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

Case No. 04-09-00148-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Dec 09, 2009

Central Texas Orthopedic Products, Inc. v. Andrew Espinoza and Howmedica Osteronics Corp. D/B/A Stryker Orthopedics

Central Texas Orthopedic Products, Inc. (CTOP) sued Andrew Espinoza for breach of contract and fiduciary duty, and Howmedica Osteonics Corp. d/b/a Stryker Orthopedics (Stryker) for tortious interference. The trial court granted partial summary judgment for Espinoza and Stryker, and a jury found Espinoza breached fiduciary duty but awarded no damages. On appeal, CTOP challenged the summary judgments and attorney's fees awarded to Espinoza. The appellate court found the trial court erred in applying the unclean hands doctrine to CTOP's claims as the alleged misconduct was separate from the disputed contract. The court also found a genuine issue of material fact regarding Espinoza's entitlement to compensation due to his alleged breach of fiduciary duty. Therefore, the appellate court reversed the trial court's judgment and remanded the case for further proceedings.

Breach of ContractBreach of Fiduciary DutyTortious InterferenceSummary JudgmentUnclean Hands DoctrineNon-Compete AgreementCompensation AgreementTexas Payday ActAppellate ReviewReversed and Remanded
References
15
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
May 06, 1998

Nieves v. Five Boro Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Corp.

Reding Nieves, an employee of United Fire Protection, was injured while installing fire sprinklers at a New York Hall of Science site, which was subcontracted by Five Boro Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Corp. He allegedly tripped over a concealed drop light after stepping off an eight-foot ladder, sustaining an ankle injury. Nieves sued Five Boro under Labor Law § 240 (1), and Five Boro filed a third-party action against United, with the motion court initially granting Nieves summary judgment. However, the appellate court modified this order, denying summary judgment for all parties due to unresolved questions of fact surrounding the accident's cause, including conflicting testimonies. Consequently, the case requires a trial to determine liability and facts, as neither side was entitled to summary judgment.

Elevation-related riskTripping hazardSummary judgmentLabor Law § 240(1)Construction site accidentLadder fallContributory negligenceQuestions of factAppellate DivisionSubcontractor liability
References
11
Case No. 2-09-265-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Oct 28, 2010

Don Norris and Avery Air Conditioning/Heating and A-ABAC Services, Inc. v. Shelby Jackson

Appellants Don Norris and Avery Air Conditioning/Heating and A-ABAC Services, Inc. appealed a judgment following a bench trial in favor of Appellee Shelby Jackson. The appellants contended that the evidence was legally and factually insufficient to establish DTPA violations, economic damages, an unconscionable act by Norris, mental anguish damages, and entitlement to treble damages or attorney's fees. The trial court found that Avery violated the DTPA by misrepresenting rights and failing to disclose information, causing $500 in economic damages, which were trebled. It also found Norris committed an unconscionable act intentionally, causing $2,500 in mental anguish damages, also trebled. The Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court's judgment, finding sufficient evidence to support all findings.

Deceptive Trade Practices ActDTPA ViolationUnconscionable ActEconomic DamagesMental AnguishSufficiency of EvidenceAttorney's FeesContract ModificationConsumer ProtectionTexas Law
References
46
Case No. 07-05-0449-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 14, 2007

Gibson Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. and Robin L. Hughes v. Coolbaugh Chiropractic

Gibson Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. and employee Robin L. Hughes appealed a judgment rendered in favor of Coolbaugh Chiropractic for medical services provided to Hughes. Hughes sustained a workplace injury and sought chiropractic treatment. Key issues on appeal included the legal sufficiency of evidence regarding Gibson's bookkeeper's actual authority to authorize multiple medical treatments and the basis for the $3,000 damages award. The Court of Appeals for the Seventh District of Texas affirmed the trial court's judgment. It found sufficient evidence for the bookkeeper's authority and that the damages were within the range of evidence, further concluding that Coolbaugh had adequately presented its claim for attorney's fees.

Employer liabilityEmployee injuryChiropractic treatmentAgency authorityActual authorityApparent authorityDamages awardSufficiency of evidenceAttorney's feesAppellate court
References
22
Case No. 13-13-00552-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 12, 2015

Nolana Open MRI Center, Inc. v. Guillermo R. Pechero M.D.Ruben D. Pechero M.D. Maplestar Orthopedics, P. A.

Nolana Open MRI Center, Inc. appealed a judgment rendered against it following a bench trial. The appellees, Guillermo R. Pechero, M.D., Ruben D. Pechero, M.D., and Maplestar Orthopedics, P.A., filed a motion to show authority, contending Nolana's counsel lacked the authority to bring the appeal. The underlying dispute involved the sale of Nolana's assets, patient referrals, lease agreements, and counterclaims for fraudulent inducement, conversion, and breach of contract. A key issue was a 50-50 ownership split in Nolana between Jose Castro and Agustin Garcia, where Castro had settled with defendants and granted them limited power of attorney to oppose litigation, while Garcia sought to authorize the appeal. The Court of Appeals, reviewing the trial court's findings, concluded that Nolana's counsel lacked standing due to the unresolved ownership conflict regarding the authority to initiate the appeal.

Appellate ProcedureJurisdictionMotion to Show AuthorityCorporate AuthorityShareholder DisputeLimited Power of AttorneyBreach of ContractTheft Liability ActFraudulent InducementTortious Interference
References
30
Case No. ADJ9041984 ADJ9040577
Regular
Dec 21, 2018

ISABEL VALENCIA vs. FIFTH AND PACIFIC COMPANIES, HARTFORD CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANY, BROADSPIRE SERVICES, INC.

This case involves applicant Isabel Valencia's claim for psychiatric injury stemming from a previously stipulated orthopedic injury. The defendant contended the psychiatric injury was not work-related, arguing it was a consequence of the physical injury. The Appeals Board denied reconsideration, affirming that a "compensable consequence" injury, like a psychiatric condition resulting from an industrial orthopedic injury, is industrially related. The Board also found it appropriate to further develop the record regarding applicant's disability, as the current psychiatric condition prevents accurate assessment.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION APPEALS BOARDFIFTH AND PACIFIC COMPANIESHARTFORD CASUALTY INSURANCE COMPANYBROADSPIRE SERVICESINC.ADJ9041984ADJ9040577Findings Award and Orderstipulationpsychiatric injury
References
1
Case No. AHM 095279
Regular
Jul 10, 2007

PATRICIA L. THOMPSON vs. ACOSTA SALES AND MARKETING, ROYAL & SUN ALLIANCE

The Appeals Board reversed the WCJ's finding that the applicant's psychiatric injury was barred by Labor Code section 3208.3(d), determining it resulted from a "sudden and extraordinary employment condition" (a severe car accident). However, they affirmed the WCJ's award of medical treatment for the psychiatric condition, as it was deemed necessary to cure or relieve the effects of the applicant's orthopedic injuries sustained in the same incident. The Board concluded that psychiatric treatment was reasonably required for the industrial orthopedic injuries, particularly due to a chronic pain disorder.

Workers' Compensation Appeals Boardpsychiatric injuryLabor Code section 3208.3(d)sudden and extraordinary employment conditionorthopedic injuriesAgreed Medical Examiner (AME)post-traumatic stress disorderpain disordersequelaeindustrial basis
References
7
Case No. 05-18-00564-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 28, 2019

Regency Development & Construction Services, LLC v. Ralph Carrington D/B/A Carrington Air Conditioning and Heating, Carrington AC and Heat , LLC, Anthony Turpin, Turpin & Turpin, Turpin and Turpin, Inc.

Regency Development & Construction Services, LLC appealed the trial court's summary judgments in favor of Ralph Carrington d/b/a Carrington Air Conditioning and Heating, Carrington AC and Heat LLC, Anthony Turpin, Turpin & Turpin, and Turpin and Turpin, Inc. Regency argued that the trial court erred in granting summary judgment on the grounds that Regency had no evidence of damages because its insurance carrier paid the underlying personal injury settlement and defense costs. The court affirmed the trial court's judgments, concluding that the collateral source rule does not apply to Regency under the facts of this case because Regency made no payments and received no payments from any other party. Furthermore, Regency's insurer, Cincinnati Insurance Company, failed to properly assert its subrogation rights or intervene in the lawsuit.

Summary JudgmentCollateral Source RuleInsurance CoverageSubrogation RightsBreach of ContractNegligenceIndemnityAppellate ReviewTexas LawCivil Procedure
References
13
Case No. 2016-03-0571
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 08, 2017

Suisse, Randy v. Bevco Parking Services, InC.

Randy Suisse, an asphalt foreman for Bevco Parking Services, Inc., sought an expedited hearing for a back injury sustained on November 13, 2015, while shoveling asphalt. He had pre-existing back conditions, and the court considered conflicting medical opinions from chiropractor Dr. Pluznyk and orthopedic surgeon Dr. Bolt. The court gave greater weight to Dr. Bolt's opinion, determining that Mr. Suisse likely sustained a thoracic sprain/strain arising from employment but not a T-11 compression fracture or an aggravation of his pre-existing condition. Consequently, the court ordered Bevco to pay for Mr. Suisse's treatment at East Tennessee Medical Group and provide a panel of orthopedic physicians, while denying payment for Dr. Pluznyk's unauthorized treatment. Additionally, Mr. Suisse was awarded twelve weeks of temporary partial disability benefits, as the court found Bevco's testimony regarding accommodation for his restrictions inconsistent and not credible.

Workers' CompensationExpedited HearingThoracic Sprain/StrainPre-existing ConditionsMedical BenefitsTemporary Partial DisabilityMedical OpinionsCausationEmployment InjuryOrthopedic Examination
References
8
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
May 28, 2008

Claim of Tipping v. Orthopedic Surgeons of Long Island

Claimant, a medical office worker, developed neck and upper back pain due to frequent telephone and computer use, leading to a workers' compensation claim. Initially granted, the claim was reversed by the Workers' Compensation Board, which found no causal relation between her employment and her condition, despite a neurologist acknowledging a preexisting dormant condition exacerbated by work activities. The appellate court found the Board's decision unsupported by substantial evidence, as medical experts agreed her employment exacerbated her condition. Consequently, the court reversed the Board's decision and remitted the matter for further proceedings.

Occupational DiseaseWorkers' CompensationPreexisting ConditionExacerbationCausationMedical TestimonyAppellate ReviewSubstantial EvidenceNeck InjuryBack Pain
References
5
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