Coy Gillenwater v. Fort Brown Villas, III, Condominum Association, Inc., D/B/A Fort Brown Condoshares and LRI Management, Inc. ( 2007 )

NUMBER 13-06-00478-CV

COURT OF APPEALS

THIRTEENTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS

CORPUS CHRISTI - EDINBURG

COY GILLENWATER, Appellant,

v.

FORT BROWN VILLAS III,

CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, INC.,

D/B/A FORT BROWN CONDOSHARES

AND LRI MANAGEMENT, INC., Appellees.

On appeal from the 138th District Court of Cameron County, Texas.

MEMORANDUM OPINION ON MOTION FOR REHEARING ⁽¹⁾

Before Chief Justice Valdez and Justices Benavides and Vela Memorandum Opinion on Motion for Rehearing

by Chief Justice Valdez

Appellant, Coy Gillenwater sued Fort Brown Villas III Condominium Association, Inc., d/b/a Fort Brown Condoshares and LRI Management, Inc. ("Fort Brown"), appellees, alleging a premises liability claim. The trial court struck one of Gillenwater's expert witness's affidavits and granted Fort Brown a no-evidence summary judgment. Gillenwater asserts two issues complaining that the trial court erred (1) by not considering its expert's affidavit in the summary judgment proceeding, and (2) by granting Fort Brown a summary judgment because a genuine issue of material fact existed. We reverse and remand.

I. BACKGROUND Gillenwater rented a condominium at Fort Brown. The condominium complex's amenities included an on-site swimming pool, wooden deck, and lounge chairs. After swimming, Gillenwater sat on one of the chaise lounge chairs by the pool. As he sat down, the lounge chair broke and caught Gillenwater's right ring finger. Part of his ring finger was severed and fell between the wooden boards of the deck. The severed portion of Gillenwater's finger could not be attached to the rest of his finger. Gillenwater filed a premises liability suit.

The parties entered into an agreed scheduling order, which was amended by several written agreements. As amended, Gillenwater's deadline for the designation of expert witnesses was September 22, 2005; Fort Brown's deadline was November 18, 2005. The deadline for completing all discovery was March 6, 2006.

On February 10, 2006, Fort Brown filed a no-evidence motion for summary judgment asserting that Gillenwater had no evidence to support two elements of a premises liability claim. In its motion, Fort Brown argued that there was no evidence regarding (1) whether the chair's condition posed an unreasonable risk of harm, and (2) that Fort Brown knew or reasonably should have known of the danger.

Gillenwater responded to Fort Brown's motion on March 2, 2006. He argued that there was enough evidence to overcome a summary judgment. In addition to Gillenwater's response, several other documents were attached, including: (1) the deposition of Frank Collins, the manager at Fort Brown, (2) Gillenwater's deposition, and (3) the cirriculum vitae and affidavit of Paul Carper, a professional engineer. In his deposition, Collins acknowledged that Fort Brown employees were supposed to wash, wipe down, and inspect the lounge chairs six days a week because of the corrosive effect of the swimming pool's chlorine. Gillenwater's deposition testimony states that he did not notice the chairs were damaged the day of his injury, but he returned to inspect the chair afterwards and saw a broken "rung."

Carper reviewed photographs of the suspect chair, the depositions of Gillenwater and Collins, and photographs of Gillenwater demonstrating how he was positioned in the chair at the time of the injury. Carper noted that the chair contained tube framing that was welded together. He observed that four welded joints on the chair's side framing had failed. Carper opined that:

Since the weld was broken where Mr. Gillenwater's right hand was positioned, a significant pinch point and ragged edge was present about a hold hole that remained where a portion of the rectangular tubing had torn away at the weld interface. Significant movement between the seating surface and main frame of the chair was possible because of the four (4) failed side welds.

Carper concluded that Gillenwater's injury was caused by the movement of the chair's seating surface relative to the frame of the chair while his finger was positioned in the area of a broken weld.

Fort Brown filed written objections to Carper's affidavit. Fort Brown argued that Carper's affidavit should be stricken because it represented an untimely designation of an expert witness and contained conclusory statements. Gillenwater responded to Fort Brown's objections by reasoning that Carper's affidavit provided competent summary judgment evidence as recognized by this Court and other courts. A hearing on the summary judgment motion was held on March 9, 2006. On August 15, 2006, the trial court entered an order striking Carper's affidavit, granting Fort Brown's no-evidence motion for summary judgment, and rendering a take-nothing judgment. This appeal ensued.

II. DISCUSSIONA. Issue 1: Striking Carper's Affidavit

In his first issue, Gillenwater argues that the trial court erred in striking the affidavit of his expert witness, Carper. The trial court's decision to strike Carper's affidavit is governed by an abuse of discretion standard. See Alvarado v. Farah Mfg. Co., 830 S.W.2d 911, 914 (Tex. 1992). The test is whether the trial court acted without reference to any guiding principles. Mack v. Suzuki Motor Corp., 6 S.W.3d 732, 733 (Tex. App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 1999, no pet.).

In the instant case, Fort Brown's basis for striking Carper's affidavit was that it represented an untimely designation of an expert witness and that Carper's statements were conclusory. We have already held that the rules regarding discovery supplementation do not apply to the comprehensive framework of summary judgment proceedings. Alaniz v. Hoyt, 105 S.W.3d 330, 340 (Tex. App.-Corpus Christi 2003, no pet.); Gandara v. Novasad, 752 S.W.2d 740, 743 (Tex. App.-Corpus Christi 1988, no writ). The trial court, therefore, could not have struck Carper's affidavit based upon Fort Brown's timely designation argument.

We next consider whether Carper's affidavit was conclusory. "A conclusory statement "is one that does not provide the underlying facts to support the conclusion." See Rizkallah v. Conner, 952 S.W.2d 580, 587 (Tex. App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 1997, no writ) (citing Ryland Group, Inc. v. Hood, 924 S.W.2d 120, 122 (Tex. 1996) (per curiam)); see AMS Constr. Co. v. Warm Springs Rehab. Found., 94 S.W.3d 152, 157 (Tex. App.- Corpus Christi 2002, no pet.). Fort Brown objected to the following statements as being conclusory:

(1) Mr. Gillenwater's finger injury was caused by the movement of the chair seating surface relative to the frame of the chair while his finger was positioned in the area of the broken weld;

* * *

(3) The two broken welds on each side of the chair frame were easily visible; the defendants either knew or should have known of the dangerous condition of the chair.

The two statements that Fort Brown asserts are conclusory are supported the following factual statements found in Carper's affidavit:

The weight of a person sitting on the seat of the chair would create a downward force on the seat webbing frame and round tubing relative to the sides of the chair frame. Since the weld was broken where Mr. Gillenwater's right hand was positioned, a significant pinch point and ragged edge was present about a hold that remained where a portion of the rectangular tubing had torn away at the weld interface. Significant movement between the seating surface and main frame of the chair was possible because of the four (4) failed side welds. A chair in good condition would not have movement in the area where Mr. Gillenwater had his hand positioned at the time of the injury.

Additionally, Carper stated that the chair had a fifth weld that had failed and that this weld was "visible from beneath the chair." The statements that Fort Brown finds objectionable are supported by Carper's scientific observations. We hold that they are not conculsory and, therefore, that the trial court should not have struck Carper's affidavit. Gillenwater's first issue is sustained.

B. Issue 2: The No-Evidence Summary Judgment

By his second issue, Gillenwater contends that the trial court erred in granting Fort Brown's no-evidence motion for summary judgment because a genuine issue of material fact existed.

In reviewing a no-evidence summary judgment, we ascertain whether the nonmovant produced summary judgment evidence of such probative force as to raise a genuine issue of fact as to the essential elements attacked in the no-evidence motion. Johnson v. Brewer & Pritchard, P.C., 73 S.W.3d 193, 206-08 (Tex. 2002). A no-evidence summary judgment is improperly granted when the respondent brings forth more than a scintilla of probative evidence raising a genuine issue of material fact. King Ranch, Inc. v. Chapman, 118 S.W.3d 742, 751 (Tex. 2003). The evidence amounts to more than a mere scintilla when it "rises to a level that would enable reasonable and fair-minded people to differ in their conclusions." Merrell Dow Pharms., Inc. v. Havner, 953 S.W.2d 706, 711 (Tex. 1997). When reviewing a no-evidence motion for summary judgment, we review the evidence in the light most favorable to the respondent against whom the no-evidence summary judgment was rendered, disregarding all contrary evidence and inferences if reasonable jurors could. City of Keller v. Wilson, 168 S.W.3d 802, 823 (Tex. 2005). When, as here, the trial court's order does not specify the grounds upon which it relied, we must affirm if any ground is meritorious. FM Props. Operating Co. v. City of Austin, 22 S.W.3d 868, 872 (Tex. 2000).

The elements of a premises liability claim are: (1) actual or constructive knowledge of some condition on the premises by the owner/operator; (2) the condition posed an unreasonable risk of harm; (3) the owner/operator did not exercise reasonable care to eliminate or reduce the risk; and (4) the owner/operator's failure to use such care proximately caused the plaintiff's injuries. Keetch v. Kroger Co., 845 S.W.2d 262, 264 (Tex. 1992). Fort Brown's no-evidence summary judgment motion contends that Gillenwater failed to present any evidence of the first two elements of a premises liability claim. We disagree.

There is some evidence that Fort Brown had actual or constructive knowledge of the lounge chairs's condition. Collins stated in deposition testimony that Fort Brown employees were supposed to wash, wipe down, and inspect the lounge chairs six days a week. Carper's affidavit averred that the fifth failed weld was visible from beneath the chair. Fort Brown employees, therefore, could have seen the broken weld during one of the routine inspections. Furthermore, Carper's affidavit, when viewed in the light most favorable to Gillenwater, amounts to some evidence that the chair posed an unreasonable risk of harm. Carper stated that the chair that injured Gillenwater had movement that a chair in good condition would not have had and that the chair had a "significant pinch point and ragged edge."

We find that a fact issue exists concerning the first two elements of a premises liability claim. We hold that the trial court erred in granting Fort Brown's no-evidence motion for summary judgment. Gillenwater's second issue is sustained.

C. Response to the Dissent

The dissent contends that the discovery rules apply to summary judgment proceedings and that there is a conflict in our court's jurisprudence. The dissent premises its argument on the fact that we now have ascertainable discovery deadlines and that ascertainable deadlines give courts license to impose discovery sanctions on summary judgment evidence. The dissent makes textual and policy arguments for why discovery sanctions should apply to summary judgment proceedings. See Tex. R. Civ. P. 193.6. We believe both of the dissent's arguments are flawed and that there is no conflict within this court on how we review summary judgments.

First, the dissent inordinately believes that the term "discovery" as used in the summary judgment rule means "discovery sanctions." We, on the other hand, prefer to plainly read the rule. The dissent's textual argument is that the no-evidence summary judgment rule is linked to the discovery rules - and its sanctions - because it begins with the phrase "[a]fter adequate time for discovery . . . ." Gillenwater, No. 13-06-478-CV, 2007 Tex. App. LEXIS ________ *__ (Tex. App.-Corpus Christi Nov. 1, 2007, no pet. h.) (J. Vela dissenting) (citing Tex. R. Civ. P. 166a(i)). The dissent also points to the 1997 comment to the summary judgment rule as a justification for its position. It, in part, reads:

A discovery period set by pretrial order should be adequate opportunity for discovery unless there is a showing to the contrary, and ordinarily a motion under paragraph (i) would be permitted after the period but not before.

Tex. R. Civ. P. 166a, cmt. 1997. Both of the dissent's citations speak to the timing of a motion for summary judgment, not to the incorporation of discovery sanctions. Contrary to the dissent's apparent belief, the summary judgment rule is whole on its own. It contains expert testimony guidelines, timing deadlines, and bad faith punishments. See Id. 166a(c), (d) & (h). Should the supreme court have chosen to incorporate discovery sanctions into the summary judgment rule, it could have done so just as clearly as the rule's other provisions.

Second, the dissent's policy argument is that the summary judgment rule and discovery rules are "[b]oth procedural rules meant to expeditiously dispose of cases" and should be read in conjunction. Gillenwater, No. 13-06-478-CV, 2007 Tex. App. LEXIS ________ *__ (Tex. App.-Corpus Christi Nov. 1, 2007, no pet. h.) (J. Vela dissenting). This argument begs the question, "Which procedural rules are designed to delay the disposition of cases?" By the dissent's loose logic any two statutes or rules could be grafted together to satisfy any end in the name of expeditious justice. The dissent's sophistry is exactly why we do not change procedural rules through the common law. See generally, State Dep't of Highways & Public Transp. v. Payne, 838 S.W.2d 235, 241 (Tex. 1992) (discussing the procedural rules governing jury charges and cautioning that rules changes must await completion of a rule drafting process rather than revision by common law).

The real issue before us is whether the trial court erred in striking the plaintiff's affidavit from the summary judgment record. We have held that the affidavit was improperly struck because the rules regarding discovery supplementation do not apply to the comprehensive framework of summary judgment proceedings. The dissent chooses to recast the issue into whether the affidavit's author would ultimately be able to testify at trial. It would judicially graft a new rule into the summary judgment scheme merely because the summary judgment rule mentions the word "discovery," and applying discovery sanctions to summary judgment proceedings is an easy way to usher cases out of the courthouse door. We will not change our review of summary judgments without a compelling reason, and the dissent has not offered one. See John v. Fuselier, 83 S.W.3d 892 (Tex. App.-Texarkana 2002, no pet.) (criticizing a holding similar to the dissent's position as a change in reviewing summary judgments without a compelling reason).

The dissent also accuses us of creating a conflict within our own court's case law. It argues that dicta in Soto v. Drefke, No. 13-03-301-CV, 2005 Tex. App. LEXIS 1831, *7 n.9 (Tex. App.-Corpus Christi Mar. 2005, pet. denied) (mem. op., not designated for publication), conflicts with this court's decision in Alaniz. The two cases are distinct because they deal with different issues. The central issue in Soto was whether the trial court abused its discretion in not granting a continuance. Id. at *8. The central issue in this case is the trial court's discretion in striking an affidavit offered by the nonmovant. Because Soto and Alaniz resolve different issues, we do not see a conflict.

III. CONCLUSION

The judgment of the trial court is reversed and the case is remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. Tex. R. App. P. 43.2(d).  

   _______________________

ROGELIO VALDEZ,

Chief Justice

Memorandum Opinion on Motion for Rehearing

delivered and filed this the 1st day of November, 2007.

Dissenting Memorandum Opinion on Motion for Rehearing

by Justice Rose Vela.

1. We overrule appellees' motion for rehearing, withdraw our memorandum opinion and judgment issued on August 31, 2007, and issue this memorandum opinion in its place.