News Summary
A Houston jury has awarded John Branch $500,000 after he sustained injuries from a golf cart driven by a city official during a parade. The incident, which occurred in October 2018, resulted in significant medical complications for Branch. He initially sought $200,000, but the jury’s ruling reflects the importance of accountability in incidents involving city representatives. Branch plans to donate the remaining funds to his volunteer team, emphasizing the need for acknowledgment and justice.
Houston Jury Awards $500,000 to Man Injured by Golf Cart Driven by City Official
A Houston jury has awarded John Branch $500,000 following a lawsuit against the City of Houston stemming from injuries he sustained during a parade in October 2018. The incident involved a golf cart driven by former Houston City Council member Michael Kubosh, leading to significant medical repercussions for Branch.
Branch, who serves as the director of Precinct 1’s all-volunteer Community Emergency Response Team, claimed that his leg was run over by the golf cart, which he described as rolling “up my foot and up the bottom of my shin.” Witnesses from his team attempted to control the golf cart to prevent further injury at the time of the incident. Following the collision, Branch experienced complications related to a previously existing prosthetic knee, leading to several falls and one incident that required treatment for a head injury.
The golf cart incident occurred during the celebration of the 125th anniversary of Booker T. Washington High School, drawing in numerous community members. Despite on-site emergency medical services being present, Branch turned down medical attention, claiming that it was not offered to him directly at the time. Kubosh, on the other hand, maintained that Houston Fire Chief Sam Pena was the actual driver of the golf cart when the accident occurred.
In 2020, facing escalating medical bills, Branch filed a lawsuit against the City of Houston. Initially, the city sought to dismiss the case, claiming that Kubosh was not acting within the scope of his duties as a city employee during the incident. However, the Texas Supreme Court eventually ruled in favor of Branch, permitting the case to advance to a jury trial in Harris County.
The jury found unanimously in favor of Branch, awarding him $500,000, although he had initially requested only $200,000 in damages. Under Texas tort law, municipalities can limit their liability in personal injury claims to $250,000, meaning the City of Houston is only required to pay half of the jury’s award.
Branch expressed gratitude and emotional relief following the jury’s decision, emphasizing the importance of accountability for accidents. He noted that this case is more significant than mere financial compensation, highlighting a lack of acknowledgment or apology from the city after the incident. He recounted an uncomfortable moment where Kubosh allegedly held up a part of his prosthetic knee, which caused him additional emotional distress during a time that was already traumatic.
In a move that underscores his commitment to community service, Branch plans to donate the remaining funds from the jury award to the Community Emergency Response Team. Meanwhile, Kubosh has publicly denied any disrespect toward Branch and refuted claims of making racial slurs during the incident. Any such allegations were not included in this lawsuit and would necessitate separate legal action for resolution.
This jury verdict sends a strong message about accountability for city officials and the conduct observed during community events. As Branch prepares to use his award to further support his community endeavors, this case will likely linger in public conversation regarding the responsibilities of city representatives and the treatment of citizens during municipal activities.
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Additional Resources
- ABC13: Houston Man Wins $500K Verdict
- Click2Houston: Houston Man Awarded $500K
- Fox26Houston: Harris County Golf Cart Crash
- Wikipedia: Golf Cart
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Golf Cart
Author: STAFF HERE HOUSTON TX WRITER
HOUSTON STAFF WRITER The HOUSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHouston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Houston, Harris County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Art Car Parade, and Chevron Houston Marathon. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Houston Partnership and Houston Area Urban League, plus leading businesses in energy and healthcare that power the local economy such as ExxonMobil, Schlumberger, and Houston Methodist. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
