Court Opinion

ID: 9671825
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 03:43:38.698101+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:16:12.274113
License: Public Domain

HUTSON-DUNN, J.,
dissents in part and concurs in part.
*82APPENDIX
O’QUINN & HAGANS
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
3200 TEXAS COMMERCE TOWER
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002
(713) 223-1000
MICHAEL D. SYDOW
July 15, 1985
CERTIFIED MAIL #P082773549
RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED
Mr. John C. Marshall
Ryan & Marshall
1300 Post Oak, Suite 600
Houston, Texas 77056
Re: Donna Kay Johnson v. Ross Webster, et al.
Dear John:
We have now taken the deposition of the Plaintiff, our expert, and all of the experts you listed in response to interrogatories. The ease is set for trial in November. I believe you and ICA have sufficient information to evaluate the case.
The liability of Dr. Webster is clear. He failed to comply with the procedures recommended by your own expert. He exercised poor judgment in performing this surgery on my client and he thereafter utterly failed in follow-up care.
You see that Donna has incurred in excess of $100,000.00 in medical expenses alone. She has recently undergone yet another surgery to correct the problems resulting from complications from Webster’s surgery.
You have now informed us that Webster has only $100,000.00 in insurance. Based upon your representation, Donna Johnson has authorized me to offer to settle her case against Webster for $100,000.00. Obviously, if there is other insurance, this offer shall be null and void.
Please let us have your reply within 30 days from the date of this letter.
Yours very truly,
/a/ Michael D. Sydow Michael D. Sydow
MDS:tlc
4/f
cc: Ms. Donna Johnson
Offices of Benton Musslewhite

Counselors at Law

609 Fannin
Suite 517
Houston, Texas 77002
November 27, 1985
John Marshall
Suite 1240
2100 West Loop S.
Houston, Texas 77027
Re: Donna K. Johnson v.
Pasadena Bayshore Hospital and
Dr. Ross Webster
Cause No. 80-50444
Dear John:
You and your client, Dr. Ross Webster, have represented in Answers to Interrogatories that the liability insurance coverage on Dr. Webster is only $100,000.00. In reliance upon your representations to that effect, I, on behalf of Donna K. Johnson, the Plaintiff, hereby offer to settle the case with Dr. Webster for the sum and amount of $99,999.00. In making this offer, we are invoking Stow-ers doctrine and hereby request that you directly give Dr. Webster a copy of this letter, so that he may be personally aware of this offer and if he so chooses, demand that this settlement offer be accepted and, failing that on the part of your client, the insurance carrier, to perhaps select his own personal Counsel to protect his interests vis-a-vis his rights under the liability insurance policy.
This offer is made with respect to our claims against Dr. Webster solely and if the settlement offer is accepted, we will reserve all rights to continue our lawsuit against Pasadena Bayshore Hospital.
We will keep this offer open for a reasonable time, at least up until the commencement of jury selection on Monday, December *832, 1985. In conclusion, please be advised that if your client, the insurance carrier for Dr. Webster refuses to accept our offer of settlement within the policy limits, and should we obtain a judgment in excess of the policy limits against Dr. Webster and, because the facts of this case are so strong, we will contend that such failure to settle was negligence, and seek, under Stowers, the full amount of the judgment against your client, including the amount in excess of the policy limits.
Sincerely,
/s/ Benton Musslewhite
Benton Musslewhite
BM/sh