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Judge approves settlement for two minors in Gutierrez v. Trane Technologies
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Summary
The 201st District Court approved settlement agreements for two minor children injured in a 2021 car crash; the judge signed the final judgment as presented after testimony and recommendations from the guardian ad litem.
Judge Amy Clark Meacham approved settlement agreements in GND-21-4433, Nancy Gutierrez v. Trane Technologies, during a June 9, 2025 remote hearing and signed the final judgment as presented to the court.
The court approved the settlements after testimony from the minors’ guardian ad litem, Luke Dowd, who told the court the offers were “fair and reasonable” and described the medical care and fees. Parent Nancy Gutierrez answered questions through a licensed Spanish interpreter and confirmed she understood the settlement and that she was asking the court to approve it.
According to testimony on the record, Yannick Gutierrez’s total recovery was listed as $30,000 and, after attorney fees, his net recovery was stated to be $20,100. Yannick’s recovery was to be placed in a structured settlement through Pacific Life and paid in four payments of $7,258.94 beginning when he turns 18, the transcript shows. Mark Gutierrez’s settlement was listed as $20,000, with a net recovery after fees of $13,400; the transcript records a Pacific Life structured payout for him as well, with four payments of $3,826.38.
Luke Dowd testified that Yannick’s injury was a nondisplaced tibia fracture treated without surgery and that Mark had follow-up care but was doing well. Dowd also stated the guardian ad litem’s fee would be paid by the defense and not deducted from the minors’ shares.
After hearing testimony and reviewing the file, Judge Meacham said, “Having heard the testimony and reviewed the file in this matter, the court is going to approve this settlement agreement and sign off on the final judgment as presented to the court.” The court then excused the parties.
The file notes that final judgments and any confidential materials should be sent to the court’s 201.submission@traviscountytx.gov email address for processing.
