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Clark, et al. v. Sell

Mitchell Ray Sell was injured while hospitalized. On Mitchell's behalf, respondent Cynthia Sell sued, among others, petitioners Evelyn Clark, Roseanne Rodriguez and Elizabeth Ortiz Petitioners, after answering, moved to dismiss the claims against them under Texas Tort Claims Act �101.106(f), asserting that they were employees of a governmental entity, Sunrise Canyon Hospital. Petitioners argued that the suit was based on conduct within the general scope of their employment and that the claim could have been brought under the Tort Claims Act against the governmental unit. Sell responded. After the trial court indicated that it would deny the motion to dismiss, and shortly before it signed its order, Clark and the other petitioners filed a notice of interlocutory appeal. The court of appeals, without addressing its jurisdiction over the interlocutory appeal, affirmed. While this case has been pending on appeal, the Texas Supreme Court decided Franka v. Velasquez (2011), holding that, for purposes of �101.106(f), a tort action is brought "under" the Texas Tort Claims Act, even if the government has not waived its immunity for such actions. In light of Franka , Clark, Rodriguez and Ortiz's petition for review is granted, and without hearing oral argument, the court of appeals' judgment is reversed and remanded. Texas Supreme Court, No. 07-0647, 01-21-2011

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Mitchell Ray Sell, while hospitalized for psychosis and hallucinations, was allegedly heavily medicated and left lying in the same position for many hours; as a result, he developed “compartment syndrome” in one arm, required surgery, and remains permanently injured. On Mitchell’s behalf, respondent Cynthia Sell sued, among others, petitioners Evelyn Clark, Roseanne Rodriguez, and Elizabeth Ortiz for negligently failing to ensure Mitchell was periodically turned or roused; an attached report further suggests that defendants should have reported Mitchell’s over-medication to a physician. Petitioners, after answering, moved to dismiss the claims against them under section 101.106(f) of the Texas Tort Claims Act, TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE§101.106(f), asserting that they were employees of a governmental entity, Sunrise Canyon Hospital. Petitioners argued that the suit was based on conduct within the general scope of their employment, and that the claim could have been brought under the Tort Claims Act against the governmental unit. Sell responded.

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