Ronnie and Tammy Lanier v. Eastern Foundations, Inc., David Allen Beavers, & Choice Drivers , 401 S.W.3d 445 ( 2013 )

Reversed and Rendered in Part, Affirmed in Part and Opinion Filed May 22, 2013
S In The
Court of Appeals
Fifth District of Texas at Dallas
No. 05-11-01257-CV
RONNIE AND TAMMY LANIER, Appellants
V.
EASTERN FOUNDATIONS, INC., DAVID ALLEN BEAVERS, & CHOICE
DRIVERS, Appellees
__________
NATIONAL LIABILITY AND FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY, Appellant
V.
RONNIE AND TAMMY LANIER, EASTERN FOUNDATIONS, INC.,
DAVID ALLEN BEAVERS, & CHOICE DRIVERS, AND GENERAL
INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA, Appellees
On Appeal from the County Court at Law No. 2
Dallas County, Texas
Trial Court Cause No. CC-09-00185-B
OPINION
Before Justices Francis, Lang, and Evans
Opinion by Justice Francis
Ronnie and Tammy Lanier were injured in an on-the-job accident when a dump truck hit
their tractor-trailer. The Laniers sued the driver, David Allen Beavers; Beavers’s employer,
Choice Drivers; and the company Beavers was driving for, Eastern Foundations, Inc. A jury
returned a verdict in the Laniers’ favor, awarding $131,000 in past damages to Ronnie and
$38,550 in past damages to Tammy. The jury, however, awarded “zero damages” for Ronnie’s
future pain and mental anguish, medical expenses, physical impairment, and loss of earning
capacity and Tammy’s derivative claims for past and future loss of consortium and loss of
household services. The trial court rendered judgment on the jury’s verdict, ordered the award to
Ronnie be awarded to National Liability and Fire Insurance Company, the worker’s
compensation carrier for the Laniers’ employer, and then be apportioned “in its entirety” to
Ronnie’s counsel. The Laniers and National separately appealed.
In two issues, the Laniers argue the jury’s “zero damage” findings are against the great
weight and preponderance of the evidence. In a third issue, they assert their medical expenses
were not presented to the jury in compliance with Haygood v. De Escabedo, 356 S.W.3d 390
(Tex. 2011). In its appeal, National brings five issues related to its workers’ compensation lien.
We sustain National’s fourth issue related to trial court error in reducing National’s subrogation
lien by the amount of the Laniers’ litigation expenses and reverse that portion of the trial court’s
judgment. We affirm the judgment in all other respects.
We begin with the Laniers’ appeal. The Laniers were husband-and-wife truck drivers for
East-West Express, Inc., a Georgia corporation. On January 14, 2007, they were returning to
Georgia from a trip to California when they came upon a multiple-vehicle pileup on an icy
bridge on Interstate 20 in Tarrant County. Ronnie, who was driving the tractor-trailer, was able
to stop without hitting any of the vehicles. A dump truck pulling an excavator was behind the
Laniers. The driver of the dump truck, David Allen Beavers, was unable to stop, jackknifed, and
collided with the Laniers’ rig, knocking it into another vehicle.
Emergency medical technicians checked Ronnie and Tammy at the scene, but neither was
transported to the hospital. Three days after Ronnie arrived back in Georgia, he went to a doctor
complaining of neck and back pain. The doctor diagnosed him with a neck strain and prescribed
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pain medication. The medication, however, did not resolve the problem and, in February,
Ronnie went to a hospital emergency room, where he was again told he had a strained neck and
back. About two months after the accident, Ronnie was referred to Dr. Roy Baker.
Dr. Baker, a neurosurgeon, ordered various tests and told Ronnie he had a cervical and
thoracic strain and had arthritis in his neck. At Dr. Baker’s recommendation, Ronnie began
physical therapy, which helped for a period of time. In fact, by July, Ronnie was doing well
enough to return to work, and he and Tammy made a nine-day trip to California in August.
During that trip, Ronnie’s symptoms returned, and his hands swelled to the point he could not
bend or move them and he was having severe neck pain.
Ronnie said he was in “no shape” to drive, so Tammy drove the entire trip back to
Georgia. Once there, he went to Dr. Baker, who advised him that surgery was an option but that
it was a “gamble.” Ronnie said he “took the gamble and lost.” In November 2007, Ronnie
underwent a three-level cervical spine fusion. Although the surgery alleviated the swelling in his
hands, he said he continues to have constant pain in his neck and shoulders. Although he “hurts
all the time,” the pain is “not near as bad as it was” and is tolerable with pain medication.
After the surgery, Dr. Baker referred Ronnie to physical therapy, but Ronnie said the
treatment did not help. Dr. Baker then referred him to a pain management specialist, Dr. Keith
Kirby. Ronnie said Dr. Kirby has performed “radio frequency” treatments and injections to treat
the pain, and the procedures have provided temporary relief for a few months at a time.
Ronnie testified he understood from Dr. Baker that he had arthritis in his neck. However,
he said he had never had any problems with his neck, shoulder, or arms before the accident and
had been in “good health.” He said he did not go to the hospital at the scene of the accident
because he did not realize he was hurt.
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Because of his physical condition, Ronnie testified he can no longer do long-haul truck
driving because his body cannot “take it” and because he cannot drive while taking pain
medications. He said he reads at a third- or fourth-grade level and, with his physical problems,
did not know of any job he could do. At the time of trial, Ronnie remained under Dr. Kirby’s
care. He last saw Dr. Baker a year-and-a-half before trial.
Since the crash, Ronnie’s activities have been limited by his pain. Tammy testified
Ronnie cannot ride for any length of time in a car, walk for very long, or work in the yard raking
leaves or chopping wood. He can ride a lawn mower, but for no longer than two to three laps.
He has difficultly sitting or standing for any length of time and basically has difficulty getting
comfortable without hurting. She said she and Ronnie have “no intimacy” at all.
The jury also heard from Ronnie’s doctors. Dr. Baker testified he first saw Ronnie in
March 2007. He performed a neurologic examination and ordered x-rays, an MRI, and a
myelogram. The neurologic examination tested Ronnie’s strength, sensation, and reflexes in his
arms and legs, and the results were normal. The MRI showed degenerative, or arthritic, changes
in his cervical spine, and in particular, “some stenosis or narrowing, bone spurring” between the
fifth and sixth vertebrae and between the sixth and seventh vertebrae. As Dr. Baker explained,
the bottom two disks in Ronnie’s neck were “pretty well worn out” and he had a “good bit of
arthritic change there.” The myelogram showed some bone spurs, particularly at the fifth and
sixth vertebrae, with a “little bit of nerve root compression.” After completing all the tests, Dr.
Baker diagnosed Ronnie as have cervical spondylosis, which he described as arthritis or arthritic
changes, probably aggravated by the trauma of the accident. Dr. Baker acknowledged the
accident did not cause the arthritis. Dr. Baker did not observe any acute or gross injury or
trauma related to the accident on the images.
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Dr. Baker said he recommended physical therapy and, by July 2007, Ronnie was doing
“amazingly well.” Ronnie had full range of motion in his neck, had excellent strength in his
arms and legs, and had only “a little twinge of pain” in his right shoulder blade. Ronnie told Dr.
Baker he “wanted to go back to work the next day,” and Dr. Baker said there was no physical
reason that could be objectively verified to prevent Ronnie from returning to work.
Late the following month, Ronnie returned to him and said he was trying to go back to
work as a truck driver but was starting to have more pain in his neck, radiating down into his
arm, and was losing the use of his fingers. Dr. Baker ordered another MRI, which showed
multiple-level degenerative disk changes, particularly at C5-C6, a bulging disk at C4-C5, and
degenerative changes at C6-C7. At that point, Dr. Baker diagnosed three-level disk disease. Dr.
Baker said the options were surgery or continuing medical treatment with arthritis pills, therapy,
and “that sort of thing.” Ronnie opted to have surgery, and in November 2007, Dr. Baker
performed a three-level spinal fusion.
The surgery showed all three levels—C4-C5, C5-C6, and C6-C7—had some bone
spurring, which Dr. Baker said “implies that whatever is going on there had been there for some
time,” and a small amount of disk herniation. The goal of the surgery was to relieve pain by
decompressing the nerves and stabilizing the bones of Ronnie’s cervical spine. About two weeks
after the surgery, Dr. Baker said Ronnie was “doing great” and was “healing well.” He told Dr.
Baker that he was feeling “a lot better than he did before the surgery.” A couple of weeks later,
Ronnie was “doing pretty well,” although he had “some complaints” of pain in the muscle that
goes between the neck and shoulders. Dr. Baker recommended post-surgery physical therapy so
that Ronnie could increase his strength and flexibility of his muscles. Dr. Baker testified that,
after the surgery, Ronnie “did very well all things considered.” Although he was not entirely
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pain-free, his pain “seemed to be at a far lower level post-op.” But because of Ronnie’s
“ongoing discomfort,” he referred him to Dr. Kirby in June 2008.
Dr. Baker testified that during his treatment of Ronnie, Ronnie told him he had never had
neck problems before the accident and had nothing but pain since then. Based on Ronnie’s
reported history, he believed that while the accident did not cause the arthritic changes in
Ronnie’s neck or his bone spurs, it clearly aggravated Ronnie’s pre-existing degenerative
condition. In other words, Dr. Baker said the accident “turned a problem which was not causing
him problems into one which was causing him pain.”
Upon questioning by appellees, Dr. Baker acknowledged that driving a truck, as well as
the auxiliary tasks of loading, unloading, and throwing straps across it, can be an aggravating
factor for a person who has spondylosis or stenosis in the cervical area. He also agreed that
sitting in a slumped position for prolonged periods, with hands out in front, places strain on the
cervical area and would aggravate a neck ache. During the first meeting with Ronnie and every
meeting thereafter from March to July 2007, based on a review of Ronnie’s history and the
objective evidence, he was unable to conclude anything other than degenerative conditions with
respect to Ronnie’s cervical spine. He agreed the findings on the x-rays, MRI, and myelogram
all showed degenerative changes. Finally, he also acknowledged that a person can have an
asymptomatic degenerative condition, go to sleep one night, and wake up the next morning and
suddenly be symptomatic.
Dr. Kirby, a board-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation physician, first saw
Ronnie in August 2008. He testified Ronnie reported to him that he had “ongoing, never ending
pain” in his neck, back and shoulders. Dr. Kirby believed the pain from the nerve impingement
was resolved by the surgery, and Ronnie was left with “arthritic pain that referred pain into . . .
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his shoulder area.” Dr. Kirby increased Ronnie’s pain medications and performed two cervical
facet blocks to numb the nerves and two “radio frequency” procedures on Ronnie. The
procedures provided temporary relief.
In January 2010, Dr. Kirby performed a disability rating for Ronnie and gave him a
whole body disability rating of 20 percent. In February, Ronnie underwent a functional capacity
evaluation. The evaluation was a four-hour test in which Ronnie was asked to perform various
functions, such as walking, climbing stairs, and lifting various amounts of weights. Dr. Kirby
said every function increased Ronnie’s pain. Although Ronnie demonstrated the ability to
perform medium physical demands, Dr. Kirby opined that Ronnie was not physically capable of
returning to work as an “over-the-road” truck driver.
Finally, Dr. Kirby believed that based on a reasonable medical probability, Ronnie will
never be pain-free. He also agreed with Dr. Baker that Ronnie had degenerative changes in his
spine before the accident, but that the accident “aggravated, accelerated, and excited” any pre-
existing degenerative changes. Dr. Kirby explained that when a person has any type of
“acceleration deceleration” injury to the cervical spine, it creates stress on “the ligaments, the
bony structures.” Inflammatory “chemical mediators” respond to an injury and cause an
inflammatory response, resulting in swelling and increased blood flow. Dr. Kirby said the blood
vessels “can become leaky” and the inflammatory response can “sensitize the ligaments, the
nerves in the area,” and create pain. Usually, these injuries resolve over time, but Dr. Kirby said
Ronnie had pre-existing degenerative changes in his neck. The area became sensitized, and
Ronnie continued to have pain.
In addition to the medical evidence, the Laniers also presented evidence regarding
Ronnie’s ability to work. Dr. William Burke, a rehabilitation specialist and psychologist,
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testified Ronnie suffers from chronic, debilitating pain that prevents him from sleeping, from
sitting comfortably, from standing or walking for more than 30 or 40 minutes, and from lifting
more than ten pounds. Given his physical condition, Dr. Burke said Ronnie could not sustain
employment on an eight-hour basis, five days a week, and “certainly can’t go back to work as a
truck driver.” While a younger person would be retrained for a job that was less strenuous, Dr.
Burke said Ronnie’s age (56 at trial) and reading level precluded that. Dr. Carl Hansen, a
vocational rehabilitation counselor, testified he performed a disability analysis for Ronnie and
concluded he is totally disabled. Given the pain associated with Ronnie’s condition, he did not
believe Ronnie could return to work as an “over-the-road” truck driver. Further, he said Ronnie
did not have the practical ability to “go into the labor market” given his age, the lack of
transferrable skills, and limited reading ability.
In contrast to the Laniers’ medical evidence, appellees presented the testimony of Dr.
John Sklar, a board-certified physical medicine and rehabilitation physician. Dr. Sklar reviewed
Ronnie’s medical records and, in particular the various images (x-rays, MRIs, myelogram), and
said there was nothing in them to explain Ronnie’s pain. Like Dr. Baker, Dr. Sklar testified the
images showed a degenerative condition in Ronnie’s neck, but he did not see anything on the
“imaging” attributable to the accident. He disagreed with Dr. Baker’s opinion that the accident
aggravated or worsened Ronnie’s pre-existing degenerative condition, saying he did not believe
the neck strain made Ronnie’s condition worse. He said there was no “good explanation” for
how someone would have “this type of injury” and be complaining of pain months or years later.
As a chronic pain specialist, he believed the factors involved are more psychological than
physical in chronic pain. As for Ronnie, given that he still has pain after the surgery, he believed
he would have chronic neck pain, but he could not say what was causing that pain.
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As for Ronnie’s limitations and prospects for returning to work, Dr. Sklar did not believe
from a medical perspective that Ronnie needed to be placed on “restrictions.” For example, he
said Ronnie’s medical records suggested a ten-pound lifting restriction, which he termed
“ridiculous.” Based on his treatment of other over-the-road truck drivers and his knowledge of
what their positions require, he believed Ronnie could go back to truck-driving. To the extent
pain medications present a problem, Dr. Sklar said there are non-narcotic medications effective
in alleviating pain. There was nothing in the medical records that would cause him to place
Ronnie on medical restrictions that would preclude him from reentering the workforce. Instead,
he said if he were treating Ronnie, he would advise him to be as active as possible and return to
work. Finally, he testified that, in looking at the records, the surgery was performed due to
spinal stenosis. He explained spinal stenosis is a degenerative condition, not an injury-related
condition, so the surgery was not related to the accident.
Dr. Dillon Snowden, a certified vocational rehabilitation counselor, agreed Ronnie could
return to work although he probably could not return to long-haul truck driving. She testified
there was nothing in the record to support the assessment of Dr. Hansen that Ronnie is totally
disabled. She identified different driving jobs she believed Ronnie could perform given his
degenerative condition, such as business limousine services or light delivery or logistics, going
in house with a trucking company and working in dispatch, scheduling, or trip planning.
After hearing the evidence, the jury found in favor of the Laniers on the liability issue
and then awarded damages. To Ronnie, the jury awarded $7,000 for past physical pain and
mental anguish; $19,000 for past loss of earning capacity; $5,000 for past physical impairment;
and $100,000 in past medical expenses. The jury awarded zero future damages on these
elements. As for Tammy, the jury awarded $2,000 in past physical pain and mental anguish;
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$17,050 for past loss of earning capacity; $1,500 for past physical impairment; and $18,000 for
past medical expenses. The jury awarded zero future damages on these elements as well as her
claims for past and future loss of household services and loss of consortium.
In their first two issues, the Laniers challenge the jury’s failure to find damages (1) for
physical pain and mental anguish, medical expenses, physical impairment, and loss of earning
capacity that would in reasonable probability be sustained by Ronnie in the future and (2) for
loss of consortium and loss of household services in the past and that would in reasonable
probability be sustained in the future by Tammy. They argue compelling evidence was
presented on these issues, and the zero awards are so against the great weight and preponderance
of the evidence as to be manifestly unjust.
In reviewing the Laniers’ factual sufficiency challenges, we examine all of the evidence
in the record, both for and against the challenged finding, in determining whether the finding in
question is so against the great weight and preponderance of the evidence as to be manifestly
wrong and unjust. Dow Chem. Co. v. Francis, 46 S.W.3d 237, 242 (Tex. 2001); Pool v. Ford
Motor Co., 715 S.W.2d 629, 635 (Tex. 1986) (op. on motion for reh’g). When we review the
evidence, we may not reweigh it and set aside the verdict merely because we feel a different
result is more reasonable. Pool, 715 S.W.2d at 634. The jury is the exclusive judge of the
credibility of the witnesses and the weight to be given their testimony. Golden Eagle Archery,
Inc. v. Jackson, 116 S.W.3d 757, 761 (Tex. 2003). The jury may believe one witness and
disbelieve another and resolves any inconsistencies in any witness’s testimony. McGalliard v.
Kuhlmann, 722 S.W.2d 694, 697 (Tex. 1986). Finally, we are mindful the jury in this case was
not convinced by a preponderance of the evidence. See Herbert v. Herbert, 754 S.W.2d 141, 144
(Tex. 1988).
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The jury generally has great discretion in considering evidence on the issue of damages.
McGalliard, 722 S.W.2d at 697. Matters of pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical
impairment, and loss of consortium are necessarily speculative, and it is particularly within the
jury’s province to resolve these matters and determine the amounts attributable thereto. Belford
v. Walsh, No. 14-09-00825-CV, 2011 WL 3447482, *7 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] Aug. 9,
2011, no pet.) (mem. op.) (pain, disfigurement, physical impairment); P.T. & E. Co. v. Beasley,
698 S.W.2d 190, 196 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 1985, writ ref’d n.r.e.) (loss of consortium and “its
constituent elements necessarily involve subjective states incapable of precise translation into a
monetary amount”).
When uncontroverted, objective evidence of an injury is presented and the causation of
the injury has been established, courts are more likely to overturn jury findings of no damages
for past physical pain and impairment. See Blizzard v. Nationwide Mut. Fire Ins. Co., 756
S.W.2d 801, 804–05 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1988, no writ); Byrd v. Westerhof, No. 03-00-00180-
CV, 2001 WL 101517, at *3 (Tex. App.—Austin Feb. 8, 2001, no pet.). On the other hand, if
the indicia of injury are more subjective than objective in nature, appellate courts are generally
more reluctant to hold a jury finding of no damages contrary to the great weight and
preponderance of the evidence. See Blizzard, 756 S.W.2d at 805; Byrd, 2001 WL 101517, at *3.
Finally, uncontroverted, objective evidence of injury does not always require mental anguish
damages. Lamb v. Franklin, 976 S.W.2d 339, 341 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 1998, no pet.).
When there is conflicting evidence about the severity of the injuries or about whether the
injuries were caused by the collision, the jury has the discretion to resolve the conflicts,
determine which version of the evidence to accept, and refuse to award damages. Byrd, 2001
WL 101517, at *3 (citing e.g., Lamb, 976 S.W.2d at 342–43; Wagner v. Taylor, 867 S.W.2d 404,
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405 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 1993, no writ); Pilkington v. Kornell, 822 S.W.2d 223, 230 (Tex.
App.—Dallas 1991, writ denied); McGuffin v. Terrell, 732 S.W.2d 425, 428 (Tex. App.—Fort
Worth 1987, no writ); Szmalec v. Madro, 650 S.W.2d 514, 517 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th
Dist.] 1983, writ ref'd n.r.e.); Middleton v. Palmer, 601 S.W.2d 759, 765-66 (Tex. Civ. App.—
Dallas 1980, writ ref'd n.r.e.)). Or the jury may determine that only part of the injuries was
caused by the collision at issue and award damages accordingly. Id. (citing e.g., Lamb, 976
S.W.2d at 342-43; Hogue v. Kroger Store No. 107, 875 S.W.2d 477, 482 (Tex. App.—Houston
[1st Dist.] 1994, writ denied) (op. on motion for reh’g); Wagner, 867 S.W.2d at 405; Pilkington,
822 S.W.2d at 230). Indeed, courts have upheld jury awards of zero damages when both
subjective and objective evidence of injuries existed, so long as the jury’s verdict was not so
against the great weight of the evidence as to be manifestly unjust. Id.; see, e.g., Pilkington, 822
S.W.2d at 230–31; Srite v. Owens-Illinois, Inc., 870 S.W.2d 556, 563 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st
Dist.] 1993), rev’d on other grounds, 897 S.W.2d 765 (Tex. 1995).
Here, the jury awarded Ronnie past damages but denied any future damages on those
same elements. Given those findings, it is clear the jury believed Ronnie suffered some injury as
a result of the accident. The jury, however, also could have reasonably believed, based on the
evidence, that any injury was resolved prior to the trial, and any present or future problems
Ronnie was experiencing were a result of his pre-existing condition aggravated by events
unrelated to the accident. All of the experts, including Ronnie’s doctors, testified the objective
medical tests, that is, X-rays, MRIs, and myelogram, did not reveal any acute or gross injury or
trauma suffered by Ronnie as a result of the January 14, 2007 accident; rather, the images
indisputably showed Ronnie suffered from a pre-existing degenerative, arthritic condition in his
cervical spine that was not caused by the accident. Whether the accident aggravated Ronnie’s
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pre-existing condition was in dispute, and evidence pertinent to that issue was conflicting.
Ronnie’s doctors testified the wreck aggravated and worsened his condition, while Dr. Sklar said
it did not. Although appellants complain on appeal that Dr. Sklar was not credible, it was for the
jury to decide which witnesses to believe.
In addition to the conflicts noted above, there was also conflicting evidence regarding the
limitations of Ronnie’s pain and his ability to work in the future. Ronnie testified that given his
physical problems and reading limitations, he did not know of any job he could do. His experts
likewise agreed, saying he could no longer work because of his pain, lack of skills, and reading
limitations. In contrast, appellees’ experts testified Ronnie was able to reenter the labor force
with Dr. Sklar testifying Ronnie can do what he chooses to do and Dr. Snowden suggesting
particular job areas.
It was the jury’s role to determine which witnesses to believe or disbelieve and to resolve
any conflicts or inconsistencies in the evidence. Given the record before us, we cannot conclude
the jury’s findings of zero damages for Ronnie’s future physical pain and mental anguish,
medical expenses, physical impairment, and loss of earning capacity are so against the great
weight and preponderance of the evidence as to be clearly wrong and manifestly unjust.
As for Tammy’s complaint about the jury’s failure to award damages to her for past and
future loss of household services and loss of consortium, we reach the same conclusion. A
spouse’s claim for lost consortium and household services is derivative in nature, meaning
Tammy must prove Ronnie suffered serious, permanent, and disabling injuries. See Dunn v.
Bank-Tec South, 134 S.W.3d 315, 325 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2003, no pet.). She must also link
the existence of those injuries to the diminished or missing affection, solace, companionship,
society, assistance, and sexual relations contemplated within the theory of consortium. See id.
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As outlined previously, the evidence was conflicting and described subjective pain. The
experts agreed the degenerative condition was not caused by the accident, and the experts
disagreed as to whether the degenerative condition was aggravated by the wreck. Given the
jury’s answers to the future damages, it apparently believed Ronnie did not suffer a permanent,
disabling injury. Although Tammy testified about Ronnie’s limitations around the house and the
lack of intimacy between the two, she is not a “disinterested witness.” See id. As in Dunn, the
ailments she describes are “inherently subjective in nature” and whether the jury believed them
to exist depended upon whether they viewed the witness as credible. We cannot say the jury’s
refusal to award her damages for past and future loss of consortium and household services was
against the great weight and preponderance of the evidence and therefore manifestly unjust. We
overrule the second issue.
In their third issue, the Laniers argue they are entitled to a new trial because the evidence
of their past medical expenses was not presented in accordance with the supreme court’s decision
in Haygood v. De Escabedo, 356 S.W.3d 390 (Tex. 2011). In Haygood, the court held that
section 41.0105 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code limits recovery, and
consequently evidence at trial, to only the medical expenses that have been or must be paid by
the claimant. Id. at 398. In other words, if the medical bills have been paid, a claimant’s
unadjusted medical bills are irrelevant and inadmissible. See id.
In this case, evidence as to past medical expenses was presented exactly as requested by
the Laniers. The Laniers did not seek, and in fact objected to, submission of evidence as to the
amounts actually paid. Given the Laniers’ position at trial, we conclude they have failed to
preserve any issue for review. See TEX. R. APP. P. 33.1. We overrule the third issue.
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NATIONAL’S APPEAL
In its appeal, National Liability and Fire Insurance Company brings five issues related to
the reimbursement of its workers’ compensation lien. National first challenges the trial court’s
take-nothing judgment on its breach of contract claim against General Insurance Company of
America and Eastern Foundations, Inc. In four other issues, National challenges the trial court’s
allocation of the workers’ compensation intervention amounts.
At the time of the accident, the Laniers were Georgia residents and were employed by
East-West Express, Inc., a Georgia corporation. National was the workers’ compensation carrier
for the Laniers’ employer and paid benefits totaling $462,565.82 to the Laniers for the injuries
they sustained in the accident. General was the liability insurance carrier for Eastern
Foundations, which owned the vehicle Beavers was driving when he collided with the Laniers’
vehicle.
Several months after the Laniers filed their personal injury lawsuit against the Eastern
Foundation defendants, National intervened to claim subrogation rights to the Laniers’ recovery.
After the Laniers settled their workers’ compensation claims with their employer and National,
National amended its petition in intervention to include a breach of contract claim against
General and Eastern Foundations. Specifically, National alleged it had a pre-litigation written
agreement by which General agreed to pay 70 percent of its liens and that General refused to
fund the settlement after the workers’ compensation claim was resolved.
Before trial began on the underlying case, the parties agreed to a bench trial on National’s
breach of contract claim. After the jury’s verdict, the trial court conducted the bench trial on the
contract claim and, after hearing the evidence, found in General and Eastern Foundations’s favor
and rendered a take-nothing judgment. At the same time, the trial court considered the Laniers’
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post-judgment motions for determination as to choice of law and to allocate workers’
compensation intervention amounts. With respect to the motions, in its judgment, the trial court
ordered the award to Ronnie Lanier in the amount of $153,539.18, consisting of the verdict and
prejudgment interest, be awarded to National and be “apportioned to [the Laniers’] counsel in its
entirety.” The judgment ordered the award to Tammy Lanier be awarded to her in full and that
National take nothing in its intervention as to her. The trial court subsequently made findings of
fact and conclusions of law on all of these issues.
In its first issue, National argues the trial court erred in failing to find there was an
agreement between National and Eastern to settle National’s claims when the evidence showed a
“written, unambiguous offer and acceptance” between the parties.
At the bench trial, three witnesses testified: Loren Smith, counsel for National, and Brent
Colton and Michael Kreutzer, General’s adjusters on the Lanier file. Of the three, only Kreutzer
was involved in the writings relied upon by National to establish an agreement. Evidence
showed that Kreutzer wrote a December 30, 2008 letter to Jennifer Bobbitt of Associated Claims
Administrators, Inc., the third-party administrator for National. The letter provided, in relevant
part:
It was a pleasure talking to you today regarding the claims for Ronnie and
Tammie Lanier. . . .As we have discussed, this matter is approaching the Statute
of Limitations, which is January 14th, 2009. We will be working with the attorney
representing Ronnie and Tammie Lanier in an effort to resolve this matter before
they are forced to file suit regarding this auto accident dated January 14th, 2007.
As I have explained, we believe Mr. Lanier is partially responsible for this loss;
further, his damages may be reduced by any percent of responsibility a jury sees
fit. We have respectfully requested that Associated Claims Administrators, Inc.
accept a reduction in their lien relating to the claims for Ronnie and Tammie
Lanier. The purpose of this reduction will assist us in negotiating an early
resolution to this matter rather than proceeding into lengthy and costly litigation
for all parties.
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If you are in agreement to accept this reduction, please advise as soon as possible.
Thank you for your assistance in getting this matter resolved.
On the same day, Todd Handelman, counsel for ACA in the subrogation claim, responded by
email: “We are willing to reduce our lien amount by 30% on each claim. Please advise me of
the developments of this matter as soon as possible.”
At trial, Kreutzer explained he wrote the letter to follow up a conversation he had with
Bobbit. Kreutzer said he never offered anyone on behalf of ACA that General would
unconditionally pay 70 percent of the amount National paid out to the Laniers; rather, he said he
asked for a 30 percent reduction of the lien in hopes of achieving a global resolution. He
acknowledged the term “global settlement” was not used in the December 30th letter, nor was the
term “contingent.”
After hearing the evidence, the trial court found in General’s favor. Relevant to this
issue, the trial court found (1) Kreutzer sent a letter to National “discussing the potential
reduction of the workers’ compensation lien for the purposes of attempting to settle the entire
case”; (2) National responded to Kreutzer “discussing the potential reduction of the workers’
compensation lien for the purposes of attempting to settle the entire case”; and (3) no agreement
was “ever established” between the parties regarding the reduction of the lien. The trial court
made the following relevant conclusions of law: (1) National and General did not enter into an
agreement regarding the payment of any portion of National’s asserted lien in this case and
(2) there was no meeting of the minds between the parties on the alleged agreement.
In an appeal from a bench trial, the trial court’s findings of fact have the same weight as a
jury verdict. Principal Life Ins. Co. v. Revalen Dev. LLC, 358 S.W.3d 451, 454 (Tex. App.—
Dallas 2012, pet. ref’d). Therefore, we review a trial court’s findings for legal sufficiency under
the same standard as jury findings. Rich v. Olah, 274 S.W.3d 878, 883 (Tex. App.—Dallas
17
2008, no pet.). To analyze the legal sufficiency of the evidence, we review the record in the light
most favorable to the trial court’s finding, crediting favorable evidence if a reasonable factfinder
could and disregarding contrary evidence unless a reasonable factfinder could not. See City of
Keller v. Wilson, 168 S.W.3d 802, 827 (Tex. 2005). A party attacking the legal sufficiency of an
adverse finding on an issue on which it bore the burden of proof must demonstrate that the
evidence establishes, as a matter of law, all vital facts in support of the issue. Dow Chem. Co.,
46 S.W.3d at 241.
To prove contract formation, a party must prove, among other elements, an offer and
acceptance and a meeting of the minds on all essential elements. Principal Life, 358 S.W.3d at
454. For there to be an offer which may ripen into a contract by simple acceptance, the offer
must be reasonably definite in its terms and must sufficiently cover the essentials of the proposed
transaction that, with an expression of assent, there will be a complete and definite agreement on
all essential details. Id. at 455. The term “meeting of the minds” refers to the parties’ mutual
understanding and assent to the expression of their agreement. Id. To create an enforceable
contract, the minds of the parties must meet with respect to the subject matter of the agreement
and all its essential terms. Id. The parties must agree to the same thing, in the same sense, at the
same time. Id.
Here, National argues the writings conclusively established an agreement to settle its
claims for 70 percent of the amount of liens. We cannot agree. The December 30th letter did
nothing more than request National to reduce its liens by 30 percent so General could attempt to
settle the case before a lawsuit was filed. While the letter did not specifically use the terms
“global settlement,” it is apparent from the context of the letter that was its intent. General
certainly did not make an unconditional offer to pay 70 percent of the lien in the absence of a
18
global settlement. We conclude the evidence before the trial court supports its findings and
conclusions there was no meeting of the minds between the parties and no agreement regarding
the payment of any portion of National’s asserted lien. We therefore overrule the first issue.
National’s second through fifth issues challenge the trial court’s allocation of the
workers’ compensation intervention amounts. Specifically, National contends the trial court
erred by (1) reducing National’s subrogation interest in Ronnie’s recovery for attorney’s fees and
litigation expenses; (2) finding that National was not entitled to any award out of Tammy’s
recovery under the “made whole” doctrine; and (3) “holding” that National was entitled to any
portion of the Laniers’ recovery as the issue is not ripe until the Laniers “actually make a
recovery.”
With respect to these issues, the trial court concluded that Georgia law applied to the
determination of National’s workers’ compensation claim because “‘the most significant
relationship’ to the occurrence and parties with the respect to this issue occurred in Georgia.”
Further, the trial court concluded Georgia law “applie[d] to the determination of the workers’
compensation liens asserted by [National] against [the Laniers].” None of the parties challenge
these conclusions; consequently, where appropriate, we also apply Georgia law.
Relevant to the following issues is the Georgia Workers’ Compensation Act. Under
section 34-9-11.1(b) of the Act, after an employer has paid workers’ compensation benefits to an
injured employee, the employer or its workers’ compensation insurer is granted a subrogation
lien for the benefits paid against the employee’s recovery from a third-party tortfeasor found
liable to the employee for the injury. See GA. CODE ANN. § 34-9-11.1(b); Hammond v. Lee, 536
S.E.2d 231, 233 (Ga. Ct. App. 2000). To assert the lien, the statute allows the employer or its
insurer to intervene in the suit brought by the employee against the third party. See GA. CODE
19
ANN. § 34-9-11.1(b); Hammond, 536 S.E.2d at 233. Under the statute, the lien is limited to the
amount of the workers’ compensation disability benefits, death benefits, and medical expenses
paid to the employee and is recoverable only
if the injured employee has been fully and completely compensated,
taking into consideration both the benefits received under this chapter and the
amount of the recovery in the third-party claim, for all economic and
noneconomic losses incurred as a result of the injury.
GA. CODE ANN. § 34-0-11.1(b); Hammond, 536 S.E.2d at 865-66. Further, the Act provides as
follows:
(d) In the event of a recovery from such other person by the injured
employee or those to whom such employee’s right of action survives by
judgment, settlement, or otherwise, the attorney representing such injured
employee or those whom such employee’s right of action survives shall be
entitled to a reasonable fee for service; provided, however, that if the employer or
insurer has engaged another attorney to represent the employer or insurer in
effecting recovery against such other person, then a court of competent
jurisdiction shall upon application apportion the reasonable fee between the
attorney for the injured employee and the attorney for the employer or insurer in
proportion to services rendered. The provisions of O.C.G.A. §§ 15-19-14 and 15-
19-15 shall apply.
GA. CODE ANN. § 34-0-11.1(d).
With these provisions in mind, we begin with National’s second and fourth issues
challenging the trial court’s award of attorney’s fees and expenses to Ronnie Lanier’s counsel
out of National’s subrogation interest.
At the time of trial, National asserted a workers’ compensation lien in the amount of
$346,575.89 against Ronnie, consisting of $129,355.89 in medical benefits and $217,220 in
indemnity benefits. The jury awarded Ronnie $131,000, which included $119,000 in economic
damages and $12,000 in noneconomic damages.
The evidence showed Ronnie settled his workers’ compensation claim with his employer
and National on July 12, 2010. A Stipulation and Agreement was entered into by the parties
20
under which National agreed to pay Ronnie $140,000, in addition to the amounts previously
paid, as “full, final, and complete satisfaction and settlement of any and all claims . . ..” The
Stipulation and Agreement contained the following subrogation clause:
The employer-insurer and their servicing agent are subrogated to
any and all rights of recovery the claimant may have against any
third party which may be liable for the compensable injury, as well
as any proceeds of any settlement on judgment from such part, for
the amount of benefits and settlement paid. Therefore, this
Stipulation and Agreement shall not, in any way, end, or in any
way impair, the rights of workers’ compensation subrogation that
EAST-WEST EXPRESS, INC., NATIONAL LIABILITY & FIRE
INSURANCE COMPANY, and ASSOCIATED INSURANCE
ADMINSTRATORS, INC. (ASSOCIATED CLAIMS
ADMINISTRATORS) may have, whether under the law of this, or
any other, state.
In conclusions of law, the trial court determined that Ronnie’s recovery was subject to the
contractual rights of the Stipulation and Agreement. Because the S&A was contractual, it
modified the Georgia statutory subrogation procedure, “and, as such, the workers’ compensation
lien is subject to ‘first recovery’ instead of ‘made-whole.’” Further, the court concluded the
S&A was “not ambiguous and can be given a certain and definite meaning.” The trial court also,
however, awarded attorney’s fees and expenses to the Laniers’ counsel out of National’s
subrogation interest.
On appeal, National argues that based upon the S&A and the above conclusions of the
trial court, its rights in this case are governed by contract, not the Georgia subrogation statute.
Therefore, it argues under the contract it was entitled to the jury’s entire award to Ronnie as
reimbursement for benefits it paid without any reimbursement for the attorney’s reasonable fee
for services. We cannot agree.
In construing a written contract, the primary concern of the court is to ascertain the true
intentions of the parties as expressed in the agreement. Coker v. Coker, 650 S.W.2d 391, 393
21
(Tex. 1983). To achieve this objective, courts should examine and consider the entire writing in
an effort to harmonize and give effect to all provisions of the contract so that none will be
rendered meaningless. Id. No single provision taken alone will be given controlling effect;
rather, all provisions must be considered with reference to the whole instrument. Id.
Examining the agreement as a whole, we initially note it contains numerous references to
the Georgia subrogation statute. Among other things, the agreement itself is made under the
statute and the parties stipulate the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation “has
exclusive jurisdiction” of any claim by Ronnie against his employer. Further, it contemplates the
need for the approval of the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation and provides
citations to the statute when setting out the evidentiary disputes of the parties. Within this
agreement, the parties included a subrogation clause that, we agree, provides for a “contractual
first money right of subrogation.’’ But reading this clause in light of the remainder of the
agreement, we conclude the parties intended nothing more than to modify one aspect of the
Georgia statute, that being the made-whole provision. Nothing in the clause purports to supplant
the statute in its entirety, and it does not purport to modify the Georgia statute’s mandate to allow
the attorney representing the employee to recover reasonable fees for his services.
In reaching this conclusion, we are unpersuaded by National’s reliance on the Texas
Supreme Court’s decision in Fortis Benefits v. Cantu, 234 S.W.3d 642, 648 (Tex. 2007). In
Fortis, the court was considering the “equitable ‘made whole’ doctrine” and its effect, if any, on
a contractual first-money subrogation clause contained in a health insurance policy. But the
Laniers are not relying on equitable considerations in this case, and the Fortis court was not
considering an agreement and its impact on the entire statutory workers’ compensation scheme
of another state. Under these circumstances, we conclude it is inapposite to the facts before us.
22
We conclude the contractual provision had limited effect and did not modify the statute’s
provisions regarding attorney’s fees. Further, National has not challenged the amount of the
award that the trial court found under the statute; therefore, we do not address that issue. We
overrule the second issue.
In its fourth issue, National contends the trial court erred in reducing its subrogation
interest based upon the amount of the Laniers’ litigation expenses when the Act allows only for
the recovery of “reasonable fee for services.”1 See GA. CODE ANN. § 34-0-11.1(d). The issue
here is whether “reasonable fee for services” encompasses litigation expenses. Neither side
directs this Court to any Georgia case interpreting this language.2
When construing a statute, our primary objective is to ascertain and give effect to the
legislature’s intent. TEX. GOV’T CODE ANN. § 312.005; TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Co. v.
Combs, 340 S.W.3d 432, 439 (Tex. 2011). To discern that intent, we begin with the statute’s
words. TEX. GOV’T CODE ANN. § 312.003; TGS-NOPEC Geophysical, 340 S.W.3d at 439. If a
statute uses a term with a particular meaning or assigns a particular meaning to a term, we are
bound by the statutory usage. TGS-NOPEC Geophysical, 340 S.W.3d at 439. Undefined terms
in a statute are typically given their ordinary meaning, but if a different or more precise
definition is apparent from the term’s use in the context of the statute, we apply that meaning.
Id. If the meaning of statutory language is unambiguous, we adopt the interpretation supported
1
In the findings of fact, the trial court found that Ronnie’s portion of the verdict was about 75 percent of the total verdict and allocated 75 percent
of his counsel’s “case expenses” to Ronnie’s portion of the judgment. The court found case expenses were “those costs submitted by Ronnie
Lanier’s counsel less the taxable costs.” In an earlier letter ruling to the parties, the trial court stated he considered “case expenses” to include
“those expenses offered at the hearing less taxable costs, such as court reporter fees, filing fees, service fees, etc.”
2
The Laniers assert that Georgia courts have interpreted “fee” as used in O.G.C.A. § 15-19-14(b) relating to liens of attorneys to include fees and
expenses. See Ellerin & Assoc. v. Brawley, 589 S.E.2d 626, 627 (Ga. Ct. App. 2003). Nothing in this case purports to define “fee” for purposes
of the statute. Rather, the court concluded the clients’ obligation to pay expenses was controlled by the fee agreement, which the court ultimately
determined was unenforceable. Id. at 630. The court remanded so that the trial court could determine whether expenses sought by the attorney
were recoverable under quantum meruit.
23
by its plain language unless such an interpretation would lead to absurd results. Id. Finally, we
consider statutes as a whole rather than their isolated provisions. Id.
“Fee” is not defined in the statute. In common usage, fee means “compensation often in
the form of a fixed charge for professional service . . ..” WEBSTER’S THIRD NEW INT’L
DICTIONARY 833 (1993). In other words, fee means the charge for the attorney’s services. That
charge could come in the form of a percentage of the recovery or the hourly rate times the hours
expended. But nothing in the ordinary meaning of the word suggests that “fee” encompasses
litigation or case expenses, nor does the language of the statute itself lend itself to such an
interpretation. Our conclusion is bolstered by the fact that the Georgia legislature has expressly
provided for the payment of litigation expenses in other contexts. See GA. CODE ANN. § 9-15-14
(allowing for “reasonable and necessary attorney’s fees and expenses of litigation” when a party
has brought a frivolous claim, defense, or other position); GA. CODE ANN. § 13-6-11 (generally
disallowing “expenses of litigation” as part of damages, but allowing jury to award them in cases
where plaintiff has pleaded for them and defendant has “acted in bad faith, has been stubbornly
litigious, or has caused plaintiff unnecessary trouble and expense”); GA. CODE ANN. § 9-11-
11.1(b) (providing that if claim is verified in violation of Anti-SLAPP statute, court may order
party to pay other party’s “reasonable expenses incurred because of the filing of the pleading,
including reasonable attorney’s fee”). Had the Georgia legislature intended fees to encompass
litigation expenses in the Workers’ Compensation Act, it could have included such language in
the statute as it did in these statutes. Because we conclude the Workers’ Compensation Act does
not provide for payment of expenses, we sustain the fourth issue.
In its third issue, National argues the trial court erred in finding that it was not entitled to
any award out of Tammy’s recovery under the “made whole” doctrine. National does not
24
dispute that Tammy’s claim is governed by the Georgia statute; rather, it argues she was fully
and completely compensated by the jury’s verdict.
On August 27, 2008, Tammy Lanier settled her workers’ compensation claim with her
employer and National and entered into a “Stipulation” with those parties, which was submitted
to the Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation for approval. At the time of trial,
National asserted a workers’ compensation lien in the amount of $115,989.93 against Tammy,
consisting of $23,355.48 in medical benefits and $92,541.45 in indemnity benefits. The jury
awarded Tammy $35,050 in economic damages, consisting of $17,050 for past loss of earning
capacity and $18,000 in past medical expenses. In addition, she was awarded $3,500 in
noneconomic damages. The trial court found that for purposes of the workers’ compensation
lien, Tammy was not “made whole” by the jury’s verdict.
As stated previously, the Georgia’s Workers’ Compensation Act is a “made whole”
statute, meaning an injured employee must be made whole before the employer, or its insurer,
may recover from a third-party tortfeasor. See GA. CODE ANN. § 34-9-11.1(b); Liberty Mut. Ins.
Co. v. Roark, 677 S.E.2d 786, 788 (Ga. Ct. App. 2009). The employer/insurer carries the burden
to establish that the employee has been fully and completely compensated, whether the employee
has received compensation from the tortfeasor through a jury award or by settling his claim
against the tortfeasor. Ga. Elec. Membership Corp. v. Hi-Ranger, Inc., 563 S.E.2d 841, 843 (Ga.
2002); Austell Healthcare, Inc. v. Scott, 707 S.E.2d 599, 601 (Ga. Ct. App. 2011). The statute
provides no method by which an employer can establish the workers’ compensation recipient has
been fully and completely compensated by a recovery from a third-party tortfeasor. Bartow
County Bd. of Educ. v. Ray, 494 S.E.2d 29, 30 (Ga. Ct. App. 1997, cert. denied). Utilizing a
special verdict form may be the most practical solution. Id.
25
Here, the jury returned a verdict allocating damages to the specific elements. In its brief,
National asserts Tammy was made whole from the jury verdict for medical expenses and lost
wages “as National paid more in benefits for these elements than were awarded by the jury.” As
support, National quotes two paragraphs of a Georgia case that concluded the employee had been
fully compensated for medical expenses, highlighting the following sentence: “Where there has
been a jury trial with a special verdict form, the allocation of any award is controlled by the jury
verdict.” See N. Bros. Co. v. Thomas, 513 S.E.2d 251, 254 (Ga. Ct. App. 1999, cert. denied). To
the extent National suggests the issue is solely resolved by whether the jury verdict is less than
the amount paid in workers’ compensation benefits, we cannot agree.
In Thomas, the worker admitted the medical benefits paid under his workers’
compensation claim were at least $60,030.37, and the jury awarded him $25,000 for medical
expenses. In concluding the worker was fully compensated for this element, the court noted
there was “nothing in the record to show the employee had any outstanding medical or other
claims or obligations which should be considered in determining whether or not he has been
fully compensated.” Id.
As for wages, the court explained that where the employee’s weekly wages exceeded the
amount of the weekly benefit actually received, “the employer would not be allowed to recover
the weekly benefits paid unless and until such time as the employee has been compensated for
the difference between the workers’ compensation weekly benefit actually received and the
employee’s normal weekly wage.” Id. at 253-54.
In a second case, Hammond v. Lee, 536 S.E. 231, 233 (Ga. Ct. App. 2000), Hammond
was injured in a job-related automobile accident. Hammond’s personal injury suit was tried
before a jury and was bifurcated into two phases. In the first phase, Hammond’s claim against
26
the third party was tried. The jury awarded Hammond medical expenses of $3,343; past lost
wages of $2,165; future lost wages of $0; and $2,500 for pain and suffering. Id.
In the second phase, the issue was whether the insurer was entitled to a subrogation lien
under the Workers’ Compensation Act. The jury then heard evidence that Hammond filed a
workers’ compensation claim, and the workers’ compensation carrier paid her more than
$133,000 in workers’ compensation benefits, including $74,651.11 for lost wages and
$58,679.50 in medical expenses. Id.
The court first concluded that the insurer was not entitled to a subrogation lien against
Hammond’s lost wages because Hammond earned an average of $382.45 per week and the
insurer paid her wage benefits of $254.96 through the time of trial, a difference of more than
$28,000 in unreimbursed lost wages. Id. at 254. That amount exceeded the $2,165 for past lost
wages recovered in the third-party claim. Id.
As for medical expenses, Hammond testified that she incurred $3,460.42 in medical
expenses that were unreimbursed by workers’ compensation, but she also said the total of
medical expenses she incurred as a result of the accident were $47,475.79. Id. Because other
undisputed evidence showed the insurer paid more in benefits, the court concluded Hammond
was fully and completely compensated for her medical expenses. Id.
Both of these cases suggest the analysis for determining whether an employee has been
fully and completely compensated under Georgia law entails more than simply comparing
whether the jury allocation is less than the amount paid in benefits. Nevertheless, National has
made no attempt to apply the law to the specific facts of this case. It makes no argument
regarding any evidence to show that (1) Tammy has no outstanding claims for medical expenses
for which she would be liable or (2) she has been compensated for the difference between the
27
workers’ compensation weekly benefit actually received and her normal weekly wage.3 See id.
at 253-54; Hammond, 536 S.E.2d at 233-34. Under these circumstances, we conclude National
has not shown error. We overrule the third issue.
In its fifth issue, National argues the trial court’s judgment should have contained the
following paragraph, instead of “making the mathematical determination of the net amount
owing to National” on the Laniers’ claim :
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED that until
there is an actual recovery by Ronnie Lanier, the amount of his litigation
expenses, and the net amount to be recovered by Intervenor after payment of
one/third attorney’s fee and proportional share of the total case expenses cannot
be determined, and is not ripe for determination by this Court.
National argues that if the case ultimately settles for more than the judgment, it may be
entitled to a larger recovery. National argues until there is recovery, it “cannot be determined
how much National is to receive out of the recovery” and therefore any issue of net amount
owing out a “future recovery” was not ripe. National cites no case law for this proposition.
Regardless, we disagree. At the time of the trial court’s determination, the only recovery
available to the Laniers was the amount awarded by the jury. Thus, the issue was ripe for
determination. We overrule the fifth issue.
We reverse that portion of the trial court’s judgment ordering the award to Ronnie Lanier
in the amount of $153,539.18 to be awarded to National and apportioned to the Laniers’ counsel
in its entirety. We render judgment that Ronnie Lanier’s recovery in the amount of $153,539.18
3
In the Stipulation, the parties stipulated that as of January 14, 2007, the date of the accident, Tammy was employed “at an average weekly wage
of $734.47, generating a weekly compensation rate of $450.00.” Further, the Stipulation provided that “the parties and their attorneys have taken
into consideration all questions of disability, medical expenses, rehabilitation and other factors” in reaching the settlement and were settling “past,
present and future disability, medical expenses and rehabilitation” for $60,000. The settlement did not, however, allocate specific amounts for
each of damage elements.
28
is awarded to National of which $51,179.73 is apportioned to the Laniers’ counsel. In all other
respects, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.
/Molly Francis/
MOLLY FRANCIS
JUSTICE
111257F.P05
29
S
Court of Appeals
Fifth District of Texas at Dallas
JUDGMENT
RONNIE AND TAMMY LANIER, On Appeal from the County Court at Law
Appellants No. 2, Dallas County, Texas
Trial Court Cause No. CC-09-00185-B.
No. 05-11-01257-CV V. Opinion delivered by Justice Francis;
Justices Lang and Evans participating.
EASTERN FOUNDATIONS, INC., DAVID
ALLEN BEAVERS, & CHOICE DRIVERS,
Appellees
NATIONAL LIABILITY AND FIRE
INSURANCE COMPANY, Appellant
V.
RONNIE AND TAMMY LANIER,
EASTERN FOUNDATIONS, INC., DAVID
ALLEN BEAVERS, CHOICE DRIVERS,
AND GENERAL INSURANCE
COMPANY OF AMERICA, Appellees
In accordance with this Court’s opinion of this date, the judgment of the trial court is
AFFIRMED in part and REVERSED in part. We REVERSE that portion of the trial court's
judgment ordering the award to Ronnie Lanier in the amount of $153,539.18, consisting of the
jury's verdict and prejudgment interest, be awarded to National Liability and Fire Insurance
Company and apportioned to the Laniers' counsel in its entirety. We RENDER judgment that
the award to Ronnie Lanier in the amount of $153,539.18 is awarded to National Liability and
Fire Insurance Company of which $51,179.73 is apportioned of the Laniers’ counsel. In all other
respects, the trial court's judgment is AFFIRMED.
30
Judgment entered May 22, 2013.
/Molly Francis/
MOLLY FRANCIS
JUSTICE
31