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,
COVID–19 Contractual Defense of Force Majeure
In Texas, like most states, performance under a contract containing a force majeure clause may be excused by acts of god or other exigent circumstances defined by the clause. Force majeure is a creature of contract and will only be applicable to the extent expressed in the contract. “The scope and effect of a “
Texas Court of Appeals Holds Workers Compensation Nonsubscribing Workers Compensation Employer Liable for Employee’s Injuries Sustained in Fall from Ladder
Texas Court of Appeals Holds Workers Compensation Nonsubscribing Workers Compensation Employer Liable for Employees Injuries Sustained in Fall from Ladder
The benefit to Texas employers in maintaining workers compensation insurance is that they are shielded from liability to employees injured on the job. In exchange, employees are entitled to recover workers compensation benefits for injuries
Business Purchasing Defective Ethane Pumps Not Required to Give Seller Opportunity to Cure Defects
It can be tricky to preserve your rights to recover damages for breach of warranty involving goods, including expensive commercial equipment, as exemplified in a recent Houston Court of Appeals case. Equistar Chemicals, LP v. ClydeUnion DB, Ltd., 579 S.W.3d 505, 509 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2019, pet. filed).
In this case, Equistar Chemicals,