in Re Gonzalez Trucking S.A. DE C v. ( 2014 )


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  •                                  NUMBER 13-14-00222-CV
    COURT OF APPEALS
    THIRTEENTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS
    CORPUS CHRISTI - EDINBURG
    IN RE GONZALEZ TRUCKING S.A. DE C.V.
    On Petition for Writ of Mandamus.
    MEMORANDUM OPINION
    Before Justices Garza, Benavides, and Perkes
    Memorandum Opinion Per Curiam1
    This is a personal injury lawsuit that arose from a vehicular collision that occurred
    on the Texas side of the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge. By petition for writ of
    mandamus, Gonzalez Trucking S.A. de C.V. (“Gonzalez Trucking”), contends that the
    trial court abused its discretion in denying its motion to dismiss on forum non conveniens
    grounds and alternative motion for the application of foreign law. The Court requested
    and received a response to the petition for writ of mandamus from the real parties in
    1 See TEX. R. APP. P. 52.8(d) (“When denying relief, the court may hand down an opinion but is not
    required to do so. When granting relief, the court must hand down an opinion as in any other case.”); 
    Id. R. 47.4
    (distinguishing opinions and memorandum opinions).
    interest, Jose De La Rosa Lucio and Marta Elba Montoya, individually and as personal
    representatives of the estate of Gerardo de la Rosa Montoya, and has received a reply
    thereto from relator. Transportes Loro, S.A. de C.V. and Omar Estrada Adame filed a
    response to the petition for writ of mandamus stating that they “agree with and adopt fully
    by reference” the petition and join in Gonzalez Trucking’s request for relief.
    Mandamus is appropriate when the relator demonstrates that the trial court clearly
    abused its discretion and the relator has no adequate remedy by appeal. In re Reece,
    
    341 S.W.3d 360
    , 364 (Tex. 2011) (orig. proceeding); In re Prudential Ins. Co. of Am., 
    148 S.W.3d 124
    , 135–36 (Tex. 2004) (orig. proceeding). The relator has the burden of
    establishing both prerequisites to mandamus relief, and this burden is a heavy one. In re
    CSX Corp., 
    124 S.W.3d 149
    , 151 (Tex. 2003) (orig. proceeding). An appeal is not
    adequate when a motion to dismiss on forum non conveniens grounds is erroneously
    denied, so mandamus relief is available, if it is otherwise warranted. In re ENSCO
    Offshore Int’l Co., 
    311 S.W.3d 921
    , 923–24 (Tex. 2010) (orig. proceeding); In re Gen.
    Elec. Co., 
    271 S.W.3d 681
    , 685 (Tex. 2008) (orig. proceeding). In contrast, a choice of
    law ruling is an incidental ruling for which there is an adequate remedy by appeal. See
    In re W. Aircraft, Inc., 
    2 S.W.3d 382
    , 384 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1999, orig. proceeding
    [mand. denied]); Transportes Aereos Nacionales, S.A. v. Downey, 
    817 S.W.2d 393
    , 395
    (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1991, orig. proceeding [mand. dism’d]).
    The Court, having examined and fully considered the petition for writ of mandamus,
    the responses, and the reply, is of the opinion that Gonzalez Trucking has not met its
    burden to show itself entitled to the relief sought. Accordingly, we lift the stay that was
    previously imposed in this case. See TEX. R. APP. P. 52.10(b) (“Unless vacated or
    2
    modified, an order granting temporary relief is effective until the case is finally decided.”).
    We deny the petition for writ of mandamus. See TEX. R. APP. P. 52.8(a).
    PER CURIAM
    Delivered and filed the
    30th day of May, 2014.
    3