Court Opinion

ID: 9961927
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-04-21 07:20:24.986323+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:19:22.971411
License: Public Domain

Appeal Reinstated and Dismissed; Memorandum Opinion filed April 16, 2024.

                                      In The

                    Fourteenth Court of Appeals

                              NO. 14-23-00975-CV

 ENCOMPASS HEALTH CORPORATION D/B/A ENCOMPASS TEXAS
HEALTH CORPORATION, ENCOMPASS HEALTH REHABILITATION
    HOSPITAL OF KATY, LLC AND ADVANCED HOMECARE
   MANAGEMENT D/B/A ENHABIT HOME HEALTH & HOSPICE,
                       Appellants
                                        V.
                    IRACEMA "EDA" CORTEZ, Appellee

                    On Appeal from the 113th District Court
                            Harris County, Texas
                      Trial Court Cause No. 2023-26564

                          MEMORANDUM OPINION

      This is an appeal from a judgment signed December 12, 2023. On January
25, we abated this case to allow the parties to engage in mediation. On February
29, 2024, appellant filed a motion to dismiss stating that the parties’ mediation
resulted in a full resolution of the matters that are in dispute. Appellant’s motion
essentially states that the appeal is moot. The mootness doctrine limits courts to
deciding cases in which an actual controversy exists. See F.D.I.C. v. Nueces Cnty.,
886 S.W.2d 766, 767 (Tex. 1994). An issue becomes moot when (1) it appears that
one seeks to obtain a judgment on some controversy, which in reality does not
exist or (2) when one seeks a judgment on some matter which, when rendered for
any reason, cannot have any practical legal effect on a then-existing controversy.
Alsobrook v. MTGLQ Invs., LP, 657 S.W.3d 327, 330 (Tex. App. — Dallas 2021),
aff'd as modified, 656 S.W.3d 394 (Tex. 2022). A case becomes moot if there
ceases to be a justiciable controversy between the parties, such as when “the issues
presented are no longer ‘live.’” Heckman v. Williamson Cty., 369 S.W.3d 137, 162
(Tex. 2012).

      Accordingly, we reinstate the appeal and grant appellant’s motion to
dismiss.

                                  PER CURIAM

Panel consists of Justices Wise, Spain, and Hassan.

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