Lien waiver cases address the release of mechanic's lien rights. Texas courts distinguish between conditional and unconditional waivers and treat lien releases as covenants rather than conditions precedent to payment.
The cases below are organized by outcome and significance. Flagship cases represent the most-cited opinions that have shaped how lien waiver clauses are interpreted in Texas courts.
No-damages-for-delay clauses in construction contracts need not meet the conspicuousness requirement established in Dresser for exculpatory negligence clauses, and such clauses are enforceable to bar delay damages absent specific exceptions.
A standard merger clause without clear and unequivocal language expressly disclaiming reliance does not bar a fraud claim, even in a commercial lease agreement between parties.
Sovereign immunity bars subcontractors from enforcing equitable liens against the United States Government, as the APA's waiver of immunity does not extend to claims for money damages.
78 opinions sorted by most cited
| CASE | CITATION | OUTCOME | CITES |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green International, Inc. v. Solis Texas Supreme Court | 951 S.W.2d 384 (1997) | modified | 861 |
| Italian Cowboy Partners, Ltd. v. Prudential Insurance Co. of America Texas Supreme Court | 341 S.W.3d 323 (2011) | remanded | 639 |
| Department of the Army v. Blue Fox, Inc. Supreme Court of the United States | 142 L. Ed. 2d 718 (1999) | voided | 488 |
| Weize Co. v. Colorado Regional Construction, Inc. Colorado Court of Appeals | 251 P.3d 489 (2010) | affirmed | 386 |
| PPG Industries, Inc. v. JMB/Houston Centers Partners Ltd. Partnership Texas Supreme Court | 146 S.W.3d 79 (2004) | voided | 329 |
| Benchmark Bank v. Crowder Texas Supreme Court | 919 S.W.2d 657 (1996) | modified | 284 |
| Keck, Mahin & Cate v. National Union Fire Insurance Co. of Pittsburgh Texas Supreme Court | 20 S.W.3d 692 (2000) | remanded | 277 |
| Tesoro Petroleum Corp. v. Nabors Drilling USA, Inc. Texas Court of Appeals, 1st District (Houston) | 106 S.W.3d 118 (2003) | enforced | 267 |
| Cutting Underwater Technologies USA, Inc. v. Eni U.S. Operating Co. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit | 671 F.3d 512 (2012) | enforced | 238 |
| Transcontinental Gas Pipe Line Corporation v. Transportation Insurance Company Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit | 953 F.2d 985 (1992) | remanded | 199 |
| Ellington Credit Fund, Ltd. v. Select Portfolio Servicing, Inc. District Court, S.D. New York | 837 F. Supp. 2d 162 (2011) | voided | 179 |
| Zuver v. Airtouch Communications, Inc. Washington Supreme Court | 103 P.3d 753 (2004) | modified | 174 |
| Citizens National Bank v. Allen Rae Investments Inc. Court of Appeals of Texas | 142 S.W.3d 459 (2004) | modified | 165 |
| Shaw Constructors, Cross-Appellee v. Icf Kaiser Engineers, Inc., Pcs Nitrogen Fertilizer, L.P. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit | 395 F.3d 533 (2004) | modified | 160 |
| Solar Applications Engineering, Inc. v. T.A. Operating Corp. Texas Supreme Court | 327 S.W.3d 104 (2010) | remanded | 115 |
| Amerisure Insurance v. Navigators Insurance Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit | 611 F.3d 299 (2010) | remanded | 110 |
| Aetna Casualty And Surety Co. v. Aniero Concrete Co. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit | 404 F.3d 566 (2005) | enforced | 106 |
| Addicks Services, Inc. v. GGP-BRIDGELAND, LP Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit | 596 F.3d 286 (2010) | enforced | 103 |
| K & H Well Service, Inc. v. Tcina, Inc. Supreme Court of Oklahoma | 2002 OK 62 (2002) | modified | 97 |
| Norwest Mortgage, Inc. v. Salinas Texas Court of Appeals, 13th District | 999 S.W.2d 846 (1999) | enforced | 94 |