Court Opinion

ID: 9641002
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 17:20:37.066042+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:10:34.532289
License: Public Domain

OPINION ON MOTION FOR REHEARING
Bristol, defendant-appellant, in its motion for rehearing complains about the manner we implemented our holding regarding Bristol’s right to contribution.
Instead of our holding Dr. Gonzalez, cross-defendant-appellee, liable to Bristol for one-half of the amount of the judgment, Bristol contends that we should have reduced the judgment amount by one-half under the doctrine of Palestine Contractors, Inc. v. Perkins, 386 S.W.2d 764 (Tex.Sup.1964). In Perkins, our Supreme Court held that where one joint tortfeasor settles with the injured party and receives a covenant not to sue, the injured party is precluded from recovering more than one-half of his damages from the non-settling tortfeasor.
The settlement between Ramon Gonzales and Dr. Gonzalez was sufficiently similar to the settlement in Perkins to lend merit to Bristol’s position.
Accordingly, we now reform the judgment of the trial court so as to award Ramon Gonzales judgment against Bristol in the sum of $400,000.00 together with interest as provided by law. Also, costs are taxed one-half to Ramon Gonzales and one half to Bristol.
Bristol’s motion for rehearing is in all other respects overruled.