In Re Hurricane Rita , 216 S.W.3d 70 ( 2006 )

ON REVIEW BY THE MULTIDISTRICT LITIGATION PANEL Before us is a motion to appoint a pretrial judge for six lawsuits, pending in two counties, which arise from one common incident. For the reasons stated below, we grant the motion without an oral hearing. See rule 13.3(k). A pretrial judge has been appointed by separate order.

On September 22, 2005, as Hurricane Rita approached the southeast Texas gulf coast, defendant Brighton Gardens evacuated some of the residents from its assisted living and health care facility in Houston, placing them on a bus that had been chartered through defendant Global Charter Services. Early the next day, the bus caught fire near Dallas, causing the death of twenty-three persons and injuring several others. Six lawsuits arising from this incident have been filed in state court — four in Hidalgo County and two in Harris County. Two other cases have been filed in federal court. The defendants have asked this panel to consolidate the eight state cases for pretrial proceedings before one judge. Several of the plaintiffs have objected to that request; one firm representing plaintiffs does not object, provided that a pretrial judge from Houston is chosen.

Administrative rule 13 empowers the MDL Panel to transfer related cases (i.e. those involving one or more common questions of fact) from trial courts in different counties to a single pretrial court for coordinated pretrial handling. The pretrial court's authority over transferred cases is extensive and complete. See Rule 13.6. From time to time, as the pretrial court concludes that cases are ready for trial, it will remand them to the original trial courts for trial in the county of venue. See Rule 13.7.

The MDL panel may order transfer if it will (1) serve the convenience of the parties and witnesses and (2) promote the just and efficient conduct of the litigation. See Rule 13.3. The movant need not show that anyone has already been inconvenienced or that there are existing problems to be addressed. See In re Silica Products LiabilityLitigation, 166 S.W.3d 3 (Tex. M.D.L. Panel 2004). Instead we must simply be convinced that transfer to a pretrial judge would promote Rule 13's goals of convenience and efficiency.

These cases arise from one common event, and no one has seriously denied that the liability issues in each of them will be substantially the same. We recognize that different attorneys will develop and try their cases differently, that not every defendant before us has been sued in every case, that different expert witnesses may be involved, and that the damages will differ from case to case, as they always do. But the lawyers will be examining the same large pool of employees and fact witnesses. At the least, the witnesses will include those who dealt with the bus as it made its way from South Texas to Houston and then toward Dallas, those who witnessed the fire itself, those who responded to the scene to provide rescue and medical care, and those who investigated it. When rule 13 voices its concern for efficiency and for the convenience of parties and witnesses, it has such persons in mind. While none of them have yet been subjected to conflicting demands or repetitive discovery, we conclude that assigning one pretrial judge to handle the cases arising from this one tragic event will further rule 13's laudable goals of efficiency and convenience.

Plaintiff's argue that many of them are not similarly situated. Some plaintiffs, for example, were receiving healthcare at Brighton Gardens, and on some causes of action they may have to comply with the statutory rules for healthcare claims.See Tex. Civ. Prac. Rem. Code Ch. 74. Other plaintiffs may have been on the job for their employers during the incident and may therefore face workers compensation issues that other plaintiffs do not. There may indeed be differences. But every case is different. No two cases are alike. A rule 13 transfer of cases does not require that the cases be congruent or anything close to it. It requires only that cases be "related" — i.e. that they involve one or more common questions of fact — and that transfer will serve the convenience of the parties and witnesses and promote the just and efficient conduct of the litigation.

Because these criteria are overwhelmingly shown in this group of lawsuits arising from the same event, the Motion to Transfer is granted.

ORDER OF MULTIDISTRICT LITIGATION PANEL APPOINTMENT OF PRETRIAL JUDGE IN THE FOLLOWING MULTIDISTRICT LITIGATION CASE: The Joint Motion for Transfer, filed by Sunrise Senior Living Services, Inc. et al., under the Texas Rules of Judicial Administration, is granted. Pursuant to Administrative rule 13, the causes listed on the First Amended Appendix A of the Joint Motion for Transfer, attached hereto and incorporated herein for all purposes, and tag-along cases if any, are transferred to Judge Rose Guerra Reyna of the 206th District Court of Hidalgo County. APPENDIX A Re: No. 05-1073; In Re: Hurricane Rita Evacuation BusFire

Mr. Andrew Weber, Clerk

Supreme Court of Texas

Supreme Court Building

201 West 14th, Rm. 104

Austin, Texas 78701

Dear Mr. Weber:

Enclosed for filing in the above-referenced cause are four copies of the First Amended Appendix A to the Joint Motion to Transfer Pursuant to Texas Rule of Judicial Administration 13, which was filed on December 20, 2005. An electronic version of the enclosed First Amended Appendix is also being transmitted to Ms. Claudia Jenks of your office.

Please file-stamp the enclosed extra copy of this document and return it in the self-addressed, postage-paid stamped envelope for our file.

By copy of this letter, all counsel of record are being provided a copy of the enclosed motion.

Thank you for your assistance.

cc: Justice David Peeples                    CMRRR 7002 2030 0005 7017 3694
Fourth Administrative Judicial Region
100 Dolorosa San
Antonio, Texas 78205-3038
    Justice Bea Ann Smith                    CMRRR 7002 2030 0005 7017 3687
Third Court of Appeals
209 W. 14th Street, Room 101
Price Daniels Bldg.
Austin, Texas 78701
    Justice George Hanks                     CMRRR 7002 2030 0005 7017 3670
First Court of Appeals
1307 San Jacinto, 10th Floor
Houston, Texas 77002
    Justice Douglas Lang                     CMRRR 7002 2030 0005 7017 3663
Fifth Court of Appeals
George L. Allen, Sr. Courts Bldg.
600 Commerce, 2nd Floor
Dallas, Texas 75202-1658
    Justice Errlinda Castillo                 CMRRR 7002 2030 0005 7017 0112
Thirteenth Court of Appeals
Nueces County Courthouse
901 Leopard St., 10th Floor
Corpus Christi, Texas 78401
    Claudia Jenks, Deputy Clerk               Claudia.Jenks @courts.state.tx.us
Supreme Court of Texas
Supreme Court Building
201 West 14th, Rm. 104
Austin, Texas 78701

cc: Robert Luke Robert Luke Ron Simon Simon Luke, LLP 2929 Allen Parkway, 42^nd Floor Houston, Texas 77019

Dick DeGuerin DeGuerin, Dickson Hennessy 1018 Preston, 7th Floor Houston, Texas 77002

Frank Costilla Law Offices of Frank Costilla, PPLC Five East Elizabeth Street Brownsville, Texas 78520

Larry D. Warren Mark A. Cooper Ball Weed, P.C. 745 East Mulberry Avenue, Suite 500 San Antonio, Texas 78212-3191

Craig Vittitoe Adams Graham, L.L.P. 222 East Van Buren, West Tower Harlingen, Texas 78550

Jim M. Perdue, Jr. Joe N. Perdue Priscilla Walters The Perdue Law Firm, LLP 2727 Allen Parkway, Suite 800 Houston, Texas 77019

Michael Garza Garza Vela, LLP Texas State Bank Tower 3900 North 10th Street, Suite 950 McAllen, Texas 78501

John Dacus HARTLINE, DACUS, BARGER, DREYER KERN, LLP 6688 N. Central Expressway, Suite 1000 Dallas, Texas 75206

Darrell L. Barger HARTLINE, DACUS, BARGER, DREYER KERN, LLP One Shoreline Plaza, Suite 2000 800 North Shoreline Blvd. Corpus Christi, Texas 78401

Kenneth Tekell State Bar No. 19764000 Tekell, Book, Matthews Limmer 1221 McKinney, Suite 4300 Houston, Texas 77010

Amanda S. Hilty Ronald L. Bair

The Bair Law Firm, P.C. 14711 Pebble Bend Drive Houston, Texas 77068

Eduardo Roberto Rodriguez Mitch Chaney Rodriguez, Colvin, Chaney Saenz, L.L.P. 1201 East Van Buren P.O. Box 2155 Brownsville, Texas 7852

J. A. "Tony" Canales Canales Simonson, P.C. 2601 Morgan Avenue P.O. Box 5624 Corpus Christi, Texas 78465-5624

Richard Warren Mithoff Mithoff Law Firm Penthouse, One Allen Center 500 Dallas, Suite 3450 Houston, Texas 77002

Michael L. Brown Brown Adkins 712 Main Street, Suite 2120 Houston, Texas 77002

Mark E. Enright ARNSTEIN LEHR, LLP 120 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1200 Chicago, IL 60606-3910

Charles Lyman BARKER, LYMAN, TWINING, WEIBERG FERRELL, PC 1221 McKinney Street, Suite 3600 Houston, Texas 77010

FIRST AMENDED APPENDIX A

1. Cause No. C-2365-05-F; Aggie Foster, on Behalf of the Person and Estate of Lillie Spies v. Global Limo, Inc., Global Charter Services, Inc., d/b/a "The BusBank", and Century MCT Charter Tours, Inc., Global Limo, Inc., and Juan Robles Gutierrez; In the 398th Judicial District Court of Hidalgo County, Texas ("Foster")

The following counsel have appeared to date in this litigation:

Robert Luke

SBN: 00789463

Ron Simon

SBN: 00788421

Simon Luke, LLP

2929 Allen Parkway, 42nd Floor

Houston, Texas 77019

713/335-4900

713/335-4949 (fax)

Email: Robert@simonluke.com

Ron @simonluke.com

Counsel for Plaintiff Aggie Foster, on Behalf of thePerson and Estate of Lillie Spies

Dick DeGuerin

SBN: 05638000

DeGuerin, Dickson Hennessy

1018 Preston, 7th Floor

Houston, Texas 77002

713/223-5959

713/223-9231 (fax)

Email: ddeguerin@aol.com

Counsel for Plaintiff Aggie Foster, on Behalf ofthe Person and Estate of Lillie Spies

Frank Costilla

Law Offices of Frank Costilla, PPLC

Five East Elizabeth Street

Brownsville, Texas 78520

956/541-4982

956/544-3152 (fax)

Email: info@costillalaw.com

Counsel for Plaintiff Aggie Foster, on Behalf ofthe Person and Estate of Lillie Spies

Larry D. Warren

State Bar No. 20888450

Mark A. Cooper

State Bar No. 24025752

Ball Weed, P.C.

745 East Mulberry Avenue, Suite 500

San Antonio, Texas 78212-3191

210/731-6300

210/731-6499 (fax)

Email: ldw@ball-weed.com

mac @ball-weed.com

Counsel for Global Limo, Inc.

Craig Vittitoe

Adams Graham, L.L.P.

222 East Van Buren, West Tower

Harlingen, Texas 78550

956/428-7495

956/428-2954 (fax)

Email: CHVittitoe@adamsgraham.com

Counsel for Global Charter Services Ltd.

Charles Lyman

Barker, Lyman, Twining, Weiberg Ferrell, PC

1221 McKinney Street, Suite 3600

Houston, Texas 77010

713/759-1990

713/652-1990 (fax)

Email: clyman@barkerlyman.com

Counsel for Century Services d/b/a Century McMynnLeasing a/k/a RNJ McMynn Leasing

2. Cause No. C-2495-05-I; Lerline Fuller and Marie Ceres. Each Individually v. Century Services, Inc., d/b/a Century McMynn Leasing, a/k/a R J McMynn Leasing and M Mynn Leasing, Global Charter Services, Inc., d/b/a The BusBank, MCT Charter Tours, Inc., Global Limo, Inc., and Juan Robles Gutierrez; In the 398th Judicial District Court of Hidalgo County, Texas ("fuller")

The following counsel have appeared to date in this litigation:

Jim M. Perdue, Jr.

SBN: 00788180

Joe N. Perdue

SBN: 24034624

Priscilla Walters

SBN: 20819100

The Perdue Law Firm, LLP

2727 Allen Parkway, Suite 800

Houston, Texas 77019

713/520-2500

713/520-2525 (fax)

Email: jperdue@perduelaw.com

joeperdue @perduelaw.com

pwalters@perduelaw.com

Counsel for Plaintiffs Lerline Fuller and MarieCeres, Each Individually

Michael Garza

Garza Vela, LLP

Texas State Bank Tower

3900 North 10th Street, Suite 950

McAllen, Texas 78501

956/994-3100

956/381-440

956/994-3174 (fax)

Counsel for Plaintiffs Lerline Fuller and MarieCeres, Each Individually

Larry D. Warren

State Bar No. 20888450

Mark A. Cooper

State Bar No. 24025752

BALL WEED, P.C.

745 East Mulberry Avenue, Suite 500

San Antonio, Texas 78212-3191

210/731-6300

210/731-6499 (fax)

Email: ldw@ball-weed.com

mac@ball-weed.com

Counsel for Global Limo, Inc.

Craig Vittitoe

Adams Graham, L.L.P.

222 East Van Buren, West Tower

Harlingen, Texas 78550

956/428-7495

956/428-2954

Email: CHVittitoe@adamsgraham.com

Counsel for Global Charter Services, Ltd.

3. Cause No. C-2366-05-E; Mary Gillette, Now Deceased, by and through the Independent Executrix of her Estate, Vicki Whitlow Thomas v. Sunrise Senior Living, Inc. a/k/a Brighton Gardens of Bellaire, Global Limo, Inc., Juan Robles Gutierrez, and Bus-bank; In the 275th Judicial District Court of Hidalgo County, Texas ("Gillette")

The following counsel have appeared to date in this litigation:

Amanda S. Hilty

SBN: 09683030

Ronald L. Bair

SBN: 01554900

The Bair Law Firm, P.C.

14711 Pebble Bend Drive

Houston, Texas 77068

713/862-5599

713/868-9444 (fax)

Email: ahilty@bairhilty.com

rbair@bairhilty.com

Counsel for Plaintiffs Mary Gillette, Now Deceased,by and through the Independent Executrix of her Estate, VickiWhitlow Thomas

David J. Beck

State Bar No. 00000070

Joe W. Redden, Jr.

State Bar No. 16660600

Fields Alexander

State Bar No. 00783528

Thomas Ganucheau

State Bar No. 00784104

Beck, Redden Secrest, L.L.P.

1221 McKinney, Suite 4500

Houston, Texas 77010

713/951-3700

713/951-3720 (fax)

Email: dbeck@brsfirm.com

jredden@brsfirm.com

falexander@brsfirm.com

tganucheau@brsfirm.com

Counsel for Sunrise Senior Living, Inc.

Mitch Chaney

Rodriguez, Colvin, Chaney Saenz, L.L.P.

1201 East Van Buren

P.O. Box 2155

Brownsville, Texas 78520

956/542-7441

956/541-2170 (fax)

Email: mc.chaney@rcclaw.com

Counsel for Sunrise Senior Living, Inc.

J.A. "Tony" Canales

Canales Simonson, P.C.

2601 Morgan Avenue

P.O. Box 5624

Corpus Christi, Texas 78465-5624

361/883-0601

361/884-7023 (fax)

Email: tonycanales@canalessimonson.com

Counsel for Sunrise Senior Living, Inc.

Larry D. Warren

State Bar No. 20888450

Mark A. Cooper

State Bar No. 24025752

BALL WEED, P.C.

745 East Mulberry Avenue, Suite 500

San Antonio, Texas 78212-3191

210/731-6300

210/731-6499 (fax)

Email: ldw@ball-weed.com

mac@ball-weed.com

Counsel for Global Limo, Inc.

John Dacus

Hartline, Dacus, Barger, Dreyer Kern, LLP

6688 N. Central Expressway, Suite 1000

Dallas, Texas 75206

214/369 2100

214/369-2119 (fax)

jdacus@hdbdk.com

Darrell L. Barger

Hartline, Dacus, Barger, Dreyer Kern, LLP

One Shoreline Plaza, Suite 2000

800 North Shoreline Blvd.

Corpus Christi, Texas 78401

361/866-8009

361/866-8039

dbarger@hdbdk.com

Counsel for Motor Coach Industries International,Inc.

Mark Enright

John T. Wagener

Arnstein Lehr, LLP

120 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1200

Chicago, IL 60606-3910

312/876-7100

312/876-0288 (fax)

Counsel for Motor Coach Industries International, Inc.

Charles Lyman

Barker, Lyman, Twining, Weiberg Ferrell, PC

1221 McKinney Street, Suite 3600

Houston, Texas 77010

713/759-1990

713/652-1990

Email: clyman@barkerlyman.com

Counsel for Century Services d/b/a Century McMynnLeasing a/k/a RNJ McMynn Leasing

(Please note that this Defendant has filed alsofiled a Special Appearance in this matter)

4. Cause No. 2005-70990; Richard S. Lenzner, Individually, and as Independent Executor of the Estate of Natalie G. Lenzner, Deceased, Carl A Lenzner and Michelle Lenzner Tell v. Global Charter Services, Ltd., Global Charter Services, Ltd. d/b/a The Bus Bank, The BusBank, Global Limo, Inc., Juan Gutierrez Robles, Sunrise Senior Living Services, Inc., Sunrise Senior Living Services, Inc. d/b/a Brighton Gardens, and Brighton Gardens; In the 334th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas ("Lenzner")

The following counsel have appeared to date in this litigation:

Richard Warren Mithoff

SBN: 14228500

William J. Stradley

SBN: 19353000

Janie L. Jordan

SBN: 11012700

Mithoff Law Firm

Penthouse, One Allen Center

500 Dallas, Suite 3450

Houston, Texas 77002

713/654-1122

713/739-8085 (fax)

Email: rmithoff@mithofflaw.com

Counsel for Plaintiffs Richard S. Lenzner,Individually, and as Independent Executor of the Estate ofNatalie G. Lenzner, Deceased, Carl A. Lenzner and MichelleLenzner Tell

Michael L. Brown

SBN: 14228500

Brown Adkins

712 Main Street, Suite 2120

Houston, Texas 77002

713/216-2444

713/216-2440 (fax)

Counsel for Plaintiffs Richard S. Lenzner,Individually, and as Independent Executor of the Estate ofNatalie G. Lenzner, Deceased, Carl A. Lenzner and MichelleLenzner Tell

Larry D. Warren

State Bar No. 20888450

Mark A. Cooper

State Bar No. 24025752

BALL WEED, P.C.

745 East Mulberry Avenue, Suite 500

San Antonio, Texas 78212-3191

210/731-6300 210/731-6499 (fax)

Email: ldw@ball-weed.com

mac@ball-weed.com

Counsel for Global Limo, Inc.

David J. Beck

State Bar No. 00000070

Joe W. Redden, Jr.

State Bar No. 16660600

Fields Alexander

State Bar No. 00783528

Beck, Redden Secrest, L.L.P.

1221 McKinney, Suite 4500

Houston, Texas 77010

713/951-3700

713/951-3720 (fax)

Email: dbeck@brsfirm.com

jredden@brsfirm.com

falexander@brsfirm.com

Counsel for Defendants Sunrise Senior Living Services,Inc. and Sunrise Senior Living, Inc., d/b/a Brighton Gardens ofBellaire (Defendant notes that "Sunrise Senior Living, Inc.,d/b/a Brighton Gardens of Bellaire" and "Brighton Gardens" wereincorrectly named as Defendants)

Kenneth Tekell

State Bar No. 19764000

Tekell, Book, Matthews Limmer

1221 McKinney, Suite 4300

Houston, Texas 77010

713/222-9542

713/655-7727 (fax)

Email: cctbml@swbell.net

Counsel for Global Charter Services, Inc. d/b/a TheBusBank

5. Cause No. 2005-65697; Karl Lothman and Kurt Lothman, Individually, and as Personal Representatives of the Estate of Lester Lothman, Deceased v. Global Charter Services, Ltd., Global Charter Services, Ltd. d/b/a The Bus-bank, The Busbank, Global Limo, Inc., Juan Gutierrez Robles, Sunrise Senior Living Services, Inc., Sunrise Senior Living Services Inc. d/b/a Brighton Gardens, and Brighton Gardens; In the 129th Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas ("Lothman")

The following counsel have appeared to date in this litigation:

Richard Warren Mithoff

SBN: 14228500

William J. Stradley

SBN: 19353000

Janie L. Jordan

SBN: 11012700

Mithoff Law Firm

Penthouse, One Allen Center

500 Dallas, Suite 3450

Houston, Texas 77002

713/654-1122

713/739-8085 (fax)

Email: rmithoff@mithofflaw.com

Counsel for Plaintiffs Karl Lothman and Kurt Lothman,Individually, and as Personal Representatives of theEstate of Lester Lothman, Deceased

David J. Beck

State Bar No. 00000070

Joe W. Redden, Jr.

State Bar No. 16660600

Fields Alexander

State Bar No. 00783528

Beck, Redden Secrest, L.L.P.

1221 McKinney, Suite 4500

Houston, Texas 77010

713/951-3700

713/951-3720 (fax)

Email: dbeck@brsfirm.com

jredden@brsfirm.com

falexander@brsfirm. com

Counsel for Defendants Sunrise Senior Living Services,Inc., and Sunrise Senior Living Services, Inc. d/b/a BrightonGardens of Bellaire (Defendant notes that "Sunrise SeniorLiving, Inc., d/b/a Brighton Gardens of Bellaire" and "BrightonGardens" were incorrectly named as Defendants)

Larry D. Warren

State Bar No. 20888450

Mark A. Cooper

State Bar No. 24025752

BALL WEED, P.C.

745 East Mulberry Avenue, Suite 500

San Antonio, Texas 78212-3191

210/731-6300

210/731-6499 (fax)

Email: ldw@ball-weed.com

mac@ball-weed.com

Counsel for Global Limo, Inc.

Kenneth Tekell

State Bar No. 19764000

Tekell, Book, Matthews Limmer

1221 McKinney, Suite 4300

Houston, Texas 77010

713/222-9542

713/655-7727 (fax)

Email: cctbml@swbell.net

Counsel for Global Charter Services, Inc. d/b/a TheBusBank

6. Cause No. C-2434-05-A; Sheila White, Bernadette Nanez, and Marcelia Loyano, Each Individually v. Century Services, Inc., d/b/a Century McMynn Leasing, a/k/a R J McMynn Leasing and M Mynn Leasing, Global Charter Services, Inc., d/b/a The BusBank, MCT Charter Tours, Inc., Global Limo, Inc., and Juan Robles Gutierrez; In the 398th Judicial District Court of Hidalgo County, Texas ("White")

The following counsel have appeared to date in this litigation:

Jim M. Perdue, Jr.

SBN: 00788180

Joe N. Perdue

SBN: 24034624

Priscilla Walters

SBN: 20819100

The Perdue Law Firm, LLP

2727 Allen Parkway, Suite 800

Houston, Texas 77019

713/520-2500

713/520-2525 (fax)

Email: jperdue@perduelaw.com

joeperdue@perduelaw.com

pwalters @perduelaw.com

Counsel for Plaintiffs Sheila White, BernadetteNanez, and Marcelia Loyano, Each Individually

Michael Garza

Garza Vela, LLP

Texas State Bank Tower

3900 North 10th Street, Suite 950

McAllen, Texas 78501

956/994-3100

956/381-440

956/994-3174 (fax)

Counsel for Plaintiffs Sheila White, BernadetteNanez, and Marcelia Loyano, Each Individually

Larry D. Warren

State Bar No. 20888450

Mark A. Cooper

State Bar No. 24025752

BALL WEED, P.C.

745 East Mulberry Avenue, Suite 500

San Antonio, Texas 78212-3191

210/731-6300

210/731-6499 (fax)

Email: ldw@ball-weed.com

mac@ball-weed.com

Counsel for Global Limo, Inc.

Craig Vittitoe

Adams Graham, L.L.P.

222 East Van Buren, West Tower

Harlingen, Texas 78550

956/428-7495

956/428-2954 (fax)

Email: CHVittitoe@adamsgraham.com

Counsel for Global Charter Services, Ltd. d/b/a TheBusBank

Charles Lyman

Barker, Lyman, Twining, Weiberg Ferrell, PC

1221 McKinney Street, Suite 3600

Houston, Texas 77010

713/759-1990

713/652-1990 (fax)

Email: clyman@barkerlyman.com

Counsel for Century Services d/b/a Century McMynnLeasing a/k/a RNJ McMynn Leasing