Millions Recovered For Injured Clients
With more than three decades of experience in the courtroom, Paul Wickes has earned a reputation for getting results and protecting the rights of his clients. You can get immediate help from him by calling his firm now at 972-600-2416.
A Few Case Results
Below are just a few of the results Paul has obtained on behalf of clients. Please be aware that past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in your case.
Railroad Construction Dispute
$4,178,121.64 (Defense verdict plus recovery on counterclaim)
A railroad client hired a contractor to complete a $10M rehabilitation of approximately 70 miles of mainline rail that had been out-of-service for decades. After completing the job, the contractor sued Paul’s client, the railroad contractor, for more than $4M for it alleged was extra work and delays caused by the railroad. Paul filed a counterclaim alleging that his railroad client did not delay the work and that, instead, the contractor wasted thousands of tons of ballast resources purchased by the railroad. After a two-week federal bench trial, the federal court judge agreed and awarded over $2Million in damages to Paul’s railroad client, more than $1 Million in attorney’s fees through appeal. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the judgment. So, after being sued for $4 Million, Paul’s railroad client recovered $4,178,121.64 after pre- and post-judgment interest were added to the verdict.
Balfour Beatty Rail v. Kan. City S. Ry. Co., 173 F. Supp. 3d 363 (N.D. Tex. 2016)
Commercial Trucking Accident
$1,500,000.00 settlement
Paul’s client ran into the back of dump truck while not wearing a seatbelt while traveling 78 MPH on a highway. He spent a month in a coma followed by an extended in-patient rehabilitation. Paul was able to show that the trucking company failed to properly equip the back of the dump truck with federally required clearance lamps and industry standard retro-reflective tape. The trucking company settled at mediation.
Bicycle Accident
$1,300,000.00 Settlement
Paul’s client was struck by a car while riding his bike to his job at Steak ‘N Shake in the dark. His injuries caused him to be placed in a coma and then spend months working on rehabilitation learning to walk and talk again. He continues to ride his bicycle. Because Paul’s client has a proper bike with proper lights and reflectors and even wore a reflective safety vest, he was able to convince the insurance company that its insured was 100 percent at fault. The insurance company paid its policy limits before a lawsuit was filed.
Zoning/Business Harassment Dispute
Defense verdict upheld on appeal.
Paul’s client sought to construct twelve large silos in a railyard for the purpose of transloading frac sand from railcars to trucks. The City of Midlothian sought an injunction to stop the construction and sought civil penalties for purported violations of zoning ordinances. Paul argued that the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act preempted the local ordinances because they attempted to regulate rail transportation in the economic realm. Dallas federal district judge David Godbey agreed rendering judgment for Paul’s client. Paul handled the oral argument at the Fifth Circuit, which affirmed the judgment.
Tex. Cent. Bus. Lines Corp. v. City of Midlothian, 669 F.3d 525 (5th Cir. 2012)
Homeowners Association Dispute
Defense Verdict with $30K in attorneys’ fee recovered.
Paul’s client was sued by his neighbor claiming that his new fence and other improvements violated the neighborhood’s HOA rules. Paul filed for summary judgment, which was granted by the trial court. The court also ordered that the neighbor fully reimburse Paul’s client for his incurred attorneys’ fees. The Texas Court of Appeals affirmed the verdict.
Ballew v. Ndudi, 2009 Tex. App. LEXIS 3029 (Tex. App.—Amarillo Apr. 30, 2009, pet. denied)
ICCTA Federal Preemption
Defense Judgment.
A rural nursery business sued Paul’s client, a class I railroad, for blocking a crossing leading to their business for longer than the ten minutes allowed by the Texas Anti-Blocking Statute. The plaintiff’s economist told the jury that the nursery had suffered business losses exceeding $1 Million due to the crossing being blocked. After the jury awarded the plaintiff a meager $60,000, Paul’s client appealed on the legal issue of preemption. At the Fifth Circuit, the court accepted Paul’s position and held that the ICCTA preempted the Texas statute, leading to a complete defense win.
Friberg v. Kan. City S. Ry., 267 F.3d 439 (5th Cir. 2001)
Building Permits/Flood Control Law
Defense Judgment.
A Dallas property developer sued Paul’s client claiming that its railroad culverts were not wide enough to allow for necessary drainage of rainwater. The developer claimed that this condition caused its property to be within a flood plain which led to the City of Garland denying its requested building permit for its planned development. Paul argued that the ICCTA preempted the statutory and common law claims and the district court agreed. Paul handled the oral argument on appeal and the Dallas Court of Appeals affirmed.
A&W Props. v. Kan. City S. Ry., 200 S.W.3d 342 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2006, pet. denied)
Personal Jurisdiction
Obtained dismissal of parent company sued in Texas due to lack of personal jurisdiction.
Escobedo v. Campbell Soup Supply Co. 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 116460 (E.D. Tex. 2006)
Car Wreck: $115,000.00
Paul’s client was injured in a car wreck requiring a back surgery. Settled without need of a lawsuit.
Trip and Fall Injury: $167,500.00
Pre-trial settlement.
Medical Malpractice: $147,500.00
Pre-trial settlement.
Health Club Injury: $125,000.00
Pre-trial settlement
Medical Malpractice: $115,000.00
Pre-trial settlement.
Car Wreck: $100,000.00
Policy limits recovery.
Paul’s three clients suffered injury in a roll-over car wreck. They recovered to the policy limits without the need for a lawsuit.
Car Wreck: $100,000.00
Policy limits recovery.
Trip and Fall Injury: $80,000.00
Pre-trial settlement.
Slip and Fall Injury: $75,000.00
Pre-trial settlement.
Car Wreck: $60,000.00
$30,000 Policy Limits Recovery, and a $30,000 UIM Limits Recovery.
Car Wreck: $60,000.00
$30,000 Policy Limits Recovery, and a $30,000 UIM Limits Recovery.
Car Wreck: $55,000.00
$30,000 Policy Limits Recovery $25,000 UIM Recovery.
Car Wreck: $50,000.00
Policy limits recovery.
Nursing Home Malpractice: $45,000.00
Pre-trial settlement.
Trip and Fall Injury: $40,000.00
Pre-trial settlement.
Homeowners Association Dispute: $30,000.00
Defense Verdict with $30,000 in attorneys’ fee recovered. Paul’s client was sued by his neighbor claiming that his new fence and other improvements violated the neighborhood’s HOA rules. He filed a summary judgment that was granted by the trial court, which also ordered that the neighbor fully reimburse Paul’s client for his incurred attorneys’ fees. The Texas Court of Appeals affirmed the verdict.
Car Wreck: $30,000.00
Policy limits recovery.
Car Wreck: $30,000.00
Policy limits recovery.
See First-Hand How Attorney Wickes Can Help You In A Free Consultation
Paul offers free consultations to injured people so they can learn more about their cases, and he helps them determine their next steps. Please call his Plano office now at 972-600-2416 or send an email to schedule your first meeting. He responds to all messages as soon as possible.