Becker v. State
COURT OF APPEALS
EIGHTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS
EL PASO, TEXAS
JESUS DELGADO SAUCEDO,
Appellant,
v.
ALEJANDRO ACOSTA HORNER,
A/K/A ALEJANDRO ACOSTA,
LAURA ACOSTA, CAROLYN RABE,
INDIVIDUALLY AND AS THE
ADMINISTRATRIX OF THE ESTATE
OF CARLYLE J. RABE, JR.,
Appellees.
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No. 08-08-00340-CV
Appeal from
County Court at Law No. 6
of El Paso County, Texas
(TC # 2005-8319)
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O P I N I O N
Jesus Delgado Saucedo appeals from an order granting summary judgment in favor of
Alejandro Acosta Horner a/k/a Alejandro Acosta and Laura Acosta, and an order granting summary
judgment in favor of Carolyn Rabe, Individually and as the Administratrix of the Estate of Carlyle
J. Rabe, Jr. For the reasons that follow, we affirm.
FACTUAL SUMMARY
Saucedo has been employed by Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico as a maintenance
employee since 1991, but he also sought work in El Paso on his days off. Saucedo’s relative, Cruzita
Mejia, did ironing for the Acostas in El Paso and in March 2005, he asked her to help him find work.
Mejia suggested that he ask the Acostas if he could do yard work for them. Saucedo went to the
Acostas home and Mrs. Acosta initially told him that they did not have any work for him to do.
After Mejia vouched for him and Saucedo told Mrs. Acosta that he needed money to eat, she hired
him to clean the yard that day. Saucedo did not return until approximately mid-April because it was
early in the growing season and there was no yard work for him to do. Saucedo called the Acostas
about two weeks after Easter and they hired him to cut the lawn. Saucedo did not recall how many
times he worked for the Acostas between March and August 2005, but he believed it was more than
five times. Saucedo also did minor electrical and plumbing work for them during this time period
and he generally worked at the house one or two days a week depending on what jobs they had for
him to do.
Saucedo repeatedly asked Mr. Acosta to refer him to other people for work. A next door
neighbor, Carlyle Rabe, had died in February 2005 and the yard was overgrown. Mr. Acosta
mentioned to Mrs. Rabe, who lived out of town, that her yard needed to be cleaned and that Saucedo
performed yard work for him. According to Mr. Acosta, Mrs. Rabe agreed to reimburse Mr. Acosta
if he would pay Saucedo to cut the lawn and clean up the yard.
Mr. Acosta subsequently told
Saucedo that Mrs. Rabe wanted him to clean up the yard. On the day of the accident, August 2,
2005, Saucedo arrived at the Rabe house and began working. While attempting to fix one of the
mowers, Saucedo put his hand under the blades while priming the motor. The motor started and the
blade hit Saucedo’s left thumb and caused an injury.
Saucedo ran to the Acosta’s home for
assistance. Saucedo had medical benefits as a result of his employment with the Ciudad Juarez. Mr.
Acosta asked Saucedo where he received medical treatment and Saucedo told him at the city hospital
in Juarez. Mr. Acosta drove him to that hospital’s emergency room. Mr. Acosta paid Saucedo for
that day’s work and gave him an additional 500 pesos before leaving the hospital.
Saucedo filed suit against the Acostas and against Mrs. Rabe, individually and as the
administratrix of the estate of Carlyle J. Rabe. The petition alleged non-subscriber negligence,
intentional infliction of emotional distress, and breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing. The
Acostas moved for summary judgment on no-evidence and traditional summary judgment grounds.
Mrs. Rabe filed similar motions. The trial court entered separate orders granting summary judgment
without specifying the basis for the court’s ruling.
STANDARDS OF REVIEW
A no-evidence summary judgment is essentially a pretrial directed verdict, and we apply the
same legal sufficiency standard of review. Viasana v. Ward County, 296 S.W.3d 652 (Tex.App.--El
Paso 2009, no pet.); Martinez v. Leeds, 218 S.W.3d 845, 848 (Tex.App.--El Paso 2007, no pet.). The
party moving for no-evidence summary judgment must assert that there is no evidence of one or
more essential elements of a claim or defense on which the non-movant would have the burden of
proof at trial. Viasana, 296 S.W.3d at 654; Martinez, 218 S.W.3d at 848; see Tex.R.Civ.P. 166a(i).
The burden then shifts to the non-movant to produce evidence raising a fact issue on the challenged
elements. Viasana, 296 S.W.3d at 654; Martinez, 218 S.W.3d at 848. To raise a genuine issue of
material fact, the non-movant must set forth more than a scintilla of probative evidence as to an
essential element of his claim or defense. Viasana, 296 S.W.3d at 654; Martinez, 218 S.W.3d at
848.
The standard of review for traditional summary judgment under Tex.R.Civ.P. 166a(c) is well
established. Nixon v. Mr. Property Management Company, Inc., 690 S.W.2d 546, 548 (Tex. 1985).
The moving party carries the burden of showing there is no genuine issue of material fact and it is
entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Diversicare General Partner, Inc. v. Rubio, 185 S.W.3d
842, 846 (Tex. 2005); Browning v. Prostok, 165 S.W.3d 336, 344 (Tex. 2005). Evidence favorable
to the non-movant will be taken as true in deciding whether there is a disputed issue of material fact.
Fort Worth Osteopathic Hospital, Inc. v. Reese, 148 S.W.3d 94, 99 (Tex. 2004). All reasonable
inferences, including any doubts, must be resolved in favor of the non-movant. Id. A defendant is
entitled to summary judgment if the evidence disproves as a matter of law at least one element of
each of the plaintiff’s causes of action or if it conclusively establishes all elements of an affirmative
defense. D. Houston, Inc. v. Love, 92 S.W.3d 450, 454 (Tex. 2002); Randall’s Food Markets, Inc.
v. Johnson, 891 S.W.2d 640, 644 (Tex. 1995). Once the defendant establishes a right to summary
judgment as a matter of law, the burden shifts to the plaintiff to present evidence raising a genuine
issue of material fact. City of Houston v. Clear Creek Basin Authority, 589 S.W.2d 671, 678-79
(Tex. 1979); Scown v. Neie, 225 S.W.3d 303, 307 (Tex.App.--El Paso 2006, pet. denied).
SAUCEDO’S CAUSES OF ACTION
Saucedo’s non-subscriber negligence claim is purportedly based on Section 406.092(a) of
the Texas Labor Code which provides that a resident or nonresident alien employee is entitled to
compensation under the Workers’ Compensation Act. Tex.Lab.Code Ann. § 406.092(a)(Vernon
2006). He alleged that the Acostas, individually or as agents for Mrs. Rabe and the estate of Carlyle
Rabe, were negligent by failing to provide reasonably safe equipment to perform the yard work, by
providing an unsafe piece of equipment, by failing to perform necessary repairs on the piece of
equipment provided to Saucedo, and by failing to properly instruct him in the safe servicing and use
of the equipment.
Saucedo’s suit also claimed that Mr. Acosta intentionally inflicted emotional distress by
transporting him to Juarez without seeking or obtaining medical treatment for his serious injury.
Saucedo sued for breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing arising from an employer-employee relationship. The breach of duty claim related to Mr. Acosta’s conduct in transporting
Saucedo to Juarez and intentionally abandoning him without obtaining medical care for his injury.
Finally, Saucedo claimed to be the borrowed servant of Mrs. Rabe such that Mr. Acosta bore liability
as her agent.
THE ACOSTAS
Negligence
The Acostas contended that they owed no duty to provide Saucedo with safe equipment or
to instruct him in the use of the lawnmower because he was an independent contractor rather than
an employee. In a related ground, the Acostas reasoned that if Saucedo was an independent
contractor rather than an employee, he could not be a borrowed servant. Saucedo has challenged
both grounds in sub-parts (A) and (B) of Issue One.
The elements of a negligence cause of action are a legal duty, a breach of that duty, and
damages proximately resulting from that breach. Van Horn v. Chambers, 970 S.W.2d 542, 544
(Tex. 1998). The existence of duty is a threshold question of law. Id. The nonexistence of duty
ends the inquiry into whether negligence liability may be imposed. Id. If the Acostas conclusively
established that Saucedo was an independent contractor and not an employee, it would defeat the
duty element of his non-subscriber negligence claim.
The test to determine whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor is
whether the employer has the right to control the progress, details, and methods of operation of the
employee’s work. Thompson v. Travelers Indemnity Company of Rhode Island, 789 S.W.2d 277,
278 (Tex. 1990); Newspapers, Inc. v. Love, 380 S.W.2d 582, 585-90 (Tex. 1964). This same test
applies whether the claim arises at common law or under workers’ compensation. Thompson, 789
S.W.2d at 278. The employer must control not merely the end sought to be accomplished, but also
the means and details of its accomplishment. Id. Examples of the type of control normally exercised
by an employer include when and where to begin and stop work, the regularity of hours, the amount
of time spent on particular aspects of the work, the tools and appliances used to perform the work,
and the physical method or manner of accomplishing the end result. Id. at 278-79.
The Acostas’ summary judgment evidence established that Mr. Acosta is a semi-retired
attorney who is licensed to practice law in Mexico and has an office in Ciudad Juarez. Neither he
nor Mrs. Acosta operate any kind of business at their home. Saucedo performed yard work, and
minor plumbing and electrical repairs for them. He also painted a portion of the home’s exterior.
The Acostas did not consider Saucedo to be their employee. Saucedo specified the days he could
work and he “always” worked from approximately 10 a.m. to about 6 p.m. Although Saucedo argues
on appeal that the Acostas determined his hours of work, there is no evidence to support this claim.
Saucedo testified that he chose to arrive at 10 because he would be questioned by immigration and
customs officials if he crossed the border earlier in the day. Saucedo did not have a set lunch time
but Mrs. Acosta provided him with lunch on Mondays and Mejia gave him lunch on Tuesdays.
Saucedo testified that he worked on a project basis and the Acostas paid him when he completed
each project. Mr. Acosta told Saucedo the projects he wanted him to perform, but he did not tell him
how to do any of the work or set a time limit for it to be done. Saucedo explained that at 6:00 he
would tell the Acostas he was finished with that day’s work and they would pay him $40 for his
labor and give him an additional dollar for the bus. Saucedo used the Acostas’ mower and edger to
cut the lawn but he provided his own tools for the plumbing and electrical projects. The Acostas
provided the paint for the painting project.
Because the summary judgment evidence conclusively established that the Acostas did not
have the right to control the progress, details, and methods of operation of Saucedo’s work, they
established that Saucedo was an independent contractor. Saucedo failed to raise a fact issue related
to this ground for summary judgment. Moreover, since Saucedo was an independent contractor, the
borrowed servant doctrine is inapplicable. Because the court did not err by granting summary
judgment in favor of the Acostas on the non-subscriber negligence cause of action, we overrule sub-parts (A) and (B) of Issue One as the issue pertains to the Acostas.
Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress
The Acostas moved for summary judgment under Rule 166a(i) asserting that there was no
evidence that Saucedo’s emotional distress was severe or that the Acostas’ conduct was extreme and
outrageous. To prevail on his claim of intentional infliction of emotional distress, Saucedo would
be required to prove: (1) the Acostas acted intentionally or recklessly; (2) their conduct was extreme
and outrageous; (3) their actions caused Saucedo emotional distress; and (4) Saucedo’s emotional
distress was severe. Texas Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Companies v. Sears, 84 S.W.3d 604, 610
(Tex. 2002). In his response to the summary judgment motion, Saucedo addressed the extreme and
outrageous conduct element but he failed to address the severity of his emotional distress. Sub-part
(E) of his brief on appeal mirrors his summary judgment response.
When there are multiple grounds for summary judgment and the order does not specify the
ground upon which the summary judgment was rendered, the appealing party must negate all
grounds on appeal. State Farm Fire & Casualty Company v. S.S., 858 S.W.2d 374, 381 (Tex. 1993);
Ellis v. Precision Engine Rebuilders, Inc., 68 S.W.3d 894, 898 (Tex.App.--Houston [1st Dist.] 2002,
no pet.). If summary judgment may have been rendered, properly or improperly, on a ground not
challenged, the judgment must be affirmed. Star-Telegram, Inc. v. Doe, 915 S.W.2d 471, 473 (Tex.
1995). Because Saucedo has failed to address one of the challenged elements, we are required to
overrule sub-part (E) of Issue One as it relates to the Acostas.
Duty of Good Faith and Fair Dealing
In sub-parts (C) and (D) of Issue One, Saucedo contends that the trial erred in granting
summary judgment on his claim that the Acostas breached a duty of good faith and fair dealing
arising out of a special employer-employee relationship. The Acostas moved for traditional
summary judgment on the ground they did not have a duty to act in good faith.
A claim for breach of duty of good faith and fair dealing is a tort action that arises from an
underlying contract. Cole v. Hall, 864 S.W.2d 563, 568 (Tex.App.--Dallas 1993, writ dism’d w.o.j.)
(en banc). Whether a duty exists between the parties is initially a question of law which we review
de novo. Cole, 864 S.W.2d at 568. Texas courts have recognized that not every contractual
relationship creates a duty of good faith and fair dealing. City of Midland v. O’Bryant, 18 S.W.3d
209, 215 (Tex. 2000); GTE Mobilnet of South Texas Ltd. Partnership v. Telecell Cellular, Inc., 955
S.W.2d 286, 295 (Tex.App.--Houston [1st Dist.] 1997, writ denied); Cole, 864 S.W.2d at 568. The
Texas Supreme Court has specifically rejected the implication of a general duty of good faith and
fair dealing in all contracts. City of Midland, 18 S.W.3d at 215; English v. Fischer, 660 S.W.2d 521,
522 (Tex. 1983). An actionable duty has been imposed only when there is a special relationship,
such as that between an insured and his or her insurance carrier. City of Midland, 18 S.W.3d at 215.
A special relationship has been found to exist in the insurance context because of “the parties’
unequal bargaining power and the nature of insurance contracts which would allow unscrupulous
insurers to take advantage of their insureds’ misfortunes in bargaining for settlement or resolution
of claims.” Id., quoting Arnold v. National County Mutual Fire Insurance Company, 725 S.W.2d
165, 167 (Tex. 1987). In City of Midland v. O’Bryant, the Supreme Court found that the elements
which render the relationship between an insurer and an insured a special one are absent in the
relationship between an employer and employer. Id.
We have already determined that Saucedo was an independent contractor rather than an
employee. Saucedo does not argue that a special relationship can exist between an independent
contractor and the person who employed him. Even assuming for the sake of argument that an
employer-employee relationship existed in this case, it is not a special relationship which would give
rise to a duty of good faith and fair dealing. City of Midland, 18 S.W.3d at 215. Consequently, the
trial court properly granted summary judgment in favor of the Acostas on this claim. We overrule
sub-parts (C) and (D) of Issue One as they relate to the Acostas.
MRS. RABE
Negligence and Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress
Mrs. Rabe moved for summary judgment under Rule 166a(i) asserting that there was no
evidence of any of the elements of the negligence cause of action or the intentional infliction of
emotional distress claim. On appeal, Saucedo has addressed only the duty element of the negligence
claim and the outrageous conduct element of the intentional infliction of emotional distress claim.
Because Saucedo has failed to address each of the challenged elements of these claims, we overrule
sub-parts (A), (B), and (E) of Issue One as they relate to Mrs. Rabe. See Star-Telegram, 915 S.W.2d
at 473 (if summary judgment may have been rendered, properly or improperly, on a ground not
challenged, the judgment must be affirmed).
With respect to the remaining cause of action asserted against her, Mrs. Rabe moved for
traditional summary judgment on the ground that she did not have a duty to act in good faith. As we
have already noted, the Texas Supreme Court has held that the employer-employee relationship does
not give rise to a special relationship which would impose a duty of good faith and fair dealing on
the employer. See City of Midland, 18 S.W.3d at 215. Even assuming an employer-employee
relationship existed between Mrs. Rabe and Saucedo, Mrs. Rabe did not have a duty to act in good
faith. The trial court did not err in granting summary judgment in favor of Mrs. Rabe on this ground.
Accordingly, we overrule sub-parts (C) and (D) as they relate to Mrs. Rabe.
Because we have found that the trial court properly granted summary judgment in favor of
the Acostas and Mrs. Rabe on all three causes of action asserted by Saucedo against them, it is
unnecessary to address sub-parts (F), (G) and (H) of Issue One which relate to Saucedo’s allegation
that Mr. Acosta acted as the agent for Mrs. Rabe. Consequently, we affirm the summary judgments.
August 31, 2010
ANN CRAWFORD McCLURE, Justice
Before Chew, C.J., McClure, and Rivera, JJ.