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

Case No. 14-08-00493-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Jun 21, 2009

BACM 2002 PB2 Westpark Dr LP, Houston Parkwest Place Ltd, as the Property Owners and the Property Owners v. Harris County Appraisal District and the Appraisal Review Board of Harris County Appraisal District

This appeal concerns a lawsuit where a former property owner initiated judicial review of an ad valorem tax valuation protest by the county appraisal district. A subsequent property purchaser was later included as a plaintiff. The appraisal district challenged the plaintiffs' standing through a plea to the jurisdiction, leading the trial court to dismiss the suit. The appellate court affirmed this dismissal, concluding that neither the initial property owner (BACM 2002 PB2 Westpark Dr. LP) nor the subsequent owner (Houston Parkwest Place Ltd.) possessed the requisite standing to pursue judicial review. Consequently, the trial court was found to lack subject-matter jurisdiction over the dispute.

Property TaxAd Valorem TaxJudicial ReviewStanding DoctrineSubject-Matter JurisdictionPlea to the JurisdictionTexas Tax CodeTexas Rule of Civil Procedure 28Appellate ProcedureProperty Ownership
References
30
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Rowden v. Texas Catastrophe Property Insurance Ass'n

Ruby Rowden, d/b/a The Aloha Motel, filed suit against Texas Catastrophe Property Insurance Association (TCPIA) in Nueces County, Texas, after sustaining property loss during Hurricane Allen and rejecting TCPIA's settlement offer. TCPIA responded with a Plea to the Jurisdiction, arguing that the case should have been filed in Travis County and that Rowden had not exhausted her administrative remedies under the Texas Catastrophe Property Insurance Pool Act, TEX.INS.CODE ANN. art. 21.49. The trial court dismissed the suit without prejudice. Rowden appealed, contending the trial court had jurisdiction and venue in Nueces County, that the statute's language was permissive, and that her due process rights were violated. The appellate court affirmed the trial court's judgment, ruling that the statutory procedure for review in Travis County was mandatory and jurisdictional, and that Rowden had failed to exhaust administrative remedies and provide proper briefing for all points of error.

Insurance LawJurisdictionAdministrative RemediesStatutory InterpretationAppellate ProcedureDue ProcessProperty InsuranceHurricane AllenTexas Insurance CodeExhaustion of Remedies
References
20
Case No. 09-02-018 CV
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 17, 2003

U.S. Restaurant Properties Operating, L.P. and U.S. Restaurant Properties, Inc. v. Motel Enterprises, Inc.

Motel Enterprises, Inc. sued U.S. Restaurant Properties Operating L.P. and U.S. Restaurant Properties, Inc. for breach of a put option in a purchase and sale agreement. Motel exercised its right to have USRP purchase a $500,000 promissory note, but USRP refused, claiming the note's maker, Bar S Restaurants, Inc., was in material default on a lease. A jury found no material default and awarded Motel $550,000. On appeal, USRP challenged the sufficiency of evidence, damages, jury instructions, evidentiary rulings, and prejudgment interest. The appellate court affirmed the liability and damages findings, but reversed and remanded for recalculation of prejudgment interest, also modifying the judgment to require Motel to transfer the note to USRP.

Breach of ContractPut OptionPromissory NoteLease AgreementMaterial DefaultSufficiency of EvidenceDamages CalculationJury InstructionsEvidentiary RulingsPrejudgment Interest
References
20
Case No. 03-15-00314-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Aug 07, 2015

California Insurance Guarantee Association, Oklahoma Property and Casualty Insurance Guaranty Association, and Texas Property and Casualty Insurance Guaranty Association v. Hill Brothers Transportation, Inc.

The appellants, California Insurance Guarantee Association (CIGA), Oklahoma Property and Casualty Insurance Guaranty Association (OPCIGA), and Texas Property and Casualty Insurance Guaranty Association (TPCIGA), collectively "Guaranty Associations," are appealing a summary judgment granted in favor of the appellee, Hill Brothers Transportation, Inc. ("Hill Bros."). The suit was filed on March 31, 2009, alleging Hill Bros. failed to reimburse the Guaranty Associations for payments of workers' compensation benefits and claim handling expenses within the deductible limits of a policy issued by the insolvent Legion Insurance Company ("Legion"). The District Court granted summary judgment to Hill Bros. based on the statute of limitations, ruling that the cause of action accrued on April 1, 2002. The Guaranty Associations argue that the accrual date is incorrect, as their statutory obligations had not been triggered, payments had not been made, and demand for reimbursement had not occurred by that date. They also contend that their compliance with Pennsylvania law (the "Pennsylvania Act") in seeking reimbursement through Legion in Liquidation constitutes a mitigating circumstance for any delay, making reasonableness a fact question. Furthermore, they assert the policy was a continuing contract, and the statute of limitations should not have accrued until full performance on April 28, 2009. Alternatively, they argue that claims for deductible payments made within four years of filing suit (March 31, 2005) are not barred.

Workers' CompensationInsurance Guaranty AssociationStatute of LimitationsBreach of ContractDeductible ReimbursementInsolvencyInsurance PolicyContinuing ContractPennsylvania ActTravis County
References
21
Case No. 2017 NY Slip Op 08027 [155 AD3d 900]
Regular Panel Decision
Nov 15, 2017

Poalacin v. Mall Properties, Inc.

The plaintiff, Nelson Poalacin, was injured when he fell from a defective ladder while working at a retail property undergoing refurbishment. He sued multiple defendants, including the property owners (Mall Properties, Inc., KMO-361 Realty Associates, LLC, The Gap, Inc.), the general contractor (James Hunt Construction), and subcontractors (Weather Champions, Ltd., APCO Insulation Co., Inc.), alleging violations of Labor Law §§ 240 (1), 200, and 241 (6), as well as common-law negligence. The Supreme Court initially denied Poalacin's motion for summary judgment on Labor Law § 240 (1) and later granted the defendants' motions to dismiss the complaint. On appeal, the Appellate Division reversed the Supreme Court's orders, granting Poalacin summary judgment on the Labor Law § 240 (1) claim and denying the defendants' motions to dismiss the other Labor Law claims. The court also made declarations regarding indemnification and insurance coverage between the parties, finding Harleysville Insurance's policy was excess to Netherlands Insurance Company's policy, and remitted the matter for judgment entry.

Labor LawConstruction AccidentWorkplace SafetyLadder FallSummary JudgmentIndemnificationInsurance DisputesAdditional InsuredCommon-Law NegligenceThird-Party Action
References
37
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Texas Property & Casualty Insurance Guaranty Ass'n v. De Los Santos

The Texas Property and Casualty Insurance Guaranty Association (TPCIGA) appealed a jury verdict awarding damages to Javier and Tina De Los Santos for a property loss claim. The appellate court's jurisdiction hinged on the validity of two final judgments, one signed on April 25, 1997, and another on June 18, 1997. The court found that the trial judge did not issue a written order vacating the first judgment within the 30-day plenary power period. Therefore, the first judgment remained valid, and the subsequent judgment was void, leading to a lack of appellate jurisdiction. Both TPCIGA's appeal and the De Los Santoses' cross-appeal, concerning a related judgment nunc pro tunc, were dismissed for want of jurisdiction.

JurisdictionAppellate ProcedurePlenary PowerFinal JudgmentJudgment Nunc Pro TuncDismissalTexas Rules of Civil ProcedureVacating JudgmentInsurance LawProperty Damage Claim
References
15
Case No. Rutherford Circuit No. 31613; Appeal No. 01A01-9709-CV-00531
Regular Panel Decision
Dec 02, 1998

Allen E. Hasty, Judy Darlene Hasty v. Thomas R. Throneberry, Ind., D/B/A Throneberry Properties and Sharon Clutter

Plaintiffs Allen E. Hasty and Judy Darlene Hasty sued Thomas R. Throneberry for wrongful eviction, outrageous conduct, and defamation. Hasty, a maintenance worker for Throneberry, was fired and subsequently evicted from an apartment provided as part of his compensation. Throneberry terminated electricity and changed locks, forcing Hasty out. Hasty claimed these actions, combined with a prior work-related car accident, caused Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and major depression, for which he had already received worker's compensation benefits. The trial court dismissed defamation and outrageous conduct claims but allowed the wrongful eviction claim and later permitted amendment to include intentional infliction of emotional distress. A jury awarded Hasty $500 for property loss and $10,000 for mental damages, attributing 55% of the latter to Throneberry's actions, resulting in a total judgment of $6,000. Throneberry appealed, arguing the relationship was employer-employee, not landlord-tenant, precluding wrongful eviction, and that PTSD recovery was barred by worker's compensation exclusivity and lack of medical certainty. The Court of Appeals affirmed, holding that even if it was an employer-employee relationship, Throneberry had a duty to refrain from intentional, willful, or wanton conduct causing injury or loss, which Hasty's complaint alleged and the jury found. The court also ruled that worker's compensation exclusivity does not apply if the defendant intended to cause injury, which was alleged. Finally, Dr. Singh's testimony was found sufficient regarding causation, and apportionment of damages was a jury matter.

Wrongful EvictionIntentional Infliction of Emotional DistressEmployer-Employee RelationshipLandlord-Tenant DisputeWorkers' Compensation ExclusivityProximate CausationMedical Expert TestimonyPost-Traumatic Stress DisorderMajor DepressionComparative Fault
References
13
Case No. 21 MC 101, 04 Civ. 7272(AKH)
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 09, 2007

In Re September 11 Property Damage

This opinion addresses the legal sufficiency of third-party actions filed by Seven World Trade Company, L.P. and Silverstein Properties, Inc. (Silverstein), owners and developers of 7 World Trade Center, seeking indemnification and contribution. Silverstein, who was both a plaintiff and defendant in various lawsuits following the September 11, 2001, destruction of 7WTC, brought claims against OEM Design and Construction Defendants, Citigroup Design and Construction Defendants, and engineers Irwin Cantor and Syska. The court granted motions to dismiss from all third-party defendants. It found OEM defendants immune under the New York State Defense Emergency Act, Citigroup defendants protected by Silverstein's prior assumption of risk, and Irwin Cantor and Syska dismissed for failure to meet heightened pleading standards for licensed design professionals.

September 11 AttacksWorld Trade CenterProperty DamageBusiness LossThird-Party LitigationIndemnificationContributionMotions to DismissSDEA ImmunityAssumption of Risk
References
24
Case No. 2018-08-1204
Regular Panel Decision
Jul 01, 2019

Hayes, Anthony v. Elmington Property Mgmt.

Anthony Hayes, a maintenance technician, sought an expedited hearing after sustaining multiple injuries from a workplace fall on July 27, 2018. He requested additional temporary disability and medical benefits from his employer, Elmington Property Management, and its carrier, Accident Fund General Insurance Co. The Court found Mr. Hayes's testimony regarding unaddressed neck and back issues credible, despite prior medical records being silent on these complaints, and ruled that he is likely to prevail in securing authorized medical treatment for his fall-related injuries. However, his claim for temporary disability benefits was denied because he failed to present proof of income loss while on light-duty work. Consequently, Elmington was ordered to arrange further medical appointments with Dr. David Deneka for Mr. Hayes's work-related injuries, but the request for temporary disability benefits was rejected.

Workplace InjuryFall AccidentTemporary DisabilityMedical BenefitsExpedited HearingWorkers' CompensationMaintenance TechnicianContusionsAbrasionsKnee Injury
References
3
Case No. 03-07-00240-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 28, 2008

Myrad Properties, Inc. v. Lasalle Bank National Ass'n

Myrad Properties, Inc. appealed a summary judgment concerning the non-judicial foreclosure of two apartment complexes, La Casa and Casa Grande, secured by a single note. The central dispute involved an error in the foreclosure notice that only described one property. The court determined that despite the inconsistency, references to the Deed of Trust provided sufficient notice for both properties. The lower court's judgment, affirming the conveyance of both properties and the validity of the correction deed, was largely upheld. However, the appellate court reversed and remanded the claim for a surplus due to Myrad, citing unresolved fact issues regarding the calculation of Myrad's outstanding debt.

ForeclosureNon-judicial foreclosureDeed of TrustProperty description errorSummary judgmentReal propertyApartment complexesSubstitute trusteeNotice of saleCorrection deed
References
29
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