Chapter 614 written notice to police officer unnecessary when actions personally observed by chief of police says 1st District Court of Appeals

Peter J. Paske, Jr. v. Joel Fitzgerald, Individually and in His Official Capacity as Chief of Police of City of Missouri City, and the City of Missouri City, Texas 01-15-00631-CV (Tex. App.- Houston [1st Dist.], June 23,2016) This is a police officer wrongful termination case for alleged violations of Texas Gov’t Code chapter 614 where […]

Fort Worth Court of Appeals holds each defendant, including independent contractors, separately liable for TTCA statutory caps even for single injury

Michelle Rodriguez v Fort Worth Transportation Authority, et al. 02-14-00340-CV (Tex. App.- Fort Worth, June 24th 2016) This is a Texas Tort Claims Act (“TTCA”) case where a plaintiff in a wrongful death case sued multiple entities trying to exceed the TTCA’s statutory cap on damages. The Fort Worth Court of Appeals held each individual […]

Suspect unable to dispute officer’s evidence suspect reached towards waistband and perceived weapon so officer is entitled to immunity

 Salazar-Limon v. City of Houston 15-20237 (5th Cir. June 15th  2016) This is a §1983 excessive force case where the U.S. 5th Circuit affirmed the granting of an officer’s qualified immunity. Salazar was driving with three other men in his truck and had been drinking. Officer Thompson observed Salazar’s truck weaving between lanes and speeding […]

Amarillo Court of Appeals holds reinstatement is a proper remedy for violations of Chapter 614 by police department

City of Plainview Texas, et al v. Korey Ferguson 07-14-00405-CV (Tex. App.- Amarillo, June 24th 2016) This is a police disciplinary case under Chapter 614 of the Texas Government Code. Ferguson was a police officer for the City. He was terminated based on an investigation stemming from a citizen complaint. Amber Washington requested assistance with […]

City’s billboard registration fee determined to be unconstitutional tax

Reagan National Advertising of Austin, Inc. d/b/a Reagan National Advertising v. City of Austin, Texas; and Marc A. Ott, being sued in his Official Capacity 03-15-00370-CV (Tex. App.- Austin, June 15, 2016) This is a case to determine whether a billboard registration fee was a unconstitutional tax. The court held the fee was an fact […]

Billboard company unable to establish trespass to try title claim

  Lamar Advantage Holding Company v. The City of Stephenville and Mark Kaiser, in his official capacity as City Administrator 11-14-00133-CV (Tex. App- Eastland, June 9, 2016) This is a trespass to try title suit filed against the City of Stephenville and Mark Kaiser, in his official capacity as City Administrator. The City owns a […]

Texas Supreme Court holds cord on walkway was a premise defect, not negligent condition of tangible personal property

JOHN SAMPSON v. THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN 14-0745 (Tex.-2016) This is Texas Tort Claims Act (“TTCA”), where the Texas Supreme Court held an extension cord which causes a trip and fall is to be analyzed under a “premise defect” analysis instead of a “tangible personal property” analysis. As Sampson was walking to his […]

Employee’s failure-to-accommodate claims properly dismissed given employee refused to provide supporting medical documentation

Delaval v. PTech Drilling Tubulars, L.L.C. No. 15-20471 (5th Cir.- June 3rd 2016) This is an Americans with Disabilities Act case where the 5th Circuit affirmed the granting of the employer’s summary judgment. While not a government case, the standards utilized apply equally to governmental and non-governmental employers. Danny Delaval was a manual machinist for […]

Border Patrol Agent entitled to qualified immunity after shooting fleeing suspect

Mendez v. Poitevent No. 15-50709 (5th Cir. June 2nd 2016) This is a §1983/excessive force case where the 5th Circuit affirmed dismissal based on qualified immunity of the individual officer. After receiving a radio report of smuggling near the Mexico border, Border Patrol Agent Taylor Poitevent pursued a suspect truck into a residential cul-de-sac, where […]