Houston Attorney Eric B. Dick Faces Second Major Sanction for Frivolous Lawsuits Against Insurer

Eric B. Dick, a well-known plaintiffs’ attorney in Houston, faces significant legal repercussions for the second time in recent months due to his litigation practices. Galveston County District Court Judge Kerry L. Neves recently ruled that Dick filed a groundless lawsuit against Standard Casualty Co. in bad faith, resulting in a summary judgment ordering Dick and the Dick Law Firm to reimburse the insurer over $100,000. This judgment follows a similar sanction of $137,000 in Harris County Civil Court against Dick for frivolous litigation against the same insurer.

The lawsuits, filed on behalf of plaintiffs alleging damages from Winter Storm Uri in 2021, lacked substantial evidence to support the claims. In both cases, Dick had named expert witnesses without formal retention or proper inspection of the alleged damage. One such expert, Ana Nguyen, a licensed public adjuster, testified that she was unaware of her designation in the Burns lawsuit and lacked sufficient information to support her opinions. The court noted Dick’s failure to present concrete evidence, indicating the lawsuits were frivolous and intended for harassment.

Steven Badger, a partner at the Zelle law firm who has defended insurers against other lawsuits filed by Dick, highlighted the problematic nature of Dick’s mass-lawsuit filing model in first-party claims. Dick’s approach, which does not adequately investigate and prove claims, contrasts with the requirements of substantiating policyholder attorney claims.

Aside from legal challenges, Dick is known for his controversial advertising tactics and political claims. He accused Judge LaShawn Williams of political bias in the sanctions from the Harris County case and has faced a civil penalty for campaign finance violations in his run for Harris County treasurer.

These sanctions against Dick underscore the legal and ethical responsibilities of attorneys in insurance litigation and reflect a growing intolerance for baseless lawsuits in the industry.