City of Ennis, a Self-Insured Governmental Entity v. William J. Bryant

City of Ennis, a Self-Insured Governmental Entity v. William J. Bryant






IN THE

TENTH COURT OF APPEALS


No. 10-99-190-CV


     CITY OF ENNIS, A SELF-INSURED

     GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY,

                                                                              Appellant

     v.


     WILLIAM J. BRYANT,

                                                                              Appellee


From the 40th District Court

Ellis County, Texas

Trial Court # 57323

                                                                                                                   


MEMORANDUM OPINION

                                                                                                                   


      William J. Bryant filed suit against the City of Ennis to recover worker’s compensation disability benefits because of a heart attack he suffered while in the course and scope of his employment as a police officer. A jury found that Bryant was entitled to these benefits, and the City appealed.

      The parties have filed an “Agreed Motion to Dismiss Appeal and Cause.” They ask that we vacate the judgment of the trial court and “dismiss the appeal and cause” in accordance with a settlement agreement they have reached.

      In relevant portion, Rule 42.1 of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure provides:

(a) The appellate court may dispose of an appeal as follows:

(1) in accordance with an agreement signed by all parties or their attorneys and filed with the clerk; or

(2) in accordance with a motion of appellant to dismiss the appeal or affirm the appealed judgment or order; but no party may be prevented from seeking any relief to which it would otherwise be entitled.

Tex. R. App. P. 42.1(a). Rule 43.2 provides in pertinent part that this Court may: (e) vacate the trial court’s judgment and dismiss the case; or (f) dismiss the appeal. Id. 43.2(e), (f) (emphasis added).

      The motion states that the parties have agreed to a settlement of their disputes. The motion is signed by attorneys for both parties. The parties request that we “vacate the judgment of the trial court and dismiss this appeal and cause” in accordance with their settlement agreement. They also ask that costs be assessed against the party incurring same.

      Dismissal of this case necessarily means a dismissal of this appeal in addition to a dismissal of the underlying proceedings. Accordingly, we vacate the judgment of the trial court and dismiss the case. Id. 43.2(e); see Young Materials Corp. v. Smith, No. 10-99-114-CV, slip op. at 3, 1999 WL 815694, at *1 (Tex. App.—Waco Oct. 13, 1999, no pet. h.) (per curiam). Costs are taxed against the party incurring same.

                                                                                     PER CURIAM


Before Chief Justice Davis,

      Justice Vance, and

      Justice Gray

Dismissed

Opinion delivered and filed October 27, 1999

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