Ferguson v. Bldg. Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642 (Tex. 2009). · Go Syfert
Ferguson v. Bldg. Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642 (Tex. 2009). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
249 citation events (249 in the last 25 years) across 6 distinct courts.
Treatment trajectory · 2009 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
2009 2017 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 50 distinct citers. How cited ↗
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) In RE the Complaint and Petition of Callan Marine, Ltd.
S.D. Tex. · 2023 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
judicial estoppel precludes a party who successfully maintains a position in one proceeding from afterwards adopting a clearly inconsistent position in another proceeding to obtain an unfair advantage.
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) In RE MARIA TERESA RAMIREZ MORRIS, AND TEXAS ALLIANCE FOR LIFE, INC. v. the State of Texas
Tex. · 2023 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
judicial estoppel precludes a party who successfully maintains a position in one proceeding from afterwards adopting a clearly inconsistent position in another proceeding to obtain an unfair advantage.
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) McGraw Minerals, Ltd. v. County of Jasper, Texas
Tex. App. · 2015 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
judicial estoppel precludes a party who successfully maintains a position in one proceeding from afterwards adopting a clearly inconsistent position in another proceeding to obtain an unfair advantage.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Brian Schulz v. Progressive Insurance
txctapp1 · 2026 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 644 (Tex. 2009); Valence Operating Co. v. Dorsett, 164 S.W.3d 656, 661 (Tex. 2005).
cited Cited as authority (rule) In the Interest of M.L. and E.L., Children v. the State of Texas
txctapp11 · 2026 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 643 (Tex. 2009).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Rolling Oaks Mall LLC v. Bexar Appraisal District
txctapp4 · 2026 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 643 (Tex. 2009) (per curiam) (“[A] party cannot be 3 We additionally note that it was the District, not the Mall, that sought alternative abstention relief in its motion to dismiss the Mall’s section 505 proceeding. - 10 - 04-25-00241-CV judicially estopped if it did not prevail in the prior action.”).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In the Interest C.S. Jr. and Z.S., Children v. the State of Texas
Tex. App. · 2024 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 643 (Tex. 2009) (discussing the doctrine of judicial estoppel)). 5 Permitting Appellant notes that the court in J.S. declined to decide whether a parent who opposes an extension 5 must object before the automatic dismissal date passes.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Michael Boucher v. Warrior Crane Service, LLC
Tex. App. · 2024 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 643 (Tex. 2009) (citing Pleasant Glade Assembly of God v. Schubert, 264 S.W.3d 1, 6 (Tex. 2008)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Eno Williams v. US Bank National Association, Successor Trustee to Bank of America, N.A., as Trustee, for Merrill Lynch
Tex. App. · 2024 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 644 (Tex. 2009).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) George Fleming and Fleming & Associates, L.L.P. v. Rebecca Wilson (2×)
Tex. · 2024 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 643 (Tex. 2009).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Kevin Andrus v. Vestas-American Wind Technology, Inc. and SEA.O.G., LLC
Tex. App. · 2024 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 644 (Tex. 2009) (per curiam); Wyly v. Integrity Ins.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Stephen Paine, Janna McCarter Paine as Trustee for Stephen B. Paine Family Trust, Stephen Bartlett Paine, Jr., William Edward Paine, Leanne Patricia Paine v. James M. Golden, Automated Cash, Inc. and Automated ATM Service Corporation
Tex. App. · 2023 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 643 (Tex. 2009); see also Tenneco Chem. v. William T.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Sola Energy Sources, LLC v. Silverbow Resources Operating, LLC
Tex. App. · 2023 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 644 (Tex. 8 2009) (per curiam).
examined Cited as authority (rule) In the Interest of B.Y.B., C.L.B., D.R.B., G.G.B. Jr., and W.R.B. v. the State of Texas (3×) also: Cited "see"
Tex. App. · 2023 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 643 (Tex. 2009) (citing Pleasant Glade Assembly of God v. Schubert, 264 S.W.3d 1, 6 (Tex. 2008)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Joe Alfred Izen Junior v. Move-It Self Storage, LP
Tex. App. · 2023 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 644 (Tex. 2009).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Ya Qin Tong and Stephen Chu v. Nationstar Mortgage LLC
Tex. App. · 2023 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 643 (Tex. 2009)); see Pleasant Glade Assembly of God v. Schubert, 264 S.W.3d 1, 6 (Tex. 2008) (stating judicial estoppel precludes a party from adopting a position in consistent with one it maintained successfully in an earlier proceeding). 16 Because judicial estoppel is an equitable doctrine, the trial court has discretion whether to invoke it, and we review the trial court’s decision to do so for abuse of that discretion.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Virendra Patel, Premier West Hospitality Corp., Zeal Hotels Group LLC, the Colony Hospitality Corp., and Huntley Construction, Llc v. Nations Renovations, Llc
Tex. · 2023 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 643 (Tex. 2009).
cited Cited as authority (rule) City of Houston v. Ruben Rodriguez and Frederick Okon
Tex. App. · 2022 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 644 (Tex. 2009) (per curiam).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Claudia Lopez v. HEB Grocery Company, LP
Tex. App. · 2021 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 644 (Tex. 2009) (per curiam).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Harold Miller v. Conformis, Inc. and Joseph Berman
Tex. App. · 2020 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 643 (Tex. 2009) (per curiam).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Roy Jordan, Jr. v. CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC
Tex. App. · 2019 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 644 (Tex. 2009) (per curiam).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Bruce W. Daniels v. Enrique R. Cortez and Venessa Cortez
Tex. App. · 2019 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 644 (Tex. 2009) (per curiam) (citing Tex. Mun.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Linda Castro and Manuel Castro v. H.E.B. Grocery Company, L.P., D/B/A HEB
Tex. App. · 2019 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 644 (Tex. 2009) (per curiam).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Toll Dallas TX, LLC F/K/A Toll TX, LP v. Brent Dusing and Edith Dusing
Tex. App. · 2019 · confidence medium
Ferguson v. Building Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 643 (Tex. 2009).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Harris County Hospital District// Cross-Appellants,Public Utility Commission of Texas and Southwestern Bell Telephone Company D/B/A AT&T Texas v. Public Utility Commission of Texas and Southwestern Bell Telephone Company D/B/A AT&T Texas// Cross-Appellee, Harris County Hospital District
Tex. App. · 2019 · confidence medium
Thus, even assuming any inconsistency between that omitted statement and the assertions made here, “[t]he doctrine of judicial estoppel simply does not apply under these circumstances.” Ferguson v. Building Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 644 (Tex. 2009) (explaining that the doctrine is intended “to prevent parties from playing fast and loose with the judicial system”); Spartan Tex. Six Capital Partners, Ltd. v. Perryman, 494 S.W.3d 735, 749 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2016, pet. granted) (“[C]ourts should determine if applying judicial estoppel is appropriate in light …
cited Cited as authority (rule) Michael Lee Wyrick A/K/A Mike Wyrick and Gregory Michael Ruhnke A/K/A Greg Ruhnke v. Business Bank of Texas, N. A.
Tex. App. · 2019 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 644 (Tex. 2009) (per curiam).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Bettie Hankins v. TimePayment Corp.
Tex. App. · 2019 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 644 (Tex. 2009) (per curiam).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Fort Bend County v. Melissa Ann Norsworthy
Tex. App. · 2019 · confidence medium
Materials Corp, 295 S.W.3d 642, 644 (Tex. 2009) (per curiam); Wyly v. Integrity Ins.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Hugo Bustamante, Jr. v. Miranda & Maldonado, P. C., Carlos A. Miranda, III, Gabriel Perez and Carlos Maldonado
Tex. App. · 2019 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642 12 (Tex. 2009).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) David Sloan Federal Public Defender's Office, Lubbock, Texas Greg Abbott, Governor of the State of Texas Ken Paxton, Attorney General of the State of Texas Steven C. McCraw, Director, Texas Department of Public Safety Sheriff Cliff Harris, Pecos County Pecos County Sheriff's Department v. John Alan Conroy
Tex. App. · 2019 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 643 (Tex. 2009) (stating that a litigant is estopped from taking inconsistent positions to obtain an unfair advantage). 4 Compliance with the PIA constitutes a ministerial act.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Banta Oilfield Services, Inc. v. Mewbourne Oil Company (2×) also: Cited "see"
Tex. App. · 2018 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 643 (Tex. 2009) (per curiam) (citing Pleasant Glade Assembly of God v. Schubert, 264 S.W.3d 1, 6 (Tex. 2008)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Spring Branch Wildlife Preserve v. the Dow Chemical Company
Tex. App. · 2018 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 644 (Tex. 2009) (per curiam); Wyly v. Integrity Ins.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Fabian Scott Butler v. City of Big Spring
Tex. App. · 2018 · confidence medium
Ferguson v. Building Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 643 (Tex. 2009).
cited Cited as authority (rule) in the Matter of the Marriage of Sherrie Lehman and Douglas Lehman
Tex. App. · 2018 · confidence medium
Ferguson v. Bldg. 2 Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 644 (Tex. 2009) (per curiam); Wyly v. Integrity Ins.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) SVT, L.L.C. and Robert C. Orr v. Seaside Village Townhome Association, Inc. (2×)
Tex. App. · 2018 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 644 (Tex. 2009) (per curiam) (citing Tex. Mun.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Michael Bracken and Laura Bracken v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
Tex. App. · 2018 · confidence medium
Ferguson v. Building Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 643 (Tex. 2009).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Beatrice Zarate v. Aric Rodriguez Dba Mid-Town Realty
Tex. App. · 2017 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 644 (Tex. 2009) (per curiam).
cited Cited as authority (rule) James Rutherford v. 6353 Joint Venture
Tex. App. · 2017 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 644 (Tex. 2009) (per curiam) (citing Tex. Mun.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) BP Automotive LP v. RML Waxahachie Dodge, LLC (2×) also: Cited "see"
Tex. App. · 2017 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 643 (Tex. 2009) (per curiam) (citing Pleasant Glade As sembly of God v. Schubert, 264 S.W.3d 1, 6 (Tex. 2008)); see New Hampshire, 532 U.S. at 749-51 , 121 S.Ct. 1808 .
cited Cited as authority (rule) Gusma Properties, L.P. v. Travelers Lloyds Insurance Co.
Tex. App. · 2016 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am,., 295 S.W.3d 642, 644 (Tex. 2009).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Woods MFI, LLC and John S. Woods v. Plains Capital Bank
Tex. App. · 2016 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 644 (Tex. 2009).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Wyly v. Integrity Insurance Solutions
Tex. App. · 2016 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 644 (Tex. 2009).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) John Thomas Aiken v. Angelique S. Naylor (2×) also: Cited "see"
Tex. App. · 2016 · confidence medium
Ferguson v. Buildings Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 643 (Tex. 2009).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Steven Webb, D/B/A Leander Trux-N-Karz v. Glenco Upshaw
Tex. App. · 2016 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 644 (Tex. 2009) (per curiam).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Lone Star Engine Installation Center, Inc. and Rafael Sanchez v. Brenda Gonzales and Gonzalo Gonzales (2×)
Tex. App. · 2016 · confidence medium
It prevents parties from “playing 6 See also Ferguson v. Building Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 644 (Tex. 2009) (per curiam) (applying summary judgment standard of review under state law to issue of whether plaintiffs were judicially estopped from asserting personal injury claims against defendant based on failure to timely disclose claims in bankruptcy proceeding); Norris, 362 S.W.3d at 229 (same). 7 The outcome of this case would be the same applying the federal standard of review.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Spartan Texas Six Capital Partners, Ltd. v. Perryman
Tex. App. · 2016 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 644 (Tex.2009).
cited Cited as authority (rule) in the Interest of D.L.W., a Child
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 643 (Tex. 2009).
cited Cited as authority (rule) RBC Capital Markets, LLC v. Highland Capital Management, L.P.
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
Materials Corp. of Am., 295 S.W.3d 642, 643 (Tex. 2009); Pleasant Glade Assembly of God, –12– 264 S.W.3d at 6 .
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
Jason FERGUSON and Bobbie Ferguson, Petitioners,
v.
BUILDING MATERIALS CORPORATION OF AMERICA, CPC Logistics, Inc., and Robert James Maddox, Respondents
08-0589.
Texas Supreme Court.
Jul 3, 2009.
295 S.W.3d 642
Kirk L. Pittard, F. Leighton Durham III, Durham & Pittard, LLP, Kimberly A. Stovall, Kimberly A. Stovall & Associates, Dallas, TX, for Petitioner., Greg K. Winslett, Richard Lee Smith, Matthew Joseph Kita, Quilling, Selander, Cummiskey & Lownds, P.C., Dallas, TX, J. Phillip Griffis, Barlow, Jones & Brust, Houston, TX, for Respondent., St. Clair Newbern, Law Office of St. Clair Newbern, Fort Worth, TX, for Ami-cus Curiae.
Per Curiam.
Cited by 177 opinions  |  Published
PER CURIAM.

At issue in this appeal is whether the plaintiffs in a personal injury suit should be estopped from pursuing their claim because they initially omitted it as a listed asset in a pending bankruptcy. The court of appeals, in a divided opinion, concluded that the doctrine of judicial estoppel should apply and affirmed the trial court’s dismissal of the plaintiffs’ personal injury claim. 276 S.W.3d 45. The court of appeals reasoned that the doctrine applied because of the plaintiffs failure to add the personal injury claim as an asset in their bankruptcy proceeding before the personal-injury defendant pointed out the omission and moved for dismissal. Because we disagree that the doctrine is invoked under the circumstances of this case, we reverse and remand the personal injury claim to the trial court.

Jason Ferguson and his wife sued Building Materials Corporations of America and others for injuries Ferguson suffered when an eighteen-wheeler crashed into a building, which collapsed on him. A few months after filing the personal injury suit against Building Materials, the Fergusons filed for bankruptcy, which required them to disclose their income, assets, and liabilities to the bankruptcy court, the bankruptcy trustee, and their creditors. See 11 U.S.C. § 521(a)(1)(A) & (B)(i),(ii),(iii). To comply with these disclosures, the Fergu-sons completed several forms, including a Statement of Financial Affairs and a Schedule of Personal Property. The Fer-gusons disclosed the pending lawsuit in the Statement of Financial Affairs, providing the caption and style of the suit, nature of the claim, cause number, and the court in which it had been filed. The Fergusons, however, failed to include it on their Schedule of Personal Property.

The Fergusons also participated in a creditors meeting at which they again disclosed the pending personal injury suit to the bankruptcy trustee. See 11 U.S.C. § 341(c). The trustee acknowledged the existence of the pending litigation in his report, which was given to the bankruptcy court and creditors. None of the creditors objected to the final bankruptcy plan that failed to include the lawsuit as an asset.

Within weeks of the plan’s approval, Building Materials, the defendant in the personal injury lawsuit, filed a motion for summary judgment, claiming the personal injury action was barred on the basis of judicial estoppel. The trial court granted the motion, and a divided court of appeals affirmed, reasoning that the Fergusons were judicially estopped from pursuing the personal injury lawsuit. 276 S.W.3d at 49-52.

Judicial estoppel precludes a party who successfully maintains a position in one proceeding from afterwards adopting a clearly inconsistent position in another proceeding to obtain an unfair advantage. Pleasant Glade Assembly of God v. Schubert, 264 S.W.3d 1, 6 (Tex.2008). Accordingly, a party cannot be judicially estopped if it did not prevail in the prior action. See Long v. Knox, 155 Tex. 581, 291 S.W.2d 292, 295 (1956). The doctrine is not intended to punish inadvertent omissions or inconsistencies but rather to prevent parties from playing fast and loose with the judicial system for their own benefit. Pleasant Glade Assembly of God, 264 S.W.3d at 7.

The Fergusons have neither taken a clearly inconsistent position nor gained an unfair advantage in their bankruptcy proceeding. As the dissenting justice in the court of appeals noted, the Fergusons[*644] never attempted to conceal the existence of the personal injury suit. 276 S.W.3d at 54. Rather, the Fergusons listed it on their Statement of Financial Affairs and also disclosed it to the trustee at the creditors meeting, at which time they acknowledged the suit and directed the trustee to contact plaintiffs’ counsel if the trustee needed additional information. And, although the Fergusons omitted it from the bankruptcy plan initially confirmed by the court, when the omission was called to their attention, they amended their bankruptcy plan to include its value and agreed to recalculate the amount owed to the creditors. Thus, even assuming the existence of an inconsistent position, the Fer-gusons have gained no advantage and more importantly, neither Building Materials in the pending personal injury suit nor the creditors in the bankruptcy have suffered any disadvantage. The doctrine of judicial estoppel simply does not apply under these circumstances. See Pleasant Glade Assembly of God, 264 S.W.3d at 6-8.

We review a grant of summary judgment de novo. Tex. Mun. Power Agency v. Pub. Util. Comm’n of Tex., 253 S.W.3d 184, 192 (Tex.2007). Because the Fergusons have taken neither a clearly inconsistent position nor obtained an unfair advantage, the court of appeals erred in affirming the dismissal of their personal injury claim under the doctrine of judicial estoppel. We accordingly grant the petition for review and, without hearing oral argument, reverse the court of appeals’ judgment and remand the case to the trial court for further proceedings. See Tex. R.App. P. 59.1.