Opinion ID: 37881
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Ordinary meaning analysis

Text: 13 Subrogation is not defined in the Occupational Benefits Plan and its meaning cannot be unambiguously discerned from the Occupational Benefits Plan language. However, as it is ordinarily understood, subrogation simply means substitution of one person for another; that is, one person is allowed to stand in the shoes of another and assert that person's rights. Black's Law Dictionary 1468 (8th ed.2004). Put differently, [i]n a subrogation action, it is well established that there is only one cause of action for the insured's injuries .... [and t]he insurer can assert its subrogation claim independently of the insured. Prudential Prop. and Cas. Co. v. Dow Chevrolet-Olds, Inc., 10 S.W.3d 97, 100 (Tex.App.Texarkana 1999). Moreover, under Texas state law, [t]he subrogees stand in the shoes of the one whose rights they claim. Interstate Fire Ins. Co. v. First Tape, Inc., 817 S.W.2d 142, 145 (Tex.App. Houston 1991). Therefore, if there is only one cause of action for an insured's injuries, and in a subrogated action that cause of action belongs to the insurance company subrogee, it follows that the insurance company subrogee has the right to control the subrogated cause of action. 14 As applied to the instant case, the Ethridge Estate has a cause of action on behalf of Silvia Ethridge. However, under the clear terms of the Occupational Benefits Plan, by accepting Occupational Benefits Plan death benefits, the Ethridge Estate has subrogated its cause of action to MHHS, which then stands in the shoes of the Ethridge Estate. Because there is only one cause of action, and MHHS received from the Ethridge Estate the right to control that cause of action, as the party in control MHHS is entitled to prosecute and settle the Ethridge Estate's claims without seeking approval from the Ethridge Estate representative.