In a big win for private insurance companies, the Texas Supreme Court said more than $50 million in disputed air ambulance fees were covered by Texas Workers Compensation standards, not federal aviation rules.
SCOTX Wipes $16.5M Judgment in Complicated Partnership Dispute
Almost 10 years after it began, the Texas Supreme Court has ended a contentious legal battle over a business partnership breakup. While the reasoning behind tossing a multimillion-dollar judgment was simple, the justices found themselves debating over a lesser-included issue about who can recover damages on behalf of a partnership.
Chron: Brazoria County Landowner Wins Eminent Domain Fight Against Pipeline Giant
Houston pipeline operator Enterprise Products Partners will have to renegotiate with a Brazoria County landowner who sought $3.4 million for a pipeline easement across his property, the Texas First Court of Appeals ruled Thursday.
Judicial Profile: Judge Mark T. Pittman, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas
U.S. District Judge Mark T. Pittman has served on three different courts in six years. His cases and issues run the gamut. Central to his judicial philosophy is to acknowledge what he doesn’t know. In a wide-ranging interview with Haynes and Boone appellate lawyer Chris Knight, Judge Pittman told his story and shared his judicial preferences.
Texas Appellate Firm Adds U.S. Supreme Court Practice
Daniel Geyser, a former assistant solicitor general for the State of Texas, has become one of the most active Texas lawyers before the nation’s high court.
Supreme Court Rules for Pipeline Project Under the Appalachian Trail
In a 7-2 decision by Justice Clarence Thomas, the court ruled that the U.S. Forest Service had the authority to issue a permit for the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. The decision overturns a ruling by the U.S. Fourth Circuit. Tony Mauro reports from Washington.
Workers’ Comp Exemption Requires Intent to Kill ‘Particular Individual’ SCOTX Rules in ‘Tired Trucker’ Case
A calculated disregard for safety by Mo-Vac Service Company may have contributed to the death of one of its drivers, but that isn’t enough to allow an exception to the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act, the court ruled. The likelihood of death has to be “substantially certain” to a “particular individual” for a wrongful death claim to be excepted from the exclusive authority of TWC. Janet Elliott explains.
SCOTX Refuses to Reconsider Bill Brewer Sanctions Decision
The Texas Supreme Court will not revisit its April decision that reversed disciplinary sanctions against Dallas trial lawyer Bill Brewer for allegedly attempting to taint a jury pool.