Court Opinion

ID: 3079148
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-16 01:41:47.078265+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:33:06.147396
License: Public Domain

NUMBER 13-14-00502-CV

                                    COURT OF APPEALS

                          THIRTEENTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS

                             CORPUS CHRISTI - EDINBURG

                               IN RE DCP MIDSTREAM, L.P.

                           On Petition for Writ of Mandamus.

                                 MEMORANDUM OPINION

              Before Justices Rodriguez, Benavides, and Perkes
                Memorandum Opinion by Justice Rodriguez1

        Relator, DCP Midstream, L.P. (“DCP”), filed a petition for writ of mandamus on

September 8, 2014, seeking to compel the trial court2 to allow the discovery of a

settlement agreement between the plaintiffs and real parties in interest, Leonard May and

        1 See TEX. R. APP. P. 52.8(d) (“When denying relief, the court may hand down an opinion but is not
required to do so.”); TEX. R. APP. P. 47.4 (distinguishing opinions and memorandum opinions).

       2 The respondent in this original proceeding is the Honorable Robert J. Vargas, the Presiding Judge

of County Court at Law No. 1 of Nueces County, Texas.
Catherine May, and settling defendant Apache Corporation (“Apache”). We conditionally

grant the petition for writ of mandamus.

                                             I. BACKGROUND

        According to the allegations in their fifth amended original petition, the Mays are

the owners of a ranch located in Jim Wells, Kleberg, and Nueces Counties. 3 The Mays

alleged that Apache, through its oil and gas operations on the ranch, breached a surface

use agreement with the Mays and that DCP breached a pipeline easement and surface

use agreement with the Mays. The Mays alleged that both Apache and DCP committed

tortious acts on the property resulting in surface, subsurface, and groundwater

contamination. The Mays’ causes of action against both Apache and DCP included

breach of contract, negligence, trespass, nuisance, statutory causes of action under the

Texas Natural Resources Code, and a request for declaratory relief. DCP filed cross-

claims against Apache regarding these same issues.

        On July 15, 2013, the Mays entered into a settlement agreement with Apache.

Pursuant to that settlement agreement, on July 24, 2013, the trial court granted a joint

motion for dismissal filed by the Mays and Apache and dismissed all of the Mays’ claims

against Apache with prejudice. DCP continued to litigate its cross claims against Apache,

alleging that Apache was responsible for all or part of the damages that the Mays sought

against DCP. On November 12, 2013, Apache filed a motion for summary judgment on

both “no evidence” and traditional grounds against DCP on the basis that no defendant

has a right of contribution against any settling person. See TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE

         3 In their fifth amended original petition, the Mays alleged that Duke Energy Field Services, LP was

currently known as DCP Midstream, LLC. We refer to Duke Energy Field Services, LP as “DCP” herein.
The Mays also brought suit against TRC Companies, which is not a party to this original proceeding.

                                                     2
ANN. § 33.015(d) (West, Westlaw through 2013 3d C.S.) (“No defendant has a right of

contribution against any settling person.”). On January 15, 2014, the trial court granted

Apache’s motion for summary judgment as to DCP’s cross-claims. Accordingly, the trial

court dismissed DCP’s cross claims against Apache with prejudice and dismissed Apache

from the case.

       After the Mays settled with Apache, DCP requested that the Mays and Apache

provide DCP with a copy of the settlement agreement pursuant to the requests for

disclosure that DCP had propounded on the Mays and Apache. See TEX. R. CIV. P.

194.2(h); 192.3(h). Both refused. On November 22, 2013, DCP filed a motion to compel

disclosure of the settlement agreement, and on December 5, 2013, DCP filed an

amended motion to compel.         Apache filed a response to the motion to compel,

acknowledging that the amount of the settlement and the scope of the claims released

were “likely” discoverable, but contending that the remainder of the settlement agreement

was “irrelevant, not calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence at trial, and

should be protected as confidential information between [the Mays] and Apache.” Apache

provided the trial court with (1) an unredacted copy of the settlement agreement; and (2)

a redacted version of the settlement agreement in which Apache had “penciled through

the portions that it claims are irrelevant to any defense of DCP” for in camera inspection.

Apache asserted that it was prohibited from “unilaterally” producing a copy of the

settlement agreement because “confidentiality of the [settlement agreement] must [be]

maintained by the parties” and because the agreement could not be produced “absent an

[o]rder compelling production.” According to Apache’s response, “[the Mays] objected to

production of the Settlement Agreement, and take the positon that its contents would not

                                             3
be relevant to any remaining claim against any remaining defendant.” Apache further

stated that “it is important to note that [the Mays] were very careful in the crafting of the

Agreement so as not to impact or impair in any respect Plaintiffs’ claims against DCP.”

The Mays did not file a response to DCP’s motion to compel or amended motion to

compel.

       The trial court held a hearing on DCP’s amended motion to compel on December

12, 2013. On December 17, 2013, the trial court sent an email ruling to the parties that

stated as follows:

       Counselors,

               Rather than delay this matter with a writ of mandamus, I am inclined
       to initially rule on the motion to compel disclosure of the settlement
       agreement in hopes that it may resolve the motions for summary judgment
       as alluded by [counsel for DCP].

              In reading the rule, the cases, and secondary material, there is no
       absolute right to disclosure of a settlement agreement. Only those portions
       relevant to the controversy and overlapping issues are discoverable. I don’t
       know who has the burden, but the Movant has presented a strong case,
       and Apache by its own words concedes entitlement to portions.

               I hereby Order the disclosure of those portions of the settlement
       agreement which outline the claims released and preserved. I do not allow
       discovery of the amounts of the settlement. I expect the Mays and Apache
       to jointly redact those portions not relevant to the legal concerns of DCP.

       On January 2, 2014, counsel for the Mays sent a redacted version of the settlement

agreement to DCP. On February 18, 2014 counsel for DCP sent a letter to the trial court

requesting that it issue a signed order on the disclosure of the settlement agreement.

       By order signed on February 27, 2014, the trial court granted in part and denied in

part DCP’s motion to compel. The order reads in relevant part:

                                             4
        (1)     Only those portions of the settlement agreement which outline the
                claims released and preserved are ordered to be disclosed. The
                parties to that agreement shall jointly redact those portions not
                relevant to the legal concerns of Defendant DCP.

        (2)     Amounts of the settlement shall likewise be redacted jointly by the
                parties to that agreement.

        DCP alleges that it did not receive notice that the trial court had signed this order

until August 29, 2014. DCP contends that it called the court the following week to see if

the proposed order had been signed, but the court manager indicated it had not. The

settlement agreement, as redacted by the Mays and Apache and provided to DCP,

appears to comprise twenty-two pages of content, excluding signature blocks, of which

approximately twelve pages have been redacted.4

        This original proceeding ensued. By one issue, DCP contends the trial court erred

in refusing to order the disclosure of (a) the settlement amount, and (b) the full contents

of the settlement agreement. In connection with this issue, DCP asserts that existing law

requires the disclosure of the settlement agreement; the settlement agreement is relevant

and necessary for DCP to receive credit for the injuries for which the Mays have already

been compensated; the settlement agreement is relevant and necessary for DCP to be

able to effectively examine the witnesses at trial; and discovery of the settlement

agreement is necessary in view of the numerous overlapping claims and alleged injuries.

        4    The record before this Court does not contain the unredacted settlement agreement or the
“penciled” version that Apache provided to the trial court. As the party seeking relief, relator bears the
burden of demonstrating its entitlement to mandamus relief. See In re Ford Motor Co., 165 S.W.3d 315,
317 (Tex. 2005) (orig. proceeding) (per curiam); Walker v. Packer, 827 S.W.2d 833, 837 (Tex. 1992) (orig.
proceeding). This burden includes filing a sufficient record in support of the petition. See Walker, 827
S.W.2d at 837; In re Potts, 399 S.W.3d 685, 686 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2013, orig. proceeding).
While the record before the Court is limited insofar as it fails to contain the complete settlement agreement,
it is sufficient to review the issues raised in this original proceeding.

                                                      5
DCP further contends that the Mays failed to carry their burden to demonstrate that the

settlement agreement is not relevant to the issues remaining in this case.

       The Court requested a response from the real parties in interest or any others

whose interest would be directly affected by the relief sought. The Mays filed a response

to the petition for writ of mandamus. They contend that DCP failed to timely seek relief

from the trial court’s order so its request for relief is barred by laches and waiver; that the

trial court did not abuse its discretion by ordering the “limited disclosure of only relevant

portions of a settlement agreement”; that DCP has an adequate remedy by appeal; and

that the trial court’s order granting summary judgment on DCP’s cross-claims against

Apache is a “dispositive ruling that there is no evidence that Apache caused or contributed

to cause any harm for which DCP is now sued,” which, according to the Mays, “clearly

shows that the settlement is not relevant to the issues between the Mays and DCP.” DCP

filed a reply to the response filed by the Mays. Apache did not file a response to the

petition for writ of mandamus.

                                   II. STANDARD OF REVIEW

       To be entitled to the extraordinary relief of a writ of mandamus, the relator must

show that the trial court abused its discretion and that there is no adequate remedy by

appeal. In re Prudential Ins. Co. of Am., 148 S.W.3d 124, 135–36 (Tex. 2004) (orig.

proceeding). The relator has the burden of establishing both prerequisites to mandamus

relief, and this burden is a heavy one. In re CSX Corp., 124 S.W.3d 149, 151 (Tex. 2003)

(orig. proceeding) (per curiam).

       A trial court clearly abuses its discretion if it reaches a decision that is so arbitrary

and unreasonable that it amounts to a clear and prejudicial error of law or if it clearly fails

                                               6
to analyze the law correctly or apply the law correctly to the facts. In re Cerberus Capital

Mgmt., L.P., 164 S.W.3d 379, 382 (Tex. 2005) (orig. proceeding) (per curiam). The

adequacy of an appellate remedy must be determined by balancing the benefits of

mandamus review against the detriments. In re Team Rocket, L.P., 256 S.W.3d 257, 262

(Tex. 2008) (orig. proceeding). Because this balance depends heavily on circumstances,

it must be guided by the analysis of principles rather than the application of simple rules

that treat cases as categories. In re McAllen Med. Ctr., Inc., 275 S.W.3d 458, 464 (Tex.

2008) (orig. proceeding). We evaluate the benefits and detriments of mandamus review

and consider whether mandamus will preserve important substantive and procedural

rights from impairment or loss. In re Prudential Ins. Co. of Am., 148 S.W.3d at 136.

       Mandamus relief is available when the trial court compels production beyond the

permissible bounds of discovery. In re Weekley Homes, L.P., 295 S.W.3d 309, 322 (Tex.

2009) (orig. proceeding); In re Am. Optical Corp., 988 S.W.2d 711, 713 (Tex. 1998) (orig.

proceeding). Specifically, for example, a party will not have an adequate remedy by

appeal: (1) when the appellate court would not be able to cure the trial court's discovery

error; (2) where the party's ability to present a viable claim or defense at trial is vitiated or

severely compromised by the trial court's discovery error; and (3) where the trial court

disallows discovery and the missing discovery cannot be made a part of the appellate

record or the trial court, after proper request, refuses to make it part of the record. In re

Ford Motor Co., 988 S.W.2d 714, 721 (Tex. 1998) (orig. proceeding); Walker v. Packer,

827 S.W.2d 833, 843 (Tex. 1992) (orig. proceeding).

                                               7
                                 III. LACHES AND WAIVER

       The Mays contend that DCP’s petition for writ of mandamus is barred by the

doctrines of waiver and laches. According to the Mays, DCP received notice of the trial

court’s ruling on December 17, 2013, but did not seek mandamus relief until September

9, 2014, a delay of more than eight months.

       Although mandamus is not an equitable remedy, its issuance is controlled largely

by equitable principles. See In re Int’l Profit Assocs., Inc., 274 S.W.3d 672, 676 (Tex.

2009) (orig. proceeding); In re Users Sys. Servs., Inc., 22 S.W.3d 331, 337 (Tex. 1999)

(orig. proceeding); Rivercenter Assocs. v. Rivera, 858 S.W.2d 366, 367 (Tex. 1993) (orig.

proceeding); In re Key Equip. Fin. Inc., 371 S.W.3d 296, 300 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st

Dist.] 2012, orig. proceeding). One such principle is that equity aids the diligent and not

those who slumber on their rights. See In re Int’l Profit Assocs., Inc., 274 S.W.3d at 676.

Thus, delaying the filing of a petition for mandamus relief may waive the right to

mandamus unless the relator can justify the delay. Id.; In re SCI Tex. Funeral Servs.,

Inc., 236 S.W.3d 759, 761 (Tex. 2007) (orig. proceeding); In re Pendragon Transp. LLC,

423 S.W.3d 537, 540 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2014, orig. proceeding); In re Higby, 414 S.W.3d
771, 783 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2013, orig. proceeding [mand. denied]). To

invoke the equitable doctrine of laches, a real party in interest ordinarily must show an

unreasonable delay by the relator in asserting its rights and a good faith and detrimental

change in position because of the delay. In re Laibe Corp., 307 S.W.3d 314, 318 (Tex.

2010) (orig. proceeding); Rogers v. Ricane Enters., Inc., 772 S.W.2d 76, 80 (Tex. 1989).

       We note that laches “is akin to, but distinct from, waiver.” See 30A C.J.S. Equity

§ 139 (1992). As stated previously, to invoke the equitable doctrine of laches, the moving

                                            8
party ordinarily must show an unreasonable delay by the opposing party in asserting its

rights and also the moving party's good faith and detrimental change in position because

of the delay. In re Laibe Corp., 307 S.W.3d at 318; Rogers, 772 S.W.2d at 80. In contrast,

waiver occurs when a party substantially invokes the judicial process to the other party's

detriment or prejudice. See Kennedy Hodges, L.L.P. v. Gobellan, 433 S.W.3d 542, 545

(Tex. 2014); Perry Homes v. Cull, 258 S.W.3d 580, 589–90 (Tex. 2008); In re ADM

Investor Servs., Inc., 304 S.W.3d 371, 374 (Tex. 2010) (orig. proceeding). Waiver is

primarily a function of intent and requires either the intentional relinquishment of a known

right or intentional conduct inconsistent with claiming that right. Crosstex Energy Servs.,

L.P. v. Pro Plus, Inc., 430 S.W.3d 384, 393–94 (Tex. 2014); Perry Homes, 258 S.W.3d at

602–03; In re Gen. Elec. Capital Corp., 203 S.W.3d 314, 316 (Tex. 2006) (per curiam)

(orig. proceeding); Jernigan v. Langley, 111 S.W.3d 153, 156 (Tex. 2003) (per curiam).

       In this case, the trial court’s email limiting DCP’s discovery of the settlement

agreement was sent on December 17, 2013, the order denying discovery was signed on

February 27, 2014, and DCP did not learn that the order had been signed until August

29, 2014. The petition for writ of mandamus was filed on September 9, 2014. DCP

argues that any delay in filing the petition for writ of mandamus was “inadvertent” given

that it did not receive notice or a copy of the trial court’s order until August, that the signed

order never appeared in the “dispositions” section of the trial court’s on-line docket, and

that DCP moved quickly to file this original proceeding upon learning that the order had

been signed. Accordingly, DCP has offered some justification for the delay. See In re

Int’l Profit Assocs., Inc., 274 S.W.3d at 676; In re SCI Tex. Funeral Servs., Inc., 236
S.W.3d at 761. Moreover, there is no indication in the record or offered by the Mays that

                                               9
the delay was intentional. See Crosstex Energy Servs., L.P., 430 S.W.3d at 393–94;

Perry Homes, 258 S.W.3d at 602–03. The Mays have offered no argument or evidence

alleging that they were harmed by DCP’s delay in filing the petition for writ of mandamus.

See In re Laibe Corp., 307 S.W.3d at 318; Rogers, 772 S.W.2d at 80. Accordingly, we

conclude that the Mays have failed to establish that DCP has lost its right to seek

mandamus relief through laches or waiver. We proceed to address the merits of the

petition for writ of mandamus.

                                   IV. SCOPE OF DISCOVERY

       The scope of discovery includes any unprivileged information that is relevant to the

subject of the action, even if it would be inadmissible at trial, as long as the information is

reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence. TEX. R. CIV. P.

192.3; In re CSX Corp., 124 S.W.3d at 152. Information is relevant if it tends to make the

existence of a fact that is of consequence to the determination of the action more or less

probable than it would be without the information. TEX. R. EVID. 401. The phrase “relevant

to the subject matter” is to be “liberally construed to allow the litigants to obtain the fullest

knowledge of the facts and issues prior to trial.” Ford Motor Co. v. Castillo, 279 S.W.3d
656, 664 (Tex. 2009); see In re HEB Grocery Co., L.P., 375 S.W.3d 497, 500 (Tex. App.—

Corpus Christi 2012, orig. proceeding). Generally, the scope of discovery is within the

trial court's discretion. In re Graco Children's Prods., Inc., 210 S.W.3d 598, 600 (Tex.

2006) (per curiam); In re CSX Corp., 124 S.W.3d at 152. However, a party's discovery

requests must show a reasonable expectation of obtaining information that will aid in the

resolution of the dispute. In re CSX Corp., 124 S.W.3d at 152. Therefore, discovery

                                               10
requests must be reasonably tailored to include only matters relevant to the case. In re

Am. Optical Corp., 988 S.W.2d at 713.

                               V. SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS

       The discovery of settlement agreements is specifically addressed by the Texas

Rules of Civil Procedure. See TEX. R. CIV. P. 192.3(g); see also In re Univar USA, Inc.,

311 S.W.3d 175, 179 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 2010, orig. proceeding). Rule 192.3(g)

provides: “A party may obtain discovery of the existence and contents of any relevant

portions of a settlement agreement. Information concerning a settlement agreement is

not by reason of disclosure admissible in evidence at trial.” TEX. R. CIV. P. 192.3(g). The

rules also specifically address the discovery of settlement agreements through requests

for disclosure. See id. R. 194.2(h) (allowing a request for disclosure for “any discoverable

settlement agreements”). The rules require that a party, within thirty days after being

served with a request, file a response to the request of another party for “any settlement

agreements described in Rule 192.3(g)[.]” Id.; see TEX. R. CIV. P. 194.3.

       Courts “routinely” order production of settlement agreements that are relevant to a

claim or defense of a party. In re Enron Corp. Sec., Derivative & ERISA Litig., 623
F. Supp. 2d 798, 836–39 (S.D. Tex. 2009). Settlement agreements are relevant and

necessary to determine the amount of settlement credits to which a defendant is entitled

under the common law’s “one satisfaction” rule that a plaintiff should not be compensated

twice for the same injury. See In re Enron Corp. Sec., Derivative & ERISA Litig., 623 F.

Supp. 2d at 836–39; In re Frank A. Smith Sales, 32 S.W.3d 871, 874–76 (Tex. App.—

Corpus Christi 2000, orig. proceeding). Settlement agreements are also relevant under

the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code in determining settlement credits. See TEX.

                                            11
CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN. § 33.012(b) (“the court shall [ ] 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”); In re Enron Corp. Sec., Derivative & ERISA Litig.,
623 F. Supp. 2d at 836–39; In re Univar USA, Inc., 311 S.W.3d at 179. Further, settlement

agreements and offers may be discoverable to demonstrate bias or prejudice of a party

or witness or to establish the existence of a promise or agreement made by nonparties to

the settled lawsuit. In re Enron Corp. Sec., Derivative & ERISA Litig., 623 F. Supp. 2d at

836–39; Bristol–Myers Co. v. Gonzales, 561 S.W.2d 801, 805 (Tex. 1978); In re Univar

USA, Inc., 311 S.W.3d at 182; In re Frank A. Smith Sales, 32 S.W.3d at 874–76.

However, where settlement agreements are not shown to be relevant, they are not

discoverable. See In re BDPJ Houston, LLC, 420 S.W.3d 309, 313 (Tex. App.—Houston

[14th Dist.] 2013, orig. proceeding).

                              VI. CONFIDENTIALITY PROVISION

       The Mays contend that the settlement agreement at issue is subject to a

confidentiality provision which precludes them from producing the agreement to DCP.

The settlement agreement, as redacted, contains two provisions pertaining to

confidentiality. Under the heading “Confidentiality,” the agreement provides that the

“[c]onfidentiality provisions of the agreement will govern any meeting or mediation and all

filings, submissions, and statements undertaken pursuant to this paragraph.” In Section

IV, titled “Confidentiality and Non-Interference,” the agreement provides:

              The terms of settlement, amounts[,] and allocation of the cash
       payments made pursuant to this Agreement shall be held strictly
       confidential by the Parties and their attorneys and shall not be disclosed to
       third parties or otherwise used to their economic advantage or the economic
       disadvantage of the Released Parties. Disclosure is strictly prohibited

                                            12
      without the express written consent of all Parties, other than professional
      consultants or advisors under confidential relationships. To the extent any
      of the Parties or their attorneys are or may be legally compelled to disclose
      any of the terms of this Agreement, that party shall provide prompt notice of
      such to the other Parties, so that they may, in their discretion, timely object
      to the disclosure of any or all of such information, seek a protective order
      (or take other protective measures) to prohibit or restrict the disclosure of
      any or all such information, or waive the other Parties’ duty of nondisclosure.
      The Parties shall fully cooperate with each other to the extent that any party
      seeks a protective order or take[s] other protective measures.

The agreement is redacted immediately following this paragraph, so it is unclear whether

any other provisions pertinent to confidentiality have been redacted.

      Texas has a public policy of encouraging the peaceful resolution of disputes

through voluntary settlement and orderly dispute resolution. See TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM.

CODE ANN. § 154.002 (West, Westlaw through 2013 3d C.S.); Brooks v. Brooks, 257
S.W.3d 418, 421 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2008, pet. denied); Wright v. Sydow, 173
S.W.3d 534, 551 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2004, pet. denied). “Proponents of

mediation stress that confidentiality is critical to the success of the process.” Avary v.

Bank of Am., N.A., 72 S.W.3d 779, 797 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2002, pet. denied). However,

the fact that a settlement agreement contains a confidentiality provision does not render

the agreement or its contents undiscoverable as a matter of law. In re Enron Corp.

Securities, Derivative & ERISA Litig., 623 F. Supp. 2d at 838; In re BDPJ Houston, LLC,
420 S.W.3d at 314; In re Cont'l Ins. Co., 994 S.W.2d 423, 423 (Tex. App.—Waco, orig.

proceeding), mand. conditionally granted on other grounds sub nom. In re Union Pac.

Res. Co., 22 S.W.3d 338 (Tex. 1999) (orig. proceeding) (per curiam); cf. Scott v.

McIlhany, 798 S.W.2d 556, 559–60 (Tex. 1990) (discussing the inability of litigants to use

private agreements to block discovery of information and testimony sought by third

                                            13
parties). Accordingly, the confidentiality provisions of the agreement do not insulate the

settlement agreement from discovery if the discovery is otherwise warranted.

                                        VII. BURDEN

       DCP contends that the real parties in interest had the burden to plead and prove

the basis for any objections to disclosure of the settlement agreement and they failed to

meet that burden. It is undisputed that DCP served the Mays and Apache with a proper

request for disclosure for the settlement agreement. In this regard, DCP alleges that,

although Apache filed a response to DCP’s motion to compel, the Mays did not.

       This Court and others have placed the burden of proof regarding relevance, or lack

thereof, on the party seeking to avoid discovery. See, e.g., In re Frank A. Smith Sales,

Inc., 32 S.W.3d at 874 (“Generally, the party resisting discovery has the burden to plead

and prove the basis of its objection.”); Valley Forge Ins. Co. v. Jones, 733 S.W.2d 319,

321 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 1987, orig. proceeding) (holding that, as a general rule, the

burden of pleading and proving the requested evidence is not relevant falls upon the party

seeking to prevent discovery). Evidence may not be necessary to sustain this burden.

See In re Union Pac. Res. Co., 22 S.W.3d 338, 341 (Tex. 1999) (per curiam) (orig.

proceeding).

       The Texas Rules of Civil Procedure expressly prohibit objections to requests for

disclosure. See TEX. R. CIV. P. 194.5; In re Univar USA, Inc., 311 S.W.3d at 180. Instead,

in “those extremely rare cases when information ordinarily discoverable should be

protected,” a party is allowed to file a motion for a protective order pursuant to Rule 192.6.

See TEX. R. CIV. P. 194 cmt. 1; see also id. R. 192.6 (explaining the procedure to obtain

“an order protecting that person from the discovery sought”). Neither the Mays nor

                                             14
Apache filed a motion for protection in this case. Through its response, Apache objected

to the request to supplement its disclosures. Apache’s objections to DCP’s motion to

compel were insufficient to establish that the settlement agreement, that is “information

ordinarily discoverable,” should be protected in this cause.        See id. R. 194, 194.5.

Moreover, insofar as the Mays failed to file any response to DCP’s motion to compel in

the trial court, the Mays also failed to establish that the settlement agreement was not

relevant and thus discoverable. Based on the foregoing, we examine whether the trial

court acted within its discretion in denying discovery of the full contents of the settlement

agreement.

                                       VIII. ANALYSIS

       The order at issue in this case contained two disparate provisions regarding

discovery of the settlement agreement. First, as stated previously, the trial court’s order

required the redaction of the amount of the settlement that Apache paid the Mays.

Second, the trial court’s order required the parties to disclose “[o]nly those portions of the

settlement agreement which outline the claims released and preserved” and directed the

parties to that agreement to “jointly redact those portions not relevant to the legal

concerns of Defendant DCP.” We initially address the aspect of the trial court’s order

prohibiting disclosure of the amount of the settlement between Apache and the Mays.

       DCP contends that the amount of the settlement between Apache and the Mays

is relevant regarding the application of the “one satisfaction” rule. “The one satisfaction

rule applies to prevent a plaintiff from obtaining more than one recovery for the same

injury.” Stewart Title Guar. Co. v. Sterling, 822 S.W.2d 1, 7 (Tex. 1991); see also Crown

Life Ins. Co. v. Casteel, 22 S.W.3d 378, 390 (Tex. 2000). Under this rule, a plaintiff is

                                             15
entitled to one recovery for damages suffered when multiple defendants commit the same

act as well as when multiple defendants commit technically different acts resulting in a

single injury. Casteel, 22 S.W.3d at 390. The application of the rule is not limited to tort

claims, and whether the rule may be applied depends not on the cause of action asserted,

but rather the injury sustained. Osborne v. Jauregui, Inc., 252 S.W.3d 70, 75 (Tex. App.—

Austin 2008, pet. denied).

       DCP also contends that the settlement amount is relevant to any potential

settlement credit that it might receive as a result of the settlement. Chapter 33 of the

Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code applies to “any cause of action based on tort in

which a defendant, settling person, or responsible third party is found responsible for a

percentage of the harm for which relief is sought.” TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN. §

33.002(a)(1) (West, Westlaw through 2013 3d C.S.); see Dalworth Restoration, Inc. v.

Rife-Marshall, 433 S.W.3d 773, 780–81 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2014, pet. dism’d w.o.j.).

A “defendant” in the chapter is any party (like appellant) from “whom, at the time of the

submission of the case to the trier of fact, a claimant seeks recovery of damages.” See

TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN. § 33.011(2). A “settling person” is someone “who has,

at any time, paid or promised to pay money or anything of monetary value to a claimant

in consideration of potential liability with respect to the . . . harm for which recovery of

damages is sought.” Id. § 33.011(5). Section 33.012 contemplates that a credit should

be given when a plaintiff has benefited from a settlement that covers the same harm from

which the plaintiff seeks recovery against a nonsettling defendant. Dalworth Restoration,

Inc., 433 S.W.3d at 780–81; Galle, Inc. v. Pool, 262 S.W.3d 564, 571 (Tex. App.—Austin

2008, pet. denied); see also Mobil Oil Corp. v. Ellender, 968 S.W.2d 917, 926 (Tex. 1998)

                                            16
(“When there is a settlement covering some or all of the damages awarded in the

judgment, section 33.012 requires the trial court to reduce the judgment accordingly.”).

       In considering DCP’s contentions regarding the potential relevance of the

settlement amount, we examine whether or not the Mays essentially suffered a single

injury or the same harm as a result of Apache and DCP’s conduct. The Mays deny any

relevance and contend that the “claims and injuries are different.”

       The Mays argue that the settlement agreement is irrelevant because the trial court

made a “dispositive ruling that is no evidence that Apache caused or contributed to any

harm for which DCP is now sued.” The trial court granted Apache’s motion for summary

judgment on DCP’s cross claims as a matter of law based on section 33.015(d) of the

Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, which provides that no defendant has a right

of contribution against any settling party. See TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN. §

33.015(d). The trial court concluded that DCP did not have a right of contribution against

Apache, but this conclusion does not implicate whether or not any of Apache’s actions

resulted in the same injuries for which DCP is now being sued. That issue was not

litigated. Moreover, the Mays’ argument conflates contribution with the application of the

one satisfaction rule and the issue of potential settlement credits. While these issues are

related, they are distinct concepts and apply in different circumstances.

       The Mays’ fifth amended original petition includes numerous causes of action and

factual allegations that are virtually identical as against both DCP and Apache. The

petition alleges that both Apache and DCP “committed tortious acts on the property which

[have] resulted in contamination to the [Mays’ property]” and that both were “responsible

for contamination of the Ranch while the Plaintiffs were owners of the property.” The

                                            17
petition alleges identical causes of action for negligence against Apache, which they

alleged failed to act as a reasonable and prudent operator, and DCP, which they alleged

failed to act as a reasonable and prudent gatherer of oil and gas:

              [Apache/DCP] has a duty to Plaintiffs not to negligently or
      intentionally damage the surface soils, the subsurface strata, surface
      waters and the underlying groundwater incident to oil and gas production,
      storage and transportation operations on and under the Ranch.
      Reasonable use of the property does not include [Apache’s/DCP’s] right to
      negligently or intentionally allow leaks, discharges, spills or releases of
      hydrocarbons, produced fluids and other substances or failure to take
      reasonable steps to prevent such leaks, discharges, spills or releases.
      Likewise, reasonable use of the property does not include an intentional or
      negligent refusal to clean up or restore the areas impacted by hydrocarbon,
      heavy metal, chloride, NORM and other contamination at the Ranch. Such
      breaches were and are a legal or contributing cause of injuries to and
      threaten to cause additional irreparable injuries and damage to Plaintiffs’
      real property.

             [Apache/DCP] had a duty to exercise ordinary care to prevent and
      protect injuries to Plaintiffs’ real property, especially from the threat of
      contamination to groundwater resources resulting from releases of
      hydrocarbons, produced fluids and other substances. [Apache/DCP] also
      had the duty to exercise ordinary care to perform reasonable and necessary
      response actions required in the event of such releases.

             [Apache/DCP] breached these duties and created conditions that
      have caused and now continue to cause irreparable injuries to portions of
      the surface, subsurface and groundwater at the Ranch. [Apache/DCP] was
      negligent in exercising these duties, proximately causing significant
      damages.

The Mays’ causes of action for trespass, nuisance, and violations of the Texas Natural

Resources Code against both Apache and DCP are also identical to each other.

      The petition also alleges breach of contract causes of action against Apache,

regarding its surface use agreement, and against DCP, regarding its pipeline easement

and surface use agreement. While some of the allegations regarding breach of contract

are specific to each defendant, most of the breach of contract allegations against Apache

                                           18
and DCP are remarkably similar. For instance, the Mays allege that Apache breached its

contract because it failed to restore the surface of the property to its original condition and

failed to remove caliche, debris, foreign material, waste materials, junk materials used

with respect to development of the property, and abandoned equipment from the property.

The Mays alleged that DCP breached its contract because it failed to remove all pipelines,

equipment and facilities, property, and other debris from the property.                     In further

connection with the Mays’ causes of action against these parties for breach of the

respective contracts, the Mays alleged that both Apache and DCP failed to perform

remedial work in connection with the contamination.

        The Mays’ petition further seeks declaratory relief collectively as against both

Apache and DCP, including declarations that they “are liable for all of the costs, plus

interest, of past, present and future remedial and response costs incurred by

Plaintiffs . . . reasonably necessary to address the releases or threatened releases of

hazardous substances and solid and hazardous wastes proximately in connection with

[their] activities on the property.” The Mays petition further seeks damages against all

defendants collectively.

        Based on the foregoing analysis, we conclude that the claims and injuries alleged

against both DCP and Apache were similar, if not largely identical, and thus the amount

of the settlement is relevant and necessary to determine the amount of settlement credits

to which DCP may potentially be entitled under the “one satisfaction” rule that a plaintiff

should not be compensated twice for the same injury. 5 See In re Enron Corp. Sec.,

        5 We note that several cases that deny the discovery of settlement amounts are distinguishable

from the instant case, either insofar as they pertained to settlement amounts in separate lawsuits, the
asserted arguments regarding relevance were different, or the cases were decided prior to the amendments

                                                  19
Derivative & ERISA Litig., 623 F. Supp. 2d at 836–39; In re Frank A. Smith Sales, 32
S.W.3d at 874–76. In this regard, the amount of the settlement is also relevant under the

Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code to determine whether DCP is entitled to a

potential settlement credit. See TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN. § 33.012(b); In re

Enron Corp. Sec., Derivative & ERISA Litig., 623 F. Supp. 2d at 836–39; In re Univar

USA, Inc., 311 S.W.3d at 179. We conclude that the trial court abused its discretion in

denying discovery of the settlement amount and, accordingly, sustain that part of DCP’s

sole issue regarding discovery of the settlement amount.

        We next address the trial court’s order insofar as it allowed discovery of “the claims

released and preserved” but denied the discovery of all other provisions of the settlement

agreement. DCP contends that the settlement agreement may be relevant and necessary

to issues pertaining to bias or credibility of the witnesses, its ability to effectively examine

the witnesses at trial, and to receive a fair trial. The Mays contend, in contrast, that the

settlement agreement is irrelevant because Texas Rule of Evidence 408, allowing for the

admission of evidence to show bias or prejudice, is a narrow exception to the general rule

regarding the exclusion of evidence, and DCP has failed to establish that this case falls

within that “narrow” exception. See TEX. R. EVID. 408.

to the rules of civil procedure incorporating requests for disclosure. See, e.g., Ford Motor Co. v. Leggat,
904 S.W.2d 643, 649 (Tex. 1995) (orig. proceeding) (refusing discovery of amounts paid to settle claims in
other lawsuits where the discovery was requested for the purpose of assisting “a party in evaluating a case,
for trial, or facilitating settlement”); Burlington N., Inc. v. Hyde, 799 S.W.2d 477, 481 (Tex. App.—El Paso
1990, orig. proceeding) (denying discovery of a settlement amount where there was “no discernible
relationship or relevancy to the causes of action or defenses asserted” by the requesting party); Nermyr v.
Hyde, 799 S.W.2d 472, 475 (Tex. App.—El Paso 1990, orig. proceeding) (same and holding that the
amount was not discoverable where there was no relevance other than as a “comparative bargaining tool”);
Palo Duro Pipeline Co. v. Cochran, 785 S.W.2d 455, 457 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1990, orig.
proceeding) (denying discovery of cash amounts contained settlement agreements but allowing discovery
of the remaining portions of the settlement agreements). The changes to the Texas Rules of Civil
Procedure—incorporating requests for disclosures—became effective January 1, 1999. TEX. R. CIV. P.
192.3(g) (amended Jan. 1, 1999); TEX. R. CIV. P. 194 (amended Jan. 1, 1999).

                                                    20
       Texas Rule of Evidence 408 concerns the admissibility, not discoverability, of

settlement agreements. See id. The scope of discovery is much broader than the scope

of admissible evidence. In re Exmark Mfg. Co., 299 S.W.3d 519, 528 (Tex. App.—Corpus

Christi 2009, orig. proceeding [mand. dism’d]) (discussing Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. v.

Armstrong, 145 S.W.3d 131, 138–39 (Tex. 2004)). The “relevant to the subject matter”

and “reasonably calculated to lead to admissible evidence” tests are “liberally construed”

to allow the litigants to obtain the fullest knowledge of the facts and issues prior to trial,

and “it does not matter that the information sought may be inadmissible at trial if it appears

reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence.” Axelson, Inc. v.

McIlhany, 798 S.W.2d 550, 553 (Tex. 1990) (orig. proceeding); see also Eli Lilly & Co. v.

Marshall, 850 S.W.2d 155, 160 (Tex. 1993). Fundamentally, the scope of discovery is

obviously much broader than the scope of admissible evidence. See In re Exmark Mfg.

Co., Inc., 299 S.W.3d at 528. In this case, the Mays have conflated the standards for the

discovery of information and the admissibility of evidence. Accordingly, Texas Rule of

Evidence 408 does not control our analysis.

       The rules of civil procedure allow discovery of the “existence and contents of any

relevant portions of a settlement agreement.” See TEX. R. CIV. P. 192.3(g). We conclude

that those portions of the settlement agreement that are relevant to the existence or

nonexistence of potential witness bias, such as those portions that reflect agreements to

provide testimony, to provide cooperation, or to not cooperate with the nonsettling

defendant, as a consideration for the settlement are relevant and are reasonably

calculated to lead to the discovery of relevant impeachment or bias evidence. See In re

Enron Corp. Sec., Derivative & ERISA Litig., 623 F. Supp. 2d at 836–39; Bristol–Myers

                                             21
Co., 561 S.W.2d at 805; In re Univar USA, Inc., 311 S.W.3d at 182; In re Frank A. Smith

Sales, 32 S.W.3d at 874–76.

       In so holding, we are cognizant that the Mays have contended that we are required

to imply all necessary findings of fact to support the trial court’s decision denying

discovery because the trial court reviewed the full settlement agreement, and a redacted

copy, and ordered the production of the redacted settlement agreement “which it

determined to be the relevant portions of the agreement.” We do not agree. According

to the record filed in this case, the trial court directed the disclosure of “[o]nly those

portions of the settlement agreement which outline the claims released and preserved,”

and directed the “parties to that agreement” to “jointly redact those portions not relevant

to the legal concerns of Defendant DCP.” The trial court did not exercise its discretion in

redacting the settlement agreement; rather it instructed the Mays and Apache to

determine the “relevant” portions of the settlement agreement. This is akin to putting the

fox in charge of the henhouse. The parties to the settlement have incentives to minimize

the settlement’s effects on the non-settling defendant. See In re Univar USA, Inc., 311
S.W.3d at 181.

       Based on the foregoing, we conclude that the trial court abused its discretion in

denying discovery of the relevant portions of the settlement agreement and, accordingly,

sustain the remainder of relator’s sole issue in this original proceeding.

                           IX. ADEQUACY OF REMEDY BY APPEAL

       The Mays contend that DCP possesses an adequate remedy by appeal, and thus

mandamus should be denied. Appeal is an inadequate remedy when the appellate court

would not be able to cure the trial court's discovery error. In re Dana Corp., 138 S.W.3d
22
298, 301 (Tex. 2004) (per curiam) (orig. proceeding); In re Kuntz, 124 S.W.3d 179, 181

(Tex. 2003) (orig. proceeding); In re Platinum Energy Solutions, Inc., 420 S.W.3d 342,

349 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2014, orig. proceeding). “Appeal from a trial court's

discovery order is not adequate if: (1) the appellate court would not be able to cure the

trial court's error on appeal; (2) the party's ability to present a viable claim or defense is

vitiated or severely compromised; or (3) missing discovery cannot be made a part of the

appellate record.” In re Ford Motor Co., 988 S.W.2d at 721; see In re Eurecat US, Inc.,

425 S.W.3d 577, 583 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2014, orig. proceeding).

       In the instant case, DCP lacks an adequate remedy by appeal. See In re Univar

USA, Inc., 311 S.W.3d at 181; In re Frank A. Smith Sales, Inc., 32 S.W.3d at 875. DCP

cannot present its “one satisfaction” argument to the trial court, evaluate whether it is

entitled to a settlement credit, or evaluate the likely effect of any settlement on its potential

liability in the forthcoming trial without discovery of the settlement agreements. See In re

Univar USA, Inc., 311 S.W.3d at 181; In re Frank A. Smith Sales, Inc., 32 S.W.3d at 875.

Moreover, allowing the trial to proceed without DCP’s knowledge regarding whether the

settlement agreement potentially affects the prospective testimony at trial, or otherwise

affects its substantive rights at trial, could result in a fundamentally skewed trial. See id.

Thus, mandamus in this matter will preserve important substantive and procedural rights

from impairment or loss. In re Prudential Ins. Co. of Am., 148 S.W.3d at 136. Moreover,

a remedy by appeal is inadequate when the trial court disallows discovery and the missing

discovery cannot be made part of the appellate record. In re Frank A. Smith Sales, Inc.,
32 S.W.3d at 875. Accordingly, we hold that DCP lacks an adequate remedy by appeal,

thus mandamus review is appropriate.

                                               23
                                       X. CONCLUSION

       The purpose of discovery is to allow the parties to obtain “the fullest knowledge of

issues and facts prior to trial.” West v. Solito, 563 S.W.2d 240, 243 (Tex. 1978). We

interpret the discovery rules “so that parties can make realistic assessments of their

respective positions in order to facilitate settlements and prevent trial by ambush.” Gee

v. Liberty Mut. Fire Ins. Co., 765 S.W.2d 394, 396 (Tex. 1989); Lopez v. La Madeleine of

Tex., Inc., 200 S.W.3d 854, 860 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2006, no pet.). “Only in certain

narrow circumstances is it appropriate to obstruct the search for truth by denying

discovery.” State v. Lowry, 802 S.W.2d 669, 671 (Tex. 1991); see In re Exmark Mfg. Co.,

Inc., 299 S.W.3d at 533. This is particularly true with regard to settlement agreements:

“a settlement, procured in darkness is neither just, fair, equitable, or impartial, and

appears to be inconsistent with the objective of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.” In

re Univar USA, Inc., 311 S.W.3d at 181.

       The Court, having examined and fully considered the petition for writ of mandamus,

the response, the reply, and the applicable law, is of the opinion that DCP has met its

burden to obtain mandamus relief. Based on the facts and arguments presented in this

case, where the settlement agreement is not privileged and where it is relevant to the

subject of the lawsuit, and where the real parties in interest have failed to file a motion for

protective order, we conclude that DCP, as the non-settling defendant, should have the

opportunity to examine the agreement. See In re Univar USA, Inc., 311 S.W.3d at 180–

81; Burlington N., Inc. v. Hyde, 799 S.W.2d 477, 481 (Tex. App.—El Paso 1990, orig.

proceeding); Nermyr v. Hyde, 799 S.W.2d 472, 475 (Tex. App.—El Paso 1990, orig.

                                              24
proceeding). In so holding, we do not address the merits of the “one satisfaction rule,”

any potential settlement credit, or the admissibility of the settlement agreement at trial.

        The petition for writ of mandamus is conditionally granted. We direct the trial court

to withdraw its order of February 27, 2014, granting in part and denying in part DCP’s

motion to compel and to enter an appropriate order allowing DCP discovery of the

settlement agreement in good and sufficient time for DCP to examine the settlement

agreement prior to the trial of this case. The trial court shall take appropriate measures

to ensure that the settling parties’ right to confidentiality is protected, through protective

order or otherwise, while allowing DCP the relevant discovery.6 We are confident that the

trial court will comply and the writ will issue only in the event that it does not. See TEX. R.

APP. P. 52.8(d).

                                                                            NELDA V. RODRIGUEZ
                                                                            Justice

Justice Benavides, dissenting without separate opinion, would deny relief. See TEX. R.
APP. P. 52.8(d).

Delivered and filed the 7th
day of October, 2014.

        6 “In those extremely rare cases when information ordinarily discoverable should be protected, such
as when revealing a person’s residence might result in harm to the person, a party may move for protection.”
TEX. R. CIV. P. 194 cmt.1. In this case, the real parties did not assert that any portion of the settlement
agreements were protected by any specific privileges or move for protective order, so it is unlikely that there
will be any issues raised in this regard.

                                                     25