HOUSTON – An appellate court has sacked a lawsuit brought by former Houston Texans linebacker DeMeco Ryans.
Nearly three years ago now, Ryans sued the team over the playing surface at NRG Stadium, alleging a dangerous condition on the field caused him to sustain a career-ending injury during a game.
Ryans was playing the Texans as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles when he suffered a torn Achilles tendon on Nov. 2, 2014.
The former NFL star alleged that the field’s surface’s design and construction were problematic.
The case bounced between state and federal and court.
Court records show the Texans filed a motion to compel arbitration under the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the National Football League’s club owners and players union, which was denied by the trial court.
The team appealed, arguing trial court abused its discretion because the CBA contains a valid arbitration agreement and Ryans’ claim falls within the agreement’s scope, court records show.
The Texans maintained that Section 301 of the Labor Management Relations Act preempted Ryans’ premises-liability claim because resolution of the claim would require the interpretation of the CBA.
The First Court of Appeals found the trial court abused its discretion and issued an opinion on Aug. 1, reversing the ruling and remanding the case so the trial court can sign an order compelling arbitration and staying the lawsuit.
On appeal, Ryans had argued his claims were not completely preempted because they are independent tort claims, court records show.
The Ammons Law Firm in Houston represents him.
The Texans are represented by the Houston law firm Tribble Ross.
Appeals case No. 01-18-00811-CV