Truman Arnold Companies v. Hammond and Consultants Enterprises, Inc. ( 2010 )

NO. 12-09-00099-CV
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT
TYLER, TEXAS
TRUMAN ARNOLD COMPANIES, § APPEAL FROM THE 217TH
APPELLANT
V. § JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT
HAMMOND AND CONSULTANTS
ENTERPRISES, INC.,
APPELLEE § ANGELINA COUNTY, TEXAS
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Truman Arnold Companies appeals the trial court‟s judgment entered in favor of Hammond
and Consultants Enterprises, Inc. Truman Arnold raises seven issues on appeal. We modify in part,
and affirm as modified.
BACKGROUND
Hammond and Truman Arnold entered into a contract pursuant to which Hammond assisted
Truman Arnold in its efforts to obtain grocery store chains as customers for its gasoline and Truman
Arnold paid Hammond commissions based on sales made to customers brought to it by Hammond.
Initially, the contract provided that Hammond would receive 0.003 cents per gallon of gasoline
Truman Arnold sold to one of Hammond‟s customers. But soon thereafter, the parties modified the
contract to provide that Hammond‟s commission was one-half the net profit from every gallon of
gasoline sold to one of its customers.1
1
The parties disagree concerning the exact wording of the modification. Although Truman Arnold claims the
modification was made in writing, the record contains no evidence of this written modification. Thus, while the parties
agree that the contract was modified to provide that Hammond‟s commission was changed to one-half of the net profit,
they disagree on the method to be utilized in calculating net profit.
In sum, a Hammond customer was a customer that Hammond contacted and put in touch
with Truman Arnold. Truman Arnold determined the price that it would charge the customer for
gasoline. If Truman Arnold ultimately sold the customer gasoline, Hammond was entitled to
one-half the net profits from the sale. If, for any reason, Truman Arnold chose not to sell the
customer gasoline, then Hammond was not entitled to receive a commission.
After several years, Hammond concluded that Truman Arnold was not paying all the
commissions owed to it pursuant to the contract. Hammond and Truman Arnold had several
meetings regarding this dispute. Eventually, Truman Arnold informed Hammond to hire an
attorney if it wanted to be paid. In response, Hammond filed the instant suit for breach of contract.
The matter proceeded to a jury trial. Ultimately, the jury found that (1) Truman Arnold
breached its contract with Hammond, (2) Hammond suffered damages of $12,875.00 from 1997
through 1999, damages of $324,568.00 from 2000 through 2008, and future damages of
$498,245.00, and (3) Hammond incurred attorney‟s fees of $89,973.00 through trial, would incur
$10,000.00 more in attorney‟s fees in an appeal to the court of appeals, and would incur $7,500.00
more in attorney‟s fees in an appeal to the Supreme Court of Texas. The trial court rendered
judgment in accordance with the jury‟s verdict. This appeal followed.
STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS
In its third issue, Truman Arnold argues that some of Hammond‟s claims for commissions
are barred by the applicable four year statute of limitations.2 Hammond contends that Truman
Arnold failed to obtain a jury finding regarding its affirmative defense of limitations.
Applicable Law
Breach of contract claims must be brought “not later than four years after the day the cause
of action accrues.” TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN. § 16.004 (Vernon 2002). To bar a suit
based on limitations, the party asserting limitations must establish the applicability of the limitations
statute and the date on which the opponent‟s cause of action accrued. See Davis Apparel v. Gale-
2
In its brief, Truman Arnold argues that Hammond‟s claims for commissions due from 1997 through
March 30, 2000, are barred by limitations. However, at oral argument, Truman Arnold clarified its position.
Specifically, Truman Arnold stated that it contends Hammond‟s claims for commissions due from 1997 to 1999 are
barred by limitations, but does not assert that Hammond‟s claims relating to commissions due from 2000 through 2008
are similarly time barred.
2
Sobel, 117 S.W.3d 15, 17 (Tex. App.–Eastland 2003, no pet.). A breach of contract cause of action
generally accrues when the contract is breached. See Slusser v. Union Bankers Ins. Co., 72
S.W.3d 713, 717 (Tex. App.–Eastland 2002, no pet.). However, the discovery rule may serve to
delay the commencement of the limitations period for a breach of contract action. See Barker v.
Eckman, 213 S.W.3d 306, 311–12 (Tex. 2005). For the discovery rule to apply, the nature of the
injury must be inherently undiscoverable and the injury must be objectively verifiable. See id. at
312.
When the contract requires fixed, periodic payments, a separate cause of action accrues
each time a payment is missed. Slusser, 72 S.W.3d at 717. Similarly, when payment for
commissions earned is made in the wrong amount, the claim for the unpaid amount accrues at the
time the commission payment was due. See Kardell v. Union Bankers Ins. Co., No. 05-01-00662-
CV, 2002 WL 1809867, at *3–4 (Tex. App.–Dallas Aug. 8, 2002, no pet.). As such, it has been
held that claims for additional commissions are not inherently undiscoverable. See Slusser, 72
S.W.3d at 718. Thus, a claimant can recover any unpaid commissions that became due within the
limitations period, but commissions due outside the limitations period are barred. Spin Doctor
Golf, Inc. v. Paymentech, L.P., 296 S.W.3d 354, 363 (Tex. App.–Dallas 2009, pet. denied).
When the fact issues relevant to a limitations issue are established as a matter of law, the
party asserting limitations is not required to obtain fact findings. Barker, 213 S.W.3d at 310.
Additionally, when a party attempts to use the discovery rule to avoid limitations, the party seeking
to benefit from the discovery rule has the burden of obtaining findings to support its application. Id.
Analysis
In the case at hand, Truman Arnold introduced into evidence Hammond‟s original petition
filed on March 31, 2004. Truman Arnold also pleaded as an affirmative defense that Hammond‟s
damages sought were barred by limitations. Thus, Truman Arnold argued at trial that the jury
should not be asked about damages incurred by Hammond from 1997 through 1999.
Truman Arnold‟s third issue turns on the timing of Hammond‟s commissions. We look to
the parties‟ contract to determine whether the parties addressed the timing of these payments.3 The
3
In construing a written contract, the primary concern of the court is to ascertain the true intentions of the
parties as expressed in the instrument. Coker v. Coker, 650 S.W.2d 391, 393 (Tex. 1983). To achieve this objective,
courts should examine and consider the entire writing in an effort to harmonize and give effect to all the provisions of
the contract so that none will be rendered meaningless. Id. If the written instrument is so worded that it can be given a
3
original written contract between the parties states, in pertinent part, that “[Truman Arnold] agrees
to remit compensation on a _______ (Monthly) basis to [Hammond].” The method of determining
compensation was later modified. But no evidence was presented that the timing of payment
changed. Further, we note that the blank space before “(Monthly)” was not filled in. However, the
parties‟ omission of additional language indicating the number of times per month Hammond
should be compensated does not serve to render this section of the contract ambiguous. Based on
our reading of the contract, Truman Arnold was required to make commission payments to
Hammond on a monthly basis. Consequently, any commission payments Hammond earned from
1997 through 1999 had become due, and any cause of action related to those commission payments
accrued more than four years before suit was filed. Accordingly, we hold that Truman Arnold
presented sufficient evidence to establish that Hammond‟s claims for compensation due between
1997 through 1999 were barred as a matter of law by limitations. Because the claims were barred
as a matter of law, no jury question was necessary on the issue. See Barker, 213 S.W.3d at 310.
Truman Arnold‟s third issue is sustained in part and overruled in part. Accordingly, the damage
award for compensation due between 1997 through 1999 should be reduced from $12,875.00 to
$0.00.
EXPERT WITNESS TESTIMONY
In its second issue, Truman Arnold argues that the testimony of Hammond‟s expert witness,
Robert Bailes, should have been excluded.
Applicable Law
Generally, the admission and exclusion of evidence is committed to the sound discretion of
the trial court. See Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp. v. Malone, 972 S.W.2d 35, 43 (Tex. 1998); see
also Gee v. Liberty Mut. Fire Ins. Co., 765 S.W.2d 394, 396 (Tex. 1989). The trial court's decision
to admit or exclude expert testimony is reviewed for abuse of discretion. Gammill v. Jack Williams
Chevrolet, Inc., 972 S.W.2d 713, 718 (Tex. 1998). “The test for abuse of discretion is whether the
certain or definite legal meaning or interpretation, then it is not ambiguous, and the court will construe the contract as a
matter of law. Id. We give terms their plain, ordinary, and generally accepted meaning unless the instrument shows
that the parties used the terms in a technical or different sense. See Birnbaum v. SWEPI LP, 48 S.W.3d 254, 257 (Tex.
App.–San Antonio 2001, pet. denied).
4
trial court acted without reference to any guiding rules or principles.” E.I. du Pont de Nemours &
Co. v. Robinson, 923 S.W.2d 549, 556 (Tex. 1995).
Rule 702 contains three requirements for the admission of expert testimony: (1) the witness
must be qualified, (2) the proposed testimony must be scientific, technical, or other specialized
knowledge, and (3) the testimony must assist the trier of fact to understand the evidence or to
determine a fact in issue. See TEX. R. EVID. 702; see also Robinson, 923 S.W.2d at 556. In order
to constitute the type of knowledge that will assist the trier of fact, the proposed testimony must also
be relevant and reliable. Id. The trial court is responsible for making the preliminary determination
of whether the proffered testimony meets the standards. Id. Rule 702's language makes no
pertinent distinction between “scientific” knowledge and “technical” or “other specialized”
knowledge. See Kumho Tire Co. v. Carmichael, 526 U.S. 137, 147, 119 S. Ct. 1167, 1174, 143 L.
Ed. 2d 238 (1999). Thus, any knowledge of these types might become the subject of expert
testimony. See id., 526 U.S. at 147, 119 S. Ct. at 1174.
To be relevant, the proposed testimony must be “sufficiently tied to the facts of the case that
it will aid the jury in resolving a factual dispute.” Robinson, 923 S.W.2d at 556 (quoting United
States v. Downing, 753 F.2d 1224, 1242 (3d Cir. 1985)). Additionally, any evidence that is not
grounded “in the methods and procedures of science” is no more than “subjective belief or
unsupported speculation.” Robinson, 923 S.W.2d at 557 (citing Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharms.,
Inc., 509 U.S. 579, 590, 113 S. Ct. 2786, 2795, 125 L. Ed. 2d 469 (1993)). Unreliable evidence is
of no assistance to the trier of fact and is therefore inadmissible under rule 702. Id. A claim will
not stand or fall on the mere allegation of a credentialed witness. See Burrow v. Arce, 997 S.W.2d
229, 235 (Tex. 1999).
There are many factors that a trial court may consider in making the threshold determination
of admissibility under rule 702. Robinson, 923 S.W.2d at 557. These factors include (1) the extent
to which the theory has been or can be tested; (2) the extent to which the technique relies upon the
subjective interpretation of the expert; (3) whether the theory has been subjected to peer review
and/or publication; (4) the technique's potential rate of error; (5) whether the underlying theory or
technique has been generally accepted as valid by the relevant scientific community; and (6) the
nonjudicial uses that have been made of the theory or technique. Id. Additionally, “[a] court may
conclude that there is simply too great an analytical gap between the data and the opinion
5
proffered.” Gammill, 972 S.W.2d at 726 (quoting Gen. Elec. Co. v. Joiner, 522 U.S. 136, 118 S.
Ct. 512, 139 L. Ed. 2d 508 (1997)). A Daubert inquiry must be “tied to the facts” of the particular
case. See Kumho Tire Co., 526 U.S. at 149, 119 S. Ct. at 1175 (quoting Daubert, 509 U.S. at 594,
113 S. Ct. at 2786).
Analysis
In the instant case, Bailes carefully and specifically stated that he was not offering any
expert opinions regarding Hammond‟s future damages. Rather, according to Bailes, he performed
calculations extending the alleged damages sustained to date into the future and performed
calculations discounting those numbers to present day dollars. But Bailes opined only about the
value of Hammond‟s past lost commissions.
Truman Arnold argues that Bailes‟s testimony is flawed because he used the income and
expenses for the entire division to determine an average profit per gallon of gasoline sold. From
that figure, Bailes determined Hammond‟s lost commissions by multiplying the average profit per
gallon of gasoline sold by the number of gallons sold to Hammond‟s customers and dividing that
number by two. Truman Arnold argues that Bailes should have used the gross profit numbers
provided by Truman Arnold for Hammond‟s customers, subtracted thirty-five points, or 0.0035
cents, per gallon as expenses, and divided that number by two. We disagree.
First, it is apparent that Hammond was skeptical concerning the accuracy of the figures
provided by Truman Arnold. Truman Arnold did not produce documentation to establish the
accuracy of its gross profit figures. The record further reflects that if Truman Arnold could not
make money selling gasoline to a customer, it stopped selling to that customer. Further, Hammond
had a duty to bring the customer to Truman Arnold, but it was Truman Arnold‟s obligation to
negotiate any sales. As a result, Truman Arnold determined whether it would sell to a customer and
at what price.
Moreover, the records Truman Arnold produced indicate unusual profit margins.
Repeatedly, the figures indicate sales of millions of gallons of gasoline, which resulted in profit
margins per gallon of gasoline sold that were much lower than the average per gallon of gasoline
sold throughout the division. For instance, with regard to sales of more than 2.7 million gallons of
gasoline to Brush Grocery from 2002 through 2005, the gross profit was only $13,211.25. For sales
of more than 4 million gallons of gasoline to HEB from 2000 through 2005, the gross profit was
6
only $11,440.56. And perhaps most unusual, for sales of more than 100 million gallons of gasoline
to KVAT Food from 2003 through 2005, the gross profit was only $222,151.49, a margin less than
the thirty-five points per gallon that Truman Arnold alleged constituted its expenses per gallon.
Second, Truman Arnold complains that Hammond‟s skepticism concerning its gross profit
figures should have resulted in a discovery dispute rather than Hammond‟s expert witness‟s relying
on division wide figures to calculate gross profits. However, Hammond did, in fact, seek more
specific information by requesting in discovery Truman Arnold‟s records concerning the total
gallons sold, profits, and expenses on Hammond‟s claimed customers. Truman Arnold objected
that these requests were overly broad and unduly burdensome. Hammond filed a motion to compel,
which the trial court granted in part. Only then did Truman Arnold produce additional information.
The record is not clear whether Truman Arnold withheld additional reports relevant to Hammond‟s
claimed damages or if no additional information existed.
Even still, Hammond concluded that the reports produced by Truman Arnold contained
inconsistencies. Hammond addressed these inconsistencies and obtained additional, more accurate
reports from Truman Arnold. Thus, Hammond made efforts to have reliable information on which
to base its damages calculations.
Third, Truman Arnold‟s preferred method of calculating net profits on Hammond‟s claimed
clients ignores the existence of a large income stream. From its gasoline sales, Truman Arnold
received rebates and credits. From 2000 through 2008, those rebates and credits amounted to
millions of dollars in additional profits to Truman Arnold. Because the sales to Hammond‟s
claimed customers contributed to a portion of Trumon Arnold‟s receipt of these additional profits,
Bailes opined that this income stream should be considered. Because these profits were not tied to
individual clients, the only method to include this additional income stream was to calculate the
profits based on the average profit from the entire division.
Finally, Truman Arnold admits that the net profits could be only estimates. Yet Truman
Arnold argues that using its gross profit figures for Hammond‟s claimed clients, subtracting thirty-
five points per gallon of gasoline sold, and dividing that number by two more closely approximates
Hammond‟s alleged lost commissions than Bailes‟s method. However, Truman Arnold‟s method is
no less an estimate of Hammond‟s alleged lost commissions. Hammond should not be denied
recovery simply because the exact amount of its damages is incapable of ascertainment. See Vance
7
v. My Apartment Steak House of San Antonio, Inc., 677 S.W.2d 480, 484 (Tex. 1984). It follows
that Bailes‟s opinion regarding Hammond‟s damages should not be excluded simply because the
exact amount of Hammond‟s damages is incapable of ascertainment.
In sum, Bailes estimated Hammond‟s lost commissions. But calculating these commissions
by obtaining a division wide average net profit per gallon and dividing that number by two does not
result in such a great analytical gap between the data and the opinion proffered that the trial court‟s
decision to allow his testimony to amount to a clear abuse of discretion. See Gammill, 972 S.W.2d
at 726. Accordingly, we hold that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in allowing Bailes to
provide his expert opinion concerning Hammond‟s damages suffered from 2000 through 2008.
Truman Arnold‟s second issue is overruled.
EVIDENTIARY SUFFICIENCY
In its first issue, Truman Arnold argues that the evidence supporting Hammond‟s award of
damages is both legally and factually insufficient.
Standard of Review
A party who challenges the legal sufficiency of the evidence to support an issue upon which
it did not have the burden of proof at trial must demonstrate on appeal that there is no evidence to
support the adverse finding. Bright v. Addison, 171 S.W.3d 588, 595 (Tex. App.–Dallas 2005, pet.
denied). When reviewing a challenge to the legal sufficiency of the evidence, we must determine
“whether the evidence at trial would enable reasonable and fair minded people to reach the verdict
under review.” City of Keller v. Wilson, 168 S.W.3d 802, 827 (Tex. 2005). In making this
determination, we must credit favorable evidence if a reasonable finder of fact could, and disregard
contrary evidence unless a reasonable finder of fact could not. Id. The finder of fact is the sole
judge of the credibility of the witnesses and the weight to be assigned to their testimony. See Canal
Ins. Co. v. Hopkins, 238 S.W.3d 549, 557 (Tex. App.–Tyler 2007, pet. denied) (citing City of
Keller, 168 S.W.3d at 819). The finder of fact is free to believe one witness and disbelieve another,
and reviewing courts may not impose their own opinions to the contrary. Id. Accordingly, we must
assume that the finder of fact decided all credibility questions in favor of the findings if a reasonable
person could do so. Id. If a reasonable finder of fact could have done so, we must further assume
8
that the finder of fact chose what testimony to disregard in a way that favored the findings. See
Canal, 238 S.W.3d at 557 (citing City of Keller, 168 S.W.3d at 820).
When considering a challenge to the factual sufficiency of the evidence, we examine the
entire record to determine whether a finding is clearly wrong and unjust. See Kinder Morgan N.
Tex. Pipeline, L.P. v. Justiss, 202 S.W.3d 427, 437 (Tex. App.–Texarkana 2006, no pet.). We must
consider and weigh all of the evidence, not just the evidence that supports the verdict. See Mar.
Overseas Corp. v. Ellis, 971 S.W.2d 402, 407 (Tex. 1998). We can set aside the verdict only if it is
so contrary to the overwhelming weight of the evidence that the verdict is clearly wrong and unjust.
Id.; Cain v. Bain, 709 S.W.2d 175, 176 (Tex. 1986). This court is not a fact finder. See Justiss,
202 S.W.3d at 437. Accordingly, we may not pass on the witnesses‟ credibility or substitute our
judgment for that of the fact finder, even if the evidence would clearly support a different result.
See Golden Eagle Archery, Inc. v. Jackson, 116 S.W.3d 757, 761 (Tex. 2003); Ellis, 971 S.W.2d at
407. If we find the evidence is factually insufficient, we must clearly state why the finding is
insufficient or is so against the great weight and preponderance of the evidence as to be manifestly
unjust. Pool v. Ford Motor Co., 715 S.W.2d 629, 635 (Tex. 1986).
Lost Profits
Proof of damages based on lost profits does not require that the lost profits be susceptible to
exact calculation. See Helena Chem. Co. v. Wilkins, 47 S.W.3d 486, 504 (Tex. 2001). However,
the lost profits must be supported by competent evidence and demonstrated with reasonable
certainty. See id. In determining whether the losses have been shown with reasonable certainty, we
conduct a fact intensive analysis and require, at a minimum, that the losses be based on objective
facts, figures, or data. See id.
Damages based on anticipated future lost profits cannot be recovered if they are dependent
on uncertain and changing conditions, including market fluctuations, or if there is no evidence from
which they may be intelligently estimated. Tex. Instruments, Inc. v. Teletron Energy Mgmt., Inc.,
877 S.W.2d 276, 279 (Tex. 1994) (quoting Sw. Battery Corp. v. Owen, 131 Tex. 423, 115 S.W.2d
1097, 1098–99 (1938)). Evidence of past profits coupled with other facts and circumstances may
establish lost profits with reasonable certainty. See Helena Chem., 47 S.W.3d at 505.
2000–2008 Damages
9
We have previously held that the trial court properly admitted Bailes‟s testimony on past
damages. Yet, even had we not considered Bailes‟s testimony, the result would not differ. Truman
Arnold argues that Hammond‟s commissions were to be figured by first determining the gross
profits from the sales of gasoline to Hammond‟s customers and deducting thirty-five points or
0.0035 cents per gallon. Hammond‟s commission was to be one-half of the resulting number.
Hammond‟s exhibits 8 and 9 provided the jury with Truman Arnold‟s figures for gross profit and
gallons of gasoline sold for the claimed Hammond customers. Consequently, the jury had the
information necessary to perform Truman Arnold‟s preferred calculations. In performing those
calculations, the jury could have awarded Hammond more than one million dollars in damages, but
chose instead to award him $324,568.00. As such, we conclude that there is legally sufficient
evidence to support the jury‟s award of damages to Hammond for 2000 through 2008.
Moreover, we have reviewed the entirety of the record and have considered and weighed all
of the evidence. Having done so, we have not determined that any evidence tending to contradict
the evidence supporting the jury‟s findings is of such character so as to cause us to conclude that the
jury‟s award of damages for 2000 through 2008 is clearly wrong and unjust. Thus, we hold that the
evidence is factually sufficient to support the jury‟s award of these damages.
Future Damages
Turning to the jury‟s award of future damages, we again note that Bailes carefully explained
that he was not offering an opinion regarding future damages. Bailes explained that he performed
calculations based on Hammond‟s alleged lost profits from 2008, but had no opinion concerning
whether those damages would occur in the future. Instead, he stated that the figures were provided
so that the jury would have the present value of the future damages if it determined that an award of
future damages was warranted.
Hammond testified that Truman Arnold‟s conduct would continue to cause him damages in
the future. However, Hammond did not offer an opinion concerning the amount of damages that he
would suffer in the future as a result of Truman Arnold‟s actions. Instead, Hammond, through
Bailes‟s testimony, extended the damage calculation for 2008 into the future for what Hammond
admitted was an “arbitrary” number of years. Hammond offered evidence that his customers were
still purchasing gasoline from Truman Arnold. But there is no testimony from any of these
customers establishing that any of them intended to purchase gasoline from Truman Arnold in the
10
future. Further, no evidence was presented regarding the estimated amount of gasoline that would
be purchased in the future or the estimated net profits that Truman Arnold would receive from such
sales. Based on our review of the record in the light most favorable to the jury‟s verdict, we
conclude that the evidence is not legally sufficient to support the jury‟s award of future damages.
Holding
Truman Arnold‟s first issue is sustained with regard to the jury‟s award of future damages4
and overruled with regard to the jury‟s award of damages from 2000 through 2008. Accordingly,
the damage award for future damages should be reduced from $498,245.00 to $0.00.
JURY CHARGE
In its fourth and fifth issues, Truman Arnold contends that the trial court erred in refusing to
include two proposed instructions in its charge. Truman Arnold requested that the charge include
the following instructions:
You are instructed that Truman Arnold Companies breached its agreement with Hammond and
Consultants Enterprises, Inc. with respect to a customer if:
Hammond and Consultants Enterprises, Inc. was the procuring cause of a sale, if any, by Truman
Arnold Companies to that customer; and
Truman Arnold Companies failed to pay commissions to Hammond and Consultants Enterprises, Inc.
on that sale.
….
Consider the following elements of damages, if any, and none other:
Unpaid commissions, if any, equal to one-half of the net profit to Truman Arnold Companies on Sales
for which Hammond and Consultants Enterprises, Inc. was the procuring cause.
A trial court's refusal to include an instruction in the court‟s charge is reviewed under an
abuse of discretion standard. See Magro v. Ragsdale Bros., Inc., 721 S.W.2d 832, 836 (Tex. 1986).
To establish an abuse of discretion, the requested instructions must be necessary to enable the jury
to render a proper verdict so that the court‟s refusal probably caused the rendition of an improper
4
Because we have held that the evidence is legally insufficient to support the jury‟s award of future damages,
we need not consider Truman Arnold‟s argument concerning the factual sufficiency of the evidence. See TEX. R. APP.
P. 47.1.
11
verdict. Pitts v. Sabine River Auth. of Tex., 107 S.W.3d 811, 819 (Tex. App.–Texarkana 2003, pet.
denied). A trial court is required to submit a jury question if it controls the disposition of the case,
is raised by the pleadings and evidence, and properly submits the disputed issues for the jury's
determination. Id. at 820. When a trial court refuses a requested jury instruction, we examine
whether the instruction was reasonably necessary to enable the jury to render a proper verdict. See
TEX. R. CIV. P. 277; Cleaver v. Cundiff, 203 S.W.3d 373, 379 (Tex. App.–Eastland 2006, pet.
denied). Because the jury should not be burdened with surplus instructions, not every correct
statement of the law belongs in the jury charge. Cleaver, 203 S.W.3d at 379.
The two instructions Truman Arnold requested are similar because they each contain the
term “procuring cause.” We initially note that neither of these written requests for instructions
contains a definition of the term “procuring cause.” At a minimum, a jury charge must define those
words and other technical phrases that have distinct legal meanings. Barnett v. Coppell N. Tex.
Court, Ltd., 123 S.W.3d 804, 826 (Tex. App.–Dallas 2003, pet. denied). The term “procuring
cause” has a distinct legal meaning. See BLACK‟S LAW DICTIONARY 1208 (6th ed. 1990) (defining
“procuring cause”); see also, e.g., Ramesh v. Johnson, 681 S.W.2d 256, 260 (Tex. App.–Houston
[14th Dist.] 1984, writ ref‟d n.r.e.) (court defined “procuring cause” in its charge). Because Truman
Arnold failed to make a written submission to the trial court of instructions that defined the legal
term “procuring cause” contained in those instruction, it cannot now complain of the trial court‟s
omission of those instructions. See TEX. R. CIV. P. 273; Jarrin v. Sam White Oldsmobile Co., 929
S.W.2d 21, 25 (Tex. App.–Houston [1st Dist.] 1996, writ denied).
Even assuming arguendo that Truman Arnold preserved the issue, the outcome would not
differ. “Procuring cause” is defined as “the cause originating a series of events, which, without [a]
break in their continuity, result in the accomplishment of the prime object.” BLACK‟S LAW
DICTIONARY 1208. Thus, “a broker will be regarded as the „procuring cause‟ of a sale, so as to be
entitled to commission, if his or her efforts are the foundation on which the negotiations resulting in
a sale are begun.” Id. But the broker cannot be justly considered the procuring cause of the sale
where the broker‟s effort with a buyer has, after fair opportunity and without any fault of the owner,
resulted in no sale; the owner and buyer terminate their negotiations; and, later, the owner, by direct
and independent negotiation effects a sale to the same buyer. See Goodwin v. Gunter, 109 Tex. 56,
12
185 S.W. 295, 296 (Tex. 1916). This rule applies even if the sale is upon the same terms originally
authorized by the broker. See id.
Here, the parties‟ contract makes no reference to “procuring cause.” Pursuant to the plain
language of the contract, Hammond was obliged to bring potential customers to Truman Arnold. If
Truman Arnold later closed a sale with a Hammond customer, Hammond was entitled to receive a
commission. Further, the language of the contract does not include any provision preventing
Hammond from receiving commissions from sales of gasoline to a Hammond customer who
stopped buying gasoline from Truman Arnold for a period of time, but who bought gas from it at a
later date. Therefore, because the obligations placed upon Hammond by the contract do not use the
term “procuring cause” or otherwise entirely embody the concept of “procuring cause,” the trial
court was not required to instruct the jury using this term. Accordingly, we hold that the trial court
did not err in refusing to submit Truman Arnold‟s instructions that contained the term “procuring
cause.” Truman Arnold‟s fourth and fifth issues are overruled.
ATTORNEY’S FEES AND INTEREST
In its sixth issue, Truman Arnold argues that the trial court erred in awarding prejudgment
interest on attorney‟s fees. After Truman Arnold filed its appellate brief, the trial court rendered a
judgment nunc pro tunc. The judgment nunc pro tunc removed the award of prejudgment interest
on attorney‟s fees. Thus, Truman Arnold‟s sixth issue is overruled as moot.
In its seventh issue, Truman Arnold contends that the trial court failed to condition the
award to Hammond of appellate attorney‟s fees on an unsuccessful appeal by Truman Arnold.
Hammond argues that the requirement of an unsuccessful appeal is implied in the judgment.
Nevertheless, Hammond agrees that the judgment could be reformed to clarify that the award of
appellate attorney‟s fees is conditional. See CPS Int’l, Inc. v. Harris & Westmoreland, 784
S.W.2d 538, 545 (Tex. App.–Texarkana 1990, no writ) (prevailing party at trial who did not prevail
on appeal not entitled to appellate attorney‟s fees and trial court‟s judgment reformed to delete that
award). Truman Arnold‟s seventh issue is sustained.
13
CONCLUSION
We have sustained Truman Arnold‟s first issue with regard to future damages, its third issue
in part with regard to damages from 1997 to 1999, and its seventh issue. We have overruled
Truman Arnold‟s first issue with regard to 2000 to 2008 damages, its third issue with regard to
damages in 2000, as well as its second, fourth, and fifth issues. We have overruled as moot Truman
Arnold‟s sixth issue.
Accordingly, we modify the trial court‟s judgment in part by deleting the award of “EIGHT
HUNDRED THIRTY-FIVE THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED EIGHTY-EIGHT AND NO/100
($835,688.00) DOLLARS” and replacing it with an award of “THREE HUNDRED TWENTY-
FOUR THOUSAND FIVE HUNDRED SIXTY-EIGHT AND NO/100 ($324,568.00) DOLLARS.”
We further modify the trial court‟s judgment so that the award of appellate attorney‟s fees is made
conditional on Truman Arnold‟s being unsuccessful in an appeal. We affirm the trial court‟s
judgment as modified.
BRIAN HOYLE
Justice
Opinion delivered July 30, 2010.
Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Griffith, J., and Hoyle, J.
(PUBLISH)
14