Opinion ID: 1725493
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Absence of Waiver by the Health Care Defendants

Text: The Health Care Defendants moved on September 16 and 17, 1997, to transfer for improper venue; this was before the trial commenced. The motions to transfer were also made before the October 1 concession by Howell's counsel that Howell would name no Walker County health care defendants and that there thus was no allegation of an act or omission occurring in Walker County that gave rise to medical liability. Under § 6-5-546, the motions for a transfer were timely. We conclude that the Health Care Defendants have demonstrated a clear legal right under § 6-5-546 to have the claims against them severed and transferred to Jefferson County, where the alleged acts of malpractice occurred. Therefore, we grant their petitions for the writ of mandamus. 1970089  WRIT GRANTED. 1970092  WRIT GRANTED. 1970098  WRIT GRANTED. HOOPER, C.J., and MADDOX, J., concur. ALMON and HOUSTON, JJ., concur specially. SHORES, KENNEDY, COOK, and LYONS, JJ., concur in the result.