HomeMy WebLinkAboutContract 57992 CITY SECRETARYr�
C-3V(TRACT N0. D 7 9 9 a
CAUSE NO. 067-323889-21
ARTEMIO GARZA-MORALES; § IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF
AND BERTA WALLE DE GARZA; §
Plaintiffs, §
VS. § TARRANT COUNTY,TEXAS
CITY OF FORT WORTH; §
Defendant. § 67Tn JUDICIAL DISTRICT
PLAINTIFF ARTEMIO GARZA-MORALES' COMPROMISE SETTLEMENT
AGREEMENT AND RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS
I.RECITALS
WHEREAS,Artemio Garza-Morales,Plaintiff in the above-entitled and numbered cause,
alleges that on or about August 28,2019, she received personal injuries in an automobile accident
when his vehicle collided with a City of Fort Worth vehicle;
WHEREAS,Plaintiff further alleges that the negligence of the City of Fort Worth("City"
or"Defendant"),by way of its employee Armando Reyna,proximately caused the above-described
accident;
WHEREAS, as a result of such accident, injuries and damages allegedly suffered by
Plaintiff, suit was filed against the City in the above-entitled and numbered cause,reference being
made to the pleadings on file in said cause for a more full and complete description of Plaintiff's
claims and cause of action;
WHEREAS,Plaintiff has offered to compromise and settle all claims and causes of action
of any kind which she may have against the City, its agents, employees, workers and
representatives,and all others connected with or in privity with the City,arising out of or connected
in any way with the above-described accident in consideration of payment by the City to Plaintiff
Artemio Garza-Morales, and his attorneys John C. Nohinek and Shelly Greco, of the Witherite
Law Group,PLLC,the sum of Two Hundred Ten Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($210,000.00)in
full and final settlement of all claims against the City, its agents, employees, workers or
representatives, arising out of Plaintiff s alleged injuries; and
WHEREAS,even though the City denies any liability of any kind on account of the alleged
incident made the subject of Plaintiff's suit, the City has agreed to the payment terms described
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above in compromise and settlement of the disputed claims and in order to avoid further time-
consuming and costly litigation.
II.TERMS
NOW,THEREFORE,in consideration of the recitals set forth above,the mutual promises
and agreements made herein,and other valuable consideration,the receipt and sufficiency of which
is acknowledged, the City and Plaintiff agree that:
1. Artemio Garza-Morales, Plaintiff herein, for and in consideration of payment by
the City to Plaintiff Artemio Garza-Morales, and his attorneys John C.Nohinek and Shelly Greco,
of the Witherite Law Group,PLLC, the sum of Two Hundred Ten Thousand and No/100 Dollars
($210,000.00) in full and final settlement of all claims against the City, its agents, employees,
workers or representatives,arising out of Plaintiff's alleged injuries,and the receipt and sufficiency
of such consideration being hereby acknowledged and confessed by Plaintiff,does for herself,his
representatives, successors and assigns,unconditionally release, acquit and forever discharge the
City of Fort Worth, and its agents, employees, workers and representatives, and all others
connected with or in privity with the City of Fort Worth, of and from any and all claims of every
kind,character or nature which said Plaintiff might assert by reason of the above described incident
together with all claims heretofore asserted in Cause No. 067-323889-21, in the Judicial District
Court,67th District Court,Tarrant County,Texas,including claims for physical pain and suffering
(past and future), medical expenses (past and future), physical impairment (past and future),
property damage, lost wages (past and future), loss of earning capacity(past and future) and any
other kind, character or nature of damage which could or might be the subject of a claim by his
arising from the incident herein above described.
2. In consideration of the respective payment described above, Plaintiff agrees to
indemnify and forever hold harmless and defend the City of Fort Worth,and all agents,employees,
workers and representatives of the City of Fort Worth, and all others connected with or in privity
with the City of Fort Worth, its heirs, representatives, successors and assigns, from any and all
claims or causes of action, including any costs or expenses in connection therewith, which may
hereafter be brought by Plaintiff, or by anyone on his behalf, arising out of the above-described
incident.
3. For the same consideration, Plaintiff declares and warrants that all medical,
hospital, and/or other expenses of any and every nature and character whatsoever incurred by his,
or on his behalf, or in any way pertaining to or arising out of the injury that allegedly occurred on
or about August 28, 2019, made the basis of this litigation, have been or will be paid or
compromised by Plaintiff, and Plaintiff hereby agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless
Defendant,City of Fort Worth and any other person,corporation,association,partnership,or entity
in privity with or connected with them,as well as any person,corporation,association,partnership,
or entity they are or may be required to defend,indemnify, or hold harmless from and against any
claims for medical,hospital, and/or other claims and expenses of any and every nature, including
but not limited to, claims which may hereafter be made under the authority of the Texas Hospital
Lien Law or any other state or federal statute,rule, or regulation.
Compromise Settlement Agreement And Release Of
All Claims—Artemio Garza-Morales—Cause No. 067-323889-21 Page 2
4. Taxes. The Parties will report,as maybe required bylaw,their respective payments
and receipt of the amounts described herein. Plaintiff and his attorneys acknowledge and agree
that: (1)the City and its counsel have made no representations to Plaintiff or his counsel regarding
the tax consequences of the payments made to his or to his attorneys under this Agreement; and
(2) Plaintiff and his attorneys are ultimately responsible for determining the taxability of any of
the payments made to Plaintiff and his attorneys in this Agreement,and for paying taxes (federal,
state,or otherwise),if any,which any taxing authority determines or claims are owed with respect
to such payments.
PLAINTIFF REPRESENTS THAT NONE OF THE MEDICAL BILLS OF
ARTEMIO GARZA-MORALES HAVE BEEN PAID BY MEDICARE OR BY ANY
OTHER GOVERNMENTAL OR QUASI-GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY. IF PLAINTIFF
IS MISTAKEN IN THIS REGARD AND MEDICARE OR SOME OTHER
GOVERNMENTAL OR QUASI-GOVERNMENTAL AGENCY HAS PAID ANY BILLS,
WHATSOEVER,PLAINTIFF WILL FULLY SATISFY ANY CLAIM EVER ASSERTED
BY MEDICARE OR OTHER GOVERNMENTAL OR QUASI-GOVERNMENTAL
AGENCY FOR REIMBURSEMENT AND WILL DEFEND, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD
HARMLESS THE CITY OF FORT WORTH AND ANY OTHER PERSON,
CORPORATION,ASSOCIATION,PARTNERSHIP OR ENTITY IN PRIVITY WITH OR
CONNECTED WITH IT AGAINST ANY SUCH CLAIM.
PLAINTIFF ALSO REPRESENTS THAT SHE WILL FULLY SATISFY ALL
LEGAL BILLS INCURRED BY HIM WITH ANY OTHER LAW FIRM OR ATTORNEY
WHO MAY BE OWED FEES RELATED TO THIS MATTER.
5. The release of claims contained herein is given with full knowledge of all parties
to the referenced suit that there is a dispute on the part of the City regarding whether or not it is
liable for any damages alleged in the above-entitled and numbered cause. It is also understood and
agreed that this settlement is in compromise of disputed claims and that the payment made
hereunder is not to be construed as an admission of liability on the part of the City of Fort Worth,
and, in fact, City denies liability for the above-described accident, if any, and intends, by this
settlement, merely to buy its peace,
6. Plaintiff agrees to dismiss the cause of action in the above-entitled and numbered
matter,with prejudice,and hereby authorizes and directs his attorneys,John C.Nohinek and Shelly
Greco, to prepare and file the appropriate Motion and Order of Dismissal, with prejudice, with
respect to Plaintiff's claims and causes of action in the above-entitled and numbered case against
the City. And, in this connection, Plaintiff and his attorneys agree to expeditiously provide any
information the Court may require, and/or to attend any hearings the Court may require, in
connection with the dismissal of said lawsuit.
7. It is understood and agreed that all taxable court costs will be paid by the party
incurring same.
8. This Compromise Settlement Agreement and Release of All Claims may be
executed in a number of identical counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original for all
Compromise Settlement Agreement And Release Of
All Claims—Artemio Garza-Morales—Cause No. 067-323889-21 Page 3
purposes.The Parties agree that this Agreement contains the entire agreement between the Parties
and supersedes any and all prior agreements, arrangements, or undertakings between the Parties
relating to the subject matter. No oral understandings, statements, promises, or inducements
contrary to the terms of this Agreement exist. This Agreement cannot be changed orally, and any
changes or amendments must be signed by all Parties affected by the change or amendment.
9. Plaintiff, Artemio Garza-Morales, represents and acknowledges that this
Compromise Settlement Agreement and Release of All Claims has been read in its entirety before
signing and that it has been fully explained,in detail,to each of them by his attorney and that it is
fully understood.
10. By his signature hereto, Artemio Garza-Morales, Plaintiff represents and declares
that she is more than eighteen(18)years of age and fully competent to enter into this Compromise
Settlement Agreement and Release of All Claims, that the representations, declarations and
agreements herein are accurate, binding, and are contractual in nature and that no representation
or agreement not herein expressed has been made to him as inducement to enter into this
Compromise Settlement Agreement and Release of All Claims.
11. It is understood and agreed that this Agreement shall be governed by and construed
and enforced in accordance with, and subject to, the laws of the State of Texas, to the extent not
preempted by federal law.
12. This Agreement is the product of arms-length negotiations between the Parties,and
no Party shall be deemed to be the drafter of any provision or the entire Agreement, The wording
in this Agreement was reviewed and accepted by all Parties after reasonable time to review with
legal counsel, and no Party shall be entitled to have any wording of this Agreement construed
against the other Party as the drafter of the Agreement in the event of any dispute in connection
with this Agreement.
This agreement should be effective as of the date the last party signature is affixed hereto
as indicated by the dates set forth below.
ARTEMIO GARZA-MORALES,Plaintiff
Date:
OFFICIAL RECORD
CITY SECRETARY
Compromise Settlement Agreement And Release Of FT. WORTH,TX
All Claims—Artemio Garza-Morales—Cause No.067-323889-21 age
STATE OF TEXAS §
COUNTY OF�'� §
BEFORE ME, the undersigned authority, on this day personally appeared ARTEMIO
GARZA-MORALES,known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing
instrument, and acknowledged to me that she executed the same as his free act and deed for
purposes and consideration therein expressed-
GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL OF OFFICE this day of
zozz.
Notary PiMc W1 and for the State of Texas
CATHERINE VICTORIA CHAVEZ
Notary Public,State of Texas
Comm.Expires 08 06-2022
Notary ID 131670896
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OFFICIAL RECC)R®
CI`V SECRETARY
I°T. WORTH, TX
Compromise Settlement Agreement And Release Of
All Claims—Artemio Garza-Morales—Cause No.067-323889-21 Page 5
APPROVED AS TO FO :
Date: 8-3-2022
JOHN NC; 1NEK
State Bar 00794379
John.NohinekQewlaw ey rs.com
SHELLY GRECO
State Bar No. 24008168
shelly.greco@Lwitlieritelaw.com
WITHHRITE LAW GROUP
901 W Vickery Blvd.,Suite 900
Fort Worth,TX 76104
817/263-4466
817/263-4477(fax)
ATTORNEYS FOR PLAINTIFF
CITY OF FORT WORTH:
APPROVED: n /
un.••l(.�[.--- Date: 8/l f zozz
Assistant City Manager
CITY OF FORT WORTH
APPROVED AS TO FORM: c V OR
8.17.22
lv % Date:
L M.Winter
Senior Assistant City Attom
r
ATTEST:
CC' Secretary x.a. Date: �1-712o ZZ
Contract Compliance Manager:
By signing I acknowledge that I am the person responsible for the monitoring and administration
of this contract,including ensuring all perfonnance and reporting requirements.
Date: 08/09/2022
u
Yolanda Fouche
OFFICIAL. RECORD
Compromise Settlement Agreement And Release Of CITY SECRETARY
All Claims—Artemio Garza-Morales—Cause No.067-323889-21 F�• ill/ Z�M TX