Attorney’s Fees and Section 38.001 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedy Code–Fort Worth, Texas Contracts Law Attorneys

Even in the absence of entitlement to attorneys’ fees under the contract, a party in a Texas case can still recover attorneys’ fees as a prevailing party under the Texas Civil Practice and Remedy Code.

Section 38.001 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedy Code provides that a person may recover reasonable attorney’s fees, in addition to the amount of a valid claim and costs, if the claim is for rendered services, performed labor, furnished materials, a suit on a sworn account or . . . an oral or written contract.” Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code  38.001. It is significant that the claim must be a valid one.

A party must (1) prevail on a cause of action for which attorney’s fees are recoverable, and (2) recover damages. Green Int’l, Inc. v. Solis, 951 S.W.2d 384, 390 (Tex. 1997).

The claimant must present the claim to the opposing party or to a duly authorized agent of the opposing party and payment for the just amount owed must not have been tendered before the expiration of the 30th day after the claim is presented. See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. 38.002.

The prevailing party is the one “vindicated” by the judgment rendered. See Taylor Elec. Servs., Inc. v. Armstrong Elec. Supply Co., 167 S.W.3d 522, 532 (Tex. App.-Fort Worth 2005, no pet.). In determining the prevailing party, the focus is on the successful party on the merits of the case. Id. A party can be the prevailing party and thus entitled to attorney’s fees even where the amount recovered is offset by an amount awarded to the opposing party. Id. at 533 (citing Blizzard v. Nationwide Mut. Fire Ins. Co., 756 S.W.2d 801, 806 (Tex. App.-Dallas 1988, no writ)).

Williams, McClure & Parmelee is dedicated to high quality legal representation of businesses and insurance companies in a variety of matters. We are experienced Texas civil litigation attorneys based in Fort Worth who know Texas courts and Texas law. For more information, please contact the law firm at 817-335-8800. The firm’s new office location is 5601 Bridge Street, Suite 300, Fort Worth, Texas 76112.

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