Patrick Lacour v. Lankford Company, Incorporated ( 2009 )

NUMBER 13-07-017-CV
COURT OF APPEALS
THIRTEENTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS
CORPUS CHRISTI - EDINBURG
PATRICK LACOUR, Appellant,
v.
LANKFORD COMPANY, INCORPORATED, Appellee.
On appeal from the 148th District Court of Nueces County, Texas.
OPINION
Before Chief Justice Valdez and Justices Yañez and Benavides
Opinion by Justice Benavides
Appellant, Patrick LaCour, appeals from a final summary judgment rendered in favor
of appellee, Lankford Company, Inc. By four issues, LaCour argues that he complied with
the notice provisions and is entitled to reinstatement and backpay under the Longshore
and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. See 33 U.S.C. §§ 901-950. We reverse and
remand.
I. Background
LaCour was employed by Lankford Company as a sandblaster and painter. On
March 12, 2004, LaCour was working on an offshore drilling platform, sometimes known
as a “rig,” in the Gulf of Mexico. Lankford Company was a contractor hired to repaint the
rig.
LaCour operated a jetblaster, which is a high-powered pressure washer. He alleges
that Lankford Company’s foreman, Howard Webb, increased the pressure on the jetblaster
without his knowledge. According to LaCour, the increased pressure caused the jetblaster
to recoil against his shoulder, knocking him off balance and almost knocking him off the
scaffold on which he was working. As a result, LaCour’s shoulders were severely injured.
That same day, LaCour notified his fellow crewmen and Webb that he was injured. On
March 14, 2004, LaCour was examined by medical personnel on the rig. It was determined
that LaCour needed further medical attention, so he was flown off the rig by helicopter.
LaCour alleges that on March 15, 2004, he called Jim Lankford, the president and
CEO of Lankford Company, to give notice of his injury. LaCour was then terminated from
his employment on March 17, 2004, just a few days after his injury. LaCour alleges that
in the termination letter, Lankford stated that LaCour was not entitled to any medical or
unemployment benefits and that he was being terminated. The letter was signed by Jim
and Leon Lankford, the owners of Lankford Company.1
LaCour filed a claim for workers’ compensation with the United States Department
of Labor on March 30, 2004. On April 5, 2004, LaCour’s attorney sent a letter to Jim
1
The letter does not appear in the record, but Lankford Com pany did not object to LaCour’s testim ony
as to the contents of the letter and apparently does not dispute that the letter was sent.
2
Lankford notifying him that LaCour had retained counsel to pursue a wrongful termination
claim. On May 18, 2005, LaCour filed suit against Lankford Company for wrongful
termination under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act. See 33 U.S.C.
§ 948a. LaCour alleged that he was fired in violation of 33 U.S.C. section 948a because
he filed or attempted to file a claim for workers’ compensation.2
While the suit was pending, LaCour was released to return to work on June 13,
2005. However, his doctor filled out a release form indicating that LaCour had a 6%
permanent disability. His doctor told him that he could only perform “light duty.” LaCour
admitted in his deposition that he could no longer perform pressure work, like sandblasting
or operating a jetblaster, or any other job that would put pressure on his shoulders. LaCour
appeared at Jim Lankford’s office on June 14, 2005 and requested employment, which was
refused.
Lankford Company answered the lawsuit and then filed a combined motion for
traditional and no-evidence summary judgment. TEX . R. CIV. P. 166a(c), (i). First, Lankford
Company argued that LaCour failed to exhaust his administrative remedies by providing
notice of his claim to the deputy commissioner of the Secretary of Labor located in the
compensation district and by filing a claim with the deputy commissioner within one year
of the injury. See 33 U.S.C. §§ 912(a), 913(a). Lankford Company argued that after
receiving a claim, the deputy commissioner conducts an investigation and orders a hearing
on the matter, which would be required before any suit could be filed. Additionally,
Lankford Company argued that there was no evidence that LaCour had exhausted his
2
LaCour also alleged a cause of action under the Texas Labor Code, but he has not appealed the
trial court’s order granting sum m ary judgm ent as to that claim .
3
administrative remedies.
Second, Lankford Company argued that LaCour is not entitled to a remedy under
33 U.S.C. section 948a because he is not “qualified to perform the duties of his
employment.” See id. § 948a. Lankford Company pointed to LaCour’s deposition
testimony as evidence that LaCour was not qualified to perform the duties of employment,
arguing that LaCour admitted that “there were no other positions that he knew of at
Lankford that he would actually be able to perform, such as a helper, brush painter, or
sander.” Lankford did not present testimony from anyone at the company explaining what
jobs were available at the company and the jobs’ duties. Lankford did not argue this point
as a no-evidence ground, but rather, asserted it as a traditional summary judgment ground.
The trial court granted the motion for summary judgment without stating the grounds
for its ruling. This appeal ensued.
II. Standards of Review
Lankford Company filed a combined traditional and no-evidence motion for
summary judgment. A no-evidence motion for summary judgment is "essentially a motion
for a pretrial directed verdict." Mack Trucks, Inc. v. Tamez, 206 S.W.3d 572, 581-82 (Tex.
2006). Once a no-evidence motion for summary judgment is filed, the non-moving party
must present evidence raising an issue of material fact as to the elements of the claim
challenged in the motion. Id. at 582. “We review the evidence presented by the motion
and response in the light most favorable to the party against whom the summary judgment
was rendered, crediting evidence favorable to that party if reasonable jurors could, and
disregarding contrary evidence unless reasonable jurors could not.” Id.
4
When reviewing a traditional summary judgment, we must determine whether the
movant met its burden to establish that no genuine issue of material fact exists and that
the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. TEX . R. CIV. P. 166a(c); Sw. Elec.
Power Co. v. Grant, 73 S.W.3d 211, 215 (Tex. 2002); City of Houston v. Clear Creek Basin
Auth., 589 S.W.2d 671, 678 (Tex. 1979). The movant bears the burden of proof in a
traditional motion for summary judgment, and all doubts about the existence of a genuine
issue of material fact are resolved against the movant. See Sw. Elec. Power Co., 73
S.W.3d at 215. We take as true all evidence favorable to the nonmovant, and we indulge
every reasonable inference and resolve any doubts in the nonmovant's favor. Valence
Operating Co. v. Dorsett, 164 S.W.3d 656, 661 (Tex. 2005).
We will affirm a traditional summary judgment only if the record establishes that the
movant has conclusively proved its defense as a matter of law or if the movant has
negated at least one essential element of the plaintiff’s cause of action. IHS Cedars
Treatment Ctr. of DeSoto, Tex., Inc. v. Mason, 143 S.W.3d 794, 798 (Tex. 2004); Am.
Tobacco Co. v. Grinnell, 951 S.W.2d 420, 425 (Tex. 1997); Clear Creek Basin, 589 S.W.2d
at 678. Only when the movant has produced sufficient evidence to establish its right to
summary judgment does the burden shift to the plaintiff to come forward with competent
controverting evidence raising a genuine issue of material fact with regard to the element
challenged by the defendant. Rhone-Poulenc, Inc. v. Steel, 997 S.W.2d 217, 223 (Tex.
1999); see Centeq Realty, Inc. v. Siegler, 899 S.W.2d 195, 197 (Tex. 1995). A defendant
seeking summary judgment on an affirmative defense must conclusively prove all the
elements of the affirmative defense. Steel, 997 S.W.2d at 223; see TEX . R. CIV. P. 166a(b),
5
(c). To accomplish this, the defendant-movant must present summary judgment evidence
that establishes each element of the affirmative defense as a matter of law. Ryland Group,
Inc. v. Hood, 924 S.W.2d 120, 121 (Tex. 1996).
III. Compliance with 33 U.S.C. section 913(a)
By his first issue, LaCour argues that the trial court erred by finding that (1) section
913(a) applied to his case, and (2) he failed to comply with section 913(a)'s filing
requirements. See 33 U.S.C. § 913(a). Section 913(a) provides:
Except as otherwise provided in this section, the right to compensation for
disability or death under this chapter shall be barred unless a claim therefore
is filed within one year after the injury or death. If payment of compensation
has been made without an award on account of such injury or death, a claim
may be filed within one year after the date of the last payment. Such claim
shall be filed with the deputy commissioner in the compensation district in
which such injury or death occurred. . . .
Id. LaCour argues that this provision only applies if the employee is seeking
“compensation for disability or death,” whereas he is seeking reinstatement and backpay
for wrongful termination. See id. § 948a. We agree.
When the language of a statute is clear and unambiguous, we must give the statute
its plain and ordinary meaning unless such a construction would lead to absurd results.
Cali v. Serv. Motors, Inc., 660 S.W.2d 814, 815 (Tex. 1983); see Burton v. Stevedoring
Servs. of Am., 196 F.3d 1070, 1072 (9th Cir. 1999). Section 913(a) clearly states that it
applies to a claim for “compensation for disability or death.” 33 U.S.C. § 913(a). Section
902(10) defines “disability” as
incapacity because of injury to earn the wages which the employee was
receiving at the time of injury in the same or any other employment; but such
term shall mean permanent impairment, determined (to the extent covered
thereby) under the guides to the evaluation of permanent impairment
6
promulgated and modified from time to time by the American Medical
Association, in the case of an individual whose claim is described in section
910(d)(2) of this title.
33 U.S.C.A. § 902(10). “Disability,” as defined by the statute, does not include termination
for seeking benefits for an injury. Id. Additionally, “death” is defined as a “death resulting
from an injury.” Id. § 913(11). LaCour was not seeking compensation for his physical
injury, nor did he seek death benefits.
The only way that section 913(a) could apply to LaCour’s claim is if “injury” is
defined to include an injury for wrongful termination by the employer. “Injury” is defined as
accidental injury or death arising out of and in the course of employment,
and such occupational disease or infection as arises naturally out of such
employment or as naturally or unavoidably results from such accidental
injury, and includes an injury caused by the willful act of a third person
directed against an employee because of his employment.
Id. § 902(2). At first glance, it may appear to some that the last clause of section 902(2)
could include wrongful termination by an employer. See id. However, “employer” is
separately defined as
an employer any of whose employees are employed in maritime
employment, in whole or in part, upon the navigable waters of the United
States (including any adjoining pier, wharf, dry dock, terminal, building way,
marine railway, or other adjoining area customarily used by an employer in
loading, unloading, repairing, or building a vessel).
Id. § 902(4).
“‘[W]here Congress includes particular language in one section of a statute but
omits it in another section of the same Act, it is generally presumed that Congress acts
intentionally and purposely in the disparate inclusion or exclusion.’” Russello v. United
States, 464 U.S. 16, 23 (1983) (quoting United States v. Bo, 472 F.2d 720, 722 (5th Cir.
7
1972)). Had Congress intended the term “injury” to include an intentional act by the
employer because of the employment, it would have included the term “employer” within
section 902(2). See id. Instead, for example, the last clause of the definition of “injury”
was intended to include the situation where an employee is injured on the job by a
customer of the employer or by a random act of violence. See, e.g., Maryland Cas. Co.
v. Cardillo, 107 F.2d 959, 960 (D.C. Cir. 1939) (holding section applied where employee
was mugged on the job). Thus, we agree with LaCour that section 913 does not apply to
a claim for wrongful termination under section 948a.
Lankford concedes that there are no cases that specifically address this issue, but
rather, it points to appeals from orders by the United States Department of Labor Benefits
Review Board granting or refusing to grant reinstatement and backpay for wrongful
termination. See Holliman v. Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co., 852 F.2d 759,
760 (4th Cir. 1988); Geddes v. Benefits Review Bd. US Dep’t of Labor, 735 F.2d 1412,
1414 (D.C. Cir. 1984). We believe these cases are distinguishable.
In Holliman and Geddes, the employee was seeking both total disability pay and
reinstatement, which can sometimes lead to inconsistent awards. Holliman, 852 F.2d at
761 n.2; Geddes, 735 F.2d at 383.3 For example, if the employer contests the employee’s
allegation of total disability, the employer must prove that the employee could obtain
suitable alternate employment. Ledet v. Phillips Petroleum Co., 163 F.3d 901, 905 (5th Cir.
1998). This type of challenge is inconsistent with an employer’s challenge that backpay
3
Lankford also cites Gondolfi v. Mid-Gulf Stevedores, 621 F.2d 695, 696 (5th Cir. 1980). This case
apparently did not involve a claim for disability and for wrongful term ination, but it also does not discuss
whether a claim for wrongful term ination m ust go through the adm inistrative process. Accordingly, we are not
persuaded that it com pels us to affirm the district court’s sum m ary judgm ent.
8
and reinstatement are not available under section 948a because the employee cannot
perform the duties of employment. See 33 U.S.C. § 948a. Under these circumstances,
it would be prudent, although not required, to present a claim for wrongful termination along
with a claim for total disability in the same administrative proceeding. These cases do not
compel the conclusion that an administrative claim must be filed on a wrongful termination
claim before seeking relief in a district court. We sustain LaCour’s first issue.4
IV. Compliance with 33 U.S.C. section 912
By his third issue, LaCour argues that the trial court erred by finding that he failed
to comply with section 912(a), which provides:
Notice of an injury or death in respect of which compensation is payable
under this chapter shall be given within thirty days after the date of such
injury or death, or thirty days after the employee or beneficiary is aware, or
in the exercise of reasonable diligence or by reason of medical advice should
have been aware, of a relationship between the injury or death and the
employment, except that in the case of an occupational disease which does
not immediately result in a disability or death, such notice shall be given
within one year after the employee or claimant becomes aware, or in the
exercise of reasonable diligence or by reason of medical advice should have
been aware, of the relationship between the employment, the disease, and
the death or disability. Notice shall be given (1) to the deputy commissioner
in the compensation district in which the injury or death occurred, and (2) to
the employer.
33 U.S.C.A. § 912(a). Lankford moved for traditional and no-evidence summary judgment
on this ground, arguing that there is no evidence that LaCour sent it notice that he was
pursuing a claim for wrongful termination and that he also failed to give notice to the deputy
commissioner. See id.5 We hold there is some evidence in the record that he provided
4
By his second issue, LaCour argues that he com plied with section 913(a), but we need not decide
the issue because we hold that he was not required to com ply. See T EX . R. A PP . 47.1.
5
Curiously, LaCour does not argue that this section does not apply to his claim although the sam e
logic em ployed under section 913 would likely also apply to section 912.
9
sufficient and timely notice, and Lankford Company did not conclusively establish that
LaCour did not send notice.
LaCour was injured on March 12, 2004 and was terminated on March 17, 2004.
Assuming that section 912(a) applies to LaCour’s claim and runs from the earlier date of
his physical injury, he was required to send notice to Lankford Company and to the deputy
commissioner by April 11, 2004. See id. On April 5, 2004, LaCour’s attorney sent a letter
to Jim Lankford stating that he had been retained to pursue a wrongful termination claim
and that LaCour’s claim “is pending before the US Department of Labor.” Lankford
submitted this letter as part of its summary judgment evidence. See Binur v. Jacobo, 135
S.W.3d 646, 651 (Tex. 2004) (holding that evidence submitted by movant for no-evidence
summary judgment may be considered if it raises a fact issue). Lankford Company does
not dispute that it timely received this letter. Thus, this is some evidence that LaCour
timely sent notice to Lankford Company of his injury and of the fact that he was seeking
reinstatement and backpay.
The analysis of LaCour’s notice to the deputy commissioner is more complex. The
record contains an LS-203 claim form from the United States Department of Labor filled
out by Patrick LaCour and submitted on March 30, 2004, well before the April 11 deadline.
This form is promulgated by the Department of Labor as the preferred method for filing a
claim for compensation and is available on the department’s website. See United States
Department of Labor DLHWC L o n g s h o re Forms, available at
http://www.dol.gov/esa/owcp/dlhwc/ls-203.pdf (last visited Dec. 10, 2008). The form
describes LaCour’s physical injury but does not mention his termination or any request for
backpay or reinstatement—the form does not provide any place for this information to be
10
submitted.
Lankford Company does not dispute that LaCour “filed for and received
compensation payments for this alleged injury.” In other words, Lankford Company does
not dispute that LaCour timely sent the LS-203 to the deputy commissioner. Lankford
Company, however, argues that the notice provided to the deputy commissioner was
insufficient because LaCour did not give the deputy commissioner notice of his claim for
wrongful termination. We disagree that this was required by section 912.
Section 912 requires notice of an “injury” for which compensation6 is available under
the act. 33 U.S.C. § 912(a). As we outlined above, “injury” as defined by the act does not
include wrongful termination. See supra Part III. Thus, the LS-203 form used by LaCour
provided all the information required under the act. Lankford Company does not argue to
this Court, nor did it argue below, that the department uses a different type of form for a
wrongful termination claim. Accordingly, there is some evidence in the record that LaCour
gave notice to both Lankford Company and to the deputy commissioner within 30 days as
required by section 912, and this evidence raises a genuine issue of material fact.
Accordingly, we sustain LaCour’s third issue.
V. Availability of Benefits under 33 U.S.C. section 948a
Finally, by his fourth issue, LaCour argues that the trial court erred by holding that
he was not entitled to backpay and reinstatement because he can no longer fulfill the
duties of his former employment. See 33 U.S.C. § 948a. Lankford Company did not move
6
“Com pensation” is defined as “the m oney allowance payable to an em ployee or to his dependents
as provided for in this chapter, and includes funeral benefits provided therein.” 33 U.S.C. § 902(12).
11
for no-evidence summary judgment on this ground. Rather, it moved for traditional
summary judgment.
Section 948a provides:
It shall be unlawful for any employer or his duly authorized agent to
discharge or in any other manner discriminate against an employee as to his
employment because such employee has claimed or attempted to claim
compensation from such employer, or because he has testified or is about
to testify in a proceeding under this chapter. . . . Any employee so
discriminated against shall be restored to his employment and shall be
compensated by his employer for any loss of wages arising out of such
discrimination: Provided, That if such employee shall cease to be qualified
to perform the duties of his employment, he shall not be entitled to such
restoration and compensation. . . .
33 U.S.C. § 948a. Lankford Company argues that the summary judgment evidence
establishes that LaCour would not be able to operate heavy, pressurized equipment as
required by his previous position, and that “LaCour himself acknowledged that there were
no other positions that he knew of at Lankford that he would actually be able to perform.”
We hold that it was Lankford Company’s burden to conclusively prove, as an
affirmative defense, that LaCour was no longer able to perform the duties of a job at
Lankford, and LaCour’s testimony is not conclusive proof.
Both parties concede that there are no cases construing section 948a’s requirement
that the employee be able to return to work. Applying other provisions under the
Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act, however, courts have placed
evidentiary burdens on the employer for a number of reasons.7 First, the Longshore and
7
See, e.g., Ledet v. Phillips Petroleum Co., 163 F.3d 901, 905 (5th Cir. 1998) (holding that in a
proceeding for disability benefits, the burden is placed on the em ployer to show that the em ployee is not
entitled to a total disability determ ination because suitable alternative em ploym ent exists); Geddes v. Benefits
Review Bd. United States Dep’t of Labor, 735 F.2d 1412, 1417 (D.C. Cir. 1984) (holding that under section
948a, once the em ployee proves that the em ployer discrim inated against him or her and that the
12
Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act must be liberally construed in favor of the employee.
New Orleans (Gulfwide) Stevedores v. Turner, 661 F.2d 1031, 1038 (5th Cir. 1981).
Second, the Act specifically states that “[i]n any proceeding for the enforcement of a claim
for compensation under this chapter it shall be presumed, in the absence of substantial
evidence to the contrary . . . [t]hat the claim comes within the provisions of this chapter.”
33 U.S.C. § 920; see Turner, 661 F.2d at 1038. Finally, the employer is most likely to have
the evidence necessary to make such a showing. Geddes, 735 F.2d at 1418.
The same considerations obtain here. Section 948a must be liberally construed,
and a claim for compensation must be presumed to come within its provisions unless there
is substantial evidence to the contrary. See 33 U.S.C. § 920; Turner, 661 F.2d at 1038.
The employee should not have to bear the burden of knowledge about every position
available at his former employer; rather, the employer has the best access to this
information. Geddes, 735 F.2d at 1418. For all these reasons, we hold that the employer
bears the burden to prove that the former employee is not entitled to reinstatement and
backpay because he cannot perform the duties of employment.
Thus, Lankford Company had the summary judgment burden to conclusively
establish its affirmative defense. Rhone-Poulenc, Inc., 997 S.W.2d at 223; see TEX . R.
CIV. P. 166a(b), (c). Lankford Company relies on portions of LaCour’s deposition wherein
LaCour was questioned about jobs at Lankford Company and the jobs’ requirements.
Lankford Company argues that LaCour admitted that there were no jobs that he could
perform at Lankford Company. The evidence, however, is not as clear as Lankford
discrim ination was m otivated by anim us, the burden shifts to the em ployer to present controverting evidence).
13
Company claims. Rather, the evidence demonstrates that LaCour did not have knowledge
sufficient to state conclusively that there were no jobs at Lankford Company that he could
perform. A witness’s lack of knowledge of a fact does not conclusively prove that the fact
does not exist. See Llopa, Inc. v. Nagel, 956 S.W.2d 82, 89 (Tex. App.–San Antonio 1997,
writ denied).
First, LaCour was asked about the “types of workers that Lankford Company
employed while [LaCour] was there.” (Emphasis added). LaCour then proceeded to
describe several positions at Lankford and admitted that he could not perform those
positions because of his disability. However, this line of questioning did not inquire about
the positions that were available on June 14, 2005 when LaCour returned to Lankford
Company seeking employment. In fact, LaCour testified that he was not sure what jobs
were available when he returned to Lankford Company seeking employment:
Q: What other jobs did Lankford Company have at that time that you were
aware of that—that the type of workers that—
A: At what time?
Q: When you were there talking to Mr. Lankford.
A: I didn’t know which jobs he had going on because he’s got—he’s got
jobs going offshore, and he’s got jobs down in the Valley. He’s got
jobs in Houston. He’s got jobs here in Corpus Christi.
Second, Lankford points to testimony from LaCour that it claims is an admission that
there was no job that he could have performed at Lankford. But when Lankford’s counsel
asked whether LaCour was aware of any jobs that existed, LaCour said he did not know:
Q: What job could you have done for Lankford Company that was the
type of job that you knew that they had, type of worker?
14
A: None.
....
Q: What job could you have done for Lankford Company when you went
to talk to Mr. Lankford on June 14th of 2005?
A: None.
If it was true that no jobs were available that LaCour could perform, Lankford could
have relied on a corporate representative to explain the different positions available, the
job requirements, and whether LaCour could perform those requirements. Under the
circumstances, Lankford Company’s reliance on LaCour’s testimony did not satisfy its
burden to conclusively establish its affirmative defense. See Llopa, Inc., 956 S.W.2d at
89. Accordingly, we sustain LaCour’s fourth issue.
VI. Conclusion
We sustain LaCour’s first, third, and fourth issues. We reverse the trial court’s order
granting summary judgment on LaCour’s wrongful termination claim under section 948a
and remand that claim for trial.
________________________________
GINA M. BENAVIDES,
Justice
Opinion delivered and filed this
the 15th day of January, 2009.
15