the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston v. the Estate of Darla Blackmon, by Its Beneficiary Sheila Shultz and Sheila Shultz Individually

 

IN THE

TENTH COURT OF APPEALS

 


No. 10-03-00093-CV

 

The University of Texas

Medical Branch at Galveston,

                                                                      Appellant

 v.

 

The Estate of Darla Blackmon,

By its Beneficiary Sheila Shultz

and Sheila Shultz Individually,

                                                                      Appellees

 

 

 


From the 52nd District Court

Coryell County, Texas

Trial Court # COT-01-33769

 

MEMORANDUM  Opinion

 


      This appeal concerns wrongful death and survival actions.  Appellant filed a plea to the jurisdiction premised on sovereign immunity.  The trial court denied the plea.  We will reverse and render.

      Appellees allege that Appellant’s misuse of medical equipment caused Blackmon’s death.  The Texas Tort Claims Act waives sovereign immunity in relevant part for death “caused by a . . . use of tangible personal . . . property.”  See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 101.021(2) (Vernon 1997); Tex. Dep’t of Parks & Wildlife v. Miranda, 133 S.W.3d 217, 224-25 (Tex. 2004).  Appellees’ pleadings do not establish a waiver of sovereign immunity.  The use of tangible property did not cause Blackmon’s death; Blackmon’s illness killed her.  See Tex. Dep’t of Crim. Justice v. Miller, 51 S.W.3d 583, 587-89 (Tex. 2001).  The trial court erred in denying Appellant’s plea.  We sustain Appellant’s issue.

      We reverse and render judgment for Appellant.  See State ex rel. State Dep’t of Highways & Pub. Transp. v. Gonzalez, 82 S.W.3d 322, 331 (Tex. 2002).  Appellees’ suit against the other defendants remains pending in the trial court.

TOM GRAY

Chief Justice

Before Chief Justice Gray,

      Justice Vance, and

      Justice Reyna

      (Justice Vance dissents with a note:  I would affirm the trial court’s denial of the plea to the jurisdiction.)

Reversed and rendered

Opinion delivered and filed October 13, 2004

[CV06]