Narrative Opinion Summary
In a decision by the Texas Court of Appeals, Third District, the court addressed a case involving multiple appellants, including several dental practices, and cross-appellants from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and its officials. The appellate court reviewed a trial court judgment dated June 15, 2017. The primary legal issue revolved around the HHSC's plea to the jurisdiction concerning the claims filed by Harlingen Family Dentistry. The appellate court determined that the trial court erred in denying the HHSC's jurisdictional plea, consequently reversing the trial court's summary judgment on these claims. The appellate court rendered a judgment that granted the HHSC's plea to the jurisdiction, resulting in the dismissal of all claims by Harlingen Family Dentistry with prejudice. However, the appellate court affirmed the trial court's judgment on all other aspects of the case. The court further decreed that each party should bear their own costs incurred during the appeal, both at the appellate and trial court levels, thereby concluding the proceedings without assigning costs to any party.
Legal Issues Addressed
Allocation of Costs on Appealsubscribe to see similar legal issues
Application: The appellate court held that each party should bear their own costs incurred during the appeal process.
Reasoning: Each party was ordered to bear their own costs of appeal incurred in both the appellate court and the lower court.
Plea to the Jurisdictionsubscribe to see similar legal issues
Application: The appellate court found that the trial court incorrectly denied the plea to the jurisdiction filed by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission concerning Harlingen Family Dentistry's claims.
Reasoning: The court determined that the trial court erred by denying HHSC's plea to the jurisdiction concerning Harlingen Family Dentistry's claims.
Reversal of Summary Judgmentsubscribe to see similar legal issues
Application: The appellate court reversed the trial court's summary judgment regarding Harlingen Family Dentistry's claims, ruling in favor of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission’s jurisdictional plea.
Reasoning: Consequently, the court reversed the trial court's summary judgment regarding these claims and rendered a judgment that granted HHSC’s plea to the jurisdiction, dismissing all of Harlingen's claims with prejudice.