HOUSTON – The 14th Court of Appeals has determined Facebook has not established that it is entitled to mandamus relief in lawsuits seeking to hold the social media giant liable for damages resulting from being victims of sex trafficking.
Seeking more than $1 million in damages, the plaintiff, identified only as Jane Doe, filed the suit Oct. 1, 2018 in Harris County District Court, also naming Backpage.com, America’s Inn and Texas Pearl as defendants.
Driven by profit, Doe claims social media giants like Facebook and sex brokers like Backpage have treated children as a commodity, providing predators unrestricted means to prey on victims.
Court records show Facebook filed Rule 91a motions to dismiss two lawsuits, which were denied.
On April 28, the 14th Court rejected Facebook’s appeals. However, Tracy Christopher dissented and urged the Texas Supreme Court to review the cases.
“Federal law grants Facebook immunity from suits such as these,” wrote Christopher. “Because Facebook has immunity, these suits have no basis in law, and dismissal under Texas Rule of Procedure 91a is proper.”
Doe is represented in part by Houston attorney Michael Gallagher.
Facebook is represented in part by attorneys Russell Falconer and Collin Joe Cox.
Trial court case No. 2018-69816