Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192 (Tex. 2010). · Go Syfert
Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192 (Tex. 2010). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
350 citation events (350 in the last 25 years) across 6 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Maurice N. Leibman M.D. v. Cleveratta Waldroup and James Waldroup, Individually and as Next Friends of R. W., a Minor (tex, 2025-06-06)
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Dissent Maurice N. Leibman M.D. v. Cleveratta Waldroup and James Waldroup, Individually and as Next Friends of R. W., a Minor (2025)
“For example, in Yamada, we described a case in which an embryologist dropped a tray of embryos, destroying most of them. 335 S.W.3d at 197 (discussing Inst. for Women’s Health, P.L.L.C. v. Imad, No. 04-05-00555- CV, 2006 WL 334013 (Tex. App.—San Antonio Feb. 15, 2006, no pet.)).”
Top citers, strongest first. 50 distinct citers. How cited ↗
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Maurice N. Leibman M.D. v. Cleveratta Waldroup and James Waldroup, Individually and as Next Friends of R. W., a Minor (4×) also: Cited as authority (rule), Cited "see"
Tex. · 2025 · signal: see · quote attribution · 2 verbatim quotes · confidence high
if the gravamen or essence of a cause of action is an hclc, then allowing the claim to be split or spliced into a multitude of other causes of action with differing standards of care, damages, and procedures would contravene the legislature's explicit requirements.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Loyd Landon Sorrow Sr. v. University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and Michael Seale, M.D.
Tex. App. · 2024 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
whether a claim is a health care liability claim depends on the underlying nature of the claim being made.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Lake Jackson Medical Spa, Ltd., Robert Yarish, and Jamie Gutzman v. Erika Gaytan
Tex. · 2022 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
whether a claim is a health care liability claim depends on the underlying nature of the claim being made. . . . artful pleading does not alter that nature.
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Christus Health Gulf Coast v. Carswell
Tex. · 2016 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
if the gravamen or essence of cause of action is an hclc, then allowing the claim to be split or spliced into a multitude of other causes of action would contravene the legislature's explicit requirements.
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Christus Health Gulf Coast (As an Entity, D/B/A Christus St. Catherine Hospital, and Formerly D/B/A Christus St. Joseph Hospital) v. Linda G. Carswell (4×) also: Cited as authority (rule)
Tex. App. · 2013 · signal: cf. · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
when the underlying facts are encompassed by provisions of the tmla in regard, to a defendant, then all claims against that defendant based on those facts must be brought as health care liability claims.
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) PM Management-Trinity NC, LLC v. Kumets (11×) also: Cited as authority (rule), Cited "see", Cited "see, e.g."
Tex. App. · 2012 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
when the underlying facts are encompassed by provisions of the tmla in regard to a defendant, then all claims against that defendant based on those facts must be brought as health care liability claims.
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) PM Management-Trinity NC, LLC D/B/A Trinity Care Center// Michael Kumets, Pavel Kumets, and Strul Kumets, Individually and as Next Friend for Yevgeniya Kumets v. Michael Kumets, Pavel Kumets, and Strul Kumets, Individually and as Next Friend for Yevgeniya Kumets// Cross-Appellee, PM Management-Trinity NC, LLC D/B/A Trinity Care Center (2×) also: Cited "see"
Tex. App. · 2012 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
when the underlying facts are encompassed by provisions of the tmla in regard to a defendant, then all claims against that defendant based on those facts must be brought as health care liability claims.
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) PM Management-Trinity NC, LLC D/B/A Trinity Care Center// Michael Kumets, Pavel Kumets, and Strul Kumets, Individually and as Next Friend for Yevgeniya Kumets v. Michael Kumets, Pavel Kumets, and Strul Kumets, Individually and as Next Friend for Yevgeniya Kumets// Cross-Appellee, PM Management-Trinity NC, LLC D/B/A Trinity Care Center (2×) also: Cited "see"
Tex. App. · 2012 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
when the underlying facts are encompassed by provisions of the tmla in regard to a defendant, then all claims against that defendant based on those facts must be brought as health care liability claims.
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Certified EMS, Inc. D/B/A CPnS Staffing v. Cherie Potts (2×) also: Cited "see"
Tex. App. · 2011 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the tmla requires the trial court to dismiss a suit asserting health care liability claims against a physician or health care provider if the plaintiff does not timely file an expert report as to that defendant.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) John S. Bynon M.D. v. Susie Garcia, as Wrongful Death Beneficiary of Richard Mostacci, Deceased; Dianelys Corrales, as Wrongful Death Beneficiary of Daniel Rodriguez Alvarez; Robert Osuna, Jr., as Wrongful Death Beneficiary of Robert Osuna; Laura Whittington, Individually and as the Representative of the Estate of Jerry Whittington; Nicole Lloyd; Elia Combs; Maxine Whittington; Eden Whittington; And Joseph Whittington (2×)
txctapp1 · 2026 · confidence medium
Further, “artful pleading and recasting of claims is not permitted.” Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 196 (Tex. 2010); see CHRISTUS Health Gulf Coast v. Carswell, 505 S.W.3d 528, 534 (Tex. 2016) (stating that when determining whether claim is HCLC, “we examine the underlying nature and gravamen of the claim, rather than the way it is pleaded”).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Shannon Medical Center v. Michael Sickels and James Christopher Cole
Tex. App. · 2025 · confidence medium
Omaha Health Care Center, LLC v. Johnson, 344 S.w.3D 392, 394 (Tex. 2011); Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 196 (Tex. 2010); Diversicare Gen.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Houston Methodist St. John Hospital D/B/A Houston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital v. Shelby Shirrill Cagle
Tex. App. · 2025 · confidence medium
We focus on the operative facts underlying the claim, not on how the pleadings describe the facts or the legal theories asserted.2 Collin Creek, 671 S.W.3d at 885; 2 The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that “artful pleading and recasting of claims is not permitted.” Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 196 (Tex. 2010). “[I]f the gravamen or essence of a cause of action is a health care liability claim, then allowing the claim to be split or spliced into a multitude of other causes of 7 Loaisiga v. Cerda, 379 S.W.3d 248, 255 (Tex. 2012)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Anna Dorsey, Individually and as Representative of the Estates of Gloria Moore (Deceased) and Sam Moore, Jr. (Deceased), Betty Horace, Individually and as Representative of the Estate of Thomas Horace (Deceased), Patrick Horace, Kristen Gilmore, Individually and as Representative of the Estate of Jodie Archie (Deceased) v. Environmental Resources Management Southwest, Inc. and Pastor, Behling & Wheeler LLC
Tex. App. · 2024 · confidence medium
Ventures, L.P. v. Sheldon, 526 S.W.3d 428 , 439–40 (Tex. 2017) (reasoning that when a forum selection clause applied to disputes “arising out of” the agreement, the court would not encourage “artful pleading” by denying its application when the claimant’s essential allegations were inextricably enmeshed or factually intertwined with the underlying contract); Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 196 (Tex. 2010) (noting that “artful pleading” cannot alter the nature of a claim in the context of determining whether the expert-report requirement applies to a health care liability clai…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Dexter Buchanan Fernil and Delena Fernil v. Bluebird Medical Enterprises, LLC D/B/A Allegiance Mobile Health and Nicole Marina Mirza. (2×) also: Cited "see"
Tex. App. · 2024 · confidence medium
CONCLUSION The crux of the Fernils’ position is summed up by the statement in their appellate brief, “While Mirza may have acted negligently under the Texas Medical Liability Act, she also could be liable for ordinary negligence when engaging in activity not exclusive to administering of health care.” But the Supreme Court of Texas has expressly rejected the argument that “claims against a health care provider based on one set of underlying facts can be brought as both health care liability claims subject to the Texas Medical Liability Act (TMLA) and ordinary negligence claims not subj…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In Re Luminant Generation Company LLC. NRG Texas Power LLC, Calpine Corp., ExGen Handley Power, LLC N/K/A Constellation Handley Power LLC v. the State of Texas
Tex. App. · 2023 · confidence medium
See In re Breviloba, LLC, 650 S.W.3d 508 , 512 (Tex. 2022) (orig. proceeding); Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 196 (Tex. 2010). 28 By initially pleading their negligent undertaking allegations as negligent omissions, the retail customers have acknowledged that their complained-of undertakings are not affirmative courses of action—and their artful pleading cannot recast those alleged omissions to be otherwise.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Joseph D. Stewart, of the Estate of Helen Louise Stewart v. Civitas Senior Healthcare, LLC D/B/A Civitas Senior Living Elite Mobile Dental, Inc. Dr. Margaret Shaw, DDS Dr. Michael Lunardon, DDS And Dr. Danice Couch, DDS
Tex. App. · 2023 · confidence medium
Whether a claim qualifies as an HCLC turns on its “underlying nature,” “essence,” or “gravamen.” Baylor Scott & White, 575 S.W.3d at 363–64; Omaha Healthcare Ctr., LLC v. Johnson, 344 S.W.3d 392, 394 (Tex. 2011); Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 197 (Tex. 2010); Diversicare Gen.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Tiffine Vanderbilt v. University Medical Center and ICU Nurse Doe in his/her Individual and Official Capacity
Tex. App. · 2022 · confidence medium
Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 193 (Tex. 2010). “[P]ermitting a claimant to maintain both health care liability claims and different types of claims based on the same underlying factual scenario ‘would open the door to splicing health care liability claims into a multitude of other causes of action with standards of care, damages, and procedures contrary to the Legislature’s explicit requirements.’” Linan, 337 S.W.3d at 868 (quoting Diversicare Gen.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Gabriel Miranda Jr., Maria Fuentes, Gabriel Miranda Sr., Alexandra Suzanne DeLeon, Reuben Antonio DeLeon III, and Jon Hidalgo Doe v. Norma Jean Farley
Tex. App. · 2022 · confidence medium
Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 196 (Tex. 2010).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Enrique Lopez, Individually, and as Representative of the Estate of Tristan Lopez v. Guiding Light, LLC (2×) also: Cited "see"
Tex. App. · 2021 · confidence medium
Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 196 (Tex. 2010).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Mary Lou Ortiz, Joanne Ortiz and Jesus Ortiz v. St. Teresa Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, LLC
Tex. App. · 2019 · confidence medium
Moreover, “[w]hen the underlying facts are encompassed by provisions of the TMLA in regard to a defendant, then all claims against that defendant based on those facts must be brought as health care liability claims.” Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 193-94 (Tex. 2010).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Benjamin Scott Zertuche v. Chelsea Wessels, CRS Healthcare, LLC, and Joey Urrabazo
Tex. App. · 2018 · confidence medium
Claim Splitting Prohibited The Texas Supreme Court has “determined that a claim based on one set of facts cannot be spliced or divided into both an HCLC and another type of claim.” Loaisiga, 379 S.W.3d at 255 -3- 04-18-00429-CV (citing Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 197 (Tex. 2010)).
examined Cited as authority (rule) T.C. v. Kayass (4×) also: Cited "see, e.g."
Tex. App. · 2017 · confidence medium
Analysis of a claim under the second element to determine if it involves health or medical care focuses on “the facts underlying the claim, not the form of, or artfully-phrased language in, the plaintiffs pleadings describing the facts or legal theories asserted.” Loaisiga, 379 S.W.3d at 255 (citing Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 196-97 (Tex. 2010); Diversicare Gen.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Lover Compton v. Lance Jue, D.D.S, and Lance Jue, D.D.S. D/B/A Beautifiul Smile at Lake Pointe
Tex. App. · 2017 · confidence medium
Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 197 (Tex. 2010); Diversicare, 185 S.W.3d at 847 .
discussed Cited as authority (rule) B.C. v. Steak N Shake Operations, Inc.
Tex. · 2017 · confidence medium
See e.g., CHRISTUS Health Gulf Coast v. Carswell, 505 S.W.3d 528 534 (Tex. 2016) (instructing that in evaluating the type of claim, “we examine the underlying nature and gravamen of the claim, rather than the way it is pleaded”); City of Watauga v. Gordon, 434 S.W.3d 586, 593 (Tex. 2014) (holding that because the gravamen of the complaint was a police officer’s use of excessive force, the plaintiffs claim arose from battery rather than negligence); Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 196-97 (Tex. 2010) (evaluating “the gravamen or essence of a cause of action” and recognizing that “a…
cited Cited as authority (rule) Cristina Marente, Individually and as Representative of the Estate of Christian Marente v. Eunice Asah and Epic Health Services, Inc.
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 196 (Tex. 2010).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Bay Area Healthcare Group, Ltd., D/B/A Corpus Christi Medical Center v. Brenda Martinez
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 196 (Tex. 2010).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Rendon v. Walgreens (2×) also: Cited "see, e.g."
N.D. Tex. · 2015 · confidence medium
The Texas Supreme Court has stated that “if the gravamen or essence of a cause of action is a health care liability claim, then allowing the claim to be split or spliced into a multitude of other causes of action with differing standards of care, damages, and procedures would contravene the Legislature’s explicit requirements.” Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 197 (Tex.2010).
examined Cited as authority (rule) East Texas Medical Center Gilmer v. Birder Porter (3×) also: Cited "see"
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
See, Ross, 462 S.W.3d at 502 - 203; Loaisga, 379 S.W.3d at 255 (claim is an HCLC if the underlying facts could support a claim of departure from accepted standards of safety); Yamada, 335 S.W.3d at 193 (one set of facts cannot give rise to both an HCLC and an ordinary negligence claim); Rose, 156 S.W.3d at 546 (network of applicable federal and state law and Joint Commission regulations create applicable existing standards of health care).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Jeanne Cook v. Warren F. Neely, MD (2×)
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
“Our prior decisions are to the effect that if -5- 04-14-00518-CV the gravamen or essence of a cause of action is a health care liability claim, then allowing the claim to be split or spliced into a multitude of other causes of action with differing standards of care, damages, and procedures would contravene the Legislature’s explicit requirements.” Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 197 (Tex. 2010).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Access Orthodontics of East 7th Street, P .A. v. Miriam Jaimes
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 196-97 (Tex. 2010); Diversicare Gen.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) in Re Seton Northwest Hospital Karen Brinkman, Risk Manager And Seton Northwest Hospital's Custodian of Records
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 197 (Tex. 2010); Cardwell v. McDonald, 356 S.W.3d 646, 655 (Tex. App.—Austin 2011, no pet.). 5 In Diversicare, the Texas Supreme Court addressed the question of whether a patient’s suit against a nursing home arising from her sexual assault by another patient was a health care liability claim. 185 S.W.3d at 845 .
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Madhusudan Shah v. Sodexo Services of Texas Limited Partnership
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
The Court Should Apply a De Novo Standard of Review The question of whether or not Appellant’s claims fall within the scope of Chapter 74 of the Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code is a question of statutory interpretation which triggers a de novo review.28 In reviewing a statute, the goal is to “determine and give effect to the Legislature’s intent” and the touchstone of the analysis should be the “plain and common meaning of the statute’s words.”29 In such an analysis, statutory 27 See Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 196 (Tex. 2010); DHS Mgmt.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Valley Regional Medical Center v. Maria Guadalupe Camacho
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 196 (Tex. 2010).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Valley Regional Medical Center v. Maria Guadalupe Camacho
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 196 (Tex. 2010).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Valley Regional Medical Center v. Maria Guadalupe Camacho
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 196 (Tex. 2010).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Richard J. Malouf, DDS Richard J, Malouf, DDS, PC And Richard J. Malouf, DDS, PA v. State
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
Code § 74.001(a)(13) (defining “health care liability claim”) 2 ; Psychiatric Solutions, *645 Inc. v. Palit, 414 S.W.3d 724, 726 (Tex.2013) (noting prior holding “ ‘that if expert medical or health care testimony is necessary to prove or refute the merits of a claim against a physician or health care provider, the claim is a health care liability claim’ ” (citation omitted)); see also PM Management-Trinity NC v. Kumets, 404 S.W.3d 550, 552 (Tex.2013) (noting that TMLA does not allow parties to avoid procedural requirements “by claim-splitting or any form of artful pleading”); …
cited Cited as authority (rule) State v. Emeritus Corporation
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
Omaha Healthcare Ctr., LLC v. Johnson, 344 S.W.3d 392, 394 (Tex.2011); Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 196 (Tex.2010).
examined Cited as authority (rule) Christus Spohn Health System Corporation D/B/A Christus Spohn Hospital Corpus Christi - Shoreline v. Jeanne K. Goodhew (4×) also: Cited "see"
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
Harris Methodist Fort Worth v. Ollie, 342 S.W.3d 525, 527 (Tex. 2011) (citing 3 Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 196 (Tex. 2010)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Zene Tinnard v. the Dallas County Hospital District D/B/A Parkland Health & Hospital System, and University of Texas Southwest and Unknown Governmental Entities (Does 1-5)
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
Artful pleading cannot alter that nature.” Omaha Healthcare Ctr., LLC v. Johnson, 344 S.W.3d 392, 394 (Tex. 2011) (citing Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 196 (Tex. 2010)). “[T]he TMLA creates a rebuttable presumption that a patient’s claims against a physician or health care provider based on facts implicating the defendant’s conduct during the patient’s care, treatment, or confinement are [health care liability claims].” Loaisiga, 379 S.W.3d at 256 .
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Enrique Lopez, D/B/A Maternidad La Piedad v. Marina Edith Osuna, Individually and as Next Friend for Sarai Edith Gonzalez and Benito Gonzalez Cantu (2×) also: Cited "see"
Tex. App. · 2014 · confidence medium
The supreme court recently reiterated that ”[w]hen a plaintiff asserts a claim that is based on the same underlying facts as an HCLC that the plaintiff also asserts, both claims are HCLCs and must be dismissed if the plaintiff fails to produce a sufficient report.” PM Management-Trinity NC, LLC v. Kumets, 404 S.W.3d 550, 552 (Tex.2013) (citing Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 196 (Tex.2010)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) East El Paso Physicians Medical Center, LLC v. Olivia Vargas
Tex. App. · 2014 · confidence medium
The TMLA does not permit “claim splitting.” Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 195-96 (Tex.2010).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Memorial Hermann Hospital System D/B/A Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital v. Brenda Ponce and Ricco Gonzalez, as Natural Parents, Next Friends and Legal Guardians of Eduardo Gonzalez, a Minor
Tex. App. · 2014 · confidence medium
Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 196 (Tex. 2010); Diversicare Gen.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Malladi Sudhakar Reddy, M.D. v. Dianna Lynn Veedell and Maury Veedell (2×)
Tex. App. · 2014 · confidence medium
Luke’s Episcopal Hospital,3 which presents a substantially similar issue concerning the scope of the “safety claim.”4 Because this case helpfully illuminates problematic facets of applying the TMLA to safety claims against physician defendants, I offer the following additional observations. 1 Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 196 (Tex. 2010); see also Diversicare Gen.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Mary Melinda Barnes v. Navarro Hospital, LP, Navarro Regional, LLC, D/B/A NAVREG, LLC
Tex. App. · 2014 · confidence medium
Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 196 (Tex. 2010).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Memorial Hermann Hospital System D/B/A Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital v. Jewell Hayden
Tex. App. · 2014 · confidence medium
Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 196 (Tex. 2010).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Hill Country San Antonio Management Services, Inc. v. Trejo
Tex. App. · 2014 · confidence medium
Ann. § 74.001(a)(12); Marks, 319 S.W.3d at 664 ; accord Harris Methodist Fort Worth v. Ollie, 342 S.W.3d 525, 527 (Tex.2011); Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 197 (Tex.2010).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Hill Country-San Antonio Management Services, Inc. A.K.A. Hill Country Achievement ( Appellant/ Cross-Appellee) v. Rachel Trejo as Next Friend of Rene Trejo (Appellee/ Cross-Appellant)
Tex. App. · 2014 · confidence medium
ANN. § 74.001(a)(12); Marks, 319 S.W.3d at 664 ; accord Harris Methodist Fort Worth v. Ollie, 342 S.W.3d 525, 527 (Tex. 2011); Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 197 (Tex. 2010).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Methodist Hospital v. Halat
Tex. App. · 2013 · confidence medium
Co., 356 S.W.3d 705, 711 (Tex.App.-Houston [14th Dist.] 2011, pet. denied) (citing Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 196-97 (Tex.2010)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Irene Tillman v. Memorial Hermann Hospital System D/B/A Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital
Tex. App. · 2013 · confidence medium
Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 194 (Tex.2010).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Doctors Hospital at Renaissance, Ltd. v. Claudia Mejia
Tex. App. · 2013 · confidence medium
Yamada v. Friend, 335 S.W.3d 192, 196 (Tex. 2010); see Diversicare Gen.
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
Roy Kenji YAMADA, M.D., Petitioner,
v.
Laura FRIEND, Individually and as Personal Representative of the Estate of Sarah Elizabeth Friend, Deceased, and Luther Friend, Individually, Respondents
08-0262.
Texas Supreme Court.
Dec 17, 2010.
335 S.W.3d 192
2010 Tex. LEXIS 1012
2010 WL 5135334
J. Kevin Carey, Carey Law Firm, Bonnie Susan Bleil, Law Office of Bleil & King, Fort Worth, TX, for Roy Kenji Ya-mada, M.D., Darrell L. Keith, Courtney Shannon Keith, Arin Kay Sehall, Keith Law Firm, P.C., Jeffrey H. Kobs, Kobs, Haney & Hundley, LLP, Fort Worth, TX, for Laura Friend., George A. Staples Jr., Taylor Olson Adkins Sralla & Elam, Fort Worth, TX, for other interested party City of North Rich-land Hills., Russell Ramsey, Ramsey & Murray, Houston, TX, for other interested party Jeff Ellis.
Johnson.
Cited by 141 opinions  |  Published
1 passages pin-cited by 3 cases
Pinpoint authority: #22,207 of 633,719
Citer courts: Court of Appeals of Texas (3)
Justice JOHNSON

delivered the opinion of the Court.

In this appeal we address whether claims against a health care provider based on one set of underlying facts can be brought as both health care liability claims subject to the Texas Medical Liability Act (TMLA) and ordinary negligence claims not subject to the TMLA. We hold that they cannot.

Sarah Friend collapsed at a water park and later died. As a result of her death her parents sued several parties, including Roy Yamada, M.D. Sarah’s parents alleged that Dr. Yamada negligently advised the water park about safety procedures and placement of defibrillators. They did not file an expert report as is required by the TMLA for health care liability claims.

The court of appeals held that the Friends’ allegations that Dr. Yamada’s actions violated medical standards of care were health care liability claims and the Friends were required to comply with provisions of the TMLA as to those claims. The Friends do not dispute that holding. The court also held, however, that the Friends’ allegations that the same actions by Dr. Yamada violated ordinary standards of care and were not subject to the TMLA.

We hold that because all the claims against Dr. Yamada were based on the same underlying facts, they must be dismissed because the Friends did not timely file an expert report. When the underlying facts are encompassed by provisions of[*194] the TMLA in regard to a defendant, then all claims against that defendant based on those facts must be brought as health care liability claims. Application of the TMLA cannot be avoided by artfully pleading around it or splitting claims into both health care liability claims and other types of claims such as ordinary negligence claims.

I. Background

A. Trial Court

The city of North Richland Hills owns and operates North Richland Hills Family Water Park. In July 2004, twelve-year-old Sarah Friend was waiting in line for one of the water park rides when she collapsed. Personnel from the water park and North Richland Hills Fire Department administered emergency aid and she was then transported to a hospital where she died from a heart condition.

Sarah’s mother and father, Laura [1] and Luther Friend, sued the City and several individual defendants. They alleged that Sarah’s death was proximately caused by the defendants’ failure to timely and properly evaluate and care for her after she collapsed. The Friends’ allegations focused on the failure of water park personnel to use an automated external defibrillator (AED) in attending to Sarah.

The Friends eventually joined Dr. Ya-mada as a defendant. They alleged that he (1) was a licensed medical doctor who specialized in emergency medicine; (2) “had a duty to exercise ordinary care and act as an emergency medicine physician of reasonable and ordinary prudence under the same or similar circumstances”; (3) “was responsible for and provided medical consultative advice and recommendations to and for the various safety practices and procedures” at the water park prior to and as of the date Sarah collapsed; (4) “had a duty under Texas law to exercise ordinary care and act as an emergency medicine physician of reasonable and ordinary prudence” in providing services to the water park; and (5) breached “that duty” by (a) failing to timely, properly, and adequately provide services to the water park and (b) committing “other acts or omissions of negligence or wrongdoing.” There was never a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Yamada and Sarah.

The Friends did not file an expert report pursuant to Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code section 74.351 after they sued Dr. Yamada, so he filed a motion to dismiss. See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem.Code § 74.351(a), (b). The Friends’ response specified that their claims were based on Dr. Yamada’s provision of medical consultative advice and recommendations in regard to various safety practices and procedures at the water park. The trial court denied Dr. Yamada’s motion and he appealed. See id. § 51.014(a)(9) (authorizing interlocutory appeal from an order denying a motion to dismiss for lack of an expert report).

B. Court of Appeals

The court of appeals noted that the only alleged acts or omissions on which the Friends based their claims against Dr. Ya-mada were his failure to properly provide advice and recommendations to the City about its safety practices, including the placement and maintenance of AEDs. 335 S.W.3d 201, 205. It determined that the pleadings stated claims for negligence based on breach of an emergency medicine physicians’ standard of care, but also stated claims for ordinary negligence. Id. at 205. The appeals court reasoned that medical testimony is not required to estab[*195] lish the proper placement of AED devices, thus such claims were not health care liability claims because the alleged negligence was not based on advice directly related to acts performed or furnished by a health care provider to Sarah during her medical care, treatment, or confinement. The court held that the trial court properly refused to dismiss the claims based on allegations of ordinary negligence. Id. at 205. However, the court also held that the pleadings alleging Dr. Yamada gave negligent advice about where to locate AEDs were health care liability claims to the extent they alleged Dr. Yamada had a duty to act as an emergency physician under the circumstances and he breached that duty. The court held that the Friends’ failure to file an expert report required dismissal of the claims based upon allegations of breach of an emergency room physician’s standard of care. Id. at 206. Thus, the court of appeals held that the same acts and omissions by Dr. Yamada formed the basis of .both health care and non-health care claims based on pleadings alleging that the acts and omissions breached different standards of care.

C. Positions of the Parties

The Friends did not file a petition for review. But Dr. Yamada did and we granted it. 52 Tex.Sup.Ct.J. 331, 333 (Feb. 13, 2009).

Dr. Yamada asserts that the court of appeals erred in two ways. First, he argues the court construed the definition of health care liability claim based on a breach of accepted standards of safety too narrowly. Second, he asserts the court impermissibly allowed “claim splitting” by holding that the same underlying facts gave rise to an ordinary negligence claim, which the court held could continue, and a health care liability claim, which the court dismissed. The difference between the claims, Dr. Yamada urges, is nothing more than artful pleading.

In their brief, the Friends specify that Dr. Yamada’s connection to Sarah’s death was his consultative services in regard to placement of life-saving devices such as the AEDs. They do not dispute the court of appeals’ characterization of their claims as alleging only that Dr. Yamada failed to properly provide advice and recommendations to the City about its safety practices. And they agree that the court of appeals “correctly ... reversed the trial court’s order denying Petitioner Dr. Yamada’s motion to dismiss [their] claims that are based on a standard of medical care and dismissed those claims with prejudice.” However, they argue that their ordinary negligence claim should not be dismissed because it is not in essence a health care liability claim. The Friends first assert that their ordinary negligence claim is not for breach of standards of medical care or health care as those terms are defined in the TMLA. Next, they argue that to be a health care liability claim for breach of an accepted standard of safety, under the TMLA, the claim must be for an act or omission directly related to health care, which their ordinary negligence claim is not. See Tex. Crv. Prac. & Rem.Code § 74.001(a)(13).

We agree with Dr. Yamada in part. [2] The court of appeals’ holding that the Friends asserted health care liability claims against Dr. Yamada is unchallenged and all their claims were based on the same facts. The Friends’ claims against[*196] Dr. Yamada cannot be split into health care and non-health care claims by pleading that his actions violated different standards of care; all their claims must be dismissed.

II. Claims Under the TMLA

The TMLA requires the trial court to dismiss a suit asserting health care liability claims against a physician or health care provider if the plaintiff does not timely file an expert report as to that defendant. Id. § 74.351. The TMLA defines “health care liability claim” as

[A] cause of action against a health care provider or physician for treatment, lack of treatment, or other claimed departure from accepted standards of medical care, or health care, or safety or professional or administrative services directly related to health care, which proximately results in injury to or death of a claimant, whether the claimant’s claim or cause of action sounds in tort or contract.

Id. § 74.001(a)(13).

Whether a claim is a health care liability claim depends on the underlying nature of the claim being made. Garland Cmty. Hosp. v. Rose, 156 S.W.3d 541, 543 (Tex.2004) (addressing former Tex.Rev.Civ. Stat. art. 4590i, repealed by Act of June 2, 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 204, § 10. 09, 2003 Tex. Gen. Laws 847, 884). Artful pleading does not alter that nature. Diversicare Gen. Partner, Inc. v. Rubio, 185 S.W.3d 842, 854 (Tex.2005); Garland Cmty. Hosp., 156 S.W.3d at 543.

III. Discussion

In Diversicare, Maria Rubio was the victim of a sexual assault at a nursing home. 185 S.W.3d at 845. Rubio filed suit against the nursing home based in part on claims that the home failed to hire and train appropriate personnel to monitor Ru-bio, failed to provide twenty-four-hour nursing services from a sufficient number of qualified nursing personnel to meet her nursing needs, hired incompetent staff who were unqualified to care for her, and failed to establish and implement appropriate safety policies to protect its residents. Id. The concurring and dissenting justices in Diversicare concluded that Rubio asserted a premises liability claim against the nursing home independent of her health care liability claim. Id. at 857-58 (Jefferson, C.J., concurring in part, and dissenting in part) (pointing to Rubio’s claims that the home failed to protect her by failing to implement safety precautions and establish appropriate corporate safety, training, and staffing policies); id. at 861-66 (O’Neill, J., dissenting) (construing Rubio’s claim that the facility failed to use ordinary care to protect her from a known danger to be a premises liability claim). The Court rejected the view that Rubio could allege a claim for premises liability independent of her healthcare liability claim because it “would open the door to splicing health care liability claims into a multitude of other causes of action with standards of care, damages, and procedures contrary to the Legislature’s explicit requirements. It is well settled that such artful pleading and recasting of claims is not permitted.” Id. at 854; see also Murphy v. Russell, 167 S.W.3d 835, 838 (Tex.2005) (“[A] claimant cannot escape the Legislature’s statutory scheme by artful pleading.”); Garland Cmty. Hosp., 156 S.W.3d at 543 (“Plaintiffs cannot use artful pleading to avoid the MLIIA’s requirements when the essence of the suit is a health care liability claim.”).

Because the Friends do not challenge the court of appeals’ holding that their claims against Dr. Yamada are in part health care liability claims and based on facts covered by the TMLA, the question before us is whether claims based on the[*197] same facts can alternatively be maintained as ordinary negligence claims. We hold that they cannot.

Despite agreeing that the court of appeals correctly dismissed their health care liability claims based on the acts and omissions of Dr. Yamada, the Friends allege that his conduct can also be measured by ordinary standards of care as opposed to standards that require specific expertise in health care. But it would be hard to find a health care liability claim in which some action by the health care provider or physician arguably would not be within the common knowledge of jurors, and thus would support a claim for ordinary negligence. This case is a prime example of such a claim. The Friends assert that the same actions and omissions by Dr. Yamada are governed by both standards requiring expert testimony to establish — one of the factors that can be considered in determining whether a claim is a health care liability claim — and standards that do not require expert testimony.

The Friends reference other examples in their brief. In Institute for Women’s Health, P.L.L.C. v. Imad, 2006 WL 334013, 2006 Tex.App. Lexis 1182 (Tex.App.-San Antonio Feb. 15, 2006, no pet.), an embryologist dropped a tray of embryos and destroyed all of them except one. The Friends note their agreement with the holding that the claims against the embryologist were health care liability claims because the specific acts and omissions of the embryologist were an inseparable part of the health and medical transaction. But even though the carrying of the tray was an inseparable part of the health and medical services, the care required in carrying a tray of embryos without dropping it could have been asserted as ordinary negligence because the care required to carry a tray — whether one carrying embryos or something else such as a child’s lunch — is not generally outside the common knowledge of jurors.

The Friends also reference Valley Baptist Medical Center v. Azua, 198 S.W.3d 810 (Tex.App.-Corpus Christi 2006, no pet.). There a hospital employee was assisting a patient into a wheelchair. The employee allegedly failed to block the wheels of the wheelchair and the patient was injured when the wheelchair moved as the patient was attempting to sit in it. Id. at 814. It certainly could be argued, as Azua did, that expert testimony is not necessary to establish the need to secure a wheelchair so it will not move when an ill patient tries to sit down in it. Nevertheless, the Friends note their agreement with the court of appeals’ holding that the Azua’s claim, although pled as an ordinary negligence claim, was a health care liability claim. Id.

Clearly, particular actions or omissions underlying health care liability claims can be highlighted and alleged to be breaches of ordinary standards of care. But if the same underlying facts are allowed to give rise to both types of claims, then the TMLA and its procedures and limitations will effectively be negated. Plaintiffs will be able to entirely avoid application of the TMLA by carefully choosing the acts and omissions on which to base their claims and the language by which they assert the claims.

Our prior decisions are to the effect that if the gravamen or essence of a cause of action is a health care liability claim, then allowing the claim to be split or spliced into a multitude of other causes of action with differing standards of care, damages, and procedures would contravene the Legislature’s explicit requirements. Diversicare, 185 S.W.3d at 854. Those decisions dictate the outcome here. The Friends’ allegations that Dr. Yamada’s actions breached ordinary standards of care did[*198] not change either the substantive basis or the nature of the claims.

IV. Conclusion

Based on the unchallenged holding of the court of appeals that the Friends’ claims based on Dr. Yamada’s actions encompassed health care liability claims, all their claims should have been dismissed because they did not file an expert report. We affirm the court of appeals’ judgment to the extent it reversed the trial court’s order and dismissed some of the Friends’ claims. We reverse the court of appeals’ judgment to the extent it affirmed the trial court’s order denying Dr. Yamada’s motion to dismiss. Because Dr. Yamada requested his attorney’s fees and costs in the trial court under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code section 74.351(b)(1), we remand to that court with instructions to dismiss all the Friends’ claims against Dr. Yamada and consider his request for attorney’s fees and costs.

1

. Laura sued individually and as representative of Sarah's estate.

2

. Our decision makes it unnecessary to consider whether the court of appeals properly construed the TMLA's language regarding breaches of accepted standards of safety. It is also unnecessary to consider the effect, if any, of the lack of a doctor-patient relationship between Dr. Yamada and Sarah.