Randy Wayne Chapman v. T.D.C.J.-I.D.

NO. 12-07-00418-CV
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT
TYLER, TEXAS
RANDY WAYNE CHAPMAN, § APPEAL FROM THE 369TH
APPELLANT
V. § JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT OF
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF
CRIMINAL JUSTICE–
INSTITUTIONAL DIVISION,
APPELLEE § ANDERSON COUNTY, TEXAS
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Randy Wayne Chapman appeals the dismissal of his civil suit against the Texas Department
of Criminal Justice–Institutional Division. In one issue, Chapman argues that the trial court erred
by dismissing his lawsuit because the claim was not substantially similar to a previously filed claim
and the claim’s ultimate chance of success is not slight. We affirm.
BACKGROUND
On January 21, 2007, Chapman, an inmate in the Michael Unit of the Texas Department of
Criminal Justice–Institutional Division (TDCJ), was cleaning windows, vents, and light fixtures.
To perform these tasks, Chapman used an extension ladder provided to him by TDCJ. Although
initially supervised by a TDCJ employee and assisted by another inmate, eventually these individuals
left the area while Chapman remained on the ladder without supervision or assistance. The ladder
slid backwards, causing Chapman to fall and suffer injuries.
Chapman, proceeding pro se, filed this in forma pauperis lawsuit against TDCJ seeking
damages for injuries he sustained in his fall. On October 15, 2007, the trial court dismissed
Chapman’s suit without prejudice because the claim was substantially similar to a previous claim
brought by Chapman and the realistic chance of ultimate success on the claim was slight. This
appeal followed.
DISMISSAL OF SUIT UNDER CHAPTER 14
In his sole issue, Chapman argues that the trial court erred in dismissing the lawsuit. Chapter
14 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code applies to a lawsuit brought by an inmate who
has filed an affidavit or unsworn declaration of inability to pay costs and imposes several procedural
requirements that must be met before such a lawsuit may proceed. TEX . CIV . PRAC. & REM . CODE
ANN . §§ 14.001-.006 (Vernon 2002). An inmate’s lawsuit may be dismissed if it fails to meet the
procedural requirements imposed by Chapter 14. Thompson v. Rodriguez, 99 S.W.3d 328, 330
(Tex. App.–Texarkana 2003, no pet.). An inmate’s lawsuit also may be dismissed if it is frivolous
or malicious. TEX . CIV . PRAC. & REM . CODE ANN . § 14.003(a)(2). In dismissing a lawsuit as
frivolous or malicious, among other potential factors, the trial court may consider whether the
claim’s realistic chance of ultimate success is slight. TEX . CIV . PRAC. & REM . CODE ANN .
§ 14.003(b)(1).
We review a trial court’s dismissal of an inmate’s in forma pauperis suit under an abuse of
discretion standard. Hickson v. Moya, 926 S.W.2d 397, 398 (Tex. App.–Waco 1996, no writ.). A
trial court abuses its discretion if it acts arbitrarily, capriciously, and without reference to any guiding
rules or principles. Lentworth v. Trahan, 981 S.W.2d 720, 722 (Tex. App.–Houston [1st Dist.]
1998, no pet.). We will affirm a dismissal if it was proper under any legal theory. Johnson v.
Lynaugh, 796 S.W.2d 705, 706-07 (Tex. 1990); Birdo v. Ament, 814 S.W.2d 808, 810 (Tex.
App.–Waco 1991, writ denied). Trial courts are given broad discretion to determine whether an
inmate’s in forma pauperis suit should be dismissed because (1) prisoners have a strong incentive
to litigate; (2) the government bears the costs of an in forma pauperis suit; (3) sanctions are not
effective; and (4) the dismissal of unmeritorious claims accrues to the benefit of state officials,
courts, and meritorious claimants. Montana v. Patterson, 894 S.W.2d 812, 814-15 (Tex.
App.–Tyler 1994, no writ).
2
TEXAS TORT CLAIMS ACT
Chapman brought his claim under the Texas Tort Claims Act. See TEX . CIV . PRAC. & REM .
CODE ANN . §§ 101.001-.109 (Vernon 2005 & Supp. 2007). In his petition, Chapman claimed that
TDCJ provided him with a ladder that “had no rubber pads on its feet.” Chapman also alleged that
he was working on the ladder without supervision and without assistance when the ladder slid
backwards and caused his injuries. We must determine whether the trial court correctly found that
the likelihood of success of this claim is slight.
Pursuant to the doctrine of sovereign immunity, the State of Texas cannot be sued in her own
courts without her consent and then only in the manner indicated by that consent. Wichita Falls
State Hosp. v. Taylor, 106 S.W.3d 692, 694 (Tex. 2003) (citing Hosner v. De Young, 1 Tex. 764,
769 (1847)). For the legislature to waive the State’s sovereign immunity, a statute or resolution must
contain a clear and unambiguous expression of the legislature’s waiver of immunity. Taylor, 106
S.W.3d at 696. That means a statute that waives the State’s immunity must do so beyond doubt.
Id. at 697. Further, when construing a statute that purportedly waives sovereign immunity, we
generally resolve ambiguities in favor of the State’s retaining its immunity. See id.
The Texas Tort Claims Act provides a limited waiver of immunity, allowing suits against
governmental units under certain, narrow circumstances. Tex. Dep’t of Criminal Justice v. Miller,
51 S.W.3d 583, 587 (Tex. 2001). Those circumstances include “personal injury . . . caused by a
condition or use of tangible personal . . . property if the governmental unit would, were it a private
person, be liable to the claimant according to Texas law.” TEX . CIV . PRAC. & REM . CODE ANN .
§ 101.021(2) (Vernon 2005). This section waives immunity for a use of personal property only when
the governmental unit is the user. San Antonio State Hosp. v. Cowan, 128 S.W.3d 244, 245-46
(Tex. 2004). “A governmental unit does not ‘use’ personal property merely by allowing someone
else to use it and nothing more.” Id. at 246. Instead, use requires the governmental unit to put or
bring the personal property into action or service or employ the personal property for or apply it to
a given purpose. Id. Negligent supervision, without more, is not a use of personal property by a
governmental unit. Tex. A & M Univ. v. Bishop, 156 S.W.3d 580, 583 (Tex. 2005). When the
claim involves use of personal property that is entirely lacking an integral safety feature, the case
would be within the outer bounds of use under the statute. Id. at 584. But, a mixture of use and
3
nonuse, such as the failure to provide a more effective safety feature, does not effect a waiver of
immunity under the Act. Id.
Here, Chapman attempts to effectuate a waiver of sovereign immunity because of the
negligent supervision of TDCJ employees. Bishop forecloses this argument. See id. at 583.
Secondly, Chapman attempts to argue that the lack of rubber pads at the bottom of the ladder is the
lack of an integral safety feature. The ladder had a base made of a material that Chapman believes
was more likely to slip than rubber. Therefore, Chapman argues that rubber pads would have been
a more effective safety feature. However, this is a mixture of use and nonuse, which likewise does
not effectuate a waiver under Bishop. See id. at 584. Thus, the trial court did not err in finding that
the likelihood of success of Chapman’s claim was slight, or in dismissing it as frivolous.
Having held that the trial court did not err in dismissing Chapman’s claim as frivolous
because the likelihood of success was slight, we need not determine whether the trial court
erroneously dismissed Chapman’s claim because it is substantially similar to a previous claim. TEX .
R. APP . P. 47.1. We overrule Chapman’s sole issue.
DISPOSITION
Having overruled Chapman’s sole issue, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
BRIAN HOYLE
Justice
Opinion delivered July 31, 2008.
Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Griffith, J., and Hoyle, J.
(PUBLISH)
4