Court Opinion

ID: 9766186
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 04:36:43.269911+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:30:20.280692
License: Public Domain

STEPHENSON, Justice
(dissenting).
I respectfully dissent. I would hold that plaintiff sustained his burden under Subdivision 23, Article 1995, V.A.C.S.
There being no findings of fact or conclusions of law, it is presumed the trial court found all fact issues raised by the evidence in favor of the judgment. In determining the sufficiency of the evidence to support the trial court’s judgment, it is our duty to examine the testimony in the light most favorable to appellee and to indulge every reasonable inference in support of the judgment. Banks v. Collins, 152 Tex. 265, 257 S.W.2d 97 (1953).
The facts alleged and proved in this case bring it clearly within the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur. The most frequently cited case is Honea v. Coca Cola Bottling Company, 143 Tex. 272, 183 S.W.2d 968, 969, 160 A.L.R. 1445 (1944) in which it is said:
“Res ipsa loquitur is a rule of evidence whereby negligence of the alleged wrongdoer may be inferred from the mere fact that the accident happened, provided (1) the character of the accident and the circumstances attending it lead reasonably to the belief that, in the absence of negligence, it would not have occurred, and (2) the thing which caused the injury is shown to have been under the management and control of the alleged wrongdoer.”
To paraphrase the Commission of Appeals’ case of Wichita Falls Traction Co. v. Elliott, 125 Tex. 248, 81 S.W.2d 659, while the naked fact that an accident happened may not have been evidence of negligence, yet the character of the accident and the circumstances in proof attending it may have been such as to lead reasonably to the belief that, without negligence, it would not have occurred. When the physical facts involved in an accident are of such a character as to compel an inference that it resulted from negligence, such facts are of themselves, evidence of negligence. However, in applying the rule of res ipsa loquitur the fact of the occurrence warrants an inference of negligence, but does not compel it. The presumption created by the happening, whether termed a presumption or an inference, is rebuttable. The defendant, to avoid the effect of the doctrine, may introduce evidence to explain, rebut or otherwise overcome the presumption or inference that the injury complained of was due to negligence. In this case, the defendant chose to offer no evidence.
The evidence, admissions and interrogatories show, without question that defendant’s employee, Kent, was driving the truck loaded with the fork lift, involved in this accident. Therefore, the instrumentality which caused the injury was shown to have been under the management and control of the alleged wrongdoer. I have concluded, from the character of this accident and the circumstances attending it that there is support for the implied finding by the trial court that it was led reasonably to the conclusion that in the absence of negligence this accident would not have occurred. There is a long line of cases in which res ipsa loquitur has been held applicable where an object being trans*360ported by a motor vehicle has fallen therefrom. See 66 A.L.R.2d 1255 and supplement.
Under Subdivision 23, plaintiff was required to plead and prove a cause of action, and this he did. If this had been a trial upon the merits, the evidence in this record would support a judgment in his behalf. No greater burden is placed upon him in a venue hearing. Most indications are that a plaintiff has a lesser burden in a venue case. Many Texas cases hold that a plaintiff is required to prove no more than a prima facie case.
Elliott Jones & Co. v. M. K. Townes Production Co., 283 S.W. 246 (Galveston Tex.Civ.App., 1926, no writ); Eggameyer v. San Antonio Machine & Supply Co., 299 S.W. 518 (Austin Tex.Civ.App., 1927, no writ); Tidal Oil Co. v. Grays, 54 S.W.2d 1043 (Waco Tex.Civ.App., 1932, no writ); San Marcos Baptist Academy v. Burgess, 292 S.W. 626 (San Antonio Tex.Civ.App., 1926, no writ); H. H. Watson Co. v. Alfalfa Growers’ Exchange, 300 S.W. 199 (Eastland Tex.Civ.App., 1927, no writ); City of Idalou v. Anderson, 25 S.W.2d 280 (Amarillo Tex.Civ.App., 1930, no writ); American Mortg. Corporation v. Wyman, 41 S.W.2d 270 (Austin Tex.Civ.App., 1931, no writ); Reagan County Purchasing Co. v. State, 65 S.W.2d 353 (Austin Tex.Civ.App., 1933, no writ); Fusion v. Fort Worth & D. S. P. Ry. Co., 68 S.W.2d 518 (Amarillo Tex.Civ.App., 1934, no writ); Great Southern Life Ins. Co. v. Williams, 78 S.W.2d 1063 (Amarillo Tex.Civ.App., 1935, no writ); San Angelo Progressive Local Mut. Aid Ass’n v. Keel, 40 S.W.2d 858 (Waco Tex.Civ.App., 1931, no writ); Pool v. Joy, 61 S.W.2d 581 (Fort Worth Tex.Civ.App., 1933, no writ); Fidelity Securities Co. v. Owens, 70 S.W. 2d 308 (Fort Worth Tex.Civ.App., 1934, no writ) ; Panhandle & S. F. Ry. Co. v. Floyd, 75 S.W.2d 291 (El Paso Tex.Civ.App., 1934, no writ); Miller v. American Mortgage Corporation, 78 S.W.2d 721 (El Paso Tex.Civ.App., 1935, no writ); Gordon v. Hemphill, 80 S.W.2d 394 (Amarillo Tex. Civ.App., 1935, no writ); Austin Bros. v. Sill, 83 S.W.2d 716 (El Paso Tex.Civ.App., 1935, no writ); General Motors Acceptance Corp. v. Lee, 120 S.W.2d 622 (Fort Worth Tex.Civ.App., 1938, no writ); Jones v. Jimmerson, 198 S.W.2d 954 (Texarkana Tex.Civ.App., 1947, no writ); Hester v. Hester, 205 S.W.2d 115 (Fort Worth Tex.Civ.App., 1947, no writ); Medford v. First Nat. Bank of Evant, 212 S.W.2d 485 (Waco Tex.Civ.App., 1948, no writ); Eastex Poultry Co. v. Benefield, 268 S.W.2d 270 (Beaumont Tex.Civ.App., 1954, no writ); Austin Road Company v. Willman, 303 S.W.2d 878 (Fort Worth Tex.Civ.App., 1957, no writ); Pan American Insurance Co. v. White, 321 S.W.2d 337 (Dallas Tex.Civ.App., 1959, no writ); Burlington Industries v. Holladay, 372 S.W.2d 730 (Amarillo Tex.Civ.App., 1963, no writ); Harber v. Switzer, 403 S.W.2d 843 (Amarillo Tex.Civ.App., 1966, no writ); Pan American Fire & Casualty Company v. Loyd, 411 S.W.2d 557 (Amarillo Tex.Civ.App., 1967, no writ); Clay v. Moore, 175 S.W.2d 433 (Dallas Tex.Civ.App., 1943, no writ); Stephens v. Coppock, 212 S.W.2d 879 (Dallas Tex.Civ.App., 1948, no writ); Holton v. Hutchinson, 90 S.W.2d 1103 (Fort Worth Tex.Civ.App., 1936, no writ); Downing v. Laws, 419 S.W.2d 217 (Austin Tex.Civ.App., 1967, error ref., n. r. e.).
There are many Texas Court of Civil Appeals cases holding to the contrary, and many of them cite Compton v. Elliott, 126 Tex. 232, 88 S.W.2d 91 (1935) as their authority. I think a careful study of the Elliott case explains the reason for the division of authority. On page 94, plaintiff’s position is stated that he had to prove his venue facts, prima facie, and:
“ * * * that evidence offered by the defendant in contradiction of plaintiff’s prima facie case should be disregarded.” (Emphasis added.)
The Supreme Court then stated it could not sustain that contention, and then explained :
“ * * * plaintiff must prove the facts in the usual way, which means that the *361defendant is to be permitted by his evidence to dispute and contradict plaintiffs evidence.” (Emphasis added.)
Then the Supreme Court concludes this point by saying:
“On the hearing of the plea of privilege, the issue made is tried in the ordinary way and the truth as to the fact or facts in issue is ascertained by the introduction and weighing of evidence offered by both parties.” (at p. 95.)
Thus it is apparent that while many courts have construed this opinion to mean that the Supreme Court could not sustain plaintiff’s contention that he could prove his venue facts prima facie, actually that Court made it clear that it could not agree with plaintiff that a defendant should not be permitted to contradict plaintiff’s evidence.
Assuming the Supreme Court of Texas has said that a plaintiff in a venue case must do more than prove a prima facie case, no case has indicated that a plaintiff must do more than prove his case in the “usual way.” Johnson v. Dallas Cooperage & Woodenware Co., 120 Tex. 27, 34 S.W.2d 845 (1931); Colman v. H. Dittlinger Roller Mills Co., 181 S.W.2d 604 (Galveston Tex.Civ.App., 1944, no writ); Cisneros v. Thompson, 189 S.W.2d 67 (San Antonio Tex.Civ.App., 1945, no writ); Davenport v. Cabell’s, Inc., 239 S.W.2d 833 (Texarkana Tex.Civ.App., 1951, no writ). There is no indication in the majority opinion that the plaintiff in the case before us failed to prove his cause of action based upon res ipsa loquitur in the usual way.
Defendant contends plaintiff proved no more than that an accident occurred, and failed to prove negligence and proximate cause, and cites McClanahan v. Cook, 401 S.W.2d 352 (Amarillo Tex.Civ.App., 1966, no writ) in support of this position. The factual situation is somewhat similar in that plaintiff’s damages were caused by a run-away trailer. However, plaintiff relied solely upon Subdivision 9a to retain venue, and apparently had not plead res ipsa loquitur. The appellate court first held the plaintiff had failed to brief his one point of error and then indicated liability may have been fixed under res ipsa loquitur but that the point had not been raised. I do not interpret this case as supporting defendant’s position.
Defendant’s brief cited Big Three Welding Equipment Company v. Reeh, 301 S.W.2d 504 (San Antonio Tex.Civ.App., 1957, no writ) as authority for the proposition that res ipsa loquitur was not available to a plaintiff in a venue case. However, on oral argument it was admitted the Reeh case did not so hold. Apparently there is not a single case in this State holding plaintiff cannot use res ipsa loquitur as a basis for a cause of action under Subdivision 23. In all of the venue cases that I have found in which res ipsa is mentioned, the court reviewed the evidence and held the factual situation did not establish res ipsa. By implication these opinions necessarily hold that it is available as a cause of action. See Keystone-Fleming Transport v. City of Tahoka, 277 S.W.2d 202 (Amarillo Tex.Civ.App., 1954, error dism.); Amarillo Coca-Cola Bottling Co. v. Hall, 384 S.W.2d 726 (Amarillo Tex.Civ.App., 1964,. no writ).
The majority opinion cites Goodrich v. Superior Oil Co., 150 Tex. 159, 237 S.W.2d 969 (1951) in connection with the equal doubt rule. The certified question to the Supreme Court was:
“ ‘Do the allegations in plaintiff’s petition show venue in the Montgomery County District Court under subdivision 14 of Article 1995 as against the defendant Robert D. Goodrich ? ’ ”
The Supreme Court answered: “No.” This was an interpleader case, and the sole question was as to pleadings and makes no mention as to quantum of evidence required. Neither this case, nor any other case that I have read, gives any indication that proof under res ipsa loquitur raises only an equal doubt as related to defendant’s plea of privilege, and that such doubt should be resolved in favor of defendant’s formal pleading. I would affirm the trial court.