Beverly Scott, Gwendolyn Carpenter, Derrick Scott and Sammie Scott v. Dr. Robin Lynn Armstrong, Curtis J. Bickers and Vujasinovic & Beckcom PLLC ( 2015 )

ACCEPTED
01-14-00319-CV
FIRST COURT OF APPEALS
HOUSTON, TEXAS
3/16/2015 1:47:49 PM
CHRISTOPHER PRINE
CLERK
NO. 01-14-00319-CV
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FILED IN
1st COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE HOUSTON, TEXAS
FIRST DISTRICT OF TEXAS 3/16/2015 1:47:49 PM
AT HOUSTON CHRISTOPHER A. PRINE
_____________________________________ Clerk
BEVERLY SCOTT, ET AL
Appellants
v.
ROBIN LYNN ARMSTRONG, M.D., CURTIS J. BICKERS AND
VUJASINOVIC & BECKCOM PLLC,
Appellees
________________________________________________________
On Appeal from the 234th Judicial District Court
Harris County, Texas
Trial Court Cause No. 2012-33615
________________________________________________________
APPELLEE, ROBIN LYNN ARMSTRONG, M.D.’S,
RESPONSE TO APPELLANTS’ AMENDED BRIEF
________________________________________________________
SMITH ADAMS LAW FEEHAN LLP
Richard M. Law
State Bar No. 12004500
Richard@SmithAdamsLaw.com
Rainy DeMoss Gibbs
State Bar No. 24028292
Rainy@SmithAdamsLaw.com
1415 Louisiana Street, Suite 3800
Houston, Texas 77002-7360
Telephone: (713) 652-3200
Facsimile: (713) 652-6000
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
ROBIN ARMSTRONG, M.D.
IDENTITIES OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL
PRO SE APPELLANTS:
Beverly Scott, Clara Scott, Sharon Scott, James Scott, Sammie Scott,
Derrick Scott, Alfred Scott, Sandra Scott, Gwendolyn Carpenter,
Emma Bell, Carolyn Scott, Michael Scott, Doris Scott, Individually and
as Next Friend of Eula Mae Scott, Deceased
c/o Gwendolyn Carpenter
3271 South Shaver #10102
Pasadena, Texas 77504
APPELLEES:
Robin Armstrong, M.D.
Counsel for Appellee, Robin Armstrong, M.D.:
Richard M. Law
Rainy DeMoss Gibbs
SMITH ADAMS LAW FEEHAN LLP
1415 Louisiana, Suite 3800
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 652-3200
(713) 652-6000 (Fax)
Curtis J. Bickers and Vujasinovic & Beckcom PLLC
Counsel for Appellee Curtis J. Bickers and Vujasinovic & Beckcom
PLLC:
Brian Beckom
Curtis J. Bickers
VUJASINOVIC & BECKOM, PLLC
1001 Texas Avenue, Suite 1020
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 224-7800
(713) 224-7801 (Fax)
TRIAL JUDGE:
Honorable Wesley Ward
234th Judicial District Court
201 Caroline, 13h Floor
Houston, Texas 77002
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
IDENTITIES OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL ................................................. ii
REFERENCES TO THE PARTIES ................................................................. iv
REFERENCES TO THE RECORD ................................................................. iv
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES ................................................................................v
RESPONSE TO ISSUES PRESENTED FOR REVIEW ................................ vi
I. STATEMENT OF FACTS...........................................................................1
II. SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT...........................................................1
III. ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES .........................................................2
A. APPELLEES' AMENDED BRIEF FAILS TO RAISE ANY ISSUE
WITH THE TRIAL COURT'S RULING ............................................................2
B. NO FACT ISSUE ON FRAUDULENT CONCEALMENT RAISED ........................4
IV. CONCLUSION AND PRAYER ..................................................................5
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE ..................................................................6
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE ............................................................................7
iii
REFERENCES TO THE PARTIES
Reference Meaning
Appellants/Plaintiffs Beverly Scott, Michael Scott, James Scott, Emma Bell,
Clara Scott, Sammie Scott, Alfred Scott, Sharon Scott,
Doris Scott, Gwendolyn Carpenter, Carolyn Scott, Derrick
Scott, Sandra Scott, Individually and as Next Friend of
Eula Mae Scott, Deceased
Appellee/Defendant Robin Lynn Armstrong, M.D. (“Armstrong”)
REFERENCES TO THE RECORD
The record in this appeal consists of the Clerks Record and First Supplemental
Clerk’s Record. This Brief uses the following conventions in citing the record:
Clerk’s Record “CR. (page)”
First Supplemental Clerk’s Record “CR.Supp. (page)”
iv
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES
CASES
Coll. of the Mainland v. Meneke,
420 S.W.3d 865 (Tex.App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2014, no pet h.) ..........3
In re J.R.H.,
No. 11-09-00321-CV, 2010 Tex. App. LEXIS 9662,
2010 WL 5093772 (Tex. App.—Eastland Dec. 2, 2010, no pet.) .............3
Jurek v. Herauf,
No. 14–07–00727–CV, 2009 WL 179204
(Tex.App.─Houston [14th Dist.] Jan. 27, 2009, no pet.) ..........................3
In re J.R.H.,
No. 11-09-00321-CV, 2010 WL 5093772
(Tex. App.—Eastland Dec. 2, 2010, no pet.) (mem. op.) .................... 3, 4
In re L.M.,
No. 01-11-00137-CV, 2012 WL 2923132
(Tex.App.─Houston [1st Dist.] July 12, 2012, pet. denied) ......................3
Shah v. Moss,
67 S.W.3d 836 (Tex. 2001) .....................................................................4
Whittaker v. Manpower,
No. 14-09-00508-CV, 2009 WL 4667391
(Tex. App. Dec. 10, 2009) .........................................................................3
CODES/STATUTES
Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. Art 49.04(a).............................................................4
Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. Art 49.06. ................................................................4
RULES
Tex. R. App. P. Rule 38.1(d) ................................................................................ 3
Tex. R. App. P. Rule 38.1(f) ................................................................................ 2
Tex. R. App. P. Rule 38.1(g) ............................................................................... 3
Tex. R. App. P. Rule 38.1(h) ............................................................................... 3
Tex. R. App. P. Rule 38.1(i) ............................................................................. 3
v
RESPONSE TO ISSUES PRESENTED FOR REVIEW
Appellants’ Amended Brief failed to raise a fact issue as to the affirmative
defense of statute of limitations. Accordingly, the trial court properly granted
summary judgment and the ruling should be affirmed.
vi
TO THE HONORABLE JUSTICES OF THE FIRST COURT OF APPEALS:
Appellee, Robin Armstrong, M.D. (hereinafter “Armstrong”), submits this
Response to Appellants’ Amended Brief, in accordance with Rules 28 and 38.6(c)
of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure and all local rules of this Court, and asks
this Court to affirm the trial court's granting of Armstrong’s Motion for Interlocutory
Summary Judgment, and dismissing all of Appellants’ claims with prejudice.
Appellee, Armstrong, incorporates herein to this Response, the Brief of
Appellee, Robin Armstrong, M.D., and the appellate briefs and response/reply briefs
of the other defendants/appellees in this case. Appellee Armstrong submits this
Response with respect to the allegations of fraudulent concealment and “drug
overdose injury” addressed in Appellants’ Amended Brief. [Br. at 4] In support
hereof, Appellee respectfully urges as follows:
I. STATEMENT OF THE FACTS
Armstrong incorporates herein his Summary of the Facts from his Brief.
II. SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT
Armstrong further incorporates herein his Summary of the Argument from
his Brief.
Plaintiffs have filed a notice of appeal, an appellate brief and now an
amended appellate brief in this Court; all acts that would suggest an appellate issue
1
was taken with the lower court’s decision. However, none of these filings describes
any error committed by the court below. Because Appellants’ Amended Brief
makes no argument to avoid the statute of limitations, they waived their sole
argument on appeal.
Even if this Court considers the statute of limitations issue, the trial court was
correct in granting summary judgment. Eula Mae Scott passed away on January 15,
2009. (CR.Supp. 3) Plaintiffs brought suit against Armstrong on November 28,
2012—almost two years too late. (CR.Supp. 3) Plaintiffs failed to meet their burden
to raise a fact issue in response to the conclusively established affirmative defense
of statute of limitations.
III. ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES
A. APPELLEES’ AMENDED BRIEF FAILS TO RAISE ANY ISSUE WITH THE TRIAL
COURT’S RULING
Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure requires that an appellant’s brief contain
certain essential parts, including a statement of the issues presented, 1 a statement of
1
Tex. R. App. P. Rule 38.1(f) “Issues Presented. The brief must state concisely all issues or points
presented for review. The statement of an issue or point will be treated as covering every subsidiary
question that is fairly included.”
2
the case, 2 and a summary of the argument. 3 Appellants’ Amended Brief lacks these
components. Their amended brief contains no discernable statement of facts 4 and no
argument section with a “clear and concise argument for the contentions made, with
appropriate citations to authorities and to the record.” Tex. R. App. P. 38.1(i). 5 The
Court is not required to review issues or arguments not properly presented. 6 In
appropriate circumstances, the failure to properly brief a matter constitutes a waiver
on appeal. 7 Appellee contends that this is such a case.
2
Tex. R. App. P. Rule 38.1(d) “Statement of the Case. The brief must state concisely the nature
of the case (e.g., whether it is a suit for damages, on a note, or involving a murder prosecution),
the course of proceedings, and the trial court's disposition of the case. The statement should be
supported by record references, should seldom exceed one-half page, and should not discuss the
facts.”
3
Tex. R. App. P. Rule 38.1(h) “Summary of the Argument. The brief must contain a succinct, clear,
and accurate statement of the arguments made in the body of the brief. This summary must not
merely repeat the issues or points presented for review.”
4
Tex. R. App. P. Rule 38.1(g) “Statement of Facts. The brief must state concisely and without
argument the facts pertinent to the issues or points presented. In a civil case, the court will accept
as true the facts stated unless another party contradicts them. The statement must be supported by
record references.”
5
Tex. R. App. P. Rule 38.1(i) “Argument. The brief must contain a clear and concise argument
for the contentions made, with appropriate citations to authorities and to the record.”
6
Coll. of the Mainland v. Meneke, 420 S.W.3d 865, 871 (Tex.App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2014,
no pet h.) (refusing to review issues where an authority was cited generally, but not briefed with
sufficient specificity); Whittaker v. Manpower, No. 14-09-00508-CV, 2009 WL 4667391, at *1
(Tex. App. Dec. 10, 2009) (after first issuing an admonishing order, dismissed for failure to provide
a brief in compliance with the rules of appellate procedure); Jurek v. Herauf, No. 14–07–00727–
CV, 2009 WL 179204, at *4 (Tex.App.─Houston [14th Dist.] Jan. 27, 2009, no pet.) (Overruling
issues where appellant did not provide any citations to the record or to relevant authority in support
of the issue).
7
In re L.M., No. 01-11-00137-CV, 2012 WL 2923132 at *12 (Tex.App.─Houston [1st Dist.] July
12, 2012, pet. denied) (“Appellants do not include any substantive analysis or discussion of the
record in support of their contentions. See TEX. R. APP. P. 38.1(i) (requiring an appellant’s brief
to contain a clear and concise argument for the contentions made, with appropriate citations to
authorities and to the record). We conclude that Appellants have failed to properly brief their
ineffective assistance of counsel claim; thus, it is waived.”); See In re J.R.H., No. 11-09-00321-
CV, 2010 WL 5093772, at *3 (Tex. App.—Eastland Dec. 2, 2010, no pet.) (mem. op.) (holding in
3
B. NO FACT ISSUE ON FRAUDULENT CONCEALMENT RAISED
Plaintiffs’ mere recital of the words “fraudulent concealment” and most
recently the term “drug overdose injury,” does not raise a fact issue sufficient to
avoid summary judgment. The evidence and record in this case establish that
Plaintiffs have yet to produce any competent summary judgment evidence or proof
that Armstrong actually knew of a wrong that occurred, had a duty to disclose any
wrong, had a fixed purpose to conceal any such wrong, or did conceal a wrong from
Plaintiffs such that Plaintiffs did not have a reasonable opportunity to discover the
alleged wrong before the statute of limitations expired. Shah v. Moss, 67 S.W.3d
836, 841 (Tex. 2001).
Even if the Court looks past Plaintiffs’ briefing deficiencies, none of the
authorities cited by Plaintiffs would compel this Court to reverse the trial court’s
ruling. Articles 49.04 and 49.06, Section 8 of the Texas Code of Criminal
Procedure 8 9 are not relevant to any health care that the Robin Armstrong, M.D.
provided to the decedent. The reference relates to the duties of a justice of the peace
termination of parental rights case, that issue waived because brief lacked adequate analysis and
discussion of issue)).
8
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Title 1, Art. 49.06 - Hindering an Inquest: “(a) A person
commits an offense if the person intentionally or knowingly hinders the entrance of a justice of the
peace to a premises where a death occurred or a body is found; and, (b) An offense under this
article is a Class B misdemeanor.” Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. Art 49.06.
9
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Art. 49.04, section 8 - Deaths Requiring and Inquest: “a) A
justice of the peace shall conduct an inquest into the death of a person who dies in the county
served by the justice if:…(8) the person is a child younger than six years of age and an inquest is
required by Chapter 264, Family Code.” Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. Art 49.04(a).
4
in the course of a (criminal) death investigation. This cite does not have any legal
import on the appeal, and does not address the elements of a fraudulent concealment
claim, nor does it provide a basis for suggesting the trial court erred in any way.
Appellants have failed to explain how the authorities connect to their
contentions against Armstrong. Additionally, Appellants has failed to support any
factual contentions with support from the record. The Court should deem any issues
against Appellee Armstrong as waived.
IV. CONCLUSION AND PRAYER
The summary judgment in favor of Armstrong should be affirmed. Plaintiffs
waived their argument on appeal by inadequate briefing. In addition, the trial court’s
judgment should be affirmed because Plaintiffs filed suit outside of the limitations
period and have not demonstrated any exception to the statute of limitations.
WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, Appellee, Robin Armstrong,
M.D., respectfully prays that this Honorable Court affirm the trial court’s April 8,
2014, order granting Armstrong’s summary judgment, and dismissal with prejudice,
and for any further relief to which Appellee may show himself justly entitled.
[signature on next page]
5
Respectfully submitted,
SMITH ADAMS LAW FEEHAN LLP
By: /s/ Richard M. Law______________
Richard M. Law
State Bar No. 12004500
Richard@SmithAdamsLaw.com
Rainy DeMoss Gibbs
State Bar No. 24028292
Rainy@SmithAdamsLaw.com
1415 Louisiana Street, Suite 3800
Houston, Texas 77002-7360
Telephone: (713) 652-3200
Facsimile: (713) 652-6000
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE,
ROBIN ARMSTRONG, M.D.
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
Pursuant to Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.4(i)(3), the undersigned
counsel – in reliance upon the word count of the computer program used to prepare
this document – certifies that this Brief contains 790 words, excluding the words that
need not be counted under Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.4(i)(l).
/s/ Richard M. Law__________
Richard M. Law
6
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing Brief of Appellee
has been served upon each party or their duly authorized agent or attorney of record
as set out below on this the 16th day of March, 2015.
/s/ Richard M. Law__________
Richard M. Law
Gwendolyn Carpenter
3271 South Shaver #10102
Pasadena, Texas 77504
Regular and Certified Mail/RRR
(Article Number: 7012 2210 0001 1362 0891)
Beverly Scott
406 Dents Road #86
Dickinson, TX 77539
Regular and Certified Mail/RRR
(Article Number: 7012 2210 0001 1362 0884)
Brian Beckom
Email: brian@vbattorneys.com
Curtis J. Bickers
Email: Curtis@vbattorneys.com
VUJASINOVIC & BECKOM, PLLC
1001 Texas Avenue, Suite 1020
Houston, Texas 77002
E-Service
Honorable Wesley Ward
234th Judicial District Court
201 Caroline, 13th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002
E-Service
7