Split Supreme Court Clarifies Appellate Court's Ability to Refuse Permissive Appeals

A divided Texas Supreme Court ruled that an appellate court did not abuse its discretion in refusing a permissive appeal and providing only a one-line explanation of its decision. Case: Industrial Specialists Inc. v. Blanchard Refining Co., No. 20-0174, 06/10/2022, published. Facts and procedural history: Blanchard Refining Co. hired Industrial Specialists Inc. to provide turnaround services at Blanchard's refinery in Texas City. The parties signed a five-year contract. Three years into the contract, a fire at the refinery caused injuries to several Industrial employees. The employees...