DWC's Intervention in Worker's Lawsuit Didn't Give Court Jurisdiction Over Agency

A Texas appellate court on Tuesday ruled that a trial court judge lacked jurisdiction to determine whether the Division of Workers' Compensation unlawfully terminated a worker's benefits because of her non-compliance with her medical treatment program, even though the DWC had intervened in her case once she sought judicial review of the division's ruling. By finding there was no jurisdiction over the DWC, the Court of Appeals for the 1st District of Texas was able to avoid ruling on the question of whether the "injurious practice" defense remains viable in Texas. The co...