Rio Grande Valley Vein Clinic, P.A., D/B/A Rgv Vein Laser & Aesthetic Clinic v. Yvette Guerrero, 431 S.W.3d 64 (Tex. 2014). · Go Syfert
Rio Grande Valley Vein Clinic, P.A., D/B/A Rgv Vein Laser & Aesthetic Clinic v. Yvette Guerrero, 431 S.W.3d 64 (Tex. 2014). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
“even if, as guerrero now claims, a nurse performed the procedure, this does not prevent the existence of a physician-patient relationship.”
30 citation events (30 in the last 25 years) across 2 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Dana L. Plummer, Individually and as Surviving Parent of Madyson Tavia Plummer, and Ronald K. Plummer, Individually and as Surviving Parent of Madyson Tavia Plummer v. Kari G. Frano, D.O. and Kari G. Frano, D.O., P.A. (texapp, 2024-09-26)
Treatment trajectory · 2014 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
2014 2020 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 17 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Dana L. Plummer, Individually and as Surviving Parent of Madyson Tavia Plummer, and Ronald K. Plummer, Individually and as Surviving Parent of Madyson Tavia Plummer v. Kari G. Frano, D.O. and Kari G. Frano, D.O., P.A.
Tex. App. · 2024 · signal: accord · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
even if . . . a nurse performed the procedure, this does not prevent the existence of a physician- patient relationship.
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Lake Jackson Medical Spa, Ltd., Robert Yarish, and Jamie Gutzman v. Erika Gaytan (3×) also: Cited as authority (rule), Cited "see, e.g."
Tex. · 2022 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
even if, as guerrero now claims, a nurse performed the procedure, this does not prevent the existence of a physician-patient relationship.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Jalaram Med Spa, Inc. D/B/A Nita Med Spa v. Phillip Durbin (2×) also: Cited "see"
Tex. App. · 2023 · confidence medium
The supreme court has previously held that “completed forms for medical history, informed consent, and medical information disclosure[] indicat[e] [plaintiff] was a patient.” Rio Grande Valley Vein Clinic, P.A. v. Guerrero, 431 S.W.3d 64, 65 (Tex. 2014) (per curiam).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Terry L'Amber-Hope and American Medical Response, Inc. v. Tabitha Stewart
Tex. App. · 2022 · confidence medium
Rio Grande Valley Vein Clinic, P.A. v. Guerrero, 431 S.W.3d 64, 65 (Tex. 2014); see Tex. Civ.
cited Cited as authority (rule) East Texas Support Services, Inc. v. June Brown, Individually and as Representative of the Estate of James Brown
Tex. App. · 2021 · confidence medium
Rio Grande Valley Vein Clinic, P.A. v. Guerrero, 431 S.W.3d 64, 65 (Tex. 2014); see TEX.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Suzi G. Bishara v. Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth Inc., D/B/A Texas Health Harris Methodist, Hurst-Euless-Bedford
Tex. App. · 2021 · confidence medium
Rio Grande Valley Vein Clinic, P.A. v. Guerrero, 431 S.W.3d 64, 65 (Tex. 2014); see Tex. Civ.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Four J's Community Living Center, Inc. and Anthonia Uduma v. Patti J. Wagner, as Guardian of Jenny Ann Wagner, an Incapacitated Adult
Tex. App. · 2021 · confidence medium
Rio Grande Valley Vein Clinic, P.A. v. Guerrero, 431 S.W.3d 64, 65 (Tex. 2014); see TEX.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) City of Houston v. Najla Hussein and Asha Obeid
Tex. App. · 2020 · confidence medium
Thus, we consider three basic elements in determining whether a plaintiff’s claim constitutes a health care liability claim: (1) whether the defendant is a physician or health care provider; (2) whether the claim at issue concerns treatment, lack of treatment, or a departure from accepted standards of medical care, or health care, or safety, or professional or administrative services directly related to health care; and (3) whether the defendant’s act or omission complained of proximately caused the injury to the plaintiff.18 Rio Grande Valley Vein Clinic, P.A. v. Guerrero, 431 S.W.3d 64, …
cited Cited as authority (rule) Harris County Hospital District v. Nina McNew
Tex. App. · 2020 · confidence medium
Rio Grande Valley Vein Clinic, P.A. v. Guerrero, 431 S.W.3d 64, 65 (Tex. 2014) (per curiam).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Southeast Texas Cardiology Associates v. Doris Smith, Individually and as Representative of the Estate of Gill Smith
Tex. App. · 2019 · confidence medium
Luke’s Episcopal Hosp., 462 S.W.3d 496, 502 (Tex. 2015) (explaining that “the Legislature did not intend for the expert report requirement to apply to every claim for conduct that occurs in a health care context”). 13 Rio Grande Valley Vein Clinic, P.A. v. Guerrero, 431 S.W.3d 64, 65 (Tex. 2014) (quoting Tex. W.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Dr. Mathew Alexander, M.D., Individually and as President of South Texas Brain and Spine Center, and South Texas Brain and Spine Center v. Juan Garza
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
See, e.g., Loaisiga v. Cerda, 379 S.W.3d 248, 258 (Tex. 2012) (when making determination of whether claim is for health care liability, “courts should consider the entire court record, including the pleadings, motions and responses, and relevant evidence properly admitted.”); Rio Grande Valley Vein REPLY BRIEF OF APPELLANT PAGE 6 Clinic, P.A. v. Guerrero, 431 S.W.3d 64, 65 (Tex. 2014) (looking not only at allegations in petition but documentation in evidence showing that plaintiff completed forms for medical history, informed consent, and medical information disclosure, indicating she was …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Dr. Matthew Alexander, M.D., Individually and as President of South Texas Brain and Spine Center And South Texas Brain and Spine Center v. Darlene Garza
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
See, e.g., Loaisiga v. Cerda, 379 S.W.3d 248, 258 (Tex. 2012) (when making determination of whether claim is for health care liability, “courts should consider the entire court record, including the pleadings, motions and responses, and relevant evidence properly admitted.”); Rio Grande Valley Vein REPLY BRIEF OF APPELLANT PAGE 6 Clinic, P.A. v. Guerrero, 431 S.W.3d 64, 65 (Tex. 2014) (looking not only at allegations in petition but documentation in evidence showing that plaintiff completed forms for medical history, informed consent, and medical information disclosure, indicating she was …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) State v. Emeritus Corporation (2×) also: Cited "see, e.g."
Tex. App. · 2015 · confidence medium
Rio Grande Valley Vein Clinic, PA. v. Guerrero, 431 S.W.3d 64, 65 (Tex.2014); Tex. W.
cited Cited "see" Village Green Alzheimer's Care Home, LLC D/B/A/ Village Green Alzheimer's Care Home v. Norma Graves by and Through James Graves Pursuant to a General Power of Attorney
Tex. App. · 2021 · signal: see · confidence high
See Rio Grande Valley Vein Clinic, P.A. v. Guerrero, 431 S.W.3d 64, 65 (Tex. 2014) (per curiam); Ortiz v. St.
discussed Cited "see" 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) (2×)
Tex. App. · 2015 · signal: see · confidence high
See Rio Grande Valley Vein Clinic, P.A. v. Guerrero, 431 S.W.3d 64, 65 (Tex. 2014) (concluding this rebuttable presumption applied to a plaintiff’s claim when she asserted she was injured while receiving laser hair removal care or treatment); Monson, 390 S.W.3d at 601 .
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Mary Lou Ortiz, Joanne Ortiz and Jesus Ortiz v. St. Teresa Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, LLC
Tex. App. · 2019 · signal: see also · confidence medium
Id; see also Rio Grande Valley Vein Clinic, P.A. v. Guerrero, 431 S.W.3d 64, 65 (Tex. 2014)(per curiam)(patient failed to rebut presumption that injury caused by hair removal procedure was a health care liability claim).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Matthew D. Barrow, M.D., P.A. v. Suzette Carnes
Tex. App. · 2014 · signal: see also · confidence medium
Prac. & Rem.Code Ann. § 74.001(a)(13); see also Rio Grande Valley Vein Clinic, P.A., d/b/a RGV Vein Laser & Aesthetic Clinic v. Guerrero, 431 S.W.3d 64, 66 (Tex.2014) (per curiam); Bioderm, 426 S.W.3d at 759 .
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
RIO GRANDE VALLEY VEIN CLINIC, P.A., D/B/A RGV Vein Laser & Aesthetic Clinic, Petitioner,
v.
Yvette GUERRERO, Respondent
12-0843.
Texas Supreme Court.
Apr 25, 2014.
431 S.W.3d 64
Steven M. Gonzalez, Gonzalez Palacios LLP, Criselda Palacios, McAllen, Diana L. Faust, Kyle M. Burke, R. Brent Cooper, Cooper & Scully, P.C., Dallas, TX, for Petitioner., Carlos Escobar, Escobar Law Firm, PLLC, McAllen, Gilberto Hinojosa, Law Offices of Gilberto, Hinojosa & Associates, P.C., Brownsville, TX, for Respondent.
Per Curiam.
Cited by 17 opinions  |  Published
PER CURIAM.

In Bioderm Skin Care, LLC v. Sok, we held that a claim for improper laser hair removal is a health care liability claim because expert health care testimony was necessary to prove or refute the claim that the procedure was performed improperly. 426 S.W.3d 753, 760 (Tex.2014). Specifically, we concluded expert health care testimony was needed because federal regulations restrict the laser to supervised use in a medical practice, and the claimant there[*65] did not rebut the presumption that her claim was a health care liability claim.

Likewise, here we conclude the claimant has not rebutted the presumption that her claim for improper laser hair removal is a health care liability claim. The laser used in this case is subject to the same federal regulations discussed in Bioderm. Because the claimant has not rebutted the presumption, her failure to serve an expert report precludes her suit against a health care provider and physician. And because the trial court denied the defendant’s motion to dismiss and the court of appeals affirmed, we reverse the court of appeals’ judgment and remand for the trial court to dismiss the claim.

Yvette Guerrero alleges she suffered burns and scarring on her face, chin, and neck while receiving laser hair removal treatments at the Rio Grande Valley Vein Clinic, P.A., d/b/a RGV Vein Laser & Aesthetic Clinic (RGV Clinic) in October 2008. In October 2010, she sued the RGV Clinic for negligence. In its answer, the clinic expressly asserted that the Medical Liability Act applied to limit Guerrero’s recovery. After 120 days had passed, the RGV Clinic moved to dismiss and requested its attorney’s fees and costs because Guerrero had not served an expert report as required by the Medical Liability Act for health care liability claims. The trial court denied the motion to dismiss, and a divided panel of the court of appeals affirmed. 426 S.W.3d 753, 757. The dissent would have concluded the claim is a health care liability claim, and that disagreement on a question of law material to the disposition of the case confers jurisdiction on this Court over this interlocutory appeal. Tex. Gov’t Code §§ 22.001(a)(1), 22.225(c).

Under the Medical Liability Act, a health care liability claim must satisfy three elements:

(1) a physician or health care provider must be a defendant; (2) the claim or claims at issue must concern treatment, lack of treatment, or a departure from accepted standards of medical care, or health care, or safety or professional or administrative services directly related to health care; and (3) the defendant’s act or omission complained of must proximately cause the injury to the claimant.

Tex. W. Oaks Hosp., LP v. Williams, 371 S.W.3d 171, 179-80 (Tex.2012) (citing Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem.Code § 74.001(a)(13)). Additionally, the Medical Liability Act “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 v. Cerda, 379 S.W.3d 248, 252 (Tex.2012).

Guerrero does not dispute that, as a professional association, the RGV Clinic is a health care provider and physician. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem.Code § 74.001(a)(12)(A) (defining “health care provider” to include a professional association); id. § 74.001(a)(23)(B) (defining “physician” to include a professional association). Additionally, Guerrero alleges her injury was caused due to the care she received for laser hair removal from the RGV Clinic. And she completed forms for medical history, informed consent, and medical information disclosure, indicating she was a patient. Because she asserts she was injured while receiving care or treatment from a health care provider and physician, the rebuttable presumption that Guerrero’s claim is a health care liability claim applies. Loaisiga, 379 S.W.3d at 252.

We next determine whether Guerrero has rebutted the presumption. The parties agree the first element of a health care liability claim is satisfied be[*66] cause the RGV Clinic is a health care provider and physician. And the third element is satisfied because the clinic’s care or treatment of Guerrero allegedly caused her injury. Thus, Guerrero may only rebut the presumption that her claim is-a health care liability claim by proving her claim does not constitute an alleged departure from accepted standards of medical or health care. TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE § 74.001(a)(13); Loaisiga, 379 S.W.3d at 252; Tex. W. Oaks, 371 S.W.3d at 179-80. As explained below, Guerrero has not rebutted this presumption because expert health care testimony is necessary to prove or refute the merits of her claim.

The Medical Liability Act defines health care as “any act or treatment performed or furnished, or that should have been performed or furnished, by any health care provider for, to, or on behalf of a patient during the patient’s medical care, treatment, or confinement.” Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem.Code § 74.001(a)(10). In Texas West Oaks, we held that if expert medical or health care testimony is necessary to prove or refute accepted standards of medical or health care and their breach, the claim is a health care liability claim. 371 S.W.3d at 182.

Expert health care testimony is necessary to prove or refute Guerrero’s claim against a health care provider and physician because, as we recently held in Bio-derm, federal regulations provide that the laser used in the procedure here may only be acquired by a licensed medical professional for supervised use in her medical practice. 426 S.W.3d at 762. The United States Food and Drug Administration classifies the pulsed dye laser used for Guerrero’s treatment as a Class II surgical device, 21 C.F.R. § 878.4810(b)(1), the use of which federal regulations specify is “not safe except under the supervision of a practitioner licensed by law to direct the use of such device, and ... to be sold only to or on the prescription or other order of such practitioner for use in the course of his professional practice,” id. § 801.109(a)(2). Moreover, federal regulation of this restricted surgical device indicates that its proper operation is not plainly within the common knowledge of laypersons. See Bioderm, 426 S.W.3d at 762. Because the RGV Clinic’s laser is a regulated surgical device that may only be acquired by a licensed medical practitioner for supervised use in her medical practice, the testimony of a licensed medical practitioner is required to prove or refute Guerrero’s claim that use of the device departed from accepted standards of health care. See id.; Tex. W. Oaks, 371 S.W.3d at 182-83.

Guerrero responds that a physician-patient relationship is required if the suit is for claimed departures from accepted standards of medical or health care, and that— because she was treated by a nurse rather than a physician—there was no physician-patient relationship. As an initial matter, Guerrero informed the trial court at the hearing on the motion to dismiss that a physician performed the procedure. Even if, as Guerrero now claims, a nurse performed the procedure, this does not prevent the existence of a physician-patient relationship. As we observed in Bioderm, a physician-patient relationship can exist even in circumstances in which the physician deals indirectly with the patient. 371 S.W.3d at 759 n. 9. Additionally, the RGV Clinic is a professional association, which the Medical Liability Act defines as a physician. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem.Code § 74.001(a)(23)(B). Thus, Guerrero’s argument that no physician-patient relationship existed fails, and Guerrero’s claim is a health care liability claim.

[*67] In 2009, the Legislature enacted a statute regulating laser hair removal facilities and technicians that expressly provides that laser hair removal constitutes the practice of medicine. Tex. Health & Safety Code § 401.521 (providing that one who violates the statutory restrictions on requirements for performing laser hair removal is “practicing medicine” in an unauthorized manner). We need not determine whether this statute applies to Guerrero’s suit because her claim is a health care liability claim even without its operation.

In sum, we conclude the rebuttable presumption that Guerrero’s claim is a health care liability claim applies because she is suing a health care provider and physician over facts implicating her care or treatment. Further, expert health care testimony is needed to prove or refute her claim that the RGV Clinic breached the appropriate standard of care, and therefore Guerrero has not rebutted the presumption. Accordingly, pursuant to Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 59. 1, we grant the petition for review and, without hearing oral argument, reverse the court of appeals’ judgment and remand to the trial court to consider the RGV Clinic’s request for attorney’s fees and costs.