Court Opinion

ID: 9705247
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 01:00:38.240493+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:22:09.233290
License: Public Domain

CAYCE, Chief Justice,
concurring.
I concur in the result Justice Day reaches, but I write to note my disagreement with his conclusion that the photographs that TDHS investigators had taken of Watson during their investigation of Watson Memorial are confidential and therefore prohibited from disclosure under section 19.2010(a) of the administrative code. I would hold that the photographs do not fall within the category of “report, records, and working papers” protected from disclosure under section 242.127 of the Texas Health and Safety Code. Cf. Axelson, Inc. v. McIlhany, 755 S.W.2d 170, 173 (Tex.App.—Amarillo 1988, orig. proceeding) (holding photographs taken by attorney were not protected from disclosure under work product privilege of Rule 166b(3)(a)), mandamus conditionally granted, 798 S.W.2d 550 (Tex.1990); Terry v. Lawrence, 700 S.W.2d 912, 913 (Tex.1985, orig.proceeding) (holding photographs taken during insurance investigation are not exempt from discovery under investigative privilege set forth in Rule 166b(3)(d)). Nevertheless, I do not believe that the trial court’s refusal to order disclosure of the photographs constitutes reversible error because the photographs are cumulative of other evidence admitted during the trial of the case. In all other respects, I agree with the reasoning Justice Day uses to dispose of the issues in this appeal.
DAUPHINOT, J. joins.