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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

City of Mexia v. Tooke

The City of Mexia contracted with J.E. Tooke and Sons for curbside collection, but later terminated the agreement citing budgetary constraints. Tooke sued the City for breach of contract, and the trial court denied the City's plea to jurisdiction and ruled in favor of Tooke. On appeal, the central question was whether section 51.075 of the Texas Local Government Code waives sovereign immunity for home-rule municipalities. The appellate court examined the statutory language and Supreme Court precedents on immunity waiver, concluding that the 'plead and be impleaded' language does not constitute a clear and unambiguous waiver. Furthermore, the court rejected arguments that the City waived immunity through partial performance or by acting in a proprietary capacity, as solid waste removal is a governmental function. Consequently, the appellate court reversed the trial court's judgment and dismissed the case for lack of jurisdiction.

Sovereign ImmunityHome-Rule MunicipalitiesWaiver of ImmunityBreach of ContractTexas Local Government CodeGovernmental FunctionsProprietary FunctionsPlea to JurisdictionAppellate ReviewStatutory Interpretation
References
33
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Adams v. First National Bank of Bells/Savoy

Kaye Adams appealed a summary judgment that affirmed a foreclosure on her property in Sherman, Texas, by First National Bank of Bells/Savoy and its president, Shirley Mullinix. Adams had transferred property, which was collateral for two loans, to her corporation, triggering a due-on-sale clause. The Bank accelerated the debt and foreclosed. Adams alleged wrongful foreclosure, breach of contract, and sought declaratory relief, among other claims. The appellate court systematically addressed Adams' nine issues, including arguments about waiver of notice, rescission of transfer, reasons for foreclosure, waiver of acceleration rights, declaratory judgment, failure to refund surplus, and failure to mitigate damages. Ultimately, the court found Adams' arguments unpersuasive and affirmed the trial court's judgment in favor of the Bank.

Foreclosure LawReal Estate FinanceLoan AccelerationDue-on-Sale ClauseContract WaiverSummary Judgment ReviewAppellate Practice TexasEquitable DefensesDeed of TrustProperty Transfer
References
61
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Texas Workforce Commission v. Olivas

Ms. Maria Elena Olivas, a former employee of the Texas Workforce Commission, filed a workers' compensation claim after developing injuries in March 2008. She was subsequently dismissed from employment in May 2009, leading her to file a suit against the Commission for retaliatory discharge. The Commission filed a plea to the jurisdiction, asserting sovereign immunity and arguing that Section 311.034 of the Texas Government Code mandated an unequivocal waiver of immunity, which it claimed was absent in the anti-retaliation provisions of Chapter 451. The trial court denied the Commission's plea. On appeal, the Commission contended that Section 311.034 abrogated existing Texas Supreme Court precedent (*Kerrville State Hosp. v. Fernandez*) that recognized a waiver of sovereign immunity for such claims against state agencies. The appellate court affirmed the trial court's denial, holding that the State Applications Act (SAA) still provides a clear and unambiguous waiver of sovereign immunity for retaliation claims against state agencies, and that neither Section 311.034 nor the *Travis Central Appraisal District v. Norman* decision altered this established legal analysis.

Sovereign ImmunityRetaliatory DischargeWorkers' Compensation ClaimPlea to JurisdictionAppellate ReviewGovernment CodeLabor CodeLegislative WaiverState AgenciesStatutory Construction
References
4
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Gudz v. Jemrock Realty Co., LLC

The dissenting opinion, penned by Justice Manzanet-Daniels, argues against the permissibility of a class action concerning rent overcharges under the Rent Stabilization Law (RSL). The core contention is that the treble damages stipulated in RSL § 26-516 (a) constitute a mandatory "penalty" as defined by CPLR 901 (b), which explicitly forbids class actions for statutory penalties unless specific authorization exists. The dissent asserts that any waiver of these treble damages by a class representative is nullified by Rent Stabilization Code § 2520.13, as such a waiver would undermine the legislative intent to deter excessive rents and contravene public policy. Furthermore, the opinion posits that such a waiver compromises the adequacy of the class representative, potentially disadvantaging class members who might possess significant claims for treble damages.

Class ActionPenaltyTreble DamagesRent Stabilization LawCPLR 901 (b)Waiver of RightsAdequacy of Class RepresentativePublic PolicyStatutory InterpretationRent Overcharge
References
16
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

American Risk Funding Insurance Co. Ex Rel. Continental Casualty Co. v. Lambert

This case involves an appeal from a summary judgment concerning a workers' compensation carrier's waiver of subrogation rights. Larry Lambert, Rogers Patino, and Andres Garcia (appellees), employees of U.S. Contractors, Inc., were injured in a chemical plant explosion and settled with third-party defendants (Memc Pasadena, Inc., J.E. Merit Contractors, Inc., and Albemarle Corporation) for $1.8 million. American Risk Funding Insurance Company (appellant), the workers' compensation carrier for U.S. Contractors, Inc., intervened to seek reimbursement for benefits paid, but Lambert denied the claim due to a prior contract waiving subrogation rights. The trial court granted Lambert's motion for summary judgment, which American Risk Funding appealed. The appellate court addressed five issues raised by the appellant, primarily concerning the validity and scope of the subrogation waiver, including arguments about public policy, lack of consideration, intent to benefit appellees, waiver of future benefits, and common law conversion. The court systematically overruled all of appellant's issues, concluding that the waiver of subrogation does not violate public policy, does not require separate consideration, was intended to apply as contracted, waives rights to future credits, and extinguishes common law claims related to subrogation. Consequently, the judgment of the trial court affirming the summary judgment in favor of Lambert was affirmed.

Workers' CompensationSubrogation WaiverSummary Judgment AppealPublic PolicyContract LawTexas LawInsurance Carrier RightsEmployee RightsThird-Party LiabilityReimbursement
References
15
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

In Re Beecham

This Memorandum Opinion and Order addresses the application of Donna R. Beeeham for a waiver of the Chapter 7 filing fee. Ms. Beeeham, a debtor with a reported monthly income of $804 and expenses of $1075, had filed her petition along with the fee waiver application. A hearing was held on November 16, 1994, to assess her entitlement to an In Forma Pauperis waiver, during which she disclosed a pending Workers' Compensation claim and substantial medical debts. The court, presided over by Judge G. Harvey Boswell, ultimately denied the application, citing Federal Rule of Bankruptcy Procedure 1006(b)(3). This rule mandates that the filing fee must be fully paid before an attorney receives payment for bankruptcy-related services, and Ms. Beeeham had paid her attorney a $500 fee, thus indicating an ability to pay the filing fee, even if borrowed. Consequently, she was ordered to pay the $160 filing fee within thirty days or file an installment payment application to prevent case dismissal.

Chapter 7 BankruptcyFiling Fee WaiverIn Forma PauperisBankruptcy ProcedureDebtor's Attorney FeesAbility to PayInstallment PaymentsCase Dismissal AvoidanceWestern District of TennesseeJudicial Conference Pilot Program
References
9
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Martinez v. IBP, Inc.

Ramona Martinez sued her former employer, IBP, for negligence, gross negligence, and retaliatory discharge following a workplace injury. Martinez had signed an 'Acceptance and Waiver' form to participate in IBP's 'Workplace Injury Settlement Program,' relinquishing her right to sue in exchange for benefits. The trial court granted IBP's motion for summary judgment, prompting Martinez's appeal based on eight points of error, including claims that the waiver was void due to public policy or duress, and that summary judgment on certain claims was erroneous. The appellate court affirmed the summary judgment, concluding the waiver was valid for existing claims and rejecting Martinez's arguments regarding duress and the competency of her summary judgment evidence for retaliatory discharge.

NegligenceGross NegligenceRetaliatory DischargeSummary JudgmentWaiverDuressPublic PolicyWorkers' CompensationEmployment LawContract Law
References
28
Case No. 13-14-00381-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 15, 2015

Enbridge Pipelines (East Texas) L.P. v. Saratoga Timber Co., Ltd., Batson Corridor, L.P., and Timbervest Partners Texas, L.P.

Appellees, Batson Corridor and Saratoga Timber overly simplify facts, misrepresent facts, and ignore other pertinent facts, as well as make unfounded accusations of some sort of conspiracy between Enbridge and Appellee Timbervest, in an apparent effort to cloud the legal issues pending before this Court. However, none of the issues raised support the trial court’s erroneous dismissal of the underlying condemnation as to either Saratoga Timber or Batson Corridor. Saratoga Timber’s arguments fail to defeat jurisdiction, particularly when those arguments and evidence are properly placed into the underlying chronology of filings and events occurring between the parties. Its’ position that Timbervest holds no interest in the Batson Corridor easement and never acquired the same, and thus has no interest in this proceeding is contrary to longstanding real property law pertaining to conveyances, and is legally and factually incorrect. And, Saratoga Timber’s claim, that Timbervest’s waiver of defective service was moot as well as untimely because it was filed after the trial court granted the plea to the jurisdiction, is untimely raised for the first time on appeal, and is also legally and factually incorrect. Batson Corridor’s arguments likewise fail to defeat jurisdiction. Upon Enbridge’s joinder of Batson Corridor as an additional interested party, the trial court acquired administrative jurisdiction only over Batson Corridor. The trial court’s consideration and grant of Batson Corridor’s prematurely filed plea to the jurisdiction exceeded the scope of the trial court’s administrative condemnation jurisdiction, and must be reversed. Finally, Appellees’ claim of collusion or conspiracy between Enbridge and Appellee Timbervest is unfounded, unsupported by the record, and urged solely in an effort to cloud the issues and portray Enbridge in a less than candid light. The two parties share a common interest in resolving the underlying condemnation and the companion declaratory judgment action correctly and efficiently.

condemnation lawreply briefjurisdictioneminent domainproperty lawreal propertyTexasappealcivil procedurelegal arguments
References
49
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Lumbermens Mutual Casualty Co. v. Carter

This appeal concerns a declaratory judgment suit initiated by an unnamed workers' compensation insurance company, referred to as the appellant. The appellant challenged a trial court's ruling that denied its subrogation rights against any recovery made by Johnny Carter from Temple-Inland Forest Products Corporation. Johnny Carter, an employee of Biskamp Electric Company, Inc., sustained injuries at a Temple-Inland plant and received workers' compensation benefits, subsequently filing a third-party action against Temple-Inland. The core issue on appeal was whether the waiver of subrogation endorsement in the insurance policy applied to Temple-Inland Forest Products Corporation, despite variations in naming. The appellate court found sufficient evidence to support the trial court's finding of waiver and affirmed the decision.

Workers' CompensationSubrogation WaiverInsurance Policy InterpretationDeclaratory JudgmentAppellate ReviewFactual SufficiencyContract ConstructionTexas LawEmployer LiabilityThird-Party Action
References
7
Case No. 44 S.W.3d 554
Regular Panel Decision

Lawrence v. CDB Services, Inc.

Justice Baker's dissenting opinion argues that the majority's decision to uphold waivers of workers' compensation claims on public policy grounds directly contradicts the intent and established public policies of the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act. The dissent emphasizes that the Act created a comprehensive system to encourage employer participation in workers' compensation insurance and ensure adequate redress for all injured employees. Baker asserts that the Court improperly defers to the Legislature on a matter where legislative intent, prioritizing employee protection and encouraging subscription, is clear. The dissent concludes that such waivers are void as they undermine the statutory scheme, and their acceptance by employees should not render them enforceable.

Workers' Compensation ActPublic PolicyWaiversEmployer LiabilityEmployee RightsStatutory InterpretationContract LawDissenting OpinionTexas LawCommon Law Defenses
References
26
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