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Seven former vivarium technicians, including Teresa Stewart, appealed a summary judgment granted in favor of Lexicon Genetics, Inc. The employees had sued Lexicon for false imprisonment, assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligence following an investigation into showering protocol breaches at an animal research facility. Lexicon argued the claims were barred by the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act (TWCA). The court affirmed the summary judgment on claims for intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence, finding they were either barred by the TWCA or not independent torts. However, the court reversed the summary judgment on the claims for false imprisonment and assault, remanding them to the trial court, as Lexicon failed to prove the managers involved were not corporate vice-principals, thus not satisfying its burden regarding the TWCA's intentional tort exception.
Stewart v. Lexicon Genetics, Inc. is a workers' compensation case decided in Texas Court of Appeals, 9th District (Beaumont). This case addresses legal issues related to compensation claims, benefits, and court rulings.
It is commonly referenced in legal research involving workers' compensation laws in Texas Court of Appeals, 9th District (Beaumont).
Full Decision Text1 Pages
Seven former vivarium technicians, including Teresa Stewart, appealed a summary judgment granted in favor of Lexicon Genetics, Inc. The employees had sued Lexicon for false imprisonment, assault and battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligence following an investigation into showering protocol breaches at an animal research facility. Lexicon argued the claims were barred by the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act (TWCA). The court affirmed the summary judgment on claims for intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence, finding they were either barred by the TWCA or not independent torts. However, the court reversed the summary judgment on the claims for false imprisonment and assault, remanding them to the trial court, as Lexicon failed to prove the managers involved were not corporate vice-principals, thus not satisfying its burden regarding the TWCA's intentional tort exception.
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