Court Opinion

ID: 3122831
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-16 14:33:06.143211+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T10:21:04.510644
License: Public Domain

Fourth Court of Appeals
                                          San Antonio, Texas
                                                     OPINION
                                              No. 04-10-00828-CV

                                       BUSINESS STAFFING, INC.,
                                         Appellant/Cross-Appellee

                                                       v.

                         Christina VIESCA, et al., Appellees/Cross-Appellants
                   and Belo Wiley d/b/a Wen-Be, and Wiley Lease Co. Ltd., Appellees

                      From the 81st Judicial District Court, Atascosa County, Texas
                                  Trial Court No. 06-01-0869-CVA-A
                               Honorable Fred Shannon, Judge Presiding

Opinion by:        Rebecca Simmons, Justice

Sitting:           Karen Angelini, Justice
                   Phylis J. Speedlin, Justice
                   Rebecca Simmons, Justice

Delivered and Filed: December 28, 2012

AFFIRMED IN PART, REVERSED IN PART, AND RENDERED

           This appeal and cross-appeal arise from a lawsuit that was tried in two separate phases.

Phase I involved the wrongful death and negligence claims brought by Christina Viesca and

other relatives (collectively the Viescas) against Business Staffing, Inc. (BSI), and Belo Wiley

d/b/a Wen-Be, and Wiley Lease Co., Ltd. 1 The jury found in favor of the Viescas. Almost a

year later, Phase II was tried and consisted of (1) the Viescas’ claims against BSI for breach of

contract, fraud, and Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA) violations, and (2) Wiley Lease Co.,

1
    The charge only included Wiley Lease Co., Ltd.
                                                                                            04-10-00828-CV

Ltd.’s cross-claims against BSI for breach of contract, fraud, and DTPA violations. The jury

found in favor of the Viescas and Wiley Lease Co. The trial court rendered judgment following

Phase II that disregarded the jury verdict from Phase I and awarded damages based on the jury

verdict in Phase II. Cross-appellants, the Viescas, challenge the trial court’s grant of judgment

notwithstanding the jury’s verdict (JNOV) from the first phase of the trial. BSI appeals the jury

verdict from Phase II that was incorporated into the trial court’s judgment. We affirm in part,

reverse in part, and render the judgment accordingly.

                                             BACKGROUND

        This case is factually and procedurally complex, with several parties asserting appellate

points. Consequently, an extensive discussion of the facts is necessary to understand the issues

in this case. We begin with an overview of the parties and the facts and then address BSI’s

issues followed by the Viescas’ cross-points.

A. The Parties

        1. BSI

        BSI is a staff leasing company. 2 In exchange for a percentage of a client company’s

gross payroll, BSI supplies the company with employees, provides insurance to the employees,

handles the client’s employees’ insurance claims, and manages the client’s payroll. The client

retains the responsibility for “the direction and control of assigned employees as necessary to

conduct the client company’s business.” TEX. LAB. CODE ANN. § 91.032(b)(1) (West 2006). In

1994, BSI entered into an employee lease agreement with Wiley Lease Co. Under the terms of

the lease agreement, Hector Viesca was an employee of BSI assigned to work for Wiley Lease

Co. As will be discussed below, prior to trial in Phase I, the Viescas settled their claims with

2
 Staff leasing companies and their contracts are regulated under Chapter 91 of the Labor Code. See TEX. LAB.
CODE ANN. ch. 91 (West 2006).

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                                                                                     04-10-00828-CV

Wiley Lease Co. BSI was the non-settling defendant in Phase I. On appeal, BSI is the appellant

and cross-appellee.

       2. Wiley Lease Co.

       William “Belo” Wiley is the principal owner and operator of Wiley Lease Co., which is

in the business of servicing oil tanks including gauging tanks and vacuuming water from the

tanks. Wiley Lease Co. entered into two staff leasing contracts with BSI; one in 1994 and one in

2004. In 2005, Hector Viesca signed an employment contract with BSI and was assigned to

Wiley Lease Co., where he worked as a vacuum truck driver until his death in October 2005. In

2006, Hector Viesca’s wife Christina and son Hector Jr. sued BSI, Belo Wiley d/b/a Wen-Be,

and Wiley Lease Co. Wiley Lease Co. and Belo Wiley settled with the Viescas prior to the

Phase I trial and brought cross-claims against BSI in Phase II, recovering $3,669,810 in damages

as well as costs and attorneys’ fees from BSI. On appeal, Wiley Lease Co. is an appellee.

       3. Viescas

       Hector Viesca, a vacuum truck driver, signed an employment contract with BSI that

assigned him to work with Wiley Lease Co. Under the staff leasing contract, Wiley Lease Co.

was Hector’s operational employer and BSI was Hector’s administrative employer. Hector died

in an accident while working under Wiley Lease Co.’s direction. Hector’s wife, Christina, their

minor son Hector Jr., and Hector’s parents were the plaintiffs in the underlying suit. Christina

brought suit in her individual capacity as well as in her representative capacity as the

administratrix of the estate of Hector Viesca and as next friend of Hector Viesca, Jr.

       The Viescas’ negligence claims against Wiley Lease Co. and BSI were tried in Phase I,

and the jury returned a favorable verdict for the Viescas. All other claims, including the Viescas’

breach of contract and DTPA claims against BSI, and Wiley Lease Co.’s cross-claims against

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BSI, were tried in Phase II. The trial court signed its final judgment after both phases of the trial

concluded, granting a JNOV as to Phase I, and entering judgment on the verdict as to Phase II.

The Viescas appeal the trial court’s JNOV rejecting the Phase I verdict, and are appellees in

BSI’s appeal of issues arising out of Phase II.

B. The Contracts

        In 1994, a BSI sales agent made an unsolicited business stop at Wiley Lease Co. The

agent informed Belo about BSI’s services, including BSI’s workers’ compensation insurance

policy that would cover Wiley Lease Co. and its employees. 3 Transglobal Insurance Company, a

wholly-owned company of BSI, would underwrite the insurance policy.                     Neither BSI nor

Transglobal was an admitted Texas workers’ compensation carrier. Belo testified that he thought

he was contracting with a company that used an insurance company admitted as a Texas insurer

to provide subscription compensation coverage.              However, the 1994 Leasing Agreement

provided that BSI would procure workers’ compensation benefits but not subscription

compensation.

        In 2004, another BSI sales agent contacted Belo and informed him that it was time to

execute a new lease contract on behalf of Wiley Lease Co. Belo testified that in executing the

contract, he relied on the representations from the sales agents and BSI’s officers that the policy

provided “real comp.” The 2004 lease contract stated that BSI would assume responsibility for

“providing, at the sole discretion of [BSI], workers’ compensation coverage and/or benefits.”

Belo understood this to mean that he and the employees assigned to Wiley Lease Co. would have

subscription compensation.

3
 For purposes of this opinion, we will refer to workers’ compensation subscribed to under the Texas Workers’
Compensation Act as “subscription compensation insurance.” See TEX. LAB. CODE ANN. ch. 91.

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        In 2005, Hector signed an employment contract with BSI and was assigned to Wiley

Lease Co. as a vacuum truck driver. The employment contract provided that BSI “will provide

workers’ compensation benefits to EMPLOYEE.”

C. The Accident, Lawsuit, and Settlement Negotiations

        Within a year of signing the employment contract, Hector died on the job after inhaling

hydrogen sulfide while gauging an oil tank. Christina Viesca, her minor son, and Hector’s

parents sued BSI and Wiley Lease Co. for wrongful death and negligence. The Viescas later

amended their claims against BSI to include fraud, breach of contract, and violations of the

DTPA. Wiley Lease Co. filed a cross-action against BSI for fraud, breach of contract, and

DTPA violations.

        Prior to Phase I, BSI and the Viescas discussed settlement. BSI offered $995,000 in

exchange for the Viescas’ release of their claims against both BSI and Wiley Lease Co. The

Viescas rejected the offer. Wiley Lease Co. also entered into settlement discussions with the

Viescas. Wiley Lease Co. offered the Viescas a $150,000 cash payment and a two-thirds

assignment of any future recovery Wiley Lease Co. might receive from BSI (in Phase II) in

exchange for a release of the Viescas’ claims against Wiley Lease Co. The Viescas accepted the

offer and dismissed all of their claims against Belo Wiley and Wiley Lease Co.

D. The Judgment

        Although somewhat repetitive, understanding the jury findings in both phases is critical

to the trial court’s judgment and the resolution of this appeal. Prior to the trial on the merits, the

trial court bifurcated the case into two separate phases. 4                  Phase I involved the Viescas’

negligence and wrongful death causes of action. The jury found BSI and Wiley Lease Co.

4
  The lawsuit was actually split into three separate phases, but this appeal stems from the judgment relating to the
first two phases.

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negligent, apportioned fault at 50% each, and awarded damages to the Viescas in the amount of

$612,500. BSI filed a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict. The judge carried the

motion until completion of the trial of Phase II. The resulting judgment specifically recites that

BSI’s motion for JNOV of the Phase I jury verdict was granted.

        Phase II consisted of (1) the Viescas’ claims against BSI for DTPA violations, breach of

contract, and fraud; and (2) Wiley Lease Co.’s cross-claims against BSI for DTPA violations,

breach of contract, and fraud. The jury found BSI had breached its contract with Hector and

engaged in false, misleading, or deceptive acts. The jury also found that BSI had engaged in an

unconscionable action or course of action as to Christina and Hector Jr. The jury awarded

Christina Viesca and Hector Viesca, Jr. economic damages in the amount of $1,600,000 based on

one or more of its findings that BSI breached its contract and violated the DTPA. 5 The jury also

awarded additional damages based on BSI’s knowing or intentional violations of the DTPA. The

judgment awarded Christina and Hector Jr. additional damages of $4,800,000 exclusive of costs

and attorneys’ fees based on the DTPA violations.

        The jury also found that BSI breached its contract with Wiley Lease Co.; engaged in

false, misleading, or deceptive acts; and committed fraud. The jury awarded Wiley Lease Co.

economic damages in the amount of $1,223,270 based on its findings of BSI’s breach of contract

and DTPA violations. The jury awarded Wiley Lease Co. additional amounts based on BSI’s

knowing or intentional conduct. The judgment awarded Wiley Lease Co. $3,669,810 based on

BSI’s DTPA violations.

5
  The term “Viesca,” as used in the charge, appears to refer to Christina Viesca, individually and in her
representative capacity as distinguished from Hector Viesca, deceased, who is also referred to in the charge.

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                                                                                    04-10-00828-CV

E. The Appeal and Cross-Appeal

       BSI appeals the portion of the judgment based on the issues tried in the Phase II. The

Viescas cross-appeal the JNOV granted as to the jury verdict in Phase I. We begin our review

with BSI’s points regarding the issues tried in Phase II.

                     BSI’S APPEAL OF THE JUDGMENT ON PHASE II ISSUES

       BSI raises nine issues on appeal. To simplify the opinion, BSI’s errors have been

regrouped into three general categories: legal sufficiency of the evidence; improper jury

argument; and newly discovered evidence.

A. Legal Sufficiency of the Evidence

       BSI challenges the legal sufficiency of the evidence to support the following points: (1)

Christina Viesca’s standing as a consumer under the DTPA; (2) the award of economic and

treble damages to Christina and Hector Jr.; (3) the jury’s finding that BSI committed fraud

against Hector Viesca; (4) the jury’s finding that BSI committed fraud against Wiley Lease Co.;

(5) the award of damages to Wiley Lease Co. for the cost and obligations of settlement with the

Viescas; (6) the jury’s finding that BSI breached its contract with Wiley Lease Co.; and (7) the

award of damages representing the return of consideration paid to Wiley Lease Co.

       1. Standard of Review

       In a legal sufficiency review, we view the evidence in the light most favorable to the trier

of fact’s findings and indulge every reasonable inference that supports them. City of Keller v.

Wilson, 168 S.W.3d 802, 822 (Tex. 2005). We will reverse a judgment on a legal sufficiency

challenge if the record discloses

       (a) a complete absence of evidence of a vital fact; (b) the court is barred by rules
       of law or of evidence from giving weight to the only evidence offered to prove a
       vital fact; (c) the evidence offered to prove a vital fact is no more than a mere

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          scintilla; [or] (d) the evidence establishes conclusively the opposite of the vital
          fact.

Id. at 810.

B. The Viescas’ Damages

          1. Christina Viesca’s Status As a Consumer

          BSI contends there was no evidence that Christina Viesca was a consumer and therefore

she cannot recover under the DTPA. The Viescas respond that BSI waived this argument

because BSI failed to file a Rule 93 verified denial asserting lack of capacity. Alternatively, the

Viescas argue that Christina was a consumer because she was a third-party beneficiary of the

contract between BSI and Hector.

          1. Determining Consumer Status

          While posed as a legal sufficiency point by BSI, determination of consumer status under

the DTPA implicates standing and is a question of law that we generally review de novo. See

Bohls v. Oakes, 75 S.W.3d 473, 479 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2002, pet. denied) (citing Lukasik

v. San Antonio Blue Haven Pools, Inc., 21 S.W.3d 394, 401 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2000, no

pet.)).

          Only consumers have standing to maintain an action under the DTPA. Kennedy v. Sale,

689 S.W.2d 890, 893 (Tex. 1985); Flenniken v. Longview Bank & Trust Co., 661 S.W.2d 705,

706 (Tex. 1983); Mendoza v. Am. Nat’l Ins. Co., 932 S.W.2d 605, 608 (Tex. App.—San Antonio

1996, no writ). Because a party’s status as a consumer is an issue of standing, not capacity, BSI

was not required to file a verified denial challenging Christina’s status as a consumer.

          The DTPA defines a “consumer” as “an individual . . . who seeks or acquires by purchase

or lease, any goods or services.” TEX. BUS. & COM. CODE ANN. § 17.45(10) (West 2011);

accord Riverside Nat’l Bank v. Lewis, 603 S.W.2d 169, 172 (Tex. 1980). A consumer need not

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be the actual purchaser or lessor of goods or services; a beneficiary of goods or services may be a

consumer for purposes of the DTPA. See Arthur Andersen & Co. v. Perry Equip. Corp., 945
S.W.2d 812, 815 (Tex. 1997). In determining consumer status, “our focus is on the plaintiff’s

relationship to the transaction.” Id.; accord Bohls, 75 S.W.3d at 479. Consumer status may be

extended to third parties in very limited situations, “as long as the transaction was specifically

required by or intended to benefit the third party and the good or service was rendered to benefit

the third party.” Lukasik, 21 S.W.3d at 401; accord Arthur Andersen, 945 S.W.2d at 815. “The

relevant inquiries to be made in determining consumer status are (1) to whom the representations

were made; (2) who suffered damages from the representations; and (3) who was affected by the

defendant’s alleged misconduct.” Bohls, 75 S.W.3d at 479; accord NationsBank of Tex., N.A. v.

Akin, Gump, Hauer & Feld, L.L.P., 979 S.W.2d 385, 392 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 1998, pet.

denied).

       Importantly, the question in this case is whether Christina was a consumer under the

DTPA. With respect to insurance contracts, a “party whose only relation to an insurance policy

is to seek policy proceeds is not a ‘consumer.’” Transp. Ins. Co. v. Faircloth, 898 S.W.2d 269,

273–74 (Tex. 1995). However, an employee may be a consumer where his employer purchased

an insurance policy because the employee acquired the services. Kennedy v. Sale, 689 S.W.2d
890, 893 (Tex. 1985).

       Under Kennedy, Hector Viesca was a consumer for purposes of the DTPA. See id.

However, Hector’s DTPA claim did not survive his death. See Lukasik, 21 S.W.3d at 401; First

Nat’l Bank of Kerrville v. Hackworth, 673 S.W.2d 218, 221 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1984, no

writ) (en banc). Therefore, Christina Viesca must establish her individual status as a consumer

to prevail on a DTPA claim.

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        3. Was Christina a Consumer?

        BSI contends that Christina was merely an incidental beneficiary of Hector’s insurance

policy with BSI, and therefore, she is not a consumer. The Viescas respond that Christina was a

consumer under the tests this court adopted in Lukasik and Bohls. Specifically, the Viescas

contend that because the “benefits policy” provided by BSI to Hector purported to provide

“death benefits,” these benefits were specifically intended to benefit Christina. Notably, there is

no policy that names Christina; rather, Hector’s employment contract stated that BSI will provide

workers’ compensation benefits to the employee. 6

        Under Lukasik, we cannot conclude that the workers’ compensation benefits were

specifically intended to benefit Christina and that the benefits were rendered to benefit her. See

Lukasik, 21 S.W.3d at 401; see also Arthur Andersen, 945 S.W.2d at 815. In Lukasik, a couple

who lived with their young children in a relative’s home had a child who drowned in the

relative’s pool that did not have an alarm. The parents brought a DTPA cause of action against

the pool company for failing to install a pool alarm. Lukasik, 21 S.W.3d at 398. We held that

the parents were not consumers and noted that (1) they were not involved in discussions between

the pool company and the homeowner regarding a pool alarm, (2) they never sought to acquire

the alarm, (3) they never independently pursued acquisition of the pool alarm, and (4) the

homeowner did not request that the pool alarm specifically benefit the deceased child or his

parents. Id. at 402. Under those circumstances, the parents lacked consumer status because they

did not have the requisite relationship to the transaction to prevail on a DTPA claim. Id.

        In this case, there is no evidence that Christina Viesca was involved in discussions with

BSI or that she sought to acquire BSI’s services. Moreover, there is no evidence that Hector

6
  The jury charge did not contain a question on whether BSI engaged in false, misleading, or deceptive actions
towards Christina as a consumer.

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requested that BSI’s services specifically benefit Christina Viesca. Accordingly, Lukasik does

not support the Viescas’ contention that Christina is a consumer. See id.

       Likewise, our decision in Bohls does not support the Viescas’ argument. There, a wife

accompanied her husband when he negotiated the financing of a prospective home purchase with

the defendant. Bohls v. Oakes, 75 S.W.3d 473, 475 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2002, pet. denied).

After problems arose with the construction and financing of their home, the husband and wife

brought, and prevailed on, a DTPA claim against the lender. Id. at 476. On appeal, the lender

argued that the wife was not a consumer because she was a stranger to the transaction. Id. at

478. We held that the wife was a consumer as “a third-party beneficiary of the transaction

between [her husband] and [the lender] by virtue of her relationship to [her husband] and her

intent to occupy the home after it was built.” Id. at 479. Unlike in Bohls, there is no evidence of

any representations made by BSI to Christina. See id.

       Our decision in Mendoza also supports a finding that Christina is not a consumer for

purposes of the DTPA. See Mendoza v. Am. Nat’l Ins. Co., 932 S.W.2d 605, 609 n.3 (Tex.

App.—San Antonio 1996, no writ). In Mendoza, we left open the possibility that a wife, as a

named beneficiary in an insurance policy, could be a consumer under a DTPA claim “if the

proceeds used to purchase the insurance policy were community funds or if she can show that

her status as a named beneficiary creates a special relationship with the insurer distinct from a

mere third party seeking policy proceeds.” Id. Here, Christina was not a named beneficiary in

the contract. Finally, there is no evidence Hector’s employment contract created any special

relationship between Christina and BSI other than Christina’s status as a party seeking policy

proceeds. See id.

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        Under the specific facts of this case, we hold that Christina Viesca was not a consumer

for purposes of the DTPA. See Bohls, 75 S.W.3d at 475; Lukasik, 21 S.W.3d at 401; Mendoza,
932 S.W.2d at 609 n.3. Thus, the evidence was legally insufficient to support the judgment

awarding DTPA economic and exemplary damages to Christina Viesca and Hector Viesca, Jr.

However, our inquiry does not end here for determining the proper amount of damages to which

the Viescas are entitled. We therefore turn to the jury’s finding that BSI breached its contract to

see if it will support the trial court’s judgment. 7

        4. Amount of Damages Awarded to the Viescas

        In Question No. 1 of the charge, the jury found that BSI failed to comply with its contract

with Hector. In Question No. 2, the jury found that BSI violated the DTPA. Question No. 4

asked the jury what amount of damages “would fairly and reasonably compensate . . . [the]

Viesca[s], for damages that resulted from the conduct found in your response to one or more of

the preceding questions?” BSI does not challenge the sufficiency of the evidence to support the

jury’s finding that BSI breached the contract with Hector. As noted above, because Hector’s

DTPA claim was extinguished on his death, and Christina was not a consumer, she may not

recover actual or exemplary damages under the DTPA. But the damages question was also

predicated on the positive finding of breach of contract contained in Question No. 1.

Consequently, we must determine if the affirmative answer to the breach of contract question

will support the award of damages under Question No. 4. See ACCI Forwarding, Inc. v.

Gonzalez Warehouse P’ship, 341 S.W.3d 58, 68 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2011, no pet.).

7
 Christina Viesca was also suing BSI in her representative capacity as the Administratrix of the Estate of Hector
Viesca.

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                    a. Damages Related to Breach of Contract

           In response to Question No. 4 of the charge, the jury awarded the Viescas $1,600,000 as

damages that “in reasonable probability would have been received had there been in effect for

Hector a workers’ compensation policy issued under the TWCA.” This amount is not split into

any components in the charge, but at trial, the Viescas argued that they would have received

$995,000 in gross negligence damages and approximately $605,000 for future average weekly

wage payments under a subscription workers’ compensation policy. 8

                    b. Gross Negligence

           Under the Texas Workers’ Compensation Act (TWCA), an employer may be liable for

additional damages attributable to its gross negligence to an employee. See TEX. LAB. CODE

ANN. § 408.001(b). The Viescas claim that damages attributable to BSI’s gross negligence form

part of their breach of contract damages because under a subscription policy they would have

recovered such damages. On appeal, all parties agree that $995,000 of the jury’s award to the

Viescas in Question No. 4 is based on BSI’s alleged grossly negligent acts. BSI argues that the

damages are unsupportable because there was no evidence of gross negligence. The Viescas

contend that “BSI fixed the value of the gross negligence death claim when it offered to pay

$995,000 to [the Viescas] in order to settle the claim.” The evidence of a settlement was a string

of e-mails reflecting, at best, a settlement offer for $995,000. Wiley Lease Co. and the Viescas

take the position that these e-mails are sufficient evidence of gross negligence to support the

award. We do not agree. There is no evidence that the settlement offer was for grossly negligent

conduct. Further, the issue of gross negligence was not even submitted to the jury in Phase I,

which dealt with the underlying negligence of the parties. Accordingly, there was no evidence to

8
    The parties do not dispute these are the components of the $1,600,000 damage award.

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support $995,000 of the total $1,600,000 awarded to the Viescas under a breach of contract

theory. See City of Keller, 168 S.W.3d at 827.

              c. Lump-Sum Payment

       BSI also attacks the remaining $605,000 component of damages awarded for future

average weekly wages. BSI argues that because the TWCA does not allow for lump-sum

payment of benefits, the Viescas were not entitled to such a payment. See TEX. LAB. CODE ANN.

§ 408.183(b) (West 2006) (“An eligible spouse is entitled to receive death benefits for life or

until remarriage.”); id. § 408.181(d) (providing that generally, income benefits must be paid

weekly, but “[a]n insurance carrier may pay death benefits through an annuity if the annuity

agreement meets the terms and conditions for annuity agreements adopted by the commissioner

by rule”).

       Pursuant to the 2004 Leasing Agreement, BSI has been paying workers’ compensation

benefits to Christina since Hector’s death. However, there was evidence that BSI was behind in

its payments to Christina. The Viescas’ expert testified that in the four and one-half years

between Hector’s death and Phase I of the trial, BSI never sent the average weekly wage

payments to Christina on time. The expert also testified that BSI was 40% short on its payments

to Christina, and that the Viescas had been underpaid by over $82,000. The expert calculated the

amount of weekly benefits Christina would be entitled to until her death. To ensure BSI would

be compensated for any excess amounts on the lump sum if Christina were to die or remarry, the

expert and the Viescas proposed that the lump sum would be paid to an annuity service (e.g.,

John Hancock).

       BSI directs us to no case or authority that prohibits a lump-sum award as a component of

a breach of contract damage award.      Because BSI failed to provide subscription workers’

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compensation, Christina was entitled to recover damages attributable to BSI’s failure to provide

timely and accurate payments. We hold there was sufficient evidence to support the award of a

lump-sum payment as damages for future average weekly wages in this action.

       Thus, because there was no evidence to support the award of $995,000 attributable to

BSI’s gross negligence, we reverse the portion of the trial court’s judgment that awards the

Viescas damages for $1,600,000 and render judgment that the Viescas take $605,000 as damages

attributable to breach of contract. See Cater v. United Servs. Auto. Ass’n, 27 S.W.3d 81, 85

(Tex. App.—San Antonio 2000, pet. denied) (reversing the trial court’s judgment and rendering

judgment on damages as established by the evidence); Illey v. Hatley, 693 S.W.2d 506, 512–13

(Tex. App.—San Antonio 1985, writ ref’d n.r.e.).

       5. Jury’s Finding of Fraud

       Having reviewed the evidence supporting the breach of contract damages, we turn to the

jury’s fraud finding. In response to Question No. 7, the jury found that BSI committed fraud

against Wiley Lease Co. and the Viescas. However, no damage question accompanied the fraud

liability questions. BSI contends that the evidence was legally insufficient to support the jury’s

award of fraud damages to the Viescas or to Wiley Lease Co. Because (1) no damage question

accompanied the fraud liability question and (2) the judgment did not award damages based on

the jury’s finding of fraud, we need not address this point of error.

       6. Recap of Damages Awarded to the Viescas

       In sum, we reverse the trial court’s award of $1,600,000 in economic damages to the

Viescas and render judgment that the Viescas take $605,000 (the amount of future average

weekly wages) as damages attributable to breach of contract. Further, because Christina Viesca

was not a consumer, we reverse the portion of the trial court’s judgment awarding the Viescas

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additional damages in the amount of $3,200,000 based on the jury’s finding that BSI

intentionally or knowingly violated the DTPA and render judgment that the Viescas take nothing

on this DTPA claim.

C. Wiley Lease Co.’s Damages

        1. Evidence to Support Wiley Lease Co.’s Damages

        BSI challenges the legal sufficiency of the evidence to support the jury’s award of

damages to Wiley Lease Co. The jury question for Wiley Lease Co.’s damages was predicated

upon the jury’s answer as to either Question No. 1, BSI’s breach of contract, or Questions Nos. 2

and 3, BSI’s violation of the DTPA. The jury found in favor of Wiley Lease Co. on both

theories. The judgment reflected an award of damages to Wiley Lease Co. based on the jury’s

finding that BSI violated the DTPA. Additionally, BSI’s DTPA violations served as the basis for

awarding attorneys’ fees to Wiley Lease Co. BSI does not challenge the legal sufficiency of the

evidence to support the jury’s findings regarding BSI’s violations of the DTPA, i.e., the liability

findings. Thus, we turn to the sufficiency of the evidence to support the amount of the DTPA

damages. 9

        2. Award of Damages to Wiley Lease Co. for the Cost and Obligations of Settlement

        Wiley Lease Co. settled with the Viescas before Phase I of the trial for $150,000 plus

two-thirds of any amount Wiley Lease Co. could recover from BSI in the future. In return, the

Viescas released Wiley Lease Co. from liability.                 Wiley Lease Co. argued at trial that its

settlement with the Viescas was a direct result of the misrepresentations made by BSI about the

staff leasing contracts and workers’ compensation coverage. In other words, had BSI’s agents

and officers not violated the DTPA by misrepresenting the staff leasing contracts, Wiley Lease

9
 We need not address whether the evidence was legally sufficient to support the jury’s finding that BSI breached its
contract with Wiley Lease Co. because the award of damages relates to the DTPA violations.

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Co. would not have had to defend himself against the Viescas’ negligence cause of action.

Consequently, the measure of damages under the DTPA should include the cost of settlement.

The jury found in answer to Question No. 4.B. that the damages relating to the cost and

obligations of settlement between Wiley Lease Co. and Viesca amounted to $1,030,000.

        BSI contends there is legally insufficient evidence to support the award of damages for

the cost and obligations of Wiley Lease Co.’s settlement with the Viescas solely because Wiley

Lease Co. was not entitled to recovery under contribution or indemnity theories. 10 BSI argues

that a joint tortfeasor who settles with an injured party cannot seek contribution from a non-

settling tortfeasor unless the joint tortfeasor obtains the release of the non-settling tortfeasor.

Thus, according to BSI, Wiley Lease Co. is precluded from recovering damages for cost of

settlement.

        Contrary to BSI’s position, Wiley Lease Co. is not seeking contribution or indemnity

from BSI. Rather, it is seeking cost of settlement as a component of its DTPA damages. See

Kish v. Van Note, 692 S.W.2d 463, 466 (Tex. 1985) (“The DTPA . . . permit[s] the injured

consumer to recover the greatest amount of actual damages alleged and factually established to

have been caused by the deceptive practice, including related and reasonably necessary

expenses.”).    Notably, a plaintiff may bring a DTPA cause of action if a party makes

misrepresentations about an indemnity obligation. See Ken Petroleum Corp. v. Questor Drilling

Corp., 24 S.W.3d 344, 357 (Tex. 2000); First Title Co. of Waco v. Garrett, 860 S.W.2d 74, 76

(Tex. 1993). Wiley Lease Co. did not seek contribution from BSI as a joint tortfeasor, but rather

calculated a component of its damages based on the cost of settlement that it would not have

entered into had BSI not violated the DTPA.

10
   BSI does not attack the underlying amount attributable to the cost of settlement damages awarded to Wiley;
rather, BSI complains that the general theories of contribution and indemnity preclude such a recovery.

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       BSI does not challenge the sufficiency of the jury finding that BSI engaged in false and

misleading practices. See TEX. BUS. & COM. CODE ANN. § 17.46. There was evidence that the

Leasing Agreements “confer[red] rights, remedies, or obligations which it d[id] not have or

involve, or which are prohibited by law.” See id. § 17.46(b)(12). Specifically, at trial Wiley

Lease Co. testified that BSI’s agents and officers explained that Wiley Lease Co. had “real”

workers’ compensation. The Labor Code precludes a negligence suit brought by an employee or

his beneficiaries where the employee is covered by workers’ compensation insurance coverage.

See TEX. LAB. CODE ANN. § 408.001 (providing, however, the possibility of a suit based on the

employer’s gross negligence). But because the insurance provided was not subscription, the

Viescas could proceed against Wiley Lease Co. based on negligence. We hold the cost of

settlement was an appropriate component of damages under the DTPA.

       Accordingly, we overrule BSI’s point of error regarding the award of cost of settlement

damages to Wiley Lease Co. See Ken Petroleum, 24 S.W.3d at 357; Garrett, 860 S.W.2d at 76.

       3. Award of Return of Consideration Paid to Wiley Lease Co.

       Wiley Lease Co. was awarded damages for excessive service fees paid to BSI under the

2004 Leasing Agreement is the amount of $171,270. BSI contends that there was no evidence of

excessive service fees and that the jury’s award allowed Wiley Lease Co. a double recovery for

both service fees (i.e., a return of consideration) and actual damages (i.e., damages for breach of

contract or DTPA violations).

       Under the DTPA, damages are calculated as either out-of-pocket damages or benefit-of-

the-bargain damages. Arthur Andersen & Co. v. Perry Equip. Corp., 945 S.W.2d 812, 817 (Tex.

1997). The injured party may elect “the damage theory that provides the greater recovery.” Id.

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       Here, the jury award allowed a double recovery for Wiley Lease Co. It awarded $22,000

on Question No. 4.A. for attorneys’ fees; BSI does not contest this amount. Question No. 4.B.

addressed the “cost and obligations of the settlement between Wiley Lease Co. Lease and

Christina and Hector Viesca . . . to the extent such settlement was reasonable and necessary to

protect Wiley Lease Co. Lease under the circumstances.” The jury awarded Wiley Lease Co.

$1,030,000. Question No. 4.C. addressed “service fees paid by Wiley Lease Co. Lease to BSI to

the extent you find them excessive as a result of the conduct about which you answered ‘Yes.’”

The jury awarded $171,270. At the charge conference, BSI objected to this question and argued

that Wiley Lease Co. was not entitled to both consideration/services paid and damages that flow

from the breach of contract or DTPA violations. Because Wiley Lease Co. was made whole by

recovering for the cost and obligations of settling, we reverse the portion of the trial court’s

judgment that awards DTPA economic damages to Wiley Lease Co. and render judgment that

Wiley Lease Co. take $1,052,000 ($1,030,000 + $22,000 = $1,052,000). Likewise, we reverse

the portion of the trial court’s judgment awarding additional damages to Wiley Lease Co. in the

amount of $2,446,540 (2 x ($1,030,000 + $171,270 + $22,000) = $2,446,540) and render

judgment that Wiley Lease Co. take $2,104,000 (2 x ($1,030,000 + $22,000) = $2,104,000).

Having reviewed BSI’s legal sufficiency points, we next consider BSI’s remaining points.

D. Improper Jury Argument

       BSI contends the trial court erred in denying its motion for new trial because Wiley Lease

Co.’s numerous improper jury arguments and repeated violations of an order in limine amounted

to incurable error.

       Generally, to prevail on an improper jury argument theory, the contestant has the burden

of establishing:

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        (1) an error (2) that was not invited or provoked, (3) that was preserved by the
        proper trial predicate, such as an objection, a motion to instruct, or a motion for
        mistrial, and (4) was not curable by an instruction, a prompt withdrawal of the
        statement, or a reprimand by the judge.

Standard Fire Ins. Co. v. Reese, 584 S.W.2d 835, 839–40 (Tex. 1979). To establish that jury

argument resulted in one of the “rare instances” of incurable harm, the contestant must further

establish:

        that the argument by its nature, degree, and extent constituted such error that an
        instruction from the court or retraction of the argument could not remove its
        effects. The test is the amount of harm from the argument: whether the argument,
        considered in its proper setting, was reasonably calculated to cause such prejudice
        to the opposing litigant that a withdrawal by counsel or an instruction by the
        court, or both, could not eliminate the probability that it resulted in an improper
        verdict.

Living Ctrs. of Tex., Inc. v. Peñalver, 256 S.W.3d 678, 680–81 (Tex. 2008) (per curiam)

(citations omitted); accord Reese, 584 S.W.2d at 839–40. 11

        1. Wiley Lease Co.’s Jury Arguments

BSI contends that Wiley Lease Co.’s trial attorney improperly implied that BSI and its

executives were embezzlers and improperly referred to BSI as a “so-called insurance company.”

BSI objected to these arguments at trial. Because the central issues in the case were fraud and

deceptive practices, and because there was evidence in the record of BSI’s fraud and deceit, the

jury argument was not improper. See Clark v. Bres, 217 S.W.3d 501, 510 (Tex. App.—Houston

[14th Dist.] 2006, pet. denied) (noting that trial counsel is allowed wide latitude to refer to the

opposing party “as a liar, a cheat, a thief, and a fraud” when the central issue was one of deceit

and there was evidence in the record of deceit). Moreover, BSI does not point to a single

instance in the record where Wiley Lease Co.’s counsel directly referred to BSI or its executives

11
   Some of the recognized rare instances of incurable argument include appeals to racial prejudice, using
inflammatory epithets such as “liar” or “fraud,” see Reese, 584 S.W.2d at 840, and likening the other party to the
Nazis carrying out Hitler’s Action T4 (euthanizing the disabled) project, see Peñalver, 256 S.W.3d at 679.

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as “liars,” or “embezzlers.” Cf. Reese, 584 S.W.2d at 840 (“[U]nsupported charge of perjury was

incurable.”). Even assuming arguendo that the jury argument was improper, we cannot conclude

that these arguments by Wiley Lease Co.’s counsel were “not curable by an instruction, a prompt

withdrawal of the statement, or a reprimand by the judge.” See id. at 839.

       2. Violations of the Court’s Order in Limine

       Wiley Lease Co.’s counsel also violated the court’s order in limine several times. First,

the order prohibited the parties from mentioning that the jury’s findings in response to a

particular jury question would result in a judgment favorable to any party. Wiley Lease Co.’s

counsel argued to the jury that it was legally very important that the jury vote unanimously on

the fraud question. As stated previously, no damage question accompanied the fraud liability

question, and no damages were awarded to Wiley Lease Co. in the final judgment based on the

jury’s finding of fraud. Therefore, any jury argument regarding the jury’s answer to the fraud

question was harmless. See Peñalver, 256 S.W.3d at 680–81.

       The order also forbade appellees from mentioning the absence of a party from the

proceedings. During closing argument, Wiley Lease Co.’s counsel stated, “[BSI] won’t even

come to the courthouse.” This violation is harmless because the defendant’s absence from the

courtroom was obvious to the jury and an instruction from the court or retraction by Wiley Lease

Co.’s counsel could have removed its effects. See id.

       The order also prohibited appellees from mentioning that a BSI employee had been the

subject of an administrative proceeding. At trial, Wiley Lease Co.’s counsel played a video-

recorded deposition of the BSI employee but failed to cut a portion of the deposition that

mentioned an administrative proceeding. However, the video was stopped by Wiley Lease Co.’s

counsel before the exact nature of the proceeding was discussed by the deposed witness. The

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witness’s testimony revealed only that he was no longer a licensed adjuster with the Texas

Department of Insurance. When asked why he was no longer licensed, he began to state “I’m

appeal—.” At that point, Wiley Lease Co.’s counsel abruptly stopped the recording. This jury

argument is likewise harmless because we cannot conclude that it probably caused the rendition

of an improper verdict. See id.

       Finally, BSI argues that Wiley Lease Co. committed incurable jury argument by violating

the order in limine’s prohibition against arguing that a failure to award damages to the Viescas

would cause Christina financial hardship. Wiley Lease Co.’s counsel elicited testimony from

Christina that she was the sole provider after Hector’s death and needed money to get her trailer

fixed and pay taxes. This argument does not amount to one of the rare instances of incurable

jury argument. See Reese, 584 S.W.2d at 839–40. Specifically, we cannot conclude that the

argument “was reasonably calculated to cause such prejudice to the opposing litigant that a

withdrawal by counsel or an instruction by the court, or both, could not eliminate the probability

that it resulted in an improper verdict.” See Peñalver, 256 S.W.3d at 681.

E. Newly Discovered Evidence

       BSI contends that the trial court erred in denying its motion for new trial based on newly

discovered evidence.

       1. Standard of Review

       To obtain a new trial on the basis of newly discovered evidence, a party must establish

       (1) the evidence has come to its knowledge since the trial, (2) its failure to
       discover the evidence sooner was not due to lack of diligence, (3) the evidence is
       not cumulative, and (4) the evidence is so material it would probably produce a
       different result if a new trial were granted.

Waffle House, Inc. v. Williams, 313 S.W.3d 796, 813 (Tex. 2010). We review a denial of a new

trial for an abuse of discretion.   Id. Further, when reviewing a denial, “every reasonable

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presumption is to be made in favor of the trial court’s decision.” In re J.(B.B.)M., 955 S.W.2d
405, 408 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1997, no pet.).

       2. The Trial Court Did Not Err

       BSI claims that it learned after trial that Wiley Lease Co.’s trial counsel, Carl Kolb, made

material misstatements in open court that he represented only Wiley Lease Co.; BSI contends

that Kolb was representing the Viescas as well. Nowhere in the record does Kolb assert that he

only represented Wiley Lease Co. Additionally, BSI was well aware of alignment between

Wiley Lease Co. and the Viescas because they entered into a settlement agreement in 2008 by

which the Viescas would receive two-thirds of any jury award attained by Wiley Lease Co. from

BSI in Phase II.     BSI also claims that the attorney billings contained in the affidavit

accompanying the Viescas’ and Wiley Lease Co.’s Application for Attorneys’ Fees demonstrates

that Kolb had been retained by the Viescas. These billing statements do not show that Kolb was

retained by the Viescas; they merely show multiple conferences and meetings with Mr. Stone

(the Viescas’ trial attorney). This evidence is not so material that it would probably produce a

different result if a new trial were granted; accordingly, BSI is not entitled to a new trial. See

Waffle House, 313 S.W.3d at 813.

       BSI also claims that after the trial, it discovered that Christina had initiated a lawsuit

against decedent Hector to establish a parent-child relationship and to pay child support. On

appeal, BSI contends that the newly discovered evidence “demonstrates that Christina was never

married—ceremonially or informally—to the decedent and therefore that she was never entitled

to pursue her claims against BSI.” BSI fails to explain how a court order entered eighteen years

earlier demonstrates the parties were never married or how it would have painted a different

picture for the jury. Moreover, there is no evidence BSI could not have found the evidence that

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was made a matter of public record before the trial. Therefore, BSI has not met the requirements

to establish it is entitled to a new trial. See id. Having reviewed Phase II of the trial, we turn to

Phase I.

                      CROSS-APPEAL OF THE JUDGMENT ON PHASE I ISSUES

        On appeal the Viescas, as cross-appellants, argue that the trial court erred in granting the

JNOV on the Phase I verdict because (1) BSI exercised control over Hector Viesca and (2) the

trial court improperly forced an election between wrongful death and survival damages and

DTPA damages. BSI responds that the trial court’s judgment is supported by the allocation of

settlement credits as a result of the settlement between the Viescas and Wiley Lease Co.

Additionally, BSI contends that as a matter of law it was entitled to a take nothing judgment

regarding Phase I because (1) Viesca was a borrowed servant of Wiley Lease Co. at the time of

the accident; (2) pursuant to the Staff Leasing Services Act, Wiley Lease Co. is responsible for

the acts of Viesca; (3) BSI owed no duty to warn of obvious dangers of which Hector was aware;

(4) Hector Viesca acted outside the scope of his employment; (5) BSI is entitled to an offset for

benefits paid to Christina Viesca and Hector Viesca, Jr.; (6) the trial court erred by not

submitting jury questions based on BSI’s affirmative defense of the borrowed servant doctrine

and the Texas Staff Leasing Services Act; (7) Christina Viesca failed to prove she was the

surviving spouse of Hector; and (8) there was legally and factually insufficient evidence to

establish Christina was qualified to act as administrator of Hector Viesca’s estate.

        The question of whether the trial court erred in granting a JNOV and refusing to award

damages in accordance with the jury verdict is moot if the settlement credit to which BSI would

be entitled is greater than the $612,000 the jury awarded in Phase I. Therefore, we will address

the settlement credit issue first.

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                                                                                      04-10-00828-CV

A. Settlement Credits

       “[A] prevailing party is entitled to only ‘one satisfaction’ for an injury.” First Title Co. of

Waco v. Garrett, 860 S.W.2d 74, 78 (Tex. 1993). “[I]f settling parties are partially responsible

for such an injury, then as a matter of law the judgment should be reduced by the amount of any

settlements so as to prevent double recovery by the prevailing plaintiff.” Id. This reduction may

be achieved through settlement credits, as provided by Chapter 33 of the Texas Civil Practice

and Remedies Code. See id. at 78–79; TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN. § 33.002(a) (West

2008); Drilex Sys., Inc. v. Flores, 1 S.W.3d 112, 121 (Tex. 1999).

       “If the claimant has settled with one or more persons, the court shall further reduce the

amount of damages to be recovered by the claimant with respect to a cause of action by the sum

of the dollar amounts of all settlements.” See TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN. § 33.012(b);

Utts v. Short, 81 S.W.3d 822, 828 (Tex. 2002); Drilex Sys., Inc., 1 S.W.3d at 121–22. The non-

settling defendant has the burden of establishing the settlement credit amount—this can be

accomplished by merely placing into the record the settlement agreement. See Utts, 81 S.W.3d

at 828; Garrett, 860 S.W.2d at 79. Once the non-settling defendant meets his burden, “the

burden shifts to the plaintiff to show that certain amounts should not be credited because of the

settlement agreement’s allocation [of awards].” Utts, 81 S.W.3d at 828.

       Because BSI and Viesca were each partially responsible for negligently causing Hector

Viesca’s death, “the judgment should be reduced by the amount of any settlements so as to

prevent double recovery by the [Viescas].” See Garrett, 860 S.W.2d at 78. BSI filed a written

notice of settlement and a request for credit before the case was tried to the jury. See TEX. CIV.

PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN. § 33.012(d). The settlement agreement between the Viescas and

Wiley Lease Co. was made a part of the record. Thus, BSI met its burden of establishing its right

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to a settlement credit. See Garrett, 860 S.W.2d at 78. The Viescas did not establish what

amount of the settlement award was allocated to the negligence and wrongful death causes of

action. Accordingly, we will presume that BSI is entitled to a settlement credit for the entire

amount of the settlement agreement. See id. The settlement agreement provided that the Viescas

would release all claims against Wiley Lease Co. in exchange for a $150,000 cash payment and

two-thirds of any recovery awarded to Wiley Lease Co. in its cross-claim against BSI. After our

modification of the award to Wiley Lease Co., Wiley Lease Co. was awarded damages of

$3,156,000. Thus, the Viescas are entitled to a total of $2,254,000 from Wiley Lease Co. under

the settlement agreement. Because the amount of the settlement credit due BSI exceeds the

jury’s initial award of $612,500 in Phase I, the Viescas were not entitled to any additional

recovery from BSI under Phase I. Therefore, the trial court did not err in granting the JNOV as

to the Phase I verdict and rendering judgment that the Viescas take nothing from BSI in Phase I.

See Jones & Gonzalez, P.C. v. Trinh, 340 S.W.3d 830, 836 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2011, no

pet.) (“A motion for JNOV should be granted if a legal principle precludes recovery.”).

B. Remaining Points

       Because the trial court properly granted JNOV on account of BSI’s entitlement to

settlement credits, we need not address the cross-appellants’ other points of error or BSI’s cross-

points directed to Phase I.

                                          CONCLUSION

       We affirm the portion of the trial court’s judgment disregarding the jury findings in Phase

I. As to Phase II, we act as follows.

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                                                                                  04-10-00828-CV

         We reverse the portion of the judgment awarding $1,600,000 as actual and DTPA

damages to Christina Viesca and Hector Viesca, Jr. and render judgment that Christina Viesca

and Hector Viesca, Jr. recover $605,000 from BSI.

         We reverse the portion of the trial court’s judgment awarding the Viescas additional

damages in the amount of $3,200,000 based on the jury’s finding that BSI intentionally or

knowingly violated the DTPA and render judgment that the Viescas take nothing on this DTPA

claim.

         We reverse the portion of the judgment awarding economic damages to Wiley Lease Co.

in the amount of $1,223,270 and render judgment that Wiley Lease Co. recover $1,052,000 from

BSI.

         We reverse the portion of the trial court’s judgment awarding additional damages to

Wiley Lease Co. in the amount of $2,446,540 and render judgment that Wiley Lease Co. take

$2,104,000 from BSI.

         We affirm the remainder of the trial court’s judgment. We further conclude that there is

good cause to apportion costs of this appeal equally against the appellant/cross-appellee and the

appellees/cross-appellants.   See TEX. R. APP. P. 43.4; Dardas v. Fleming, Hovenkamp &

Grayson, P.C., 194 S.W.3d 603, 621 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2006, pet. denied).

                                                  Rebecca Simmons, Justice

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