Editor’s Note: A monthly update on jury trials in Travis County will also be circulated in Bar Code and posted on the Austin Bar app.
CIVIL
City Of Austin v. Laszlo Herczeg
Cause No.: C-1-Cv-20-003717
Judge: Eric Shepperd
Dates: June 3-4, 2024
Attorneys:
Plaintiff: Phillip B. Arnold, Bickerstaff, Heath, Delgado, Acosta LLP
Defendant: Laslo Herczeg, Pro Se
Case Summary: Five jurors awarded the fair-market value of the property in a condemnation case. Total amount: $13,347.62.
The State of Texas v. Texas SBA, Inc., Texas Certification Agency, Inc. D/B/A Texas SBA Business Certification, Inc., and Jamie Demericas
Judge: Catherine Mauzy, 419th Civil District Court
Cause No: D-1-Gn-22-004092
Dates: June 3-5, 2024
Attorneys:
Plaintiff: Monica Wadleigh, Texas Attorney General
Defendant: Roger Borgelt, Borgelt Law
Case Summary: The unanimous jury found that the defendants engaged in 6,208 false, misleading, and deceptive acts and awarded damages against defendants, Texas SBA, Inc. and Texas SBA Business Certification, Inc. for $3,104,000.00 each and Jamie Demericas in the amount of $18,624,000.
Steven Gambler v. Huber Javier Tinoco, All Pro Restoration Inc. D/B/A Servicemaster Restoration by All Pro, Servicemaster Clean/Restore Spe LLC, and Erick Mondragon Jaimes
Cause No: D-1-Gn-21-004734
Judge: Jessica Mangrum, 200th Civil District Court
Dates: June 4-10, 2024
Attorneys:
Plaintiff: Cole Gumm, Zinda Law Group, PLLC
Defendant: J. Hampton Skelton, Skelton & Woody, PLLC
Case Summary: Eleven jurors awarded damages incurred due to an automobile accident in a parking lot that occurred on or about July 31, 2021. Only damages were submitted to the jury. Damages awarded: Past physical pain – $83,360; future physical pain – $64,240; past mental anguish – $64,240; future mental anguish – $32,120; past physical impairment – $83,360; future physical impairment – $64,240; future disfigurement – $0; past reasonable/necessary medical care expenses – $90,000; and future reasonable/necessary medical care expenses – $110,000.
Glenn Lofgren v. Richard Green
Cause No.: C-1-Cv-20-005761
Judge: Todd Wong
Dates: June 24-28, 2024
Attorneys:
Plaintiff: Garrett Wilson, Lorenz & Lorenz, L.L.P.
Defendant: Shaunte Collins, Germer, Beaman & Brown, PLLC
Case Summary: The unanimous jury awarded the plaintiff damages as a result of a motor vehicle accident that occurred on Dec. 13, 2019: Past physical pain – $10,000.00; past mental anguish – $3,000; past physical impairment – $4,100; past reasonable/necessary medical care – $8,953.
Majorie Drake v. Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Cause No: D-1-Gn-19-004253
Judge: Daniella Deseta Lyttle, 261st Civil District Court
Dates: June 25-July 2, 2024
Attorneys:
Plaintiff: Lenore R. Shefman, Shefman Law Group
Defendant: Jose L. Valtzar, Texas Attorney General
Case Summary: The unanimous jury found that on or about Feb. 18, 2018, the plaintiff was riding a bicycle that was hit by a vehicle driven by an employee of Texas Health and Human Services. Damages awarded are as follows: Past physical pain and mental anguish – $800,000; future physical pain and mental anguish – $600,000; past disfigurement – $450,000; future disfigurement – $400,000; past physical impairment – $400,000; future physical impairment – $700,000.