AMEC Foster Wheeler USA Corporation v. Kevin Goats, Lori Goats, and Afshin Farshad ( 2019 )

In The
Court of Appeals
Ninth District of Texas at Beaumont
__________________
NO. 09-18-00477-CV
__________________
AMEC FOSTER WHEELER USA CORPORATION, Appellant
V.
KEVIN GOATS, LORI GOATS, AND AFSHIN FARSHAD, Appellee
__________________________________________________________________
On Appeal from the 60th District Court
Jefferson County, Texas
Trial Cause No. B-198,294
__________________________________________________________________
MEMORANDUM OPINION
This is an interlocutory appeal of the trial court’s order denying AMEC Foster
Wheeler USA Corporation’s (Foster Wheeler) motion to dismiss for the failure of
Kevin Goats, Lori Goats, and Afshin “Sean” Farshad (Appellees) to file a certificate
of merit with their first-filed complaint in which Foster Wheeler is named as a
1
defendant. See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. §§ 150.001–.002 (West 2019).1
The trial court denied the motion to dismiss as moot after Appellees amended their
allegations against Foster Wheeler. Foster Wheeler presents three issues on appeal
asserting: (1) the trial court erred when it denied Foster Wheeler’s motion to dismiss
as moot; (2) the trial court abused its discretion when it denied Foster Wheeler’s
motion to dismiss pursuant to section 150.002 because Appellees failed to file a
certificate of merit as to Foster Wheeler with their petition; and (3) the court should
dismiss the claims against Foster Wheeler with prejudice. See id. We reverse the trial
court’s order and remand for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
I. Background
Appellees Kevin Goats (Goats) and Afshin Farshad (Farshad) worked as
operators for TOTAL. 2 On June 21, 2015, as they attempted to clear a plugged
strainer on the Sour Water Pump System, hot steam sprayed them. Appellees sued
for damages and named Foster Wheeler as a defendant in their second amended
1
The legislature recently amended Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code
sections 150.001–.002. These amendments became effective on June 19, 2019, but
are applicable to actions filed on or after the effective date and do not impact the
outcome of this appeal.
2
Lori Goats is Kevin Goats’s wife. She sued for loss of household services
and loss of consortium.
2
petition, together with Fluor Corporation (Fluor).3 For clarity, we will refer to this
pleading as the first-filed complaint.
In their first-filed complaint, Appellees included identical allegations against
each defendant. They alleged the Sour Water Pump System was defectively designed
in that it lacked a bleeder valve that would have relieved the pressure trapped
upstream. They also asserted causes of action for a manufacturing defect, marketing
defect, negligence, and breach of implied warranty of merchantability. Appellees
specifically complained they “relied on Defendants[’] skill and judgment to furnish
a suitable system that was fit for the ordinary purpose for which it was used.”
Appellees did not contemporaneously include a certificate of merit as to either
defendant with their first-filed complaint.
Foster Wheeler filed a motion to dismiss Appellees’ claims with prejudice for
Appellees’ failure to comply with Chapter 150 of the Texas Civil Practice and
Remedies Code and attached evidence establishing that Foster Wheeler is a company
that provides professional engineering services. 4 Appellees amended their petition
3
The record before us does not contain Appellees’ original petition or their
first amended petition; however, prior to filing their first-filed complaint, they filed
a petition for authorization to conduct Rule 202 depositions and a first amended
petition for authorization to conduct Rule 202 depositions. See Tex. R. Civ. P. 202.
4
Prior to Foster Wheeler filing its motion to dismiss, Fluor also filed a motion
to dismiss based on section 150.002 and Appellees’ failure to contemporaneously
file a certificate of merit. See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 150.002(a), (e)
3
to allege that Foster Wheeler had a “non-engineering role” and was negligent in a
non-engineering capacity. The fourth amended petition omitted all claims of design
defects and asserted claims against Foster Wheeler for negligently installing,
maintaining, inspecting, assembling, supervising, providing adequate
support/personnel, training, and providing instructions related to the Sour Water
Pump System.
Appellees filed a motion to continue the hearing on Foster Wheeler’s motion
to dismiss, arguing they needed more time to conduct discovery. At the hearing,
Appellees asserted that they “just don’t have those answers yet” to determine
“whether or not Chapter 150 applies[.]” The trial court granted the continuance.
After Appellees obtained a continuance of the hearing on Foster Wheeler’s motion
to dismiss, Foster Wheeler responded to discovery stating it did not participate in the
design or construction of the Sour Water Pump System at issue, but the company
did have a contract to perform engineering work at the plant.
At the rescheduled hearing on the motion to dismiss, Appellees’ argued that
because Foster Wheeler represented in its discovery responses that it had nothing to
(West 2019). Subsequently, Appellees acknowledged they should have provided a
certificate of merit as to Fluor, characterizing it as “an honest mistake” and agreed
to dismiss the claims against Fluor without prejudice. Flour subsequently settled
with Appellees for an undisclosed amount.
4
do with designing the system at issue, a certificate of merit under Chapter 150 was
not required. The trial court’s order denying Foster Wheeler’s motion to dismiss
stated “the Court is of the opinion that said motion is moot and should be DENIED.”
Foster Wheeler timely appealed.
II. Standard of Review
A trial court’s denial or grant of a motion to dismiss pursuant to section
150.002 is immediately appealable. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 150.002(f).
We review a trial court’s order denying a section 150.002 motion to dismiss for an
abuse of discretion. See Barron, Stark & Swift Consulting Eng’rs, LP v. First Baptist
Church, Vidor, 551 S.W.3d 320, 322 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 2018, no pet.)
(citations omitted); CBM Eng’rs, Inc. v. Tellepsen Builders, L.P., 403 S.W.3d 339,
342–43 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2013, pet. denied). “If a trial court acts
arbitrarily or unreasonably, without reference to any guiding rules and principles, it
constitutes an abuse of discretion.” Barron, Stark & Swift, 551 S.W.3d at 322 (citing
Downer v. Aquamarine Operators, Inc., 701 S.W.2d 238, 241–42 (Tex. 1985)). A
court abuses its discretion if it fails to analyze or apply the law correctly. Dunham
Eng’g, Inc. v. Sherwin-Williams Co., 404 S.W.3d 785, 789 (Tex. App.—Houston
[14th Dist.] 2013, no pet.) (citations omitted). If our review necessitates statutory
interpretation, we conduct that review de novo. See Jaster v. Comet II Const., Inc.,
5
438 S.W.3d 556, 562 (Tex. 2014) (citation omitted); Barron, Stark & Swift, 551
S.W.3d at 322 (citations omitted).
III. Analysis
A. Issue One: Mootness
When an appeal is moot, we must dismiss it, because appellate courts lack
jurisdiction to decide moot controversies. See Nat’l Collegiate Athletic Ass’n v.
Jones, 1 S.W.3d 83, 86 (Tex. 1999) (citation omitted). Since mootness implicates
our jurisdiction to consider this appeal, we address it first.
Section 150.002 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code requires that
in actions for damages arising from the provision of professional services by a
licensed or registered architect, engineer, or surveyor, a plaintiff must file an
affidavit attesting to the claim’s merit. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. §
150.002(a); CTL/Thompson Tex., LLC v. Starwood Homeowner’s Ass’n, Inc., 390
S.W.3d 299, 299 (Tex. 2013). “The plaintiff’s failure to file the affidavit in
accordance with this section shall result in dismissal of the complaint against the
defendant.” Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 150.002(e). A section 150.002(e)
dismissal is a sanction with the purpose of deterring meritless claims and quickly
ending them. CTL/Thompson Tex., LLC, 390 S.W.3d at 301.
6
In CTL/Thompson Tex., LLC v. Starwood Homeowner’s Ass’n, Inc., the trial
court denied the defendant’s Chapter 150.002 motion to dismiss, but the plaintiff
nonsuited its claims before the appeal could be decided. Id. at 300. The Texas
Supreme Court considered the issue of whether a defendant’s appeal from a trial
court’s refusal to dismiss an action under Section 150.002(e) is mooted by the
plaintiff’s nonsuit. Here, after Foster Wheeler filed its motion to dismiss, Appellees
amended their complaint against Foster Wheeler purportedly to omit any specific
allegation against that company arising from the provision of any engineering
services, effectively nonsuiting any such claims. See FKM P’ship, Ltd. v. Bd. of
Regents of Univ. of Hous. Sys., 255 S.W.3d 619, 632 (Tex. 2008)(explaining that
filing an amended petition omitting a cause of action “effectively nonsuits or
voluntarily dismisses the omitted claims as of the time the pleading is filed”). In
holding the plaintiff’s nonsuit did not render moot the defendant’s motion to dismiss
based on section 150.002, the Texas Supreme Court explained that the provision for
dismissal of the complaint with prejudice is a sanction mandated by Chapter 150.
See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 150.002(e). A motion for sanctions is a
claim for affirmative relief which survives a nonsuit if the nonsuit would defeat the
purpose of sanctions. See CTL/Thompson Tex., LLC, 390 S.W.3d at 300 (citing
Aetna Cas. & Sur. Co. v. Specia, 849 S.W.2d 805, 806–807 (Tex. 1993)). The Court
7
further explained that a sanction for filing a frivolous lawsuit survives a nonsuit,
otherwise its imposition would rest completely with plaintiffs, thus defeating the
purpose of the provision. Id. (citing Scott & White Mem’l Hosp. v. Schexnider, 940
S.W.2d 594, 596–597 (Tex. 1996)). The Court reasoned that section 150.002(e)
contemplates the possibility of further relief in a dismissal with prejudice. Id. at 301.
Therefore, filing an amended petition to attempt to plead around the requirements of
Chapter 150 for an affidavit of merit will not moot a motion to dismiss under that
statute.
We conclude that the trial court erred in determining Foster Wheeler’s motion
to dismiss was moot. We sustain issue one.
B. Issue Two: Denial of Motion to Dismiss
A certificate of merit must be filed with the first-filed complaint if the claims
arise out of the provision of professional services by a licensed or registered
engineer. See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 150.002(a). In analyzing whether
claims arise out of the “provision of professional services[,]” we look to the
allegations contained in the plaintiff’s pleadings. TIC N. Cent. Dall. 3, L.L.C. v.
Envirobusiness, Inc., 463 S.W.3d 71, 79 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2014, pet. denied)
(citations omitted); Carter & Burgess, Inc. v. Sardari, 355 S.W.3d 804, 810 Tex.
App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2011, no pet.) (explaining that courts examine the
8
substance of the plaintiff’s pleadings to determine if their cause of action arises out
of the provision of professional services). We are not bound by the labels that the
plaintiffs use in formulating their pleadings, but we look to the underlying nature of
the claim. See Carter, 355 S.W.3d at 410.
1) Provision of Professional Engineering Services
As to the meaning of “the provision of professional [engineering] services,”
the Texas Occupations Code’s definition of the practice of engineering provides
guidance. See TDIndustries, Inc. v. Citicorp N. Am., Inc., 378 S.W.3d 1, 5 (Tex.
App.—Fort Worth 2011, no pet.) (citations omitted). “Practice of engineering” is
defined as “the performance of . . . any public or private service or creative work,
the adequate performance of which requires engineering education, training, and
experience in applying special knowledge or judgment of the mathematical,
physical, or engineering sciences to that service or creative work.” Tex. Occ. Code
Ann. § 1001.003(b) (West 2012). The practice of engineering includes design or
conceptual design of engineering works or systems; development of plans and
specifications for engineering works or systems; a service, design, analysis, or other
work performed in connection with a utility, structure, building, machine,
equipment, process, system, work, project, or industrial or consumer product or
equipment of a mechanical, electrical, electronic, chemical, hydraulic, pneumatic,
9
geotechnical, or thermal nature; and “any other professional service necessary for
the planning, progress, or completion of an engineering service.” Id. § 1001.003(c);
see also TDIndustries, Inc., 378 S.W.3d at 5.
Appellees alleged the following in their first-filed complaint in this suit
against Fluor and Foster Wheeler:
10. There was a design defect in the system at the time it left the
possession of FLUOR CORPORATION and AMEC FOSTER
WHEELER USA CORPORATION. More specifically, the design of
the system lacked a bleeder valve to relieve pressure trapped upstream
of the strainer basket.
11. The design defect rendered the system unreasonably dangerous as
designed, taking into consideration the utility of the product and the risk
involved.
12. There was a safer alternative design that in reasonable probability
would have prevented or significantly reduced the risk of the injuries in
question without substantially impairing the product’s utility. The
alternative design was economically and technologically feasible at the
time the product left the control of FLUOR CORPORATION and
AMEC FOSTER WHEELER USA CORPORATION.
13. The above design defect was a producing cause of the injury made
the basis of this suit.
...
14. There was a manufacturing defect in the system at the time it left
the possession of FLUOR CORPORATION and AMEC FOSTER
WHEELER USA CORPORATION. The system deviated in its
construction or quality in a manner that rendered it unreasonably
dangerous.
15. The manufacturing defect rendered the system dangerous to an
extent beyond that which would be contemplated by the ordinary user
of the product, with the ordinary knowledge common to the community
as to the product’s characteristics.
10
16. The above manufacturing defect was a producing cause of the injury
made the basis of this suit.
...
17. The system had a marketing defect at the time it left the possession
of FLUOR CORPORATION and AMEC FOSTER WHEELER USA
CORPORATION.
18. There were not adequate warnings of the product’s dangers that
were known or by the application of reasonably developed human skill
and foresight should have been known. FLUOR CORPORATION and
AMEC FOSTER WHEELER USA CORPORATION failed to give
adequate instructions to avoid such dangers. This lack of warning and
instructions rendered the product unreasonably dangerous.
19. The manufacturing defect rendered the system dangerous to an
extent beyond that which would be contemplated by the ordinary user
of the product, with the ordinary knowledge common to the community
as to the product’s characteristics.
20. The above marketing defect was a producing cause of the injury
made the basis of this suit.
...
21. FLUOR CORPORATION and AMEC FOSTER WHEELER USA
CORPORATION were negligent in the design, manufacture, and
marketing of the sour water pump (“system”).
22. FLUOR CORPORATION and AMEC FOSTER WHEELER USA
CORPORATION's negligence was a proximate cause of the injuries to
the [Appellees].
...
23. [Appellees] relied on Defendants skill and judgment to furnish a
suitable system that was fit for the ordinary purpose for which it was
used.
24. FLUOR CORPORATION and AMEC FOSTER WHEELER USA
CORPORATION’s breach of the implied warranty of merchantability
was a proximate cause of the injuries to the [Appellees].
11
Discerning the underlying nature of the claims pleaded in Appellees’ first-filed
complaint, we conclude Appellees’ claims “arose out of the provision of professional
[engineering] services” as revealed by their contention that Foster Wheeler was
“negligent in the design, manufacture, and marketing of the sour water pump
(‘system’)” and the allegation that they relied on “[Appellants’] skill and judgment
to furnish a suitable system that was fit for the ordinary purpose for which it was
used.” (Emphasis added.) If the cause of action is based on a breach of the standard
of care by a professional engineering company, then the claim “arose out of the
provision of professional [engineering] services[,]” without regard to how it is
labeled.
We disagree with Appellees’ assertion that Foster Wheeler’s discovery
responses established that an affidavit of merit was not required when they filed their
first-filed complaint in this suit. In a similar case, the Fort Worth Court of Appeals
concluded “that discovery has no bearing on whether a certificate of merit is
required” where the plaintiff argued a defendant could not invoke a dismissal for
failure to file a certificate of merit when the defendant’s discovery responses denied
having any engineering obligations. See TDIndustries, Inc., 378 S.W.3d at 6. The
court reasoned that the statute contemplates that the determination of whether a
certificate of merit is required occurs at the time the claim is filed, not after
12
discovery. See id.; see also Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 150.002(a) ([T]he
plaintiff shall . . . file with the complaint an affidavit of a third-party . . . licensed
professional engineer[.]”). The Fort Worth Court further concluded “the proper
approach when determining whether a certificate of merit is required is to look solely
at the pleadings to determine the nature of the claim and not at discovery between
the parties.” TDIndustries, Inc., 378 S.W.3d at 6. We agree the statutory language
plainly indicates that the certificate of merit shall be filed with the complaint, before
the parties undertake discovery. See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 150.002(a).
Appellees’ argue Foster Wheeler did not provide engineering services on this
particular system, and since that company did not provide engineering services on
this system, Appellees were not required to file a certificate of merit. This is the type
of situation the certificate of merit requirement attempts to guard against. “The
certificate-of-merit requirement is a substantive hurdle that helps ensure frivolous
claims are expeditiously discharged.” LaLonde v. Gosnell, No. 16–0966, 2019 WL
2479172, at *1 (Tex. June 14, 2019) (citations omitted). “The certificate of merit
must provide a factual basis for the allegations of professional errors or omissions.”
CBM Eng’rs, Inc., 403 S.W.3d at 345 (citing M-E Eng’rs, Inc. v. City of Temple,
365 S.W.3d 497, 506 (Tex. App.—Austin 2012, pet. denied). If Appellees were
unaware of Foster Wheeler’s role in the system at issue, logically they would be
13
unable to articulate allegations of professional error or omissions against Foster
Wheeler. See id.
“Courts have consistently interpreted this language as requiring plaintiffs to
file a certificate of merit with a ‘first-filed petition’ as to the defendants [to] which
a section 150.002 claim applies.”5 Barron Stark & Swift, 551 S.W.3d at 322 (citing
Envirobusiness, 463 S.W.3d at 77; JJW Dev., L.L.C. v. Strand Sys. Eng’g, Inc., 378
S.W.3d 571, 576 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2012, pet. denied); Sharp Eng’g v. Luis, 321
S.W.3d 748, 752 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2010, no pet.)). Appellees
contend their fourth amended petition alleged Foster Wheeler had a “non-
engineering” role. 6 This is immaterial as Appellees’ first-filed complaint against
5
While not applicable to this lawsuit, the recent statutory amendments to
section 150.001 support this interpretation. The amended statute defines complaint
as “any petition or other pleading which, for the first time, raises a claim against a
licensed or registered professional for damages arising out of the provision of
professional services by the licensed or registered professional.” See Act of May 23,
2019, 86th Leg., R.S., ch. 661 §§ 1–2, sec. 150.001–.002, 2019 Tex. Sess. Law Serv.
1928 (West) (to be codified at Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 150.001(1–b)).
6
Appellees’ fourth amended petition dropped the defective design,
manufacturing, and marketing claim along with the breach of implied warranty of
merchantability claims. It also asserts Foster Wheeler had a “non-engineering role.”
However, we look to the substance of the claims. See TIC N. Cent. Dall. 3, L.L.C. v.
Envirobusiness, Inc., 463 S.W.3d 71, 79 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2014, pet denied)
(citations omitted) (explaining courts “are not bound by the labels the plaintiff uses
in formulating its pleadings” but rather, “examine the ‘substance’ of the plaintiff’s
pleadings”). Despite their contention they were no longer asserting claims for an
engineering role, in their fourth amended petition, Appellees maintain Foster
14
Foster Wheeler involved claims invoking chapter 150 and Appellees’ certificate of
merit was required to have been filed contemporaneously with their first-filed
complaint.
2) Licensed or Registered Professional
The defendant must also be a licensed or registered professional. Tex. Civ.
Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 150.002(a). Foster Wheeler provided a certification with
their motion to dismiss showing it is currently registered in the State of Texas to
“offer and perform engineering services” along with a roster from the Texas Board
of Professional Engineers of its employees and affidavit testimony stating it has
employed licensed professional engineers for decades. Therefore, Foster Wheeler
qualifies as a “licensed or registered professional[.]” See id.
Because Appellees’ claims arose out of the provision of professional services
by a licensed or registered engineer, the certificate of merit requirement applies. Id.
§ 150.002(a), (b). “A plaintiff ‘shall’ file an affidavit of a qualified third party in the
Wheeler was negligent in its installation, inspection, maintenance, assembly, and
fabrication of the system and further complains Foster Wheeler failed to provide
trained personnel and provide adequate instructions for the system. Even these
allegations fall within “other work performed for a . . . private entity in connection
with . . . equipment, process, system, work, project or industrial or consumer product
or equipment of a mechanical, electrical, electronic, chemical, hydraulic, pneumatic,
geotechnical, or thermal nature[.]” See Tex. Occ. Code Ann. § 1001.003(c)(10)
(West 2012) (emphasis added). Accordingly, these claims implicate the provision of
engineering services.
15
same profession; the affidavit must substantiate the plaintiff’s claim on each theory
of recovery.” Crosstex Energy Servs., L.P. v. Pro Plus, Inc., 430 S.W.3d 384, 387
(Tex. 2014) (citing Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 150.002(a), (b)). Failure to
file this certificate of merit results in dismissal, which may be with or without
prejudice. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 150.002(e); see also Crosstex, 430
S.W.3d at 387.
The use of the word “shall” in section 150.002(a) indicates a plaintiff must
file the described affidavit. See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 150.002(a).
Similarly, the use of the word “shall” in section 150.002(e) requires a trial court to
dismiss the case if a plaintiff fails to file the necessary affidavit. See id. § 150.002(e);
see also Miramar Petroleum, Inc. v. Cimarron Eng’g, LLC, 484 S.W.3d 214, 217
(Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 2016, pet. denied) (noting “a trial court is required to
dismiss a complaint if the plaintiff did not file a certificate of merit in compliance
with the statute”). The statute required Appellees to file a certificate of merit with
their first-filed complaint. Because they failed to do so, the statute required the trial
court to dismiss the complaint. See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 150.002(e);
see also Miramar Petroleum, Inc., 484 S.W.3d at 217.
Finally, we note that Appellees conceded they should have filed a certificate
of merit as to Fluor in response to a similar 150.002 motion to dismiss, yet they
16
maintain they were not required to file one with respect to Foster Wheeler.
Considering the identical nature of Appellees’ claims against Fluor and Foster
Wheeler, Appellees’ position that a certificate of merit was required as to Fluor but
not for the claims against Foster Wheeler is untenable. The trial court abused its
discretion in denying Foster Wheeler’s motion to dismiss based on section 150.002.
Therefore, we sustain the Appellant’s second issue.
C. Issue Three: Dismissal With or Without Prejudice
A trial court has the discretion to determine if the dismissal will be with or
without prejudice. See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 150.002(e);
CTL/Thompson Tex., LLC, 390 S.W.3d at 301 (noting 150.002(e) provides no
guidance on how the trial court should exercise its discretion in determining to
dismiss an action with prejudice or without); Barron, Stark & Swift, 551 S.W.3d at
325 (remanding case to trial court to determine whether dismissal should be with or
without prejudice). Having determined the trial court abused its discretion in denying
Foster Wheeler’s section 150.002 motion to dismiss, we remand to the trial court for
the trial court to determine if the dismissal should be with or without prejudice.
IV. Conclusion
We conclude Foster Wheeler’s motion to dismiss Appellees’ action for failure
to file a certificate of merit was not moot, and the trial court abused its discretion by
17
denying the motion. We reverse the trial court’s order of November 30, 2018, and
remand to the trial court to determine whether such dismissal should be with or
without prejudice.
REVERSED AND REMANDED.
_________________________
CHARLES KREGER
Justice
Submitted on April 9, 2019
Opinion Delivered August 22, 2019
Before Kreger, Horton and Johnson, JJ.
18