typically warranted only after a final agency determination. The court denied Fiat's motion, finding that Fiat received reasonable notice, its constitutional claims could be addressed at the hearing and were subject to de novo review, and there was insufficient evidence of agency bias. Consequently, the court ordered the hearing to proceed as scheduled on September 28, 1979.

Preliminary InjunctionAdministrative LawJudicial ReviewExhaustion of RemediesDue ProcessAdequate NoticeImpartial TribunalNational Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationVehicle SafetyProduct Recall
References
9
Case No. 2021 NY Slip Op 01376
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 09, 2021

Matter of Gesmer v. Administrative Bd. of the N.Y. State Unified Ct. Sys.

This case concerns the appeal of Supreme Court Justices Ellen Gesmer et al. against the Administrative Board of the New York State Unified Court System. The petitioners challenged the Board's denial of their certification for continued judicial service past the mandatory retirement age, a decision attributed to severe budgetary constraints stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Supreme Court initially annulled the Board's determination, citing a lack of individualized review. However, the Appellate Division, Third Department, reversed this decision, holding that the Board acted within its broad authority in considering the overall needs of the court system, including economic necessity. Consequently, the petition was dismissed, and the Board's denial of certification was upheld.

Judicial CertificationMandatory Retirement AgeBudgetary ConstraintsCOVID-19 Pandemic ImpactJudicial DiscretionCPLR Article 78 ProceedingDeclaratory Judgment ActionAppellate ReviewAdministrative LawAge Discrimination
References
14
Case No. E2011-01122-COA-R3-CV-FILED-FEBRUARY 21, 2012
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 21, 2012

Alstom Power, Inc. v. Sue Ann Head, Administrator, Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Workers' Compensation Division

Alstom Power, Inc., an employer, challenged a worker's compensation claim and an order for medical benefits from the Tennessee Department of Labor, facing a $10,000 penalty. Alstom sought declaratory judgment, injunctive relief, and certiorari, but the Trial Court dismissed the case for lack of jurisdiction, stating Alstom had not exhausted the administrative review process through the Benefit Review Conference (BRC). The Court of Appeals affirmed the Trial Court's judgment, agreeing that the statutory scheme requires exhaustion of the BRC process for all workers' compensation disputes, including those concerning medical benefits and physician panels, before judicial review. The Court found Alstom's arguments regarding a lack of meaningful review to be without merit, thus upholding the dismissal for lack of subject matter jurisdiction.

Workers' CompensationAdministrative ExhaustionSubject Matter JurisdictionDeclaratory JudgmentInjunctive ReliefCertiorariBenefit Review ConferenceMedical BenefitsPhysician PanelAppellate Review
References
4
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Mejias v. Social Security Administration

Plaintiff seeks judicial review of a determination by the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare denying him Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits. The plaintiff's application, based on a disability claim stemming from bronchial asthma, was initially denied by an Administrative Law Judge in July 1976 and subsequently affirmed by the Appeals Council in December 1976. The court found that despite the plaintiff's subjective complaints of disability and submissions from medical social workers and treating physicians asserting a deterioration in his condition, the administrative record contained substantial evidence that his asthma responded to treatment and his symptoms were minimal. The court affirmed the Secretary's decision to deny SSI benefits, but dismissed the complaint without prejudice, allowing the plaintiff to present additional, substantiated medical evidence to the Social Security Administration.

Supplemental Security IncomeSSI BenefitsDisability ClaimBronchial AsthmaAdministrative ReviewJudicial ReviewSubstantial EvidenceTreating Physician OpinionSubjective SymptomsMedical Evidence
References
15
Case No. 15-25-00061-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 02, 2025

Francisca Okonkwo, Administrative Law Judge, Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers' Compensation, in Her Official Capacity and Fort Bend County v. Joshua David Heiliger, Individually, and on Behalf of the Estate of Lauren Brittane Smith, and on Behalf of Death Benefits Beneficiaries Joshua David Heiliger and Emma Destiny Heiliger

Fort Bend County appeals a temporary injunction granted by a Harris County District Court, which prevents discovery of mental health records in an ongoing workers' compensation dispute. The underlying administrative case involves a claim for death benefits by Joshua Heiliger, whose spouse, Lauren Brittane Smith, was a paramedic. Heiliger asserts Smith's mental health condition and stress contributed to her death, thus placing her mental health at issue. The Division of Workers' Compensation's Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) issued a subpoena for Smith's mental health records from her psychiatrist, Dr. John Marcellus. Heiliger bypassed the administrative process by obtaining the injunction in District Court. Fort Bend County argues the District Court erred in interfering with the Division's exclusive jurisdiction and that Heiliger failed to exhaust administrative remedies or demonstrate irreparable injury, as Texas law provides a qualified privilege for mental health records with exceptions relevant to this case.

Workers' CompensationTemporary InjunctionDiscovery DisputeMental Health RecordsSubpoena EnforcementAdministrative Law JudgeExclusive JurisdictionExhaustion of Administrative RemediesQualified PrivilegePatient-Litigant Exception
References
53
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Parrish v. Berryhill

Plaintiff Aaron Ray Parrish sought judicial review of an adverse final decision by the Social Security Administration Commissioner regarding his claim for disability insurance benefits. Parrish argued that the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) failed to consider all evidence, particularly concerning his mental health limitations (affective, anxiety, and personality disorders) when determining his residual functional capacity. The Commissioner contended that the ALJ's decision was supported by substantial evidence and conformed to applicable law. The Court, presided over by United States Magistrate Judge Frances H. Stacy, found that it could not ascertain what evidence the ALJ considered at step three of the disability evaluation process, specifically regarding Parrish's difficulties in social functioning and concentration, persistence, or pace. The record did not sufficiently establish that the ALJ considered all relevant evidence, leading to a lack of substantial evidence to support the step three finding. Consequently, the Plaintiff's motion for summary judgment was granted, the Defendant's motion for summary judgment was denied, and the case was remanded to the Social Security Administration for further proceedings consistent with the opinion.

Social SecurityDisability BenefitsSummary JudgmentRemandAdministrative Law JudgeAppeals CouncilMental ImpairmentPhysical ImpairmentPost-Traumatic Stress DisorderDepression
References
18
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

Maldonado v. Maryland Rail Commuter Service Administration

This case addresses whether a dismissed action, initially brought against a nonexistent entity with improper service, can be refiled against the intended defendant under CPLR 306-b (b). Plaintiff Maldonado was injured in 1992 and filed an action in 1995, naming "Maryland Rail Commuter Service Administration" based on signage, and attempting service on a temporary worker. This first action was dismissed because the named entity did not exist and service was ineffective. Plaintiffs then filed a second action, correctly naming "Maryland Mass Transit Administration." The Supreme Court allowed the second action, but the Appellate Division reversed, holding the first action was not timely commenced. The Court of Appeals affirmed the Appellate Division's decision, ruling that the resuscitative remedy of CPLR 306-b (b) is unavailable when the initial action failed to name an existing entity and lacked proper service, thus the first action was not "timely commenced" against the intended defendant.

Dismissed ActionNonexistent EntityImproper ServiceCPLR 306-b (b)Statute of LimitationsCommencement of ActionPersonal JurisdictionCure of DeficiencyAmendment of ComplaintAppellate Review
References
4
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