Maria E. Villarreal v. Valley Grande Manor, et al., Cause No. 2008-11-5995-C, in the 197th Judicial District Court of Cameron County, Texas, Judge Migdalia Lopez presiding.

Partner Lecia L. Chaney was one of two attorneys who defended Valley Grande Manor in this case alleging wrongful termination due to retaliation under Texas Health and Safety Code §242.133. Plaintiff claimed that she was terminated for cooperating with a state investigation of Defendant's nursing home. She sued for actual damages, punitive damages, and attorneys’ fees as provided by this statute. Valley Grande Manor claimed that Plaintiff was not terminated for cooperating with the investigation but for providing false information to a state agency. Plaintiff denied that what she told the investigator was false. Because Plaintiff was terminated within 60 days of the investigation, the statute provided that a rebuttable presumption that retaliation occurred existed, which Defendants were required to overcome. Trial began on June 13, 2010, and concluded on June 17, 2010. Plaintiff requested the jury assess damages totaling $650,000.00. The jury found that no retaliation occurred.