Court Opinion

ID: 5085780
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-10-01 13:55:38.524471+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:20:24.632341
License: Public Domain

PAUL S. COLLEY, Justice Retired,
Sitting by Administrative Assignment dissenting.
I respectfully dissent.
In this summary judgment case, appellee, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (hereafter “State Farm”), filed suit in trial court cause # 348-138822-91, seeking a declaratory judgment against appellants, Valerie Harwell, administratrix of the estate of Tammy D. Hubbard, Deceased, (hereafter “Harwell”), Eric L. Leatherman and Eric Christopher Leatherman (hereafter “Leath-ermans”), seeking a decree that it had “no [legal] obligation to pay” a judgment rendered in trial court cause #348-117259-88 (hereafter called “Leathermans’ suit”).
On June 18, 1992, State Farm filed a motion for summary judgment in cause # 348-138822-91, predicated on two grounds:
1) The summary judgment evidence conclusively establishes that Harwell, as ad-ministratrix of the estate of Tammy D. Hubbard, Deceased, did not “promptly [send] notices or legal papers received in connection with the accident [automobile collision] to State Farm, or [cooperate] in the investigation, settlement or defense of the [previous] lawsuit. [Harwell’s] failure to [do so] prejudiced State Farm’s defense of the [Leathermans’ suit].” and;
2) The summary judgment evidence conclusively establishes that the judgment in the previous lawsuit was “against Tammy D. Hubbard, Deceased” not against Har-well as personal representative of decedent’s estate because Harwell was not named as a “party defendant” in the previous lawsuit, so the judgment runs against the deceased, and is void.
The Leathermans filed their response to State Farm’s motion for summary judgment, asserting that State Farm was given sufficient notice of the filing of the original petition in the Leathermans’ suit and Harwell was duly served with process therein on January 9, 1989. The Leathermans alleged that State Farm “was given the opportunity to defend [the suit] and refused to do so[,] at a time when there was no prejudice as to its defense of the [previous lawsuit].” They also asserted that because State Farm wrongfully refused to provide a defense to their suit, it cannot “insist upon compliance [by the insurer] with the conditions of its policy....”
The trial court heard State Farm’s motion for summary judgment on July 24, 1992. On August 6, 1992, the court signed an order granting the motion, decreeing that State Farm had “no obligation to pay” the money damages awarded to the Leathermans in their suit.
Appellants present several points of error. Their first point is a general point that the trial court erred in granting State Farm’s motion for summary judgment. That point authorizes this court to consider all issues raised in the trial court and argued by them in this court. Malooly Brothers, Inc. v. Napier, 461 S.W.2d 119, 121 (Tex.1970); see Tex.R.App.P. 74. Moreover, the law is plain and well-established that the movant in a summary judgment ease must establish his right to the summary judgment as a matter of law. Tex.R.Civ.P. 166a; City of Houston v. Clear Creek Basin Auth., 589 S.W.2d 671, 678 (Tex.1979). Where there is conflicting summary judgment evidence, the evidence presented by the nonmovant will be deemed true. Montgomery v. Kennedy, 669 S.W.2d 309, 311 (Tex.1984). Finally, even in the absence of a response the movant bears the burden to establish his right to the summary judgment as a matter of law. City of Houston, 589 S.W.2d at 678.
The record conclusively establishes the following: on December 5, 1986, a vehicle, owned by Lula Hubbard and operated by her daughter Tammy D. Hubbard, collided at a *501location in Tarrant County with a pickup truck owned by Eric L. Leatherman and operated by Eric Christopher Leatherman. In that collision, Tammy Hubbard was killed, and Eric Christopher Leatherman was seriously injured. On December 2, 1988, the Leathermans filed their plaintiffs’ original petition in their suit. That pleading was styled “[the Leathermans] v. Tammy Hubbard, Deceased” and the opening paragraph of the original petition complained of Tammy Hubbard, Deceased, (a true copy of that petition is attached hereto as appendix 1). The first numbered paragraph of the petition recites that “[djecedent TAMMY HUBBARD, was a resident of Tarrant County, Texas, on December 5, 1986, on whom service of process may be had by serving the Temporary Administrator [sic] or Administrator [sic] of the Estate of TAMMY HUBBARD, Deceased, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas." LEmphasis added.]
It is undisputed that Harwell was appointed temporary administratrix of the estate of Tammy D. Hubbard on December 2,1988, by order of the probate court number 2 of Tar-rant County in cause # 88-2676-2. The order specifically granted Harwell authority to accept citation in the Leathermans’ suit and forward the same to State Farm in respect to State Farm’s automobile liability policy # 252 9953-D14^13D issued to Lula Hubbard, Tammy’s mother, which policy was in effect on December 5, 1986. It is likewise undisputed that Harwell was appointed permanent administratrix and qualified by filing her oath and bond on November 22, 1989.
It is likewise undisputed that on July 20, 1989 attorney John M. Groce, Leathermans’ counsel mailed a letter to State Farm’s regional office in Dallas in respect to that suit, identifying the same by its style and case number in the 348th Judicial District Court. In that letter, Groce forwarded copies of the Leathermans’ petition served on Harwell together with the citation personally served on Harwell. The return shows that service on Harwell occurred on January 9,1989 (a copy of that letter is attached to this opinion as appendix 2). That letter was sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, and the return card shows that the letter was delivered to State Farm’s office and accepted by State Farm’s agent, Carl Mason, on July 28, 1989.
The summary judgment evidence conclusively shows that Fort Worth attorney, C. Victor Anderson, Jr., had several telephone conversations with the Leathermans’ counsel sometime shortly before September 7, 1989. The summary judgment evidence further reveals a letter from Anderson to Groce bearing date of September 7, 1989 regarding the Leathermans’ suit. Additionally, the affidavit testimony of Groce shows that Anderson and Groce engaged in a telephone conversation about the suit on or about September 11, 1989. Groce testifies that Anderson was “representing [State Farm]” and told Groce that “the statute of limitations had run” barring the Leathermans’ suit against Harwell and that State Farm “was not going to spend any money for representation of Ms. Harwell or furnish her with a defense.” Groce further testified that Anderson “was [on September 11, 1989] in possession of ... a copy of the petition, a copy of the police report [of the collision,] and a notice from the Court Coordinator which [Groce] had [previously] forwarded to State Farm.” Groce also said that he “could not compel Mr. Anderson to furnish a defense for [Harwell].”
Finally, the record shows that the previous suit was called for trial on August 7, 1991, and that on September 20, 1991, the judgment in the Leathermans’ suit was signed following a bench trial. At trial, Harwell appeared pro se and offered no defensive evidence; whereupon, the trial judge pronounced judgment for the Leathermans that was memorialized by the September 20, 1991 judgment (a copy of which is attached hereto as appendix 3).
Since the summary judgment does not recite the grounds upon which it was founded, we must affirm the judgment if it is supported by any ground raised at trial and argued in this court. Tilotta v. Goodall, 752 S.W.2d 160, 161 (Tex.App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1988, writ denied). Therefore, we must answer two questions: First, is the judgment in the previous case void because it either ran against a deceased person or the “estate” of that decedent; and Second, did *502Harwell breach the insurance contract, thereby relieving State Farm of any liability under the policy.
I answer both questions no, for the reasons hereinafter stated, and would reverse the summary judgment.
State Farm asserts that the judgment is void because it ran against the decedent or her estate. I disagree. It is settled law that a judgment, like any other writing that is susceptible of two or more constructions, is subject to a proper construction from the reading of the entire instrument, so that effect is accorded to “all the court has written.” Constance v. Constance, 544 S.W.2d 659, 660 (Tex.1976); Lone Star Cement Corp. v. Fair, 467 S.W.2d 402, 405 (Tex.1971) (orig. proceeding) (cited with approval in Point Lookout West, Inc. v. Whorton, 742 S.W.2d 277, 278 (Tex.1987) (per curiam)); see also Keton v. Clark, 67 S.W.2d 437, 439 (Tex.Civ.App.—Waco 1933, writ ref'd); Stroman v. Fidelity & Cas. of New York, 792 S.W.2d 257, 259 (Tex.App.—Austin 1990, writ denied); Hood v. Amarillo Nat. Bank, 807 S.W.2d 807, 809 (Tex.App.—Amarillo) (opinion on reh’g), rev’d on other grounds per curiam, 815 S.W.2d 545 (Tex.1991) (opinion on reh’g).
Moreover, a learned scholar has written:
It is always proper to consider what the judgment should have been, since it will be “presumed that the court intended to adjudge correctly in law upon the facts of the case,” and of two possible interpretations of the language of the judgment, that one will be adopted which makes it correct and valid, in preference to one which would make it erroneous.
1 A.C. Freeman, Freeman On Judgments § 76 at 132, 133 (5th ed. 1925) (cited in Atistin v. Conaway, 283 S.W. 189, 192 (Tex.Civ.App. — Eastland 1926, no writ)); accord Ex parte Payne, 598 S.W.2d 312, 317 (Tex.Civ.App.—Texarkana 1980, no writ).
After my careful study of the four corners of the judgment in the previous suit, and acknowledging at the outset, that while the instrument is no model of good draftsmanship, by interpretation, utilizing the foregoing authorities, I conclude that the judgment runs against the administratrix of the estate of Tammy D. Hubbard whose negligence formed the basis for such judgment and the damages therein awarded the Leathermans. Therefore, the judgment is not void, or for that matter, even voidable; it is a final judgment.
Lastly, I address State Farm’s allegation that Harwell breached the insurance contract by her failure to give notice of the occurrence of the accident and forward legal papers served on her in the previous suit, thereby relieving State Farm from any liability on its policy. In response to that contention, appellants at trial and in this court argue that because State Farm refused to defend the previous suit against Harwell acting in her representative capacity, State Farm was es-topped from enforcing the condition of its policy in respect to Harwell’s duty to promptly furnish State Farm with notice of the accident and copies of all legal papers served on her in the Leathermans’ suit. I agree with appellants. See Gulf Ins. Co. v. Parker Products, Inc., 498 S.W.2d 676, 679 (Tex.1973); Womack v. Allstate Ins. Co., 156 Tex. 467, 296 S.W.2d 233, 237 (1956); see also YMCA of Metro. Fort Worth v. Commercial Standard Ins. Co., 552 S.W.2d 497, 504 (Tex.Civ.App.—Fort Worth, 1977), writ ref'd n.r.e. per curiam, 563 S.W.2d 246 (Tex.1978); Rhodes v. Chicago Ins. Co., 719 F.2d 116, 119-20 (5th Cir.1983). The initial pleading and citation furnished State Farm showed a cause of action within the coverage of State Farm’s policy, and regardless of the merits of the action, the insurer had a contractual duty to defend the insured. Maryland Cas. Co. v. Moritz, 138 S.W.2d 1095, 1097-98 (Tex.Civ.App.— Austin 1940, writ ref'd). I conclude that State Farm’s undisputed failure to defend Harwell in the Leath-ermans’ suit operated as an estoppel, preventing it from asserting against Harwell “any conditions in the policy” including an alleged failure to give notice and send further legal papers served on her. Accord Heyden Newport Chemical Corp. v. Southern General Ins. Co., 387 S.W.2d 22, 26 (Tex.1965). The Supreme Court has held that while the insurer “may ordinarily insist upon compliance with ... condition^] [in the policy] for its own protection ... it may not do *503so after it is given the opportunity to defend the suit ... and refuses to do [so] either on the erroneous ground that it has no responsibility under the policy.” Gulf Ins. Co., 498 S.W.2d at 679 (citations omitted).
Based on the record before us, I would hold that State Farm was estopped to urge any policy conditions as a defense, including “Part E” of the policy (reproduced in the majority opinion). I am persuaded that State Farm waived all policy defenses, first because it had notice of the accident and the Leathermans’ lawsuit more than two years before the Leathermans’ case even went to trial. That notice gave State Farm an ample opportunity to intervene and interpose a defense in the case; moreover, a strong inference arises from the summary judgment evidence to the effect that State Farm forwarded the papers mailed to its Dallas office by Groce on July 20, 1989, received by State Farm’s agent Carl Mason on July 28, 1989, to State Farm’s agent and Fort Worth attorney, C. Victor Anderson, Jr., who obviously made an investigation of the Leathermans’ claims and the lawsuit since he advised the Leather-mans’ attorney that the statute of limitations had run against the Leathermans’ case, barring their suit against the representative of Hubbard’s estate.
The foregoing facts and circumstances singly and considered together with the other summary judgment evidence operate as an estoppel against State Farm, depriving it of its policy defenses. See Womack, 296 S.W.2d at 237.
In addition, the majority has ruled that State Farm had no duty to defend the Leath-ermans’ lawsuit because at the time Harwell was served with process in the suit — January 9, 1989 — she had not posted her bond. I would point out that while State Farm made that argument in this court, it did not make that argument nor did it make those allegations in the trial court. Therefore, such facts do not constitute a ground for State Farm’s motion for summary judgment and cannot be considered by this court to support the summary judgment. Rogers v. Ricane Enterprises, Inc., 172 S.W.2d 76, 79 (Tex.1989).
Therefore, I would, for the reasons set forth, reverse the summary judgment and remand the cause for trial on the merits in the trial court.
APPENDIX 1
Cause No. 348-117259-88
E.L. Leatherman and Eric Christopher Howard (Leatherman) v. Tammy Hubbard, Deceased.
In the District Court of Tarrant County, Texas 348 Judicial District
Filed Dec. 2, 1988

PLAINTIFFS’ ORIGINAL PETITION

COMES NOW E.L. LEATHERMAN, hereinafter called Plaintiff, and ERIC CHRISTOPHER HOWARD (LEATHER-MAN), hereinafter called Plaintiff, each complaining of TAMMY HUBBARD, DECEASED, and for cause of action would respectfully represent to the Court as follows:
I.
Plaintiffs are residents of Tarrant County, Texas.
Decedent, TAMMY HUBBARD, was a resident of Tarrant County, Texas, on December 5, 1986, on whom service of process may be had by serving the Temporary Administrator or Administrator of the Estate of TAMMY HUBBARD, Deceased, Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas.
II.
Plaintiffs would represent to the Court that on or about December 5, 1986, Plaintiff, E.L. LEATHERMAN, was the owner of a 1984¾ ton pickup truck, being driven by Plaintiff, ERIC CHRISTOPHER HOWARD (LEATHERMAN), which on that date in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas, at or near Marine Creek Parkway, about 10:12 p.m., while traveling in a northerly direction on Marine Creek Parkway in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas, was struck by a mo*504tor vehicle being operated by TAMMY HUBBARD, who was on that date and occasion traveling South on Marine Creek Parkway, which collision caused personal injuries to Plaintiff, ERIC CHRISTOPHER HOWARD (LEATHERMAN) and property damage to the vehicle, 1984 Ford ¾ ton pickup truck owned by E.L. LEATHERMAN, which injuries and damages are more specifically hereinafter set out, and Plaintiffs allege the cause of the injuries and damages was the negligence of TAMMY HUBBARD, Deceased, which acts and omissions were negligence, all as more specifically hereinafter set out.
III.
Plaintiffs allege and represent to the Court that Defendant, TAMMY HUBBARD, Deceased, while driving her motor vehicle in a Southerly direction on Marine Creek Parkway, at or near the time Plaintiff, ERIC CHRISTOPHER HOWARD (LEATHER-MAN) was driving a 1984 Ford ¾ ton pickup in a Northerly direction on Marine Creek Parkway in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas, was guilty of one or more of the following acts of negligence, which negligence was a proximate cause of the injuries and damages sustained by Plaintiffs as follows:
1. TAMMY HUBBARD, Deceased, failed to maintain control of the vehicle she was driving;
2. TAMMY HUBBARD, Deceased, allowed her vehicle to move into the oncoming left-hand lane, which was being occupied by Plaintiff, ERIC CHRISTOPHER HOWARD (LEATHERMAN);
3. TAMMY HUBBARD, Deceased, failed to timely apply her brakes;
4. TAMMY HUBBARD, Deceased, failed to turn her vehicle to the right so as to avoid colliding into the vehicle being driven by Plaintiff, ERIC CHRISTOPHER HOWARD (LEATHERMAN); and
5. TAMMY HUBBARD, Deceased, failed to exercise that decree of care which a reasonable, prudent person would have exercised under the same or similar circumstances.
Plaintiffs allege that each of the above acts and/or omissions of negligence on the part of TAMMY HUBBARD, Deceased, were the sole proximate cause of the injuries and damages to Plaintiffs as more hereinafter specifically set out.
IV.
ERIC CHRISTOPHER HOWARD (LEATHERMAN) would represent to the Court that on December 6, 1986, he was 22 years of age, in good health, able-bodied, a part-time student, and gainfully employed. Plaintiff would represent to the Court that as a result of the collision in question, ERIC CHRISTOPHER HOWARD (LEATHER-MAN) suffered a broken rib, bruised ribs, collapsed lung, together with multiple contusions and abrasions. Plaintiff would represent that at the time and on the occasion in question, he was taken to the Fort Worth Osteopathic Hospital by ambulance and treated by medical physician for injuries which he sustained. Plaintiff seeks damages against TAMMY HUBBARD, Deceased, Defendant, for all reasonable and necessary ambulance, hospital, and medical expenses, all of which are considerably in excess of the minimal jurisdictional limits of this Court.
V.
Plaintiff, ERIC CHRISTOPHER HOWARD (LEATHERMAN) would represent to the Court that at the time of the collision he was employed as an employee of Plaintiff, E.L. LEATHERMAN, in a business known as “E.L. LEATHERMAN, d/b/a TRACTOR TRUCK SERVICE”, earning $8.00 per hour, working 35 to 40 hours per week, and as a result of the injuries sustained by Plaintiff, Plaintiff was unable to work for approximately six (6) months, for which time, Plaintiff claims lost wages.
VI.
Plaintiff, ERIC CHRISTOPHER HOWARD (LEATHERMAN) would respectfully represent to the Court that as a result of the negligence of Defendant, TAMMY HUBBARD, Deceased, Plaintiff suffered mental *505anguish, pain and suffering for which Plaintiff prays damages in the reasonable amount of $50,000.00.
VII.
Plaintiff, E.L. LEATHERMAN, would represent to the Court that at the time and on the occasion in question, he was the owner of a 1984 Ford F-150% ton, pickup truck, which was damaged as a result of the negligence and collision caused by the Defendant herein. Plaintiff would represent to the Court that at the time and on the occasion in question the reasonable fair market value of the 1984 Ford F-150, ¾ ton pickup truck, was $13,500.00. Further, that immediately after the collision in question, in Tarrant County, Texas the reasonable fair market value of the 1984 Ford F-150, ¾ ton pickup truck, was $500.00. In the alternative, without waiving any of the above, Plaintiff, E.L. LEATHER-MAN, would represent to the Court that as a result of the collision, the pickup truck was totaled, and that the salvage value of the vehicle was $500.00, that it would require reasonable and necessary time, materials and repairs of $12,500.00 to repair the vehicle, which, at that time, had a reasonable fair market value of $13,000.00, and that the same was not repaired.
VIII.
Plaintiffs, jointly and severally, respectfully pray the Court for pre-judgment interest for all sums awarded.
WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, Plaintiffs pray that the Estate of Decedent, TAMMY HUBBARD, be cited to appear and answer herein as required by law, and that upon final hearing herein, Plaintiffs have and recover all damages for which they may show the Court, for prejudgment interest, for post-judgment interest, for costs of court, and for such other and further relief, either at law or in equity, to which Plaintiffs may show themselves justly entitled.
Respectfully submitted,
(s) John M. Groce JOHN M. GROCE,
Attorney for Plaintiffs
APPENDIX 2
Law Office of John M. Groce
819 One Tandy Center
Fort Worth, Texas 76102
July 20, 1989
CERTIFIED MAIL
RETURN RECEIPT # P994 014 860
State Farm Mutual Automobile Ins. Co.
Southwestern Regional Office
17301 Preston Road
P.O. Box 620054
Dallas, Texas 75262-0054
Re: Cause No. 348-117259-88
E.L. Leatherman, et al vs.
Tammy Hubbard, Deceased
Gentlemen:
Please be advised that I represent Mr. E.L. Leatherman and Eric Christopher Howard (Leatherman) in a claim they have against Tammy Hubbard, Deceased, in the above-referenced and styled matter.
Enclosed herewith is a copy of Plaintiffs Original Petition, together with a copy of the police report concerning this claim.
According to the investigation which is now complete, TAMMY D. HUBBARD was driving a 1980 Brown Ford Mustang automobile, owned by Lula D. Hubbard, her mother, on or about December 5, 1986, at or near 6100 Marine Creek Parkway, about ¾0⅛8 of a mile South of 1400 Longhorn Drive in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas, when her vehicle went out of control veering into the oncoming lane, colliding with Eric Howard Leatherman, who was driving a 1984 Tan Ford F-100 pickup owned by E.L. Leather-man. As a result of the collision, Tammy D. Hubbard was a fatality. Eric Howard suffered serious and disabling injuries and E.L. Leatherman suffered property damage and loss of the 1984 Tan Ford F-100 motor vehicle.
*506It is necessary that an answer be filed in the above styled and numbered cause, in order to prevent a default judgment on or before August 23, 1989.
I enclose herewith a copy of the letter from Judy Sims, Court Coordinator, with reference to necessary action to secure default judgment.
It is hoped that this matter can be disposed of by settlement; however, we have been unable to reach any proposals or negotiations prior to filing of this action.
Thank you for your attention in this matter.
Very truly yours,
(s) John M. Groce John M. Groce
APPENDIX 3
Cause No. 348-117259-88
E.L. Leatherman and Eric Christopher Howard (Leatherman) v. Tammy Hubbard, Deceased.
In the District Court of Tarrant County, Texas 348th Judicial District.

JUDGMENT

On the 7th day of August, 1991, came on for trial, the above-styled and numbered cause.
Plaintiff, E.L. LEATHERMAN, and Plaintiff, ERIC CHRISTOPHER HOWARD (LEATHERMAN), appeared in person and by attorney of record, and announced ready for trial.
Defendant, TAMMY HUBBARD, DECEASED, appeared by and through VALERIE HARWELL, Administratrix of the Estate of TAMMY HUBBARD, DECEASED, pro se, and announced ready for trial.
The Court finds that all citations, notices, and requirements of law, have been duly and timely given, and that the Court has jurisdiction over the parties and the subject matter in this cause. All matters in controversy, as well as of fact and of law, were submitted to the Court, without the intervention of jury, and the pleadings, the evidence, and argument of counsel, having been heard, IT IS ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED that the following judgment in favor of Plaintiffs be GRANTED:
IT IS ACCORDINGLY ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED that the Plaintiff, ERIC CHRISTOPHER HOWARD (LEATHERMAN) recover from the above-named Defendant, judgment for—
1. the sum of $4,858.55 for medical expenses;
2. the sum of $7,280.00 for lost wages;
3. the sum of $36,000.00 for mental anguish, pain and suffering;
4. pre-judgment interest in the amount of $11,146.38;
5. costs of court; and
6. interest at the rate of 10% per annum on the judgment from the date of judgment until paid.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED by the Court that Plaintiff, E.L. LEATHERMAN, have and recover from the above-named Defendant, judgment for—
1. the sum of $12,500.00 for property damage;
2. pre-judgment interest in the amount of $2,894.34;
3. costs of court; and
4. interest at the rate of 10% per annum on the judgment from the date of judgment until paid.
IT IS ORDERED that Plaintiffs, E.L. LEATHERMAN and ERIC CHRISTOPHER HOWARD (LEATHERMAN), shall have all writs of execution and other processes necessary to enforce this judgment. All relief not expressly granted herein is denied.
SIGNED on this 20th day of September, 1991.
(s) Michael D. Schattman JUDGE PRESIDING
*507PREPARED BY:
JOHN M. GROCE
Attorney for Plaintiffs