Court Opinion

ID: 9777667
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 20:18:55.859381+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:32:58.673463
License: Public Domain

DAVIS, Chief Justice,
concurring.
I believe that this ease can be decided without reaching UIM considerations. As the majority states, to recover statutory attorney’s fees for a contract claim under section 38.002 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code, the claimant must be represented by counsel, establish presentment to the opposing party, and have not received a tender for the just amount owed before the 30-day window closes after presentment. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem.Code AnN. § 38.002 (Vernon 1997).
The record establishes that Lincoln, the claimant-appellee, is represented by counsel. Presentment requires no particular form. Jones v. Kelley, 614 S.W.2d 95, 100 (Tex. 1981). Even though Lincoln’s demand letter was not admitted in evidence, the record contains other documentary evidence confirming Lincoln’s demand for payment. There is no evidence in the record of a tender by Allstate to support payment of a just amount.
Allstate does not contend on appeal that section 21.55 of the Insurance Code applies to this case. Tex. Ins.Code Ann. art. 21.55 (Vernon Supp.1998). Therefore, this is simply a contract dispute, and the requirements of section 38.002 have been satisfied.
Accordingly, I concur.