Beverly Scott, Gwendolyn Carpenter, Derrick Scott and Sammie Scott v. Dr. Robin Lynn Armstrong, Curtis J. Bickers and Vujasinovic & Beckcom PLLC

Opinion

ACCEPTED

01-14-00319-CV

FIRST COURT OF APPEALS

HOUSTON, TEXAS 3/16/2015 1:47:49 PM CHRISTOPHER PRINE

CLERK

NO. 01-14-00319-CV

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FILED IN 1st COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE HOUSTON, TEXAS FIRST DISTRICT OF TEXAS 3/16/2015 1:47:49 PM AT HOUSTON CHRISTOPHER A. PRINE _____________________________________ Clerk

BEVERLY SCOTT, ET AL

Appellants

v.

ROBIN LYNN ARMSTRONG, M.D., CURTIS J. BICKERS AND VUJASINOVIC & BECKCOM PLLC, Appellees

________________________________________________________

On Appeal from the 234th Judicial District Court Harris County, Texas

Trial Court Cause No. 2012-33615

________________________________________________________

APPELLEE, ROBIN LYNN ARMSTRONG, M.D.’S, RESPONSE TO APPELLANTS’ AMENDED BRIEF

________________________________________________________

SMITH ADAMS LAW FEEHAN LLP Richard M. Law State Bar No. 12004500 Richard@SmithAdamsLaw.com Rainy DeMoss Gibbs State Bar No. 24028292 Rainy@SmithAdamsLaw.com 1415 Louisiana Street, Suite 3800 Houston, Texas 77002-7360 Telephone: (713) 652-3200 Facsimile: (713) 652-6000 ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE ROBIN ARMSTRONG, M.D.

IDENTITIES OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL

PRO SE APPELLANTS:

Beverly Scott, Clara Scott, Sharon Scott, James Scott, Sammie Scott, Derrick Scott, Alfred Scott, Sandra Scott, Gwendolyn Carpenter, Emma Bell, Carolyn Scott, Michael Scott, Doris Scott, Individually and as Next Friend of Eula Mae Scott, Deceased c/o Gwendolyn Carpenter 3271 South Shaver #10102 Pasadena, Texas 77504

APPELLEES:

Robin Armstrong, M.D. Counsel for Appellee, Robin Armstrong, M.D.:

Richard M. Law Rainy DeMoss Gibbs SMITH ADAMS LAW FEEHAN LLP 1415 Louisiana, Suite 3800 Houston, Texas 77002 (713) 652-3200 (713) 652-6000 (Fax)

Curtis J. Bickers and Vujasinovic & Beckcom PLLC Counsel for Appellee Curtis J. Bickers and Vujasinovic & Beckcom PLLC:

Brian Beckom Curtis J. Bickers VUJASINOVIC & BECKOM, PLLC 1001 Texas Avenue, Suite 1020 Houston, Texas 77002 (713) 224-7800 (713) 224-7801 (Fax)

TRIAL JUDGE:

Honorable Wesley Ward 234th Judicial District Court 201 Caroline, 13h Floor Houston, Texas 77002

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

IDENTITIES OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL ................................................. ii

REFERENCES TO THE PARTIES ................................................................. iv

REFERENCES TO THE RECORD ................................................................. iv

INDEX OF AUTHORITIES ................................................................................v

RESPONSE TO ISSUES PRESENTED FOR REVIEW ................................ vi

I. STATEMENT OF FACTS...........................................................................1

II. SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT...........................................................1

III. ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES .........................................................2 A. APPELLEES' AMENDED BRIEF FAILS TO RAISE ANY ISSUE WITH THE TRIAL COURT'S RULING ............................................................2

B. NO FACT ISSUE ON FRAUDULENT CONCEALMENT RAISED ........................4

IV. CONCLUSION AND PRAYER ..................................................................5 CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE ..................................................................6

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE ............................................................................7

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REFERENCES TO THE PARTIES

Reference Meaning

Appellants/Plaintiffs Beverly Scott, Michael Scott, James Scott, Emma Bell, Clara Scott, Sammie Scott, Alfred Scott, Sharon Scott, Doris Scott, Gwendolyn Carpenter, Carolyn Scott, Derrick Scott, Sandra Scott, Individually and as Next Friend of Eula Mae Scott, Deceased

Appellee/Defendant Robin Lynn Armstrong, M.D. (“Armstrong”)

REFERENCES TO THE RECORD

The record in this appeal consists of the Clerks Record and First Supplemental

Clerk’s Record. This Brief uses the following conventions in citing the record:

Clerk’s Record “CR. (page)”

First Supplemental Clerk’s Record “CR.Supp. (page)”

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INDEX OF AUTHORITIES

CASES

Coll. of the Mainland v. Meneke, 420 S.W.3d 865 (Tex.App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2014, no pet h.) ..........3 In re J.R.H., No. 11-09-00321-CV, 2010 Tex. App. LEXIS 9662, 2010 WL 5093772 (Tex. App.—Eastland Dec. 2, 2010, no pet.) .............3 Jurek v. Herauf, No. 14–07–00727–CV, 2009 WL 179204 (Tex.App.─Houston [14th Dist.] Jan. 27, 2009, no pet.) ..........................3

In re J.R.H., No. 11-09-00321-CV, 2010 WL 5093772 (Tex. App.—Eastland Dec. 2, 2010, no pet.) (mem. op.) .................... 3, 4 In re L.M., No. 01-11-00137-CV, 2012 WL 2923132 (Tex.App.─Houston [1st Dist.] July 12, 2012, pet. denied) ......................3 Shah v. Moss, 67 S.W.3d 836 (Tex. 2001) .....................................................................4

Whittaker v. Manpower, No. 14-09-00508-CV, 2009 WL 4667391 (Tex. App. Dec. 10, 2009) .........................................................................3

CODES/STATUTES Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. Art 49.04(a).............................................................4 Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. Art 49.06. ................................................................4

RULES

Tex. R. App. P. Rule 38.1(d) ................................................................................ 3 Tex. R. App. P. Rule 38.1(f) ................................................................................ 2 Tex. R. App. P. Rule 38.1(g) ............................................................................... 3 Tex. R. App. P. Rule 38.1(h) ............................................................................... 3 Tex. R. App. P. Rule 38.1(i) ............................................................................. 3

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RESPONSE TO ISSUES PRESENTED FOR REVIEW

Appellants’ Amended Brief failed to raise a fact issue as to the affirmative defense of statute of limitations. Accordingly, the trial court properly granted summary judgment and the ruling should be affirmed.

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TO THE HONORABLE JUSTICES OF THE FIRST COURT OF APPEALS:

Appellee, Robin Armstrong, M.D. (hereinafter “Armstrong”), submits this

Response to Appellants’ Amended Brief, in accordance with Rules 28 and 38.6(c)

of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure and all local rules of this Court, and asks

this Court to affirm the trial court's granting of Armstrong’s Motion for Interlocutory

Summary Judgment, and dismissing all of Appellants’ claims with prejudice.

Appellee, Armstrong, incorporates herein to this Response, the Brief of

Appellee, Robin Armstrong, M.D., and the appellate briefs and response/reply briefs

of the other defendants/appellees in this case. Appellee Armstrong submits this

Response with respect to the allegations of fraudulent concealment and “drug

overdose injury” addressed in Appellants’ Amended Brief. [Br. at 4] In support

hereof, Appellee respectfully urges as follows:

I. STATEMENT OF THE FACTS

Armstrong incorporates herein his Summary of the Facts from his Brief.

II. SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT

Armstrong further incorporates herein his Summary of the Argument from

his Brief.

Plaintiffs have filed a notice of appeal, an appellate brief and now an

amended appellate brief in this Court; all acts that would suggest an appellate issue

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was taken with the lower court’s decision. However, none of these filings describes

any error committed by the court below. Because Appellants’ Amended Brief

makes no argument to avoid the statute of limitations, they waived their sole

argument on appeal.

Even if this Court considers the statute of limitations issue, the trial court was

correct in granting summary judgment. Eula Mae Scott passed away on January 15,

2009. (CR.Supp. 3) Plaintiffs brought suit against Armstrong on November 28,

2012—almost two years too late. (CR.Supp. 3) Plaintiffs failed to meet their burden

to raise a fact issue in response to the conclusively established affirmative defense

of statute of limitations.

III. ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES

A. APPELLEES’ AMENDED BRIEF FAILS TO RAISE ANY ISSUE WITH THE TRIAL COURT’S RULING

Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure requires that an appellant’s brief contain

certain essential parts, including a statement of the issues presented, 1 a statement of

1 Tex. R. App. P. Rule 38.1(f) “Issues Presented. The brief must state concisely all issues or points presented for review. The statement of an issue or point will be treated as covering every subsidiary question that is fairly included.”

3

the case, 2 and a summary of the argument. 3 Appellants’ Amended Brief lacks these

components. Their amended brief contains no discernable statement of facts 4 and no

argument section with a “clear and concise argument for the contentions made, with

appropriate citations to authorities and to the record.” Tex. R. App. P. 38.1(i). 5 The

Court is not required to review issues or arguments not properly presented. 6 In

appropriate circumstances, the failure to properly brief a matter constitutes a waiver

on appeal. 7 Appellee contends that this is such a case.

2 Tex. R. App. P. Rule 38.1(d) “Statement of the Case. The brief must state concisely the nature of the case (e.g., whether it is a suit for damages, on a note, or involving a murder prosecution), the course of proceedings, and the trial court's disposition of the case. The statement should be supported by record references, should seldom exceed one-half page, and should not discuss the facts.” 3 Tex. R. App. P. Rule 38.1(h) “Summary of the Argument. The brief must contain a succinct, clear, and accurate statement of the arguments made in the body of the brief. This summary must not merely repeat the issues or points presented for review.” 4 Tex. R. App. P. Rule 38.1(g) “Statement of Facts. The brief must state concisely and without argument the facts pertinent to the issues or points presented. In a civil case, the court will accept as true the facts stated unless another party contradicts them. The statement must be supported by record references.” 5 Tex. R. App. P. Rule 38.1(i) “Argument. The brief must contain a clear and concise argument for the contentions made, with appropriate citations to authorities and to the record.” 6 Coll. of the Mainland v. Meneke, 420 S.W.3d 865, 871 (Tex.App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2014, no pet h.) (refusing to review issues where an authority was cited generally, but not briefed with sufficient specificity); Whittaker v. Manpower, No. 14-09-00508-CV, 2009 WL 4667391, at *1 (Tex. App. Dec. 10, 2009) (after first issuing an admonishing order, dismissed for failure to provide a brief in compliance with the rules of appellate procedure); Jurek v. Herauf, No. 14–07–00727– CV, 2009 WL 179204, at *4 (Tex.App.─Houston [14th Dist.] Jan. 27, 2009, no pet.) (Overruling issues where appellant did not provide any citations to the record or to relevant authority in support of the issue). 7 In re L.M., No. 01-11-00137-CV, 2012 WL 2923132 at *12 (Tex.App.─Houston [1st Dist.] July 12, 2012, pet. denied) (“Appellants do not include any substantive analysis or discussion of the record in support of their contentions. See TEX. R. APP. P. 38.1(i) (requiring an appellant’s brief to contain a clear and concise argument for the contentions made, with appropriate citations to authorities and to the record). We conclude that Appellants have failed to properly brief their ineffective assistance of counsel claim; thus, it is waived.”); See In re J.R.H., No. 11-09-00321- CV, 2010 WL 5093772, at *3 (Tex. App.—Eastland Dec. 2, 2010, no pet.) (mem. op.) (holding in

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B. NO FACT ISSUE ON FRAUDULENT CONCEALMENT RAISED

Plaintiffs’ mere recital of the words “fraudulent concealment” and most

recently the term “drug overdose injury,” does not raise a fact issue sufficient to

avoid summary judgment. The evidence and record in this case establish that

Plaintiffs have yet to produce any competent summary judgment evidence or proof

that Armstrong actually knew of a wrong that occurred, had a duty to disclose any

wrong, had a fixed purpose to conceal any such wrong, or did conceal a wrong from

Plaintiffs such that Plaintiffs did not have a reasonable opportunity to discover the

alleged wrong before the statute of limitations expired. Shah v. Moss, 67 S.W.3d

836, 841 (Tex. 2001).

Even if the Court looks past Plaintiffs’ briefing deficiencies, none of the

authorities cited by Plaintiffs would compel this Court to reverse the trial court’s

ruling. Articles 49.04 and 49.06, Section 8 of the Texas Code of Criminal

Procedure 8 9 are not relevant to any health care that the Robin Armstrong, M.D.

provided to the decedent. The reference relates to the duties of a justice of the peace

termination of parental rights case, that issue waived because brief lacked adequate analysis and discussion of issue)). 8 Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Title 1, Art. 49.06 - Hindering an Inquest: “(a) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally or knowingly hinders the entrance of a justice of the peace to a premises where a death occurred or a body is found; and, (b) An offense under this article is a Class B misdemeanor.” Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. Art 49.06. 9 Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Art. 49.04, section 8 - Deaths Requiring and Inquest: “a) A justice of the peace shall conduct an inquest into the death of a person who dies in the county served by the justice if:…(8) the person is a child younger than six years of age and an inquest is required by Chapter 264, Family Code.” Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. Art 49.04(a).

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in the course of a (criminal) death investigation. This cite does not have any legal

import on the appeal, and does not address the elements of a fraudulent concealment

claim, nor does it provide a basis for suggesting the trial court erred in any way.

Appellants have failed to explain how the authorities connect to their

contentions against Armstrong. Additionally, Appellants has failed to support any

factual contentions with support from the record. The Court should deem any issues

against Appellee Armstrong as waived.

IV. CONCLUSION AND PRAYER

The summary judgment in favor of Armstrong should be affirmed. Plaintiffs

waived their argument on appeal by inadequate briefing. In addition, the trial court’s

judgment should be affirmed because Plaintiffs filed suit outside of the limitations

period and have not demonstrated any exception to the statute of limitations.

WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, Appellee, Robin Armstrong,

M.D., respectfully prays that this Honorable Court affirm the trial court’s April 8,

2014, order granting Armstrong’s summary judgment, and dismissal with prejudice,

and for any further relief to which Appellee may show himself justly entitled.

[signature on next page]

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Respectfully submitted,

SMITH ADAMS LAW FEEHAN LLP

By: /s/ Richard M. Law______________ Richard M. Law State Bar No. 12004500 Richard@SmithAdamsLaw.com Rainy DeMoss Gibbs State Bar No. 24028292 Rainy@SmithAdamsLaw.com 1415 Louisiana Street, Suite 3800 Houston, Texas 77002-7360 Telephone: (713) 652-3200 Facsimile: (713) 652-6000 ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE, ROBIN ARMSTRONG, M.D.

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE

Pursuant to Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.4(i)(3), the undersigned

counsel – in reliance upon the word count of the computer program used to prepare

this document – certifies that this Brief contains 790 words, excluding the words that

need not be counted under Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 9.4(i)(l).

/s/ Richard M. Law__________ Richard M. Law

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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the foregoing Brief of Appellee has been served upon each party or their duly authorized agent or attorney of record as set out below on this the 16th day of March, 2015.

/s/ Richard M. Law__________ Richard M. Law

Gwendolyn Carpenter 3271 South Shaver #10102 Pasadena, Texas 77504 Regular and Certified Mail/RRR (Article Number: 7012 2210 0001 1362 0891)

Beverly Scott 406 Dents Road #86 Dickinson, TX 77539 Regular and Certified Mail/RRR (Article Number: 7012 2210 0001 1362 0884)

Brian Beckom Email: brian@vbattorneys.com Curtis J. Bickers Email: Curtis@vbattorneys.com VUJASINOVIC & BECKOM, PLLC 1001 Texas Avenue, Suite 1020 Houston, Texas 77002 E-Service

Honorable Wesley Ward 234th Judicial District Court 201 Caroline, 13th Floor Houston, Texas 77002 E-Service