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

Case No. No. 08-22-00029-CV (TC# 2021DCV1132)
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 27, 2023

Ricardo A. Samaniego, in His Official Capacity as County Judge, Carlos Leon, in His Official Capacity as County Commissioner, David Stout, in His Official Capacity as County Commissioner, Illiana Holguin, in Her Official Capacity as County Commissioner, Carl L. Robinson, in His Official Capacity as County Commissioner v. Associated General Contractors of Texas, Highway, Heavy, Utilities & Industrial Branch and a Brothers Milling, LLC

The El Paso County Commissioners Court, including County Judge Ricardo A. Samaniego and Commissioners, appealed the denial of their plea to the jurisdiction. They were sued by Associated General Contractors of Texas and A Brothers Milling, LLC, who alleged the Commissioners Court acted ultra vires in setting prevailing wage rates for heavy-highway construction projects in El Paso County. The Appellants argued governmental immunity shielded them and that their wage determinations were final. The appellate court affirmed the trial court's denial, concluding that the Appellees had sufficiently pleaded an ultra vires claim, which falls within the trial court's subject-matter jurisdiction. The court clarified that ultra vires acts by public officials are not considered acts of the state and therefore are not subject to the finality clause.

Governmental ImmunityUltra Vires ActPrevailing Wage RatePublic WorksSubject Matter JurisdictionInterlocutory AppealPlea to the JurisdictionTexas Government CodeStatutory InterpretationEl Paso County
References
16
Case No. 10-14-00297-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 05, 2015

Rhonda L Forsthoff v. Brazos County, a Self-Insured County Through the Texas Association of Counties Risk Management Pool

This case involves an appeal by Rhonda L. Forsthoff (appellant) challenging the trial court's granting of summary judgment in favor of Brazos County (appellee). The dispute stems from Forsthoff's claim for workers' compensation benefits following an on-the-job accident on May 30, 2012, where she alleged a sacroiliac injury. A hearing officer initially found a compensable lumbar strain but denied benefits for the sacroiliac injury, determining maximum medical improvement (MMI) on August 23, 2012, with a 5% impairment rating. This decision was upheld by the Texas Workers Compensation Appeals Panel. Forsthoff then filed suit, but the trial court granted summary judgment to Brazos County, concluding that medical evidence did not support a causal link between the accident and the sacroiliac injury. The Tenth Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court's judgment, citing inadequate briefing by the pro-se appellant and the lack of evidence to refute the medical findings.

Workers' CompensationSummary JudgmentAppealPro-seSacroiliac InjuryLumbar StrainMaximum Medical ImprovementImpairment RatingAppellate ProcedureTexas Law
References
5
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Jefferson County Constables Association v. Jefferson County, Texas

The case involves an appeal by the Jefferson County Constables Association against Jefferson County, Texas, seeking to uphold an arbitration award. The County had filed suit to vacate the award, which mandated the reinstatement of deputy constables and back pay based on seniority, following layoffs that allegedly violated a collective bargaining agreement. The trial court sided with the County, vacating the award. On appeal, the Court determined that deputy constables possess collective bargaining rights under the FPERA, disagreeing with a prior ruling (Wolff). Furthermore, the Court concluded that the arbitrator's award did not overstep statutory authority regarding the appointment of deputy constables, distinguishing reinstatement from new appointments, and did not exceed his jurisdiction by interpreting the collective bargaining agreement's provisions on seniority and layoffs. Consequently, the appellate court reversed the trial court's judgment and rendered a decision in favor of the Constables Association, effectively upholding the arbitration award.

ArbitrationCollective BargainingLayoffsSeniority RightsDeputy ConstablesPolice OfficersFPERASubject Matter JurisdictionStandingPublic Policy
References
45
Case No. ADJ3367486 (RIV 0016856) ADJ281670 (RIV 0008214) ADJ2292739 (RIV 0003259)
Regular
Feb 03, 2016

ROBERT O'NEAL vs. L.A. COUNTY FAIR ASSOCIATION, CALIFORNIA INSURANCE GUARANTEE ASSOCIATION (CIGA)

The Workers' Compensation Appeals Board (WCAB) has granted the applicant's petition for reconsideration in the case of Robert O'Neal v. L.A. County Fair Association and CIGA. This reconsideration is granted to allow for further study of the complex factual and legal issues presented. The WCAB needs a complete understanding of the record to issue a just decision. All future filings related to the petition must be submitted directly to the WCAB Commissioners' office, not to any district office.

Workers' Compensation Appeals BoardPetition for ReconsiderationGrant of ReconsiderationStatutory Time ConstraintsFactual and Legal IssuesJust and Reasoned DecisionOffice of the CommissionersElectronic Adjudication Management System (EAMS)Proposed SettlementWCJ
References
0
Case No. 04-24-00606-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Dec 17, 2025

Michael Shalit D/B/A Kimberly Investment Company, Lynzara-Austin Real Estate Management, LLC, as General Partner of Kendall County Development Company, L.P., and as General Partner of Tapatio Springs Real Estate Holdings, L.P., Robyn Real Estate Investments, L.P., Robyn Utility Investments, L.P., and Robyn Utility Investments Management, LLC v. Tapatio Springs Real Estate Holdings, L.P., Kendall County Development Company, L.P., Kendall County Utility Company, Inc., Tapatio Springs Utility Holdings, L.P., and Tapatio Springs Hospitality Holdings, L.P.

This memorandum opinion addresses an appeal from a summary judgment granted by the 451st Judicial District Court, Kendall County, Texas. Appellants, collectively known as the Shalit Entities, appealed a summary judgment in favor of Appellees, the Tapatio Entities, which barred the Shalit Entities' counter-claims due to the four-year statute of limitations. The Shalit Entities' claims, including fraud, breach of contract, and promissory estoppel, arose from a soured business partnership. The appellate court affirmed the trial court's decision, finding that the Shalit Entities failed to sufficiently plead acknowledgment of debt to defeat the limitations defense. Furthermore, the court rejected arguments that special exceptions were a prerequisite to summary judgment on limitations grounds and affirmed the severance of claims.

Statute of LimitationsSummary JudgmentBreach of Fiduciary DutyBreach of ContractStatutory FraudDeclaratory ReliefBusiness Partnership DisputeReal Estate VentureAppellate ReviewTexas Court of Appeals
References
23
Case No. 04-13-00080-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Jul 17, 2013

Nelson Wolff, County Judge of Bexar County Texas, Bexar County Commissioners Paul Elizondo, Tommy Adkisson, Sergio Chico Rodriguez and Kevin Wolff And Bexar County, Texas v. Deputy Constables Association of Bexar

The Deputy Constables Association of Bexar County sued Nelson Wolff, et al., alleging a violation of the Fire and Police Employee Relations Act for failing to engage in collective bargaining. The case originated from the trial court's denial of Wolff's plea to the jurisdiction and motion to dismiss. The central legal question on appeal was whether the Deputy Constables possessed the standing to collectively bargain under Texas Local Government Code Chapter 174, which restricts this right to "police officers" employed in a political subdivision's "police department." The Fourth Court of Appeals in San Antonio, Texas, analyzed relevant statutory definitions and precedent, distinguishing between the Sheriff's Office (considered a "police department" for the county) and the Constable's Office. Concluding that Deputy Constables are not employed by the "police department" or the Sheriff's Office, the court determined they do not meet the statutory definition of "police officer" and thus lack standing to pursue their claim. Consequently, the appellate court reversed the trial court's decision and rendered judgment in favor of Wolff, dismissing the suit.

Collective BargainingStandingPolice OfficersLocal Government CodeBexar CountyConstable's OfficeSheriff's OfficeStatutory InterpretationAppellate ReviewPlea to Jurisdiction
References
15
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

L & L Associates Holding Corp. v. Charity United Baptist Church

Petitioner L & L Associates Holding Corp. initiated a nonpayment eviction proceeding against Charity United Baptist Church for alleged rent arrears. The court, presided over by Judge Michael A. Ciaffa, examined the sufficiency of service of process. The petitioner attempted service by affixing the petition to the church door and mailing it to the church's address. The court ruled that this method was legally insufficient, stating that an unincorporated church, treated as an unincorporated association under New York law, must be sued by naming and serving a representative natural person, such as its president or treasurer, to establish jurisdiction. Consequently, the petition was denied, and the proceeding dismissed without prejudice due to improper service and a separate jurisdictional defect concerning the proof of rent demand.

EvictionNonpaymentUnincorporated AssociationService of ProcessReligious Corporations LawGeneral Associations LawRPAPL 735Jurisdictional DefectActual NoticeDue Process
References
6
Case No. M2005-02719-COA-R3-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Jun 30, 2010

Wilson County Board of Education v. Wilson County Education Association and Steve Johnson

An assistant principal, Steve Johnson, was transferred to a teaching position by the Wilson County Board of Education. He, along with the Wilson County Education Association, grieved the transfer under a locally negotiated agreement. After the grievance was denied through internal steps, they sought to compel arbitration in the Chancery Court for Wilson County. The trial court granted summary judgment to the Board, concluding that assistant principals are statutorily similar to principals, giving the director of schools unrestrained authority to transfer them. On appeal, the Court of Appeals of Tennessee at Nashville affirmed the trial court's judgment, but on different grounds. The appellate court held that despite the agreement mentioning "binding arbitration," it also stated that the arbitrator "may recommend" remedies, creating an inconsistency that prevented a "meeting of the minds" on the final resolution procedure, thus rendering the arbitration agreement unenforceable.

Education Professional Negotiations ActGrievance ProcedureArbitration AgreementMeeting of the MindsContract InterpretationTeacher TransferAssistant PrincipalStatutory AuthoritySchool Board PowersBinding vs. Advisory Arbitration
References
29
Case No. 2015 NY Slip Op 07262
Regular Panel Decision
Oct 07, 2015

Westchester County Correction Superior Officers Ass'n v. County of Westchester

The case involves an action brought by the Westchester County Correction Superior Officers Association and several retired correction officers against the County of Westchester. The plaintiffs sought damages for an alleged breach of a collective bargaining agreement, claiming the county failed to provide benefits equivalent to Workers' Compensation Law for permanent disability. The Supreme Court, Westchester County, initially denied the defendants' motion to dismiss but later granted their motion for summary judgment, dismissing the complaint. The Supreme Court also denied the plaintiffs' cross-motion to amend their complaint. On appeal, the Appellate Division, Second Department, affirmed the Supreme Court's decision, concluding that no provision in the collective bargaining agreement mandated such payments and that the proposed amendment to the complaint lacked merit.

Collective Bargaining AgreementBreach of ContractSummary JudgmentWorkers' Compensation BenefitsLoss of Earning CapacityPermanent DisabilityLeave to Amend ComplaintAppellate ReviewAffirmationJudiciary Law
References
2
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 21, 1998

Westchester County Correction Officers Benevolent Ass'n v. County of Westchester

The County of Westchester appealed orders from the Supreme Court, Westchester County. The Supreme Court had granted the Westchester County Correction Officers Benevolent Association, Inc.'s petition to quash administrative subpoenas (Matter No. 1) and denied the County's motion to enjoin the Association from challenging the subpoenas (Matter No. 2). The appellate court affirmed both orders, finding that the County failed to adhere to Workers’ Compensation Law § 300.10 (c). This statute mandates that subpoenas to a claimant's treating physician can only be issued upon the physician's non-appearance at the first adjournment, not as a routine practice prior to attempts at voluntary appearance. The court emphasized that the County's prior practice violated the statute and impeded the remedial goals of the Workers' Compensation Law.

Administrative LawWorkers' CompensationSubpoena ComplianceAppellate CourtLabor RelationsStatutory InterpretationDue ProcessCollective BargainingJudicial ReviewPublic Sector Employment
References
3
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