IN THE
TENTH COURT OF APPEALS
No. 10-14-00244-CV
RUSSELL CALDWELL D/B/A
RW CALDWELL CONSTRUCTION,
Appellant
v.
JACKIE WRIGHT,
Appellee
From the 40th District Court
Ellis County, Texas
Trial Court No. 85781
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Jackie Wright and Russell Caldwell d/b/a RW Caldwell Construction entered into
a contract for the remodel of Wright’s home. After Wright paid Caldwell at least $5,000
more for the remodel than the contract price and the job was not yet 50 percent complete,
the business relationship between the two ended. Wright eventually sued Caldwell for
breach of contract, violation of the Deceptive Trade Practices Act, breach of express and
implied warranties, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duties. Caldwell, in turn, sued Wright
for breach of contract. After a jury trial, Wright prevailed on her breach of contract,
DTPA, and fraud claims. Although the jury found Wright breached the contract as well
as Caldwell, no damages were awarded to Caldwell. After trial, Wright elected to recover
on her DTPA claim. A hearing was held as to attorney’s fees, and the trial court rendered
judgment for Wright. Because the trial court erred as to the determination of attorney’s
fees, we reverse the trial court’s judgment as to the award for attorney’s fees and remand
that portion of the case for further proceedings. To the extent not reversed and
remanded, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.
Caldwell raises five issues on appeal regarding Wright’s contract, DTPA, and
fraud claims, and the trial court’s award of attorney’s fees. We first discuss Caldwell’s
issues regarding Wright’s DTPA claim.
SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE—DTPA
In his fourth issue, Caldwell argues that there was insufficient evidence that
Caldwell engaged in false, misleading, or deceptive acts, which are the very basis for a
DTPA claim. Although Caldwell argued in his brief that there was “no evidence” or that
there was not “any evidence” of false, misleading, or deceptive acts, we construe his
argument as a challenge to the factual sufficiency of the evidence which was the only
sufficiency argument properly preserved.1
When reviewing a jury verdict to determine the factual sufficiency of the evidence,
1 The issue was preserved in his motion for new trial. See TEX. R. CIV. P. 324(b).
Caldwell v. Wright Page 2
we consider and weigh all the evidence and "set aside the verdict only if it is so contrary
to the overwhelming weight of the evidence as to be clearly wrong and unjust." Cain v.
Bain, 709 S.W.2d 175, 176 (Tex. 1986). We are not, however, a factfinder, and thus, we
may not pass upon the witnesses' credibility or substitute our judgment for that of the
jury, even if the evidence would clearly support a different result. Mar. Overseas Corp. v.
Ellis, 971 S.W.2d 402, 407 (Tex. 1998).
"The DTPA grants consumers a cause of action for false, misleading, or deceptive
acts or practices." Amstadt v. U.S. Brass Corp., 919 S.W.2d 644, 649 (Tex. 1996); see TEX.
BUS. & COM. CODE ANN. § 17.50(a) (West 2011); see also id. §§ 17.45(5), 17.46(b). In our
review of a DTPA claim, we must liberally construe and apply the statute to promote the
underlying goals of the DTPA, which include protecting consumers against false,
misleading, and deceptive business practices and unconscionable actions. See TEX. BUS. &
COM. CODE ANN. § 17.44(a) (West 2011); Latham v. Castillo, 972 S.W.2d 66, 68 (Tex. 1998).
The phrase “false, misleading, or deceptive act” was defined in the charge to the
jury as “any of the following:”
a. representing that an agreement confers or involves rights,
remedies or obligations which it does not have or involve or which are
prohibited by law;
b. falsely representing that work or services have been performed
on, or parts replaced in goods when the work or services were not
preformed (sic) or the parts replaced; and
c. failing to disclose information concerning goods or services
which was known at the time of the transaction when such failure to
Caldwell v. Wright Page 3
disclose information was intended to induce Plaintiff into a transaction into
which the Plaintiff would not have entered had the information been
disclosed.
There was no objection to the charge regarding this definition, and thus, the sufficiency
of the evidence is measured against the charge as submitted. Osterberg v. Peca, 12 S.W.3d
31, 55 (Tex. 2000).
At trial, testimony showed that, per an oral agreement with Wright, Caldwell
would provide Wright with invoices for completed work. In his testimony, Caldwell
agreed, however, that he had sent Wright invoices for work that was not complete. Some
incomplete work for which invoices were submitted by Caldwell included taping,
bedding, and texturing of the sheetrock and setting a post for the outdoor kitchen.
Caldwell attempted to minimize his actions by asserting that Wright was never actually
billed for this incomplete work. He agreed, though, that the invoices which included the
incomplete work totaled the amount Wright paid to him by check on May 2, 2012. Also,
Caldwell testified that Wright agreed to pay Caldwell a ten percent builder’s fee.
However, on at least two instances, Caldwell “rounded up” the costs so that his builder’s
fee would be higher. Additionally, Caldwell ordered and billed Wright for a third more
roofing shingles than she needed and almost 3 times more studs for framing than she
needed. Further, Caldwell presented an exhibit at trial indicating he paid the bricklayer
for the bricklayer’s work on the addition to Wright’s house. And Caldwell claimed as
part of his suit that Wright had failed to reimburse him for this amount that had been
Caldwell v. Wright Page 4
paid to the bricklayer. However, the bricklayer testified that his entire fee, the amount
Caldwell was trying to recover from Wright had not been paid by Caldwell as Caldwell
claimed.
After considering and weighing all of the evidence as measured against the charge
submitted and liberally construing and applying the deceptive trade practices statute, we
conclude that, at the very least, the evidence shows that Caldwell falsely represented that
work or services had been done when it had not, in fact, been done. Thus, the verdict of
the jury is not so contrary to the overwhelming weight of the evidence as to be clearly
wrong and unjust, and the evidence is sufficient to show that Caldwell engaged in false,
misleading, or deceptive acts.
Caldwell’s fourth issue is overruled.
ECONOMIC LOSS RULE VS. DTPA
Caldwell argues in his first issue that the trial court erred in entering a judgment
in favor of Wright for damages found by the jury on Wright’s DTPA claim because, based
on the evidence, Wright’s claim is a contract claim, not a tort claim; and as such, a tort
claim under the DTPA would be precluded by the economic loss rule. In other words,
Caldwell argues Wright cannot recover damages for her DTPA claim because the
economic loss rule precludes the recovery of such damages in this case which is merely a
breach of contract case.
Caldwell v. Wright Page 5
The economic loss rule2 is a court-adopted rule for determining whether a party is
barred from seeking damages in certain actions. See Sharyland Water Supply Corp. v. City
of Alton, 354 S.W.3d 407, 418 (Tex. 2011); Tarrant Cnty. Hosp. Dist. v. GE Automation Servs.,
156 S.W.3d 885, 895 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2005, no pet.). The rule generally precludes
recovery in a tort action for purely economic losses resulting from the failure of a party
to perform under a contract or when losses arise from the failure of a product and the
damage or loss is limited to the product itself. Lamar Homes, Inc. v. Mid-Continent Cas.
Co., 242 S.W.3d 1, 12 (Tex. 2007) (contract); Equistar Chems., L.P. v. Dresser-Rand Co., 240
S.W.3d 864, 867 (Tex. 2007) (product); Sw. Bell Tel. Co. v. DeLanney, 809 S.W.2d 493, 494-
95 (Tex. 1991) (contract); Signal Oil & Gas Co. v. Universal Oil Prods., 572 S.W.2d 320, 325
(Tex. 1978). The economic loss rule is a not an affirmative defense which needs to be pled.
Equistar, 240 S.W.3d at 868. “The rule is a consideration in measuring damages in a case
[to which it applies].” Id. Thus, a party can fail to preserve a complaint for appellate
review regarding the application of the rule by failing to object to the measure of damages
as set out in the court’s charge. Id.
Citing the Texas Supreme Court opinion in Equistar, Wright argues Caldwell has
failed to preserve his economic loss rule argument for our review. Equistar Chems., L.P.
v. Dresser-Rand Co., 240 S.W.3d 864 (Tex. 2007). In Equistar, Dresser was sued for damages
2The Texas Supreme Court has recognized this phrase as “something of a misnomer” because there are
several more limited rules that govern the recovery of economic losses in selected areas of the law.
Sharyland Water Supply Corp. v. City of Alton, 354 S.W.3d 407, 415 (Tex. 2011).
Caldwell v. Wright Page 6
caused to a compressor and parts of Equistar’s plant due to the failure of a part for the
compressor provided by Dresser. Equistar also sued for replacement cost of the part.
One issue decided by the Texas Supreme Court was whether Dresser preserved its
complaint on appeal that the application of the economic loss rule barred recovery by
Equistar. Id. at 866. The court of appeals held that Dresser had preserved its complaint
through its no-evidence objections on directed verdict and through its motion for
judgment n.o.v. Id. at 867. However, the Texas Supreme Court found that, regardless of
whether Dresser’s no-evidence objections on directed verdict or its motion for judgment
n.o.v. “necessarily encompassed” the economic loss rule, Dresser had not preserved its
complaint for appellate review because it had failed to object that the damages question
presented in the trial court’s charge did not properly limit damages pursuant to the
economic loss rule. Id. at 868. Dresser failed to “clearly and distinctly” make the trial
court aware of a contention that the economic loss rule applied to bar Equistar from
recovering tort damages for injuries to the compressor. Id.
Caldwell counters that Equistar is not on point because it was a products liability
case and because the single damage question covered multiple causes of action. The
Texas Supreme Court did not limit its holding in Equistar to only products liability cases.
And, because an instruction on the economic loss rule helps determine the proper
measure of damages (i.e. the kinds of damages allowed), it makes sense to apply the
preservation requirement to all available applications of the rule. See ARTICLE:
Caldwell v. Wright Page 7
Applying the Economic Loss Rule in Texas, 64 Baylor L. Rev. 204 (winter 2012). Similarly,
it makes no difference that in Equistar, a single damage question was applied to multiple
theories of recovery, whereas in this case, separate damage questions were submitted for
each theory of recovery. When the economic loss rule acts as a bar to the recovery of
damages for tort claims, even a generally “proper” damage question would be improper
under the circumstances and thus, must be objected to.
Caldwell did not object to any of the damages questions. As in Equistar, to
preserve the issue for review, Caldwell was required to object to the damage questions
in the charge which Caldwell contends would, under an application of the economic loss
rule, submit an improper measure of damages to the jury. See Equistar, 240 S.W.3d at 868;
ARTICLE: Applying the Economic Loss Rule in Texas, 64 Baylor L. Rev. 204, 209 n. 27
(winter 2012). Because Caldwell did not object, he did not preserve his argument for
appellate review.
Caldwell also argues that Equistar does not apply because the question presented
on appeal in this case is whether the evidence supported a tort claim separate from
Wright’s contract claim, not whether the economic loss rule bars a specific type of
damages. However, Caldwell’s first issue focuses on whether Wright can meet the two
criteria established by the Texas Supreme Court to determine whether the economic loss
rule bars recovery for tort damages in a contract case. See Jim Walter Homes, Inc. v. Reed,
711 S.W.2d 617, 618 (Tex. 1986) (the nature of the injury criterion—when the injury is only
Caldwell v. Wright Page 8
the economic loss to the subject of a contract itself); see also Chapman Custom Homes, Inc.
v. Dall. Plumbing Co., 445 S.W.3d 716, 718 (Tex. 2014) (the source of the duty criterion—
when the duty allegedly breached is independent of the contractual undertaking). Thus,
Caldwell’s argument is essentially that the economic loss rule bars Wright’s recovery for
damages. Because Caldwell argues the applicability of the economic loss rule, the
preservation requirements of Equistar apply.
As we noted previously, Caldwell did not object to the damage questions in the
charge. Thus, his first issue is not preserved and is overruled.
CONTRACT DAMAGES
In his third issue, Caldwell contends there was no evidence to support Wright’s
contract damages. Wright argues that because Wright elected to recover under her DTPA
cause of action, and if we overrule Caldwell’s first issue regarding the DTPA cause of
action, we need not discuss the adequacy of Wright’s evidence supporting the amount
the jury awarded for contract damages. Wright is correct. Because we overruled
Caldwell’s first and fourth issues regarding Wright’s DTPA cause of action, we need not
discuss the adequacy of Wright’s evidence supporting the amount awarded for contract
damages.
However, in his reply brief, Caldwell asserts that he also complained in his third
issue about the sufficiency of the evidence to support damages awarded for Wright’s
DTPA and fraud claims. Caldwell argues in the reply brief that Wright’s damages were
Caldwell v. Wright Page 9
not from “independent violations” of the DTPA or any fraud. To the extent this argument
is a sub-issue within Caldwell’s third issue, Caldwell simply reframes his argument about
the application of the economic loss rule as to Wright’s DTPA claims which we have
already held was not preserved. Accordingly, Caldwell’s third issue is overruled.3
CONTRACT—BREACH BY WRIGHT
In his second issue, Caldwell argues that Wright cannot recover on her breach of
contract claim because Wright materially breached the contract and her breach caused all
of the damages she was awarded.4 Again, Wright contends that because Wright elected
to recover under her DTPA cause of action, we need not discuss whether Wright breached
the contract. Wright is correct. Because we overruled Caldwell’s first and fourth issues
regarding Wright’s DTPA cause of action, we need not discuss whether Wright breached
the contract or the impact, if any, on the trial court’s judgment. Accordingly, Caldwell’s
second issue is overruled.
ATTORNEY’S FEES
Lastly, Caldwell asserts that Wright failed to properly segregate her attorney’s fees
between her various claims; and thus, a remand to the trial court is required. Specifically,
Caldwell argues that Wright’s attempt to segregate her attorney’s fees was inadequate
3As with the contract damages, we need not discuss the sufficiency of the evidence regarding fraud
damages because Wright elected to recover only on her DTPA claim.
4We note the charge did not inquire about a “material” breach. Further, it did not inquire about which
breach, Caldwell’s or Wright’s, occurred first.
Caldwell v. Wright Page 10
because not only did Wright fail to segregate fees for claims where fees were not
recoverable, she also failed to segregate fees for causes of action pursued but on which
she did not prevail.
A prevailing party must segregate recoverable from unrecoverable attorney's fees
in all cases. Varner v. Cardenas, 218 S.W.3d 68, 69 (Tex. 2007). If any attorney's fees relate
solely to a claim for which such fees are unrecoverable, a claimant must segregate
recoverable from unrecoverable fees. Tony Gullo Motors I, L.P. v. Chapa, 212 S.W.3d 299,
313 (Tex. 2006). Intertwined facts do not make tort fees recoverable; it is only when
discrete legal services advance both a recoverable and unrecoverable claim that they are
so intertwined that they need not be segregated. Id. at 313-14. When fees should be
segregated and are not, a remand to the trial court is required. See id. at 314.
Wright and Caldwell agreed on the record during trial to submit the issue of the
amount of attorney’s fees to the trial court by affidavit. Wright’s attorneys, Darrell W.
Cook and Catherine Keith, submitted affidavits, post-verdict, detailing Wright’s request
for attorney’s fees. According to the affidavits, Wright retained the firm of Darrell W.
Cook & Associates in May of 2012 when Wright received a demand letter from Caldwell.
Cook and Keith stated that from the onset, it was clear that the thrust of the case would
be grounded in breach of contract and violations of the DTPA. Significant time and
resources were expended within the first four months to settle the dispute between
Wright and Caldwell. When mediation was unsuccessful, Wright and her attorneys
Caldwell v. Wright Page 11
decided to file a lawsuit in September of 2012 against Caldwell.
Wright initially sued Caldwell for breach of contract. After significant time and
resources were expended, Wright added, in April of 2013, a DTPA claim and claims for
breach of implied and express warranties. Attorney’s fees are recoverable for all of these
claims. TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN. § 38.001(8) (West 2014) (contract); TEX. BUS. &
COM. CODE ANN. § 17.50(d) (West 2011) (DTPA5); and Med. City Dall., Ltd. v. Carlisle Corp.,
251 S.W.3d 55, 63 (Tex. 2008); (express warranties). By August of 2013, Wright added her
claims of fraud and breach of fiduciary duties. Attorney’s fees are not recoverable for
these claims. See Tony Gullo Motors I, L.P. v. Chapa, 212 S.W.3d 299, 304 (Tex. 2006) (fraud);
DeNucci v. Matthews, 463 S.W.3d 200, 209 (Tex. App.—Austin 2015, no pet.) (fiduciary
duty).
Wright submitted a request of $150,482.06 as reasonable attorney’s fees in this case.
An amount of $1,795 had been segregated as the amount of fees for the fraud and
fiduciary relationship on which attorney’s fees are not recoverable. Cook and Keith
detailed in their affidavits6 how much of their fee, starting in July of 2013 and including
trial time, was attributed to those claims for which attorney’s fees are not recoverable.
5A DTPA claim can include a claim for breach of implied warranties. See Melody Home Mfg. Co. v. Barnes,
741 S.W.2d 349, 354 (Tex. 1987). Thus, attorney’s fees may be recoverable for such a claim. We need not
answer that question because the parties do not dispute whether attorney’s fees for a breach of implied
warranties claim under the DTPA could ever be recovered.
6Caldwell objected to both affidavits but his objections were impliedly overruled and he raises no issue on
appeal regarding the propriety of that implied ruling.
Caldwell v. Wright Page 12
These fees were adequately segregated. However, Wright did not prevail on her express
or implied warranty claims7 and her attorneys never discussed the amount of fees for
those claims. When given the opportunity to explain whether those fees needed to be
segregated, Wright’s attorneys assured the trial court that those fees were segregated.
The affidavits do not discuss those fees. Further, on appeal, Wright never discusses how
fees for these claims were accounted for. She does not contend that the fees for the
warranty claims did not need to be segregated nor does she contend that those fees were
so intertwined with the claims on which she prevailed that the fees could not be
segregated.
Accordingly, Caldwell’s fifth issue is sustained only as to his argument that
Wright failed to segregate fees for the warranties claims upon which Wright did not
prevail.
CONCLUSION
Because we have sustained a portion of Caldwell’s issue on attorney’s fees, the
trial court’s judgment is reversed, in part, and this case is remanded to the trial court for
further consideration only of the amount of attorney’s fees to be awarded to Wright. To
the extent the judgment is not reversed, it is affirmed.
TOM GRAY
Chief Justice
7 The implied warranty claim was not even submitted to the jury.
Caldwell v. Wright Page 13
Before Chief Justice Gray,
Justice Davis, and
Judge Walton8
Reversed and remanded in part, affirmed in part
Opinion delivered and filed August 10, 2016
[CV06]
8Hon. Ralph H. Walton, Jr, Judge of the 355th District Court of Hood County, sitting by assignment of the
Chief Justice of the Texas Supreme Court pursuant to section 74.003(h) of the Government Code. See TEX.
GOV'T CODE ANN. § 74.003(h) (West 2013).
Caldwell v. Wright Page 14