Court Opinion

ID: 9961858
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-04-20 10:11:45.923601+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:19:05.588628
License: Public Domain

NO. 12-23-00133-CV

                          IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

               TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT

                                     TYLER, TEXAS

 ALBERT HAMBRICK,                              §          APPEAL FROM THE 2ND
 APPELLANT

 V.                                            §          JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT

 FOREMOST COUNTY MUTUAL
 INSURANCE,                                    §          CHEROKEE COUNTY, TEXAS
 APPELLEE
                                            OPINION
       Albert Hambrick appeals the trial court’s take-nothing judgment following a jury trial. In
his sole issue, Hambrick challenges the factual sufficiency of the evidence supporting the jury’s
findings of zero damages for past pain and mental anguish, future pain and mental anguish, past
physical impairment, and future physical impairment. We affirm.

                                          BACKGROUND

       On July 3, 2014, a hit and run driver struck the driver’s side door of Hambrick’s vehicle.
When the accident occurred, Hambrick was insured under an automobile insurance policy, which
included uninsured motorist coverage, issued by Appellee, Foremost County Mutual Insurance
(Foremost). Hambrick ultimately filed a lawsuit against Foremost, in which he contended that he
was injured as a result of the other driver’s negligence and sought a declaratory judgment as to the
amount he is entitled to recover from Foremost for damages, attorney’s fees, interest, and court
costs. Alternatively, Hambrick sought to recover “an amount equal to the amount of his legal
damages that may be assessed in this suit which have been caused by the negligence of the driver
of the uninsured motor vehicle, not to exceed the available coverage under the
uninsured/underinsured motorist provision of Plaintiff’s insurance policy[.]”
        The case proceeded to a jury trial solely on the issue of the amount of damages, if any, that
would fairly and reasonably compensate Hambrick for his alleged (1) past physical pain and
mental anguish, (2) future pain and mental anguish, (3) past physical impairment, and (4) future
physical impairment resulting from the accident. During opening statements, Hambrick’s counsel
asserted that the other driver “T-boned” Hambrick’s vehicle and argued that the jury should award
Hambrick a total of $400,000 ($100,000 for each of the four categories of damages), and
Foremost’s counsel suggested that Hambrick was exaggerating and argued that he intended “to
abuse the system[.]” The parties stipulated that (1) Foremost paid Hambrick “his policy limits on
Personal Injury Protection coverage, which included [Hambrick]’s care with Steven Pierce (Pierce
Chiropractic)[,] because Foremost believed it to be related to the subject accident[;]” (2) Foremost
believes the hit and run driver’s negligence proximately caused the accident; and (3) “Foremost
believes that Albert Hambrick was injured in the collision.” The trial court read said stipulations
to the jury.
        Hambrick testified that he was raised on his family’s farm, and after he reached adulthood
and accepted a job working for a company, he continued to work on the farm. After working for
different companies, Hambrick started his own barbecue business in 1986 and worked as a caterer.
At some point, Hambrick sustained an accidental gunshot wound to his right leg, for which he
underwent surgery. Hambrick was also injured when he stepped into a pothole, which caused him
to fall and strike his right knee on concrete. Hambrick ultimately improved after these injuries and
continued to run his barbecue business.
        On the day the accident occurred, Hambrick was running short of briskets and ribs for his
business, so he decided to drive to town to obtain more. While Hambrick was sitting at a stop
sign, another vehicle made a wide turn, struck the driver’s side door of Hambrick’s Dodge truck,
and left the scene without stopping. Hambrick testified that the other driver “T-boned” his vehicle,
and the impact was hard enough that he went into shock for a couple of minutes and then felt pain
in his neck, spine, shoulder, and hip. The airbags in Hambrick’s vehicle did not deploy, and
Hambrick’s seatbelt prevented him from hitting the steering wheel. The day after the accident,
Hambrick went to the police station and completed a handwritten report regarding the accident. In
the report, which was admitted into evidence as an exhibit, Hambrick stated that the hit and run

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driver “creased” the door of his truck. 1 Hambrick testified that the day after the accident, he had
“a lot of pain” in his neck, spine, shoulder, and left hip, and a friend helped him with scheduled
catering jobs because he was unable to cut meat. Hambrick did not recall having pain on his left
side before the accident.
        A few days after the accident, Hambrick visited the emergency room due to pain and
numbness, and he received anti-inflammatory medication and was instructed to return if needed. 2
Approximately one week later, Hambrick visited a different emergency room for pain in his neck,
shoulder, and hip. The treating physician gave Hambrick stronger medication and instructed him
to return if his pain continued. Hambrick agreed that an x-ray report after the accident stated that
he had no fractures or dislocations, and his bones and joints were unremarkable. Hambrick
testified that when he was told that he might need chiropractic treatment, Foremost paid for his
chiropractic care. Hambrick explained that he never reached maximum improvement from
chiropractic care, so his chiropractor ultimately referred him to an orthopedic specialist, Dr. James
Michaels.       Michaels took X-rays, performed nerve tests, and gave Hambrick three steroid
injections for neck pain. Hambrick testified that he continues to see Michaels, from whom he
receives an injection in his left shoulder and pain medication every two months. Hambrick denied
receiving injections in his left shoulder or neck before the crash. Hambrick explained that he is
unable to plant crops since the accident, his barbecue business “has been kind of slow” because he
lost all of his catering jobs, and he is currently unable to do anything for his business except
assemble and sell sandwiches while other people prepare meat.
        During cross-examination, Hambrick testified that in May 2012, he submitted an
application for social security disability benefits, in which he stated that he stopped working
because of knee problems, asbestos-related issues, back problems, and hip pain. When questioned
about his disability application, Hambrick testified, “no, I didn’t retire in 2012. . . . I don’t recall
telling them I retired [from] working in 2012.” Hambrick explained, “I didn’t stop working. I
stopped some of my things. I still had my barbecue and my farm work going on.” Defense counsel
also questioned Hambrick regarding a portion of the disability application entitled “Medical
Conditions,” which requested a list of all physical and mental conditions that limit the applicant’s

        1
            Photographs showing the damage to Hambrick’s vehicle were admitted into evidence as exhibits.
        2
            Hambrick’s medical records from before and after the accident were admitted into evidence as exhibits.

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ability to work. In that section of the application, Hambrick’s responses included, among other
things, “chronic pain in left hip” and “sciatic nerve.”
       Defense counsel questioned Hambrick at length regarding the medical visits reflected in
his records, both before and after the accident. Hambrick testified that his family doctor and
another physician prescribed hydrocodone and a muscle relaxer before the 2014 accident.
Hambrick agreed that at medical appointments in 2017, 2018, and 2019, he rated his pain at eight,
nine or ten out of ten; however, medical staff noted in the records that he did not appear to be in
acute distress and was not grimacing or writhing in pain. Hambrick denied experiencing left hip
pain before the accident but admitted that his social security disability application stated that he
suffers from chronic left hip pain. Hambrick explained, “I might have wr[itten] the wrong thing
down.” Hambrick’s counsel rested his case at the conclusion of Hambrick’s testimony.
       The defense called Dr. Carson Fairbanks, who specializes in orthopedic surgery of the
spine, to testify via video deposition. Fairbanks explained that the defense hired him “to provide
an expert medical opinion regarding [Hambrick’s] spinal pathology” after the accident. Fairbanks
reviewed medical records and reports, imaging records, and Hambrick’s deposition, and after
taking a history from Hambrick, he examined him on August 12, 2022. According to Fairbanks,
taking a history is important because “it kind of gives an idea of what is old or chronic or what is
new or acute.” Fairbanks testified that multiple medical records document that Hambrick suffered
from neck pain, neck spasms, low back pain, cervical strain, lower extremity pain, left shoulder
pain, knee pain, and sciatica (also known as lumbar radiculopathy) before the accident.
Hambrick’s nerve study (EMG) showed “chronic left C-7 radiculopathy[,]” and Fairbanks
explained that “radiculopathy” means “nerve dysfunction[,]” which is often referred to as sciatica.
Fairbanks stated that radiculopathy can manifest as numbness, tingling, weakness, and pain that
shoots down an arm or leg.
       Fairbanks opined that the accident caused Hambrick to suffer a “lumbar and cervical sprain
or strain[,]” and he explained that “the treatment for that typically involves about six to eight weeks
of either chiropractic care or physical therapy, in addition to anti-inflammatory medications[,] and
then people get over that and they go on and live life.” Fairbanks also testified, “I see no evidence
of traumatic injury to the disc or the nerves or the spinal cord or the joints like the bones in the
neck. I see no evidence of pinching of the nerves or stenosis[,] which is a fancy word for narrowing
of the spinal canal.” According to Fairbanks, Hambrick had “a lumbar sprain and strain type

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injury, in addition to what we would call ‘chronic degenerative age-related changes within the
spine’ that all of us experience just from being on a planet with gravity.” Fairbanks also explained
that Hambrick’s 2016 MRI showed “chronic age-related degeneration in the spine that all of us
experience” but did not show an acute injury.
       Fairbanks testified that Hambrick’s visit to the emergency room on July 8, 2014, is
attributable to the accident, “[b]ut any emergency room visits that occurred after that, I would find
to not be related to this incident. . . . [M]any of them were for other complaints that didn’t have
anything to do with the accident. In addition, . . . given the low velocity of the accident and no
identifiable traumatic injuries, . . . those . . . would not be related” to the accident. Fairbanks
explained that Hambrick received treatment at Pierce Chiropractic approximately eighty-five times
from November 2014 to sometime in 2016, when his chiropractor referred him to Michaels, and
he opined that the chiropractic treatments Hambrick received more than six to eight weeks after
the accident were unrelated to the accident. Fairbanks testified that the MRI Michaels ordered
showed chronic C-7 radiculopathy, as well as “chronic age-related degenerative changes in the
cervical spine with no acute injury.” According to Fairbanks, Hambrick’s carpal tunnel and cubital
tunnel syndrome were “not related at all” to the accident; rather, they “are very common
degenerative findings or age-related findings[]” and “can also be related to the type of work that
people do, specifically people that work with their hands a lot[.]” Fairbanks explained that
Hambrick’s diagnoses of chronic pain syndrome, chronic neck pain with cervical radiculopathy at
C-7, chronic left shoulder pain, knee pain, left shoulder impingement, hip bursitis, and bilateral
carpal tunnel syndrome are “due to chronic degenerative changes and not acute changes or injury
that occurred” as a result of the accident. Fairbanks agreed that with the exception of Hambrick’s
initial emergency room visit and initial chiropractic treatment, the remainder of Hambrick’s
treatment was necessitated by degenerative changes and chronic conditions rather than injuries
sustained in the accident. Fairbanks opined that Hambrick “has a multitude of chronic age-related
degenerative changes that may very well need medical attention in the future[,] but . . . none of
those are related to the vehicle accident in question.” 3
       The jury’s verdict awarded zero damages to Hambrick as to each of the following
categories: (1) physical pain and mental anguish sustained in the past, (2) physical pain and mental

       3
           After Fairbanks testified, a video of his evaluation of Hambrick was played for the jury.

                                                          5
anguish that, in reasonable probability, Hambrick will sustain in the future, (3) physical
impairment Hambrick sustained in the past, and (4) physical impairment that, in reasonable
probability, Hambrick will sustain in the future. The trial court signed a take-nothing judgment in
accordance with the verdict, and Hambrick filed a motion for new trial, which the trial court
denied. This appeal followed.

                           FACTUAL SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE

       In his sole issue, Hambrick challenges the factual sufficiency of the evidence supporting
the trial court’s take-nothing judgment. Specifically, Hambrick argues that the parties stipulated
that he was injured in the crash, yet the jury’s verdict and the trial court’s judgment “implies that
[he] was not injured in the crash,” and the only question before the jury was the amount of money
that “would compensate [him] for the injuries that all [p]arties believe he sustained in the crash.”
Hambrick asserts that each of the findings of zero damages is against the great weight and
preponderance of the evidence because the uncontroverted evidence shows objective injuries. In
response, Foremost contends that the verdict is not against the great weight and preponderance of
the evidence and argues that Hambrick’s argument implicitly asks this Court to invoke the now-
disfavored zero damages rule, which “provides that when there is objective evidence of an injury,
a jury’s failure to award some monetary amount for each element of damages proved is per se
against the great weight and preponderance of the evidence.”
Standard of Review and Applicable Law
       In reviewing the factual sufficiency of the evidence, we weigh all the evidence, and we will
set aside the judgment only if it is so against the great weight and preponderance of the evidence
that it is clearly wrong and unjust. City of Keller v. Wilson, 168 S.W.3d 802, 826 (Tex. 2005); see
also Cain v. Bain, 709 S.W.2d 175, 176 (Tex. 1986). Thus, to prevail on a challenge to the factual
sufficiency of the evidence supporting an adverse finding on which the complaining party has the
burden of proof, the complaining party must show that the adverse finding is so against the great
weight and preponderance of the evidence that it is clearly wrong and unjust. Dow Chem. Co. v.
Francis, 46 S.W.3d 237, 242 (Tex. 2001). If an appellate court concludes that the evidence was
factually insufficient, it should “detail the evidence relevant to the issue in consideration and
clearly state why the jury’s finding is factually insufficient or is so against the great weight and
preponderance as to be manifestly unjust; why it shocks the conscience; or clearly demonstrates

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bias.” Pool v. Ford Motor Co., 715 S.W.2d 629, 635 (Tex. 1986). When reversing on factual
insufficiency grounds, an appellate court should state in its opinion “in what regard the contrary
evidence greatly outweighs the evidence in support of the verdict.” Id. In conducting a factual
sufficiency review, an appellate court must not merely substitute its judgment for that of the jury.
Id. at 634.
        The jury is the sole judge of the credibility of the witnesses and the weight to afford their
testimony. City of Keller, 168 S.W.3d at 819. When presented with conflicting testimony, the
jury may believe one witness and disbelieve others, and it may resolve inconsistencies in the
testimony of a witness. Id. at 819-20; McGalliard v. Kuhlmann, 722 S.W.2d 694, 697 (Tex.
1986); see also Golden Eagle Archery, Inc. v. Jackson, 116 S.W.3d 757, 761 (Tex. 2003). If a
plaintiff has a history of preexisting injuries or chronic pain but claims that the defendant’s
negligence caused his injuries, “it is the jury’s role to resolve the conflicting evidence on whether
the injuries or the physical pain are attributable to sources other than the event made the basis of
the suit.” Parker v. RAD Trucking, LTD., No. 04-22-00656-CV, ___ S.W.3d ___, 2024 WL
590442, at *3 (Tex. App.—San Antonio Feb. 14, 2024, no pet. h.) (not yet released for
publication). A jury may disbelieve a witness, even if the witness’s testimony is uncontradicted.
Grant v. Cruz, 406 S.W.3d 358, 364 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2013, no pet.).
Analysis
        “The premise underlying the [zero damages] rule – that a plaintiff should be compensated
for all damages that he or she has adequately proved – is, of course, sound. It is the substitution of
this rule for the principles of evidentiary review that is problematic.” Raul A. Gonzalez and Rob
Gilbreath, Appellate Review of a Jury’s finding of “Zero Damages”, 54 TEX. B. J. 418 (May 1991).
“The zero damages rule was created before Pool and is inconsistent with that decision because it
circumvents the requirement that, in order to reach the conclusion that the jury’s finding is against
the great weight and preponderance of the evidence, the court must expressly determine that the
finding is manifestly unjust, shocks the conscience, or clearly demonstrates bias.” Id. at 420
(footnote omitted). “The evidence must do more than establish a threshold level of proof that the
plaintiff experienced an element of damages; it must establish that element of damages so
thoroughly that it would be manifestly unjust to tolerate the award of $0.” Id. (footnote omitted).
The zero damages rule eventually became intertwined with the following guideline set forth in a
concurring opinion: if the plaintiff has objective symptoms of injury, the jury cannot disregard his

                                                  7
evidence, but if his complaints are subjective and incapable of being directly proven, the jury may
award zero damages. Id. (citing Dupree v. Blackmon, 481 S.W.2d 216, 221 (Tex. Civ. App.—
Beaumont 1972, writ ref’d n.r.e.) (Keith, J., concurring)). However, “the proper analysis for a
court of appeals, whether the plaintiff’s complaint is objective or subjective, is to weigh all of the
evidence, detailing it in the opinion, and to determine whether the jury’s finding is so contrary to
the evidence as to be manifestly unjust.” Id. (footnote omitted).
       In the wake of the aforementioned criticisms of the zero damages rule articulated by then-
sitting Texas Supreme Court Justice Raul A. Gonzalez and Rob Gilbreath, many intermediate
appellate courts, including this Court, criticized the zero damages rule and rejected strict
application of the rule. Water Doctors Int’l, Inc. v. Lux, 957 S.W.2d 869, 870 n.1 (Tex. App.—
Tyler 1997, no pet.) (citing article by R. Gonzalez and R. Gilbreath and expressly declining to
follow zero damages rule because it is inconsistent with Pool); see McDonald v. Dankworth, 212
S.W.3d 336, 349 (Tex. App.—Austin 2006, no pet.); Gonzalez v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 143
S.W.3d 118, 124 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2004, no pet.); Dunn v. Bank-Tec S., 134 S.W.3d 315,
325-26 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2003, no pet.); Perez v. Lopez, 74 S.W.3d 60, 65-66 (Tex. App.—
El Paso 2002, no pet.); Waltrip v. Bilbon Corp., 38 S.W.3d 873, 880 n.2 (Tex. App.—Beaumont
2001, pet. denied); Morse v. Delgado, 975 S.W.2d 378, 381, 386 (Tex. App.—Waco 1998, no
pet.); Pilkington v. Kornell, 822 S.W.2d 223, 225-26 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1991, writ denied); see
also In re Orren, 533 S.W.3d 926, 929-31 (Tex. App.—Tyler 2017, orig. proceeding) (concluding
that trial court abused its discretion by granting motion for new trial after zero damages verdict for
pain and mental anguish when trial court recited zero damages rule as its reason for doing so,
which is “contrary to Texas law”). Although it appears that the Texas Supreme Court has not
explicitly rejected the zero damages rule, the Court held in Golden Eagle that the proper factual
sufficiency standard of review is whether the jury’s finding is so against the great weight and
preponderance of the evidence as to be manifestly unjust, shock the conscience, or clearly
demonstrate bias. Golden Eagle, 116 S.W.3d at 775. The Court held that “in reviewing a jury’s
failure to award any damages, courts of appeals should apply the principles articulated in Pool v.
Ford Motor Co.” Id. (footnote omitted). In a concurring opinion, Justice O’Neill asserted that
the Texas Supreme Court should “expressly disavow” the zero damages rule because it is
inconsistent with the standard of review set forth in Pool. Id. at 777 (O’Neill, J., concurring). We
reaffirm this Court’s rejection of the zero damages rule and hold that regardless of whether an

                                                  8
injury is objective or subjective, we review the factual sufficiency of the evidence by weighing all
of the evidence and determining whether the jury’s finding of zero damages is so contrary to the
evidence as to be manifestly unjust. See City of Keller, 168 S.W.3d at 826; Dow Chem. Co., 46
S.W.3d at 242; Pool, 715 S.W.2d at 635; Cain, 709 S.W.2d at 176; see also Golden Eagle, 116
S.W.3d at 775; Lux, 957 S.W.2d at 870 n.1.
       Hambrick argues that because the parties stipulated that he was injured in the accident and
he testified regarding his pain and impairment, the only permissible conclusion is that he
experienced some compensable pain and impairment. We disagree. “The mere fact of injury does
not prove compensable pain and mental anguish.” Grant, 406 S.W.3d at 364; see Dollison v.
Hayes, 79 S.W.3d 246, 253 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2002, no pet.); Blizzard v. Nationwide Mut.
Fire Ins. Co., 756 S.W.2d 801, 805 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1988, no writ). “Examples of serious,
objective injuries that will support an award of damages for subjective complaints of pain include
bone fractures, severe burns, and lacerations.” Enright v. Goodman Distribution, Inc., 330
S.W.3d 392, 398 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2010, no pet.). When the evidence of pain is
conflicting, scant, or more subjective than objective, appellate courts are generally reluctant to
determine that a jury’s finding of zero damages is contrary to the great weight and preponderance
of the evidence. In re Orren, 533 S.W.3d at 930 (citing Grant, 406 S.W.3d at 363-364). “For an
undisputed injury that is less serious and accompanied only by subjective complaints of pain, a
jury may reasonably believe that the injured party should be compensated ‘for seeking enough
medical care to ensure that [the] injury was not serious’ yet also conclude the injured party ‘never
suffered pain warranting a money award.’” Grant, 406 S.W.2d at 364 (quoting Blizzard, 75
S.W.2d at 805).
       “Pain and suffering and mental anguish are separate elements of damage for which the
plaintiff bears the burden not only of production, but also of persuasion.” Dollison, 79 S.W.3d at
250-251. “The mental processes by which a jury determines the amount of damages is ordinarily
incognizable by an appellate court.” Walker v. Ricks, 101 S.W.3d 740, 749-50 (Tex. App.—
Corpus Christi 2003, no pet.). Determining the dollar value of a plaintiff’s pain and suffering is
peculiarly within the jury’s discretion. Id. at 750. The jury is free to reject a plaintiff’s testimony
regarding the existence, amount, or severity of his pain. Dollison, 79 S.W.3d at 252. Even when
there is uncontroverted evidence that the plaintiff sustained some injury, a jury may properly find
zero damages “when the injuries sustained are subjective, such as back and neck soft-tissue

                                                  9
injuries.” Gutierrez v. Martinez, No. 01-07-00363-CV, 2008 WL 5392023, at *6 (Tex. App.—
Houston [1st Dist.] Dec. 19, 2008, no pet.) (mem. op.) (upholding an award of zero damages and
denying motion for new trial when defendant did not contest liability).
       When there is conflicting evidence of the cause of an injury or an alternative explanation
for the injured party’s reported pain, appellate courts have upheld findings of zero damages for
physical pain despite a jury’s finding that the injured party is entitled to damages for medical
expenses. Grant, 406 S.W.3d at 364; see also Parker, 2024 WL 590442, at *1, *8 (upholding
verdict of zero damages for past or future physical pain and mental anguish, past or future physical
impairment, and future medical expenses despite jury’s award of $157,540.24 for past medical
expenses when there was conflicting evidence regarding cause of injury); Lanier v. E. Founds.,
Inc., 401 S.W.3d 445, 456 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2013, no pet.) (upholding finding of zero damages
for future pain, mental anguish, medical expenses, physical impairment, and loss of earning
capacity when physician testified that objective medical tests did not reveal “any acute or gross
injury or trauma” from accident, but instead “indisputably showed” that plaintiff had preexisting
degenerative, arthritic condition of his cervical spine that was not caused by accident); Enright,
330 S.W.3d at 398, 400-01 (upholding verdict of zero damages for past pain when physician
testified that plaintiff is “a malingerer” because, despite evidence of post-accident bruising, jury
was entitled to conclude that accident did not cause or aggravate plaintiff’s back problems or
necessitate surgery); Hyler v. Boytor, 823 S.W.2d 425, 427-28 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.]
1992, no writ) (upholding finding of zero damages for pain and suffering despite award for medical
expenses when jury heard evidence of alternative causes for plaintiff’s lumbar sprain and spinal
injury). “Evidence that subjective pain complaints are motivated by interests other than obtaining
treatment for legitimate injuries will support a jury’s decision to award zero damages for physical
pain.” Enright, 330 S.W.3d at 402. Although appellate courts are more likely to overturn jury
findings of zero damages for past pain and mental anguish when there is uncontroverted, objective
evidence of an injury and causation is established, “‘more likely’ does not necessarily mean
‘must.’” Stone v. Christiansen, No. 02-22-00450-CV, 2023 WL 5766076, at *3 (Tex. App.—Fort
Worth Sept. 7, 2023, no pet.) (mem. op.).
       Although the parties stipulated that (1) Hambrick was injured in the accident, (2) the other
driver’s negligence proximately caused the accident, and (3) Foremost paid for Hambrick’s
chiropractic care because it believed it was “related to the subject accident[,]” the parties did not

                                                 10
stipulate regarding the nature or extent of Hambrick’s injuries, and they did not stipulate that
Hambrick suffered compensable damages. Hambrick’s accident report, in which he stated that the
other driver “creased” the door of his vehicle, was in evidence, as were photographs that showed
relatively minor damage to the door of his vehicle. The jury also heard Hambrick’s testimony that
the accident was a “T-bone” collision. Moreover, the jury heard evidence that before the accident
occurred, Hambrick suffered from sciatica and chronic pain in his neck, low back, cervical area,
lower extremities, left shoulder, hip, and right knee, for which he took hydrocodone. Additionally,
the evidence reflected that objective medical tests performed after the accident, including an X-
ray, an MRI, and an EMG, showed that Hambrick had chronic and degenerative conditions, but
did not show evidence of acute injuries.
       The jury also heard evidence that Hambrick attempted to obtain social security disability
benefits over two years before the accident occurred, and his complaints at that time included hip
pain and back problems. Additionally, Hambrick testified that he continued to work on his farm
and barbecue business after stating on his disability application that he could no longer work. The
jury further heard Fairbanks testify that as a result of the accident, Hambrick suffered from a
cervical and lumbar sprain, for which approximately six to eight weeks of anti-inflammatory
medication and chiropractic care are appropriate, but any treatment Hambrick received more than
six to eight weeks after the accident was not related to the accident. The parties’ stipulation
informed the jury that Foremost paid for Hambrick’s chiropractic care to the limits of his personal
injury protection coverage after the accident. Although Hambrick testified regarding his pain,
mental anguish, and impairment, and his medical records were admitted into evidence, no expert
witness testified that Hambrick’s injury from the accident caused any subsequent pain, mental
anguish, and impairment or necessitated all of his post-accident medical and chiropractic
treatments. Moreover, during defense counsel’s cross-examination of Hambrick regarding his
medical records, the jury heard evidence that medical staff noted at various visits that Hambrick’s
subjective complaints of significant, severe pain (i.e. pain that he rated at level eight, nine, or ten
out of ten) were inconsistent with his appearance and affect during those medical visits, and said
medical records were also admitted into evidence.
       Based upon the evidence, the jury could reasonably conclude that although the parties
stipulated that the accident injured Hambrick, he did not suffer compensable pain, mental anguish,
or physical impairment as a result of the accident. See Grant, 406 S.W.3d at 363-64; Dollison, 79

                                                  11
S.W.3d at 251-53; Gutierrez, 2008 WL 5392023, at *6; Blizzard, 756 S.W.2d at 805. The jury
also could reasonably believe that Hambrick’s past and future pain, mental anguish, and
impairment were caused by chronic or degenerative conditions rather than the injury he sustained
in the accident. See Parker, 2024 WL 590442, at *3, *8; Grant, 406 S.W.3d at 364; Enright, 330
S.W.3d at 398, 400-01; Lanier, 401 S.W.3d at 456; Hyler, 823 S.W.2d at 427-28. Furthermore,
the jury could reasonably conclude that Hambrick exaggerated the severity of his pain, mental
anguish, and impairment. See Enright, 330 S.W.3d at 402. It was the jury’s role to determine
which witnesses to believe or disbelieve and to resolve any conflicts or inconsistencies in the
evidence. See City of Keller, 168 S.W.3d at 819-20; McGalliard, 722 S.W.2d at 697; Parker,
2024 WL 590442, at *3; Grant, 406 S.W.3d at 364; see also Golden Eagle, 116 S.W.3d at 761.
         On this record, we conclude that the jury’s findings of zero damages for past pain and
mental anguish, future pain and mental anguish, past physical impairment, and future physical
impairment are not so against the great weight and preponderance of the evidence as to be clearly
wrong and manifestly unjust. See City of Keller, 168 S.W.3d at 826; Dow Chem. Co., 46 S.W.3d
at 242; Pool, 715 S.W.2d at 635; Cain, 709 S.W.2d at 176; see also Golden Eagle, 116 S.W.3d at
775. Furthermore, the jury’s findings do not shock the conscience or clearly demonstrate bias.
See Pool, 715 S.W.2d at 635. Accordingly, we overrule issue one.

                                                  DISPOSITION

         Having overruled Hambrick’s sole issue, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.

                                                                JAMES T. WORTHEN
                                                                   Chief Justice
Opinion delivered April 17, 2024.
Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Hoyle, J., and Neeley, J.

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                                   COURT OF APPEALS

      TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT OF TEXAS

                                           JUDGMENT

                                             APRIL 17, 2024

                                         NO. 12-23-00133-CV

                                 ALBERT HAMBRICK,
                                      Appellant
                                         V.
                         FOREMOST COUNTY MUTUAL INSURANCE,
                                      Appellee

                                  Appeal from the 2nd District Court
                      of Cherokee County, Texas (Tr.Ct.No. 2020-11-0357)

                    THIS CAUSE came to be heard on the oral arguments, appellate record and
briefs filed herein, and the same being considered, it is the opinion of this court that there was no
error in the judgment.
                    It is therefore ORDERED, ADJUDGED and DECREED that the judgment of
the court below be in all things affirmed, and that all costs of this appeal are hereby adjudged
against the Appellant, Albert Hambrick, for which execution may issue, and that this decision be
certified to the court below for observance.
                    James T. Worthen, Chief Justice.
                    Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Hoyle, J., and Neeley, J.