In this case of first impression, the El Paso court of Appeals held that the contractor, who built an overpass under contract with the Texas Department of Transportation (“TXDOT”), was immune from liability for injuries sustained by plaintiff when he fell from an overpass. A.S. Horner, Inc. v. Navarrette, No. 08-18-00044-CV, 2021
Business
Owner of Vicious Horse Protected from Liability under Texas Farm Animal Act
In Texas, the owner of a farm animal is immune from liability for injuries caused by the animal to third parties if the Farm Animal Act applies, as shown by Lobue v. Hanson, 14-19-00175-CV, 2021 WL 1567731, at *1 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] Apr. 22, 2021, no pet.). In this case, the Defendant…
General Contractor’s Breach of Contract Verdict Overturned for Failure to Give Contractual Termination Notice
Introduction. In Chambers County v. Pelco Construction Co., the general contractor unilaterally terminated its contract after the project owner stopped work for 40 days. No. 01-18-00832-CV, 2020 WL 7776078, at *1 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Dec. 31, 2020, no pet. h.). The general contractor made payment demands upon the owner for work performed…
Concrete Manufacturer’s Multi-Million Dollar Jury Award Reversed by Texas Supreme Court
Introduction. In this case, Valley Builders Supply, Inc., a manufacturer of concrete blocks, sued its competitor, Innovative Block of South Texas, Ltd, for defamation and business disparagement. At the conclusion of the trial, Valley Builders chose only to submit questions to the jury for defamation. Based upon the jury’s verdict, the trial court entered…
Family’s Wrongful Death Claims for Ranch Hand Trampled to Death by Cattle Allowed to Proceed to Trial
Introduction. In this tragic case involving interesting legal issues, a ranch hand was killed when he was trampled by cattle while working for a ranch. The ranch hand’s surviving parents and children sued the ranch for wrongful death and survival claims. The ranch was a nonsubscriber under the Texas Workers Compensation Act. However, the…
U.S. Supreme Court Paves the Way for Profit Disgorgement in Trademark Infringement Cases
Introduction. In this age of global unrest, intellectual property disputes are becoming more prevalent. The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) has now made it clear that the victim of trademark infringement does not have to show that the infringer acted willfully in order to recover a profits award for the false or…
$200+ Million Oil and Gas Breach of Contract Claim Denied by Texas Supreme Court
Introduction. In the COVID19 age, Business transactions and formal legal proceedings are now commonly being conducted remotely. In the recent Texas Supreme Court decision of Chalker Energy Partners III, LLC v. Le Norman Operating LLC, 595 S.W.3d 668, 669–70 (Tex. 2020), the Court recognizes that transactions conducted remotely and through email can result…
Reversal of $500+ Million Judgment in Pipeline Partnership Dispute Affirmed by Texas Supreme Court
Introduction. As a matter of first impression, the Texas Supreme Court, in Energy Transfer Partners, L.P., et al (“ETP”) v. Enterprise Products Partners, L.P., et al (“Enterprise”), affirmed the reversal of a judgment exceeding $500 million involving a pipeline partnership dispute, on the grounds that in Texas parties can contract for conditions precedent…
$3,131,064 Texas Jury Verdict Against Automation and Software Development Company for Negligent Misrepresentation Upheld by 5th Circuit Court of Appeals
Introduction. Negligent misrepresentation and fraud can be viable alternative causes of action to a breach of contract claim, as shown by the recent Texas federal court case of Correct RX Pharmacy Services, Inc. v. Cornerstone Automation Sys., L.L.C., 945 F.3d 423 (5th Cir. 2019). In this case, Plaintiff, Correct RX Pharmacy Services (“…
Texas Business Owner’s Failure to Plan Lead’s to Court Ordered Guardianship
Introduction. The failure to plan for your estate and the succession of your business while you are healthy and mentally competent can lead to drastic and expensive measures, as shown by the recent high profile Texas case of In re Guardianship of Thrash, 04-19-00104-CV, 2019 WL 6499225 (Tex. App.—San Antonio Dec. 4, 2019,…