District Court Judge Can't Enjoin ALJ's Subpoena in Contested Case

A Texas appellate court ruled that a district court judge could not enjoin an administrative law judge’s issuance of a discovery subpoena in a contested case about compensability. Lauren Smith worked for Fort Bend County as a paramedic. She died at home in April 2023 after working a 48-hour shift. Smith’s husband filed a claim for death benefits, which the county contested. The husband initiated a contested case proceeding with the Division of Workers’ Compensation. Fort Bend sought a subpoena for Smith’s mental health records from Dr. John Marcellus, the doctor...