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 the firm now at 972-600-2416.
A Few Case Results
Below, are just a few of the results we have obtained on behalf of our clients:
Railroad Construction Dispute
$4,178,121.64 (Defense verdict plus recovery on counterclaim)
Our 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 our railroad contractor for more than $4M for it alleged was extra work and delays caused by the railroad. We filed a counterclaim alleging that our 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 our 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, our 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
Our 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. We were 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
Our 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 our client has a proper bike with proper lights and reflectors and even wore a reflective safety vest, we were 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.
Our 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. We 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 our 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.
Our client was sued by his neighbor claiming that his new fence and other improvements violated the neighborhood’s HOA rules. We filed a summary judgment that was granted by the trial court, which also ordered that the neighbor fully reimburse our 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 our 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, our client appealed on the legal issue of preemption. At the Fifth Circuit, the court accepted our 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 our 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. We 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
Our 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
Our three clients suffered injury in a roll-over car wreck. They recovered a policy limits recovery 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. Our client was sued by his neighbor claiming that his new fence and other improvements violated the neighborhood’s HOA rules. We filed a summary judgment that was granted by the trial court, which also ordered that the neighbor fully reimburse our 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 We Can Help You In A Free Consultation
We offer free consultation to injured people so they can learn more about their case, and we help them determine their next steps. Please call our Plano office now at 972-600-2416 or send us an email to schedule your first meeting. We respond to all messages as soon as possible.