Sign In
Events
Newsletters
Search

Close

Close Search

Cancel

SEARCH
MY LAW.COMNEW

Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania v. Lejeune

Strict compliance with the rules governing service of citation, rules 16 and 105 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, is mandatory if a default judgment is to withstand an attack on appeal. Failure to comply with these rules constitutes error on the face of the record. Here, the record shows that the return of citation lacks the required notation showing the hour of receipt of citation. The default judgment, therefore, cannot stand. Texas Supreme Court, No. 08-0829, 10-30-2009

X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.
In this case we consider whether a default judgment must be overturned because the clerk’s endorsement of the return of citation lacked the time of service, as required by Rules 16 and 105 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. “For well over a century, this court has required that strict compliance with the rules for service of citation affirmatively appear on the record in order for a default judgment to withstand direct attack.” Primate Constr., Inc. v. Silver, 884 S.W.2d 151, 152 (Tex. 1994) (per curiam) (citing Wilson v. Dunn, 800 S.W.2d 833, 836 (Tex. 1990); Uvalde Country Club v. Martin Linen Supply Co., 690 S.W.2d 884, 886 (Tex. 1985); McKanna v. Edgar, 388 S.W.2d 927, 929 (Tex. 1965); Flynt v. Kingsville, 82 S.W.2d 934, 934 (Tex. 1935); Sloan v. Batte, 46 Tex. 215, 216 (1876); Roberts v. Stockslager, 4 Tex. 307, 309 (1849)). Because we hold that the endorsement in this case did not satisfy Rules 16 and 105, we reverse the court of appeals’ judgment and remand the case to the trial court.

Edward Lejeune filed a workers’ compensation claim with his employer’s carrier, Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania, for an injury he stated he suffered on the job. Insurance Co. denied his claim, and the parties participated in a contested case hearing before the Division of Workers’ Compensation. The hearing officer found that Lejeune’s injury was not compensable. The Appeals Panel of the Division subsequently affirmed that decision. Lejeune then sought review in district court. After Insurance Co. failed to respond to the suit, Lejeune moved for, and was granted, a default judgment. Approximately five months later, Insurance Co. filed a notice of restricted appeal, alleging that Lejeune failed to comply with the venue and service of citation rules governing his claim. The court of appeals disagreed and affirmed the default judgment. 261 S.W.3d 852, 861 (Tex. App.-Texarkana 2008). Insurance Co. then petitioned for review in this Court. 52 Tex. Sup. Ct. J. 8 (Oct. 3, 2008).

A party can prevail in a restricted appeal only if:

Trending Stories

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

LEARN MORE

More From ALM

Premium Subscription
With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Team Accounts
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Bundle Subscriptions
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
Go to CLE Center
Middle East Legal Awards 2024
April 25, 2024
Dubai

Law firms & in-house legal departments with a presence in the middle east celebrate outstanding achievement within the profession.


Learn More
BenefitsPRO Broker Expo 2024
April 29, 2024 - May 01, 2024
Aurora, CO

The premier educational and networking event for employee benefits brokers and agents.


Learn More
Pennsylvania Legal Awards 2024
May 15, 2024
Philadelphia, PA

The Legal Intelligencer honors lawyers leaving a mark on the legal community in Pennsylvania and Delaware.


Learn More
Go to Events Go to Webcasts
Legal Writing & Research Professional

Atlanta s John Marshall Law School is seeking to hire one or more full-time, visiting Legal WritingInstructors to teach Legal Research, Anal...


Apply Now ›
Premises Liability Litigation Attorney Needed (3-6 yr.)

Lower Manhattan firm seeks a premises liability litigator (i.e., depositions, SJ motions, and/or trials) with at least 3-6 years of experien...


Apply Now ›
Associate General Counsel

Evergreen Trading is a media investment firm headquartered in NYC. We help brands achieve their goals by leveraging their unwanted assets to...


Apply Now ›
Go to Lawjobs
MELICK & PORTER, LLP
04/15/2024
Connecticut Law Tribune

MELICK & PORTER, LLP PROMOTES CONNECTICUT PARTNERS HOLLY ROGERS, STEVEN BANKS, and ALEXANDER AHRENS


View Announcement ›
Apruzzese, McDermott, Mastro & Murphy, P.C.
04/11/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
Robbins Alloy Belinfante Littlefield
04/08/2024
Daily Report

Daily Report 1/2 Page Professional Announcement 60 Days


View Announcement ›
Go to Professional Announcements