National Western Life Insurance Company v. Ella Mae Rowe, Individually and on Behalf of All Others Similarly Situated ( 2002 )


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  •          TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT, AT AUSTIN
    NO. 03-01-00396-CV
    National Western Life Insurance Company, Appellant
    v.
    Ella Mae Rowe, Individually And On Behalf Of All Others Similarly Situated, Appellee
    FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF TRAVIS COUNTY, 345TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
    NO. GN000704, HONORABLE PAUL DAVIS, JUDGE PRESIDING
    National Western Life Insurance Co. (ANational@) brings this interlocutory appeal
    challenging the trial court=s order certifying a class action. See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. '
    51.014(a)(3) (West Supp. 2002). National contends that the trial court abused its discretion in certifying
    the class because the appellee, Ella Mae Rowe, failed to satisfy certain requirements for class certification
    under rule 42 of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. We will affirm the trial court=s order certifying the
    class.
    BACKGROUND
    This case concerns child riders to life insurance policies sold by National. National began
    selling child riders in 1965. Rowe purchased her life insurance policy with a child rider from National in
    1977. Since National began selling these riders, the forms of the child riders have been altered.1 However,
    all forms of the rider that lie at the center of this controversy contain substantially similar language. Each
    rider provides for a $1,000 benefit to be paid upon the death of a child prior to termination of coverage for
    that child at age twenty-five. The rider defines Achild@ as follows:
    AChild@ as used in this rider means (1) each of the Insured=s children who is named in the
    application for this rider, who is at least 15 days old, and who at the date of application is
    not yet 18 years old, and (2) each child born to or legally adopted by the Insured and
    Insured=s spouse after the date of application for this rider, who becomes 15 days old and
    who at the date of adoption is not yet 18 years old.
    National does not maintain records of the insured=s children and does not require notice upon the birth or
    adoption of additional children after the child rider is purchased. National simply promises to provide the
    $1,000 benefit upon receipt of Adue proof of death of a child.@
    The rider also contains the following language concerning termination of coverage:
    Insurance on a Child stops on the rider anniversary when the Child is 25 years old unless it
    stops earlier in accordance with this section.
    1
    The order certifying the class lists a total of thirteen different rider forms that were issued since
    1965. Those form numbers are 01-3014, 01-3014A, 01-3014R, 01-3014 (Rev. 5/89), 01-3014RM
    (Rev. 5/89), 01-3014R-MO, 01-3024, 01-3024A, 01-3024R, 01-3024R-MO, 01-3029R-MO, 01-
    3029, and 01-3029A.
    2
    Premiums are not due for this rider after it has stopped. If we accept a premium after
    termination it does not mean that we are liable for benefits under this rider or that we waive
    the termination. We will refund any premiums so accepted.
    National drafted these riders so that coverage terminates once the policyholder=s children have reached
    twenty-five years of age. However, because National recognized that it may continue to receive rider
    premiums after coverage terminates, the rider disclaims liability for benefits if premiums are received and
    accepted after coverage terminates. Although the rider promises a refund of premiums so accepted,
    National has not offered to refund the premiums collected from unnamed class members that were remitted
    after coverage terminated.2 It is National=s failure to refund premiums paid after a child turns twenty-five
    that forms the basis for this class action litigation.
    The termination language in the rider lies at the heart of this dispute. Rowe alleges that
    National has wrongfully continued to collect premiums for riders under which the coverage has terminated.
    Policyholders do not receive a copy of the rider until after the first premium payment is received by
    National. Therefore, policyholders have already initiated payment for the rider before having the
    opportunity to review the contractual language to which they have agreed. Furthermore, Rowe claims that
    National designed that language to place an affirmative duty on the policyholder to recognize when the rider
    has expired. Rowe claims that National designed the riders in this manner with an understanding that
    2
    National did offer to refund the premiums that Ella Mae Rowe has paid since her rider=s coverage
    has terminated, but she refused.
    3
    individuals would not recognize the nuances of this language, and thus, would likely continue to pay
    premiums for riders that had terminated.
    Additionally, Rowe argues that National is in the best position to monitor its policyholders=
    rider coverage and should assume the obligation of notifying policyholders if they remit premiums that are no
    longer due. Rowe further contends that National=s billing policies confuse policyholders and manipulate
    them into paying for terminated riders, in that National submits premium invoices to policyholders that fail to
    segregate the two premiums, one for the underlying policy and one for the rider. National concedes that on
    policies that are in effect for ten or twenty years, policyholders may forget that their premiums include
    payments for the rider. Rowe argues that National should notify its policyholders about the status and
    charges concerning the riders. Therefore, Rowe filed suit in March 2000 asserting claims against National
    for breach of contract, fraud, negligent misrepresentation, unjust enrichment, and violations of the Deceptive
    Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act and article 21.21 of the Texas Insurance Code. See Tex. Bus.
    & Com. Code Ann. ' 17.41 (West 2002); Tex. Ins. Code Ann. art. 21.21 (West Supp. 2002).
    National responds that it should not be responsible for notifying policyholders when
    coverage terminates on the rider because National has no way of knowing the ages of children covered by
    the rider. National does not maintain records of the names and ages of its policyholders= children. Nor
    does National require notice if additional children come under the rider=s umbrella of coverage. Because
    National does not maintain such records, National claims that it cannot be expected to know the number or
    ages of covered children. National=s second defense to Rowe=s allegations is that the riders are designed to
    provide continuing coverage regardless of whether policyholders have children under twenty-five when
    4
    premiums are paid. National argues that some policyholders choose to continue paying for the rider to
    ensure that any after-born or after-adopted children are covered. National asserts, inter alia, that the class
    certification is improper because the trial court ignored National=s argument based on this continuing benefit.
    National raises eight issues in its appeal. In its first issue, National attacks the trial plan on
    grounds that it relies on a flawed claim form procedure and it eliminates or lowers Rowe=s burden of proof
    concerning reliance and National=s statute of limitations defense. In its fifth and sixth issues, National also
    challenges the trial plan as arbitrarily placing Rowe=s breach of contract claims ahead of the remaining tort
    claims and failing to consider a section of the insurance code. See Tex. Ins. Code Ann. ' 36.159(c) (West
    2002) (governing Texas Department of Insurance subpoena powers and duty to protect confidentiality of
    privileged records). National=s second issue challenges the trial court=s finding that the class met the
    commonality requirement of rule 42(a)(2). Issues three and four challenge the trial court=s determination that
    Texas law governs all the claims of the class. By its seventh issue, National asserts that the trial court
    abused its discretion in admitting expert testimony in the certification hearing without properly examining it
    for relevance and reliability. Finally, National=s eighth issue challenges the trial court=s order requiring
    National to bear a portion of the discovery costs in this case.
    STANDARD OF REVIEW
    In a class action, the trial court is charged with the duty of actively policing the proceedings
    and guarding the class interests. See General Motors Corp. v. Bloyed, 
    916 S.W.2d 949
    , 954 (Tex.
    1995) (discussing extraordinary nature of class action litigation, protections required for absent class
    members, and trial court=s departure from ordinarily detached role assumed in most other proceedings).
    5
    Therefore, the trial court is afforded broad discretion in defining the class and determining whether to grant
    or deny a class certification. See Intratex Gas Co. v. Beeson, 
    22 S.W.3d 398
    , 406 (Tex. 2000). On
    appeal, our review is strictly limited to determining whether the trial court abused its discretion in ordering
    class certification. See Tana Oil & Gas Corp. v. Bates, 
    978 S.W.2d 735
    , 740 (Tex. App.CAustin 1998,
    no pet.); Vinson v. Texas Commerce Bank-Houston, N.A., 
    880 S.W.2d 820
    , 823 (Tex. App.CDallas
    1994, no writ). An appellate court must not substitute its judgment for that of the trial court. Tana 
    Oil, 978 S.W.2d at 740
    . Even if a trial court determines an issue differently than would an appellate court, the ruling
    does not necessarily constitute an abuse of discretion. Downer v. Aquamarine Operators, Inc., 
    701 S.W.2d 238
    , 242 (Tex. 1985); see also 
    Vinson, 880 S.W.2d at 824
    . In determining whether a matter
    should be litigated as a class action, a trial court abuses its discretion if its decision is arbitrary,
    unreasonable, or without reference to any guiding principles. Tana 
    Oil, 978 S.W.2d at 740
    . Further, a trial
    court abuses its discretion if it does not properly apply the law to the undisputed facts, but does not abuse
    its discretion if it bases its decision on conflicting evidence. Id.; 
    Vinson, 880 S.W.2d at 823
    .
    In making its class certification decision, the trial court can consider the pleadings and other
    material in the record, along with the evidence presented at the hearing. Employers Cas. Co. v. Texas
    Ass=n of Sch. Bds. Workers= Comp. Self-Ins. Fund, 
    886 S.W.2d 470
    , 474 (Tex. App.CAustin 1994, writ
    dism=d w.o.j.). The evidence on which a trial court bases its certification ruling need not be in a form
    necessary to be admissible at trial. See Texas Commerce Bank Nat=l Ass=n v. Wood, 
    994 S.W.2d 796
    ,
    801 (Tex. App.CCorpus Christi 1999, pet. dism=d w.o.j.); Microsoft Corp. v. Manning, 
    914 S.W.2d 602
    , 615 (Tex. App.CTexarkana 1995, writ dism=d). We view the evidence in the light most favorable to
    6
    the trial court=s action, entertaining every presumption that favors its judgment. 
    Vinson, 880 S.W.2d at 823
    ; see also Brittian v. General Tel. Co., 
    533 S.W.2d 886
    , 889 (Tex. Civ. App.CFort Worth 1976,
    writ dism=d) (citing Richardson v. Kelly, 
    191 S.W.2d 857
    (Tex. 1945)). After such a review, we will
    reverse a district court=s decision to certify a class only upon a showing that the court abused its discretion in
    light of the evidence presented in the certification hearing, or that it applied incorrect legal standards in
    reaching its decision. See Mullen v. Treasure Chest Casino, LLC, 
    186 F.3d 620
    , 624 (5th Cir. 1999)
    (citing Forbush v. J.C. Penney Co., 
    994 F.2d 1101
    , 1104-05 (5th Cir. 1993); Jenkins v. Raymark
    Indus., 
    782 F.2d 468
    , 471-72 (5th Cir. 1986)).
    In conducting the initial evidentiary review, the trial court must conduct a rigorous analysis to
    determine whether all prerequisites have been met before ruling on class certification. Southwestern Ref.
    Co., Inc. v. Bernal, 
    22 S.W.3d 425
    , 435 (Tex. 2000). Noting that courts, prior to its decision in Bernal,
    were certifying class actions without conducting the proper analysis into each requirement of rule 42, notably
    section (b)(4) of the rule, the Texas Supreme Court expressly rejected an Aapproach of certify now and
    worry later.@ 
    Id. While some
    have incorrectly interpreted the supreme court=s language as establishing a de
    novo standard of review for class certification, we are mindful of the remainder of the court=s discussion.
    Bernal clearly instructs that the trial court continues to enjoy discretion in making a class certification
    decision. However, the trial court must adhere to the rule=s requirements.
    Although it may not be an abuse of discretion to certify a class that could later fail, we
    conclude that a cautious approach to class certification is essential. The Aflexibility@ of Rule
    42 Aenhances the usefulness of the class-action device, [but] actual, not presumed,
    conformance with [the Rule] remains . . . indispensable.@ 
    Falcon, 457 U.S. at 160
    . As the
    Supreme Court stressed in Amchem: ACourts must be mindful that the rule as now
    7
    composed sets the requirements they are bound to enforce. . . . The text of a rule . . . limits
    judicial inventiveness.@ Amchem Prods. 
    Inc., 521 U.S. at 620
    ; see also General Motors
    Corp. v. Bloyed, 
    916 S.W.2d 949
    , 954 (Tex. 1996) (emphasizing Athe importance of the
    trial court=s obligation to determine that the protective requirements of Texas Rule 42 are
    met@).
    
    Bernal, 22 S.W.3d at 435
    . Our commitment to stare decisis concerning the standard of review in class
    action certification cases must recognize the concerns created by the class action landscape before Bernal
    while maintaining a grasp on the rationale behind that standard and the reasons for the Aflexibility of rule 42.@
    See Tex. R. Civ. P. 42(c)(1) (trial court may alter, amend, or withdraw class certification order at any time
    before final judgment). Rule 42(c)(1) provides the trial court with the tools needed to respond to changes in
    the case=s development. 
    Intratex, 22 S.W.3d at 407
    (appellate court must remand when it identifies
    definitional problem in class certification order because prescribing proper definition is committed to trial
    court=s discretion).
    Our review of the record in this case supports our conclusion that the trial court did not
    abuse its discretion in certifying the class. The trial court conducted a thorough certification hearing in which
    it went beyond the parties= pleadings in order to examine the claims, defenses, relevant facts, and applicable
    substantive law of this case in order to make a meaningful determination of the certification issues. The
    record before us indicates that the trial court conducted a rigorous analysis of all issues presented and
    arrived at a cautious decision in certifying the class. The clerk=s record, combined with the first, second,
    and third supplemental clerk=s records, consists of approximately 2,800 pages of pleadings and
    documentary evidence. Additionally, the record contains a multiple volume reporter=s record. At the
    certification hearing, Rowe presented one witness, deposition excerpts from five witnesses, four affidavits
    8
    from both expert and non-expert witnesses, as well as discovery responses and other documentary
    evidence. National followed by presenting three live witnesses, four affidavits, its expert witness=s report,
    portions of a deposition, and additional documentary evidence. At the conclusion of the certification
    process, the trial court decided to certify the class. The extensive and detailed certification order, findings of
    fact, and conclusions of law demonstrate that the trial court conducted a rigorous review of the information
    presented and determined that this case met the Bernal test of actual, rather than merely presumed,
    compliance with the requirements of rule 42. We are convinced that the trial court made an informed,
    cautious, and proper decision that common issues predominated over individual issues, and that all issues in
    this case could be considered in a manageable, time-efficient, and fair manner.
    Finally, we must not lose sight of the fact that class action certification is a trial court
    decision made at the very inception of the litigation process. One of the reasons we accord the abuse of
    discretion standard to the trial court is that such issues as trial plan, the management of the discovery
    process, and a litany of other factors of necessity will have only been determined as a preliminary matter
    when class certification is addressed by the trial court. During the course and development of a class action,
    trial courts may need to alter, amend, or modify the original class certification order. See, e.g., De Los
    Santos v. Occidental Chem. Corp., 
    933 S.W.2d 493
    , 494 (Tex. 1996) (certification of class originally
    granted as mandatory class, changed to opt-in class during pretrial discovery period, and returned to
    mandatory class after initial phase of trial); Wood v. Victoria Bank & Trust Co., N.A., 
    69 S.W.3d 235
    ,
    237 (Tex. App.CCorpus Christi 2001, no pet.) (holding trial court acted within its discretion in decertifying
    class); Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. v. Fry, 
    27 S.W.3d 573
    , 589 (Tex. App.CCorpus Christi 2000, pet.
    9
    denied) (remanding to trial court to determine whether establishment of sub-classes can cure definitional
    problem in original certification order); Pierce Mortuary Colls., Inc. v. Bjerke, 
    841 S.W.2d 878
    , 879
    (Tex. App.CDallas 1992, writ denied) (trial court amended certification order, expanding class to include
    additional group of individuals and adding two years to time period in which injury could have occurred).
    Cases such as these demonstrate how the management of class actions can warrant changes to the original
    certification order and why appellate courts must employ an abuse of discretion standard in ruling on
    challenges to the granting or denial of class certification. Indeed, the whole process of class action
    certification presupposes the changing nature of the litigation process and gives the trial court ample
    authority to shape the litigation.
    REQUIREMENTS OF CLASS CERTIFICATION
    Rule 42, governing class actions, is patterned after its federal counterpart. Consequently,
    federal decisions and authorities interpreting current federal class action requirements are persuasive
    authority. 
    Bernal, 22 S.W.3d at 433
    . The class action serves as a mechanism to eliminate or reduce the
    threat of repetitive litigation, prevent inconsistent resolution of similar cases, and provide a means of redress
    for individual claims that are too small to make independent actions economically viable. See Ford Motor
    Co. v. Sheldon, 
    22 S.W.3d 444
    , 452 (Tex. 2000). The principal purpose of the class action device is
    efficiency and economy of litigation. See 
    id. (discussing origins
    and general design of class action device).
    Thus, when properly used, a class action saves the court=s and the parties= resources by allowing class-wide
    issues to be tried in an economical fashion. See 
    id. at 452
    (citing General Tel. Co. v. Falcon, 
    457 U.S. 147
    , 155 (1981)).
    10
    All class actions must satisfy the following four threshold requirements: (1) numerosityCthe
    class is so numerous that joinder of all members is impracticable, (2) commonalityCthere are questions of
    law or fact common to the class, (3) typicalityCthe claims or defenses of the representative parties are
    typical of the claims or defenses of the class, and (4) adequacy of representationCthe representative parties
    will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the class. See Tex. R. Civ. P. 42(a); 
    Bernal, 22 S.W.3d at 433
    . In addition to these prerequisites, class actions must satisfy at least one of four subdivisions of rule
    42(b). Here, the trial court found that Rowe established that this class action satisfies rule 42(b)(4), which
    requires questions of law or fact common to the class to predominate over questions affecting only individual
    members and that class treatment be superior to other available methods for the fair and efficient
    adjudication of the controversy. Tex. R. Civ. P. 42(b)(4); see also Amchem Prods., Inc. v. Windsor, 
    521 U.S. 591
    , 615 (1997); 
    Bernal, 22 S.W.3d at 433
    .
    DISCUSSION
    Trial Plan
    National challenges the trial court=s order granting class certification on the grounds that the
    requirements of rule 42 have not been satisfied. National=s most significant challenge attacks the trial court=s
    proposed trial plan. The trial plan specifies that the class in this case will be an opt-out class. Also, in order
    to determine which class members had after-born or after-adopted children, the trial court intends to attach
    a Proof of Additional Children form to the notice sent to all class members. This form will be filled out and
    returned by the class members. Class members who have additional children who are still under twenty-five
    years of age may, by this process, exclude themselves from the class.
    11
    Furthermore, the notice will provide an opportunity to verify whether there is a way to know
    the ages of children listed on a policyholder=s application and which child rider form number applies to each
    class member without requiring a manual review of National=s files. But if a manual review is required, then
    National must pay the expenses of conducting the review and preparing the results. The court found this
    allocation of expenses fair in light of the fact that Rowe=s counsel is mailing out the notice and Proof of
    Additional Children forms at its expense.
    The trial plan also addresses various discovery needs. The notice and Proof of Additional
    Children forms will ask class members whether they have had after-born or after-adopted children since the
    rider was purchased. Because National has indicated that it may want to depose or otherwise obtain
    discovery from every class member, the trial plan states that an adequate time for such discovery will be
    allowed, but that the trial court may streamline the discovery to ensure that it is not overly burdensome. The
    trial court also explains that it will entertain a no-evidence motion for summary judgment as to all class
    members where no evidence has been obtained of after-born or after-adopted children. If Rowe carries the
    burden of proof on this issue, the trial plan calls for proof of claim forms to be issued during the damages
    phase of the trial. Those class members with children under twenty-five years of age would then be allowed
    to exclude themselves from the class.
    The trial plan also calls for a single jury to try this case in two phases. The first phase will
    determine liability and damages. The court anticipates that most of the damages calculation will be
    presented through expert testimony and that the jury could, after hearing such evidence, decide any disputes
    about whether a class member did in fact have after-born or after-adopted children. However, the trial plan
    12
    anticipates that this issue may be decided either by stipulation or by partial summary judgment. The second
    phase would address punitive damages if the jury verdict from the first phase justifies such a submission.
    After the trial, the court will hold a hearing on the entry of judgment which would allocate any undivided
    damages awards to the class members. Finally, the trial plan addresses National=s statute of limitations
    defense and finds that a trial of that issue would be manageable and that the submission of a fraudulent
    concealment and a discovery rule question to the jury would allow relief to be awarded only to those class
    members who fall within the statute of limitations.
    National claims that the trial plan=s attempt to expedite the resolution of individual issues
    alters the parties= burdens, deprives National of the ability to attack Rowe=s case, and unduly restricts it
    from presenting viable defenses. See 
    Bernal, 22 S.W.3d at 435
    . National=s most vocal objection to the
    plan focuses on the Proof of Additional Children form procedure. National believes that the trial court,
    through the use of the Proof of Additional Children form, has created a presumption favoring the class. This
    alleged presumption, National contends, shifts the burden of proving the absence of after-born or after-
    adopted away from the individual class members and towards National. National contends that the trial
    plan allows for a class member to prove damages merely by remaining silent about whether additional
    children exist. National carries its argument to a conclusion that this presumption will adversely affect
    National in a final damages calculation.
    However, National=s argument ignores both the preliminary nature of this trial plan as well as
    the uncertainty surrounding the development of the litigation. The trial plan does not say that the Proof of
    Additional Children forms or the evidence obtained from them will be admissible at trial. The only clear
    13
    inference that can be drawn from the trial plan is that the Proof of Additional Children forms serve as the
    initial discovery tool employed by the trial court. In fact, the trial court anticipated that the forms might not
    be returned or that further information might be needed in order for National to present a defense.
    Therefore, the court specifically referenced the possible need for additional discovery, albeit in a streamlined
    manner due to the numerosity of the class, in order to obtain information favorable to National=s defense.
    Thus, the trial plan anticipates the need to provide National the opportunity to develop its defense based on
    the fact that certain individuals may have continued paying premiums in reliance on National=s promise to
    preserve coverage for additional children. Accordingly, we conclude that the trial plan does not preclude
    National from developing its defense. The discovery methods outlined in the trial plan protect each party=s
    opportunity to adequately and vigorously present any material claims and defenses. 
    Bernal, 22 S.W.3d at 437
    .
    National next attacks the trial plan on the issue of reliance. Focusing on Rowe=s allegations
    concerning the DTPA, the insurance code, fraud, and negligent misrepresentation, National argues that the
    trial court has eliminated Rowe=s burden of proving reliance. However, we note initially that the trial court
    began its focus with the breach of contract claims that apply uniformly to all class members. Reliance is not
    required to prove a breach of contract. See Wright v. Christian & Smith, 
    950 S.W.2d 411
    , 412 (Tex.
    App.CHouston [1st Dist.] 1997, no pet.) (AThe elements of a breach of contract claim are: (1) the existence
    of a valid contract; (2) performance or tendered performance by the plaintiff; (3) breach of the contract by
    the defendant; and (4) damages to the plaintiff resulting from that breach.@).
    14
    As to the non-contract claims alleged in Rowe=s petition, the trial court has not eliminated
    reliance from consideration in this case. The trial court=s order states that the presumed direction of the trial
    on these non-contract claims will focus on the uniform conduct of National, its billing policies, and its failure
    to refund any premiums paid for terminated riders. The trial court also determined that some claims do not
    require a showing of reliance. If various class members have actually had or planned to have additional
    children after their youngest child attained twenty-five years of age, reliance becomes a substantive issue
    only for those discrete claims. The discovery tools employed in this case will determine whether reliance is
    a substantial issue, but until the end of the discovery period, the trial court=s discretion should not be
    disturbed merely on the speculation that a specific issue might arise that could be detrimental to a portion
    of the class. We recognize that the trial court may decertify or reshape the class to address issues such as
    reliance. See Tex. R. Civ. P. 42(c)(1).
    National=s next challenge to the trial plan concerns its statute of limitations defense. The
    applicable statute of limitations in this case is two years for the tort causes of action and four years for the
    breach of contract claims. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. '' 16.003, .051 (West 1997 & Supp.
    2002). To survive the limitations defense, Rowe has pleaded both the discovery rule and fraudulent
    concealment. The discovery rule operates to defer accrual of a cause of action until the plaintiff knows or,
    by exercising reasonable diligence, should know of the facts giving rise to the claim. Wagner & Brown,
    Ltd. v. Horwood, 
    58 S.W.3d 732
    , 734 (Tex. 2001). A plaintiff may rely on the discovery rule only when
    the nature of the injury is both inherently undiscoverable and objectively verifiable. 
    Id. Fraudulent concealment
    estops the defendant from relying on the statute of limitations as an affirmative defense.
    15
    Computer Assocs. Int=l, Inc. v. Altai, Inc., 
    918 S.W.2d 453
    , 456 (Tex. 1996). Whether a plaintiff knew
    or should have known of an injury is generally a question of fact for the jury. Houston Endowment Inc. v.
    Atlantic Richfield Co., 
    972 S.W.2d 156
    , 160 (Tex. App.CHouston [14th Dist.] 1998, no writ). National
    correctly asserts that the discovery rule and fraudulent concealment may require proof of each individual
    class member=s subjective knowledge concerning discovery of the injury alleged. However, National
    misinterprets the trial court=s plan for determining this issue.
    The trial plan proposes to submit a question to the jury on fraudulent concealment and the
    discovery rule so that the jury may determine when a reasonable policyholder had met the test for either
    means of overcoming National=s limitations defense. National reads this proposal as lowering Rowe=s
    burden from showing each class member=s subjective knowledge to simply showing when a reasonable
    person should have known. National=s interpretation incorrectly assumes that the jury will decide whether
    class members may overcome the limitations defense. The trial plan merely proposes to have the jury try
    these discrete issues and determine a date or time when the injuries became discoverable. The trial plan
    clearly states that this proposed course can effectively manage this issue because Rowe proposes to try this
    issue based on theories of breach of contract and National=s uniform conduct in designing the riders, failing
    to refund payments, and continuing to bill for expired riders. Therefore, we conclude that at this preliminary
    stage, the trial court has not lowered Rowe=s burden. The trial plan anticipates that the discovery process
    will produce information from each class member regarding when that person first had sufficient knowledge
    of the injuries alleged in this lawsuit. The trial court may then apply the discovery results to the jury=s finding
    and determine which class members= claims fail as a result of limitations. Thus, the trial plan proposes a way
    16
    to manage the trial of this issue and does not lower Rowe=s burden in overcoming National=s affirmative
    defense.
    National=s final two challenges to the trial plan also fail to persuade us that the trial court
    abused its discretion. Without providing any authority, National claims that the trial court erred in
    determining that the breach of contract claim was the primary claim asserted by Rowe. The trial court has
    discretion in managing this litigation. Tex R. Civ. P. 42(c)(1). The trial court=s characterization of its
    preliminary determinations concerning the management of this case cannot be said to have amounted to an
    abuse of discretion. National=s final attack on the trial plan relies on Texas Insurance Code section
    36.159(c). This section of the code deals with the general subpoena powers of the Texas Department of
    Insurance and does not have any effect on the parties to this litigation. Having dismissed these final two
    issues, and having determined that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in devising the trial plan for this
    case, we overrule National=s first, second, fifth, and sixth issues.
    Commonality
    Although National phrases its second issue as challenging the trial court=s determination that
    common issues predominated over individual issues, it fails to brief an argument relating to the rule=s
    predominance requirement. See Tex. R. Civ. P. 42(b)(4). Therefore, National appears to have waived any
    challenge to the predominance requirement. See Tex. R. App. P. 38.1(h). However, because National
    properly raises a challenge to the trial court=s finding of commonality, we will address both commonality and
    predominance as a single issue.
    17
    Rule 42(a)(2) does not require that all or even a substantial portion of the legal and factual
    questions be common to the class. Nissan Motor Co. v. 
    Fry, 27 S.W.3d at 588
    . It requires only that
    some legal or factual questions be common to the class. Rainbow Group, Ltd. v. Johnson, 
    990 S.W.2d 351
    , 358 (Tex. App.CAustin 1999, pet. dism=d w.o.j.). The commonality requirement means that an issue
    of law or fact exists that inheres in the complaints of all the class members. Entex v. City of Pearland,
    
    990 S.W.2d 904
    , 919 (Tex. App.CHouston [14th Dist.] 1999, no pet.). Questions common to the class
    are those which, when answered as to one class member, are answered as to all class members. Nissan
    Motor 
    Co., 27 S.W.3d at 588
    . The common issues may be those of law or fact; there need not be
    common issues of both law and fact, and a single common question may provide sufficient grounds for class
    certification. 
    Id. The commonality
    requirement is generally considered satisfied where (1) many members
    of the class are subject to the same misrepresentation or omissions by reason of common documents, or (2)
    the defendant is alleged to have engaged in a common course of conduct. Rio Grande Valley Gas Co. v.
    City of Pharr, 
    962 S.W.2d 631
    , 643 (Tex. App.CCorpus Christi 1997, pet. dism=d w.o.j.).
    The trial court found that Rowe had established commonality because each child rider
    contains substantially similar language in the termination clauses and the claims of the class focus largely on
    this language.3 Rowe further established commonality by demonstrating that the class will try the case based
    3
    The trial court included the following language in its findings of fact and conclusions of law
    on commonality:
    Insurance on a child stops on the rider anniversary when the child is twenty[-five]
    (25) years [old] unless it stops earlier in accordance with this section.
    Premiums are not due for this rider after it has stopped. If we accept a premium
    18
    on the uniform breach, or anticipatory breach, of contract based on National=s design and implementation of
    the riders. Additionally, the trial court found that National=s uniform conduct in billing and collecting
    premiums on these riders created common issues with regard to Rowe=s tort claims. Finally, the trial court
    summarized its commonality determination into four questions focusing on (1) whether the riders are
    ambiguous, (2) whether National=s uniform conduct amounted to a breach of the rider contracts, (3)
    whether National engaged in tortious conduct by its uniform billing policy and failure to refund premiums
    paid after termination, and (4) whether the class is entitled to a constructive trust because of National=s
    conduct.
    National challenges the trial court=s findings as being Atoo general to satisfy the commonality
    requirement because each simply restates the causes of action.@ In support of this proposition, National
    cites Kelley v. Galveston Autoplex, 
    196 F.R.D. 471
    , 475 (S.D. Tex. 2000).4 However, in Kelley, the
    federal district court did not find commonality because the alleged violations took many different forms. The
    court indicated that in order for certification to be proper, the contracts in issue would have had to be Aa
    single type of contract that is virtually, if not completely, identical in each transaction.@ 
    Id. (quoting Durrett
    v. John Deere Co., 
    150 F.R.D. 555
    , 557 (N.D. Tex. 1993)). Here, each class member entered into an
    after termination, it does not mean we are liable for benefits under this rider or that
    we waive the termination. We will refund any premiums so accepted.
    4
    The language on which National relies from Kelley is mere dicta. The court states, APlaintiff has
    merely restated the three causes of action as the common issues. If Courts were to address the
    commonality issue at this level of generality, the requirement would be met every time. Instead, a Court must
    look at more particular factual and legal issues.@ Kelley v. Galveston Autoplex, 
    196 F.R.D. 471
    , 475
    (S.D. Tex. 2000).
    19
    agreement for insurance coverage using virtually identical contracts issued by National. Furthermore,
    National=s alleged tortious conduct was uniform for every class member. Therefore, because National
    engaged in a common course of conduct and entered into agreements with each class member based on
    virtually identical documents, we cannot say that the trial court=s initial determination that the commonality
    requirement had been satisfied was an abuse of discretion.
    Choice of Law
    The trial court made an initial determination to apply Texas law in this class action litigation.
    Which state=s law governs an issue is a question of law for the court to decide. Torrington Co. v.
    Stutzman, 
    46 S.W.3d 829
    , 848 (Tex. 2000) (citing Hughes Wood Prods., Inc. v. Wagner, 
    18 S.W.3d 202
    , 204 (Tex. 2000)). But determining the state contacts to be considered by the court in making this
    legal determination involves a factual inquiry. 
    Hughes, 18 S.W.3d at 204
    . Texas courts apply the
    Restatement=s Amost significant relationship@ test to decide choice-of-law issues. 
    Torrington, 46 S.W.3d at 848
    ; Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws '' 6, 145, 188, 192 (1971). Section 6 of the Restatement
    lists the following general factors used to decide a choice-of-law question:
    (a) the needs of the interstate and international systems,
    (b) the relevant policies of the forum,
    (c) the relevant policies of other interested states and the relative interests of those states
    in the determination of the particular issue,
    (d) the protection of justified expectations,
    (e) the basic policies underlying the particular field of law,
    20
    (f)   certainty, predictability and uniformity of result, and
    (g) ease in the determination and application of the law to be applied.
    Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws ' 6(2).
    In addition to applying the principles enumerated in section 6, we must also refer to sections
    145 and 188 because Rowe=s causes of action encompass both tort and contract claims. Section 145
    contains the following factual matters to be considered when applying these principles to a tort case: (a) the
    place where the injury occurred; (b) the place where the conduct causing the injury occurred; (c) the
    domicile, residence, nationality, place of incorporation and place of business of the parties; and (d) the place
    where the relationship, if any, between the parties is centered. 
    Id. ' 145(2).
    Under section 188 of the
    Restatement, we determine contractual rights and duties by the law of the state with the most significant
    relationship to the transaction and the parties. Minnesota Mining & Mfg. Co. v. Nishika Ltd., 
    953 S.W.2d 733
    , 735-36 (Tex. 1997); Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws ' 188(1). When, as here,
    the parties have not expressly chosen the applicable law, we consider the following contacts in determining
    which law governs their controversy: (a) the place of contracting; (b) the place of negotiation; (c) the place
    of performance; (d) the location of the contract=s subject matter; and (e) the parties= domicile, residence,
    nationality, place of incorporation, and place of business. Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws '
    188(2).
    Although National is domiciled in Colorado, it does not maintain any offices or employees in
    Colorado, and its principal place of business and administrative offices are located in Austin, Texas.
    21
    National maintains all contact with policyholders from its Austin offices, it transmits correspondence
    containing the billing notices from Austin, and it receives all premium payments in Austin. Furthermore, all of
    the child riders at issue in this case were designed in Texas, and all conduct allegedly causing injury to the
    class members in both contract and tort occurred as a result of National=s activities in Texas. While only
    twenty-seven percent of the riders purchased by class members were sold in Texas, every class member
    maintained direct contact with Texas in originally purchasing the rider and paying premiums. Additionally,
    National=s obligations of performance for any claims made under the rider occurred in Texas. Applying
    these considerations to the list of factors in sections 188 and 145 of the Restatement, the choice to use
    Texas law appears proper.
    National attempts to overcome this strong indication that Texas law should apply by
    arguing that section 192 of the Restatement requires that the law of the individual insured=s state should
    apply. Section 192 states:
    The validity of a life insurance contract issued to the insured upon his application and the
    rights created thereby are determined, in the absence of an effective choice of law by the
    insured in his application, by the local law of the state where the insured was domiciled at
    the time the policy was applied for, unless, with respect to the particular issue, some other
    state has a more significant relationship under the principles stated in ' 6 to the transaction
    and the parties, in which event the local law of the other state will be applied.
    Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws ' 192. National focuses solely on the first part of this section.
    The general rule espoused by section 192 is not applicable in this case. Rather, we must look to the
    exception found in this section for guidance because of the facts and surrounding procedural concerns of this
    case. Because we believe that Texas Ahas a more significant relationship under the principles stated in
    22
    section 6@ to this case, section 192=s rule favoring application of the law of the insured=s state does not
    apply. 
    Id. The basic
    principles of section 6 favor the application of Texas law. It is reasonable to
    assume that National expected Texas law to apply to its actions in contracting for, billing, and collecting
    premiums for its riders. See 
    id. ' 6(2)(d)
    (protection of justified expectations). With a large number of
    class members having purchased their riders in Texas and the action having been filed in Texas, the ease of
    determination and application factor favors Texas law. See 
    id. ' 6(2)(g)
    (ease in determination and
    application of law to be applied). In a class action such as this one, with a single defendant located in one
    forum and a large number of class members scattered throughout forty-one states, the desire for certainty,
    predictability, and uniformity of result weigh heavily toward application of Texas law. See 
    id. ' 6(2)(f)
    (certainty, predictability, and uniformity of result). Applying the facts of this case to the guiding principles of
    the Amost significant relationship@ test, we conclude that the decision to apply Texas law to Rowe=s claims is
    appropriate.
    National=s remaining challenge to the application of Texas law relies on Phillips Petroleum
    Co. v. Shutts, 
    472 U.S. 797
    (1985). National claims that Texas does not meet the constitutional
    requirements as enunciated in Shutts. A[Texas] must have a >significant contact or significant aggregation of
    contacts= to the claims asserted by each member of the plaintiff class, contacts >creating state interests,= in
    order to ensure that the choice of [Texas] law is not arbitrary or unfair.@ 
    Id. at 821-22
    (citing Allstate Ins.
    Co. v. Hague, 
    449 U.S. 302
    , 312-13 (1981)). The facts of this case, as outlined above, demonstrate that
    Texas meets this constitutional requirement.
    23
    Furthermore, National=s reliance on Shutts ignores the factual differences between the
    claims of the class in Shutts and in this case. Shutts was a class action in which Kansas courts applied
    Kansas law to the claims of all class members. The suit involved unpaid royalties on gas leases. Only
    approximately one-quarter of one percent of the gas leases involved in the suit were located in Kansas. The
    defendant was a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business in Oklahoma. Three named
    representatives filed suit in Kansas on behalf of approximately 33,000 class members located in all fifty
    states, the District of Columbia, and certain foreign jurisdictions. Two of the class representatives resided in
    Oklahoma; only the third resided in Kansas. After notice was mailed out and the responses were received,
    the Kansas court certified a class of 28,100; fewer than 1,000 of those class members lived in Kansas. The
    contacts with Kansas were not significant and thus the Supreme Court declared that Kansas failed to meet
    the proper constitutional limitations on a forum=s ability to apply its law to the claims of every class member
    of a nationwide class. In our case, Texas=s contacts with both the defendant and each member of the
    plaintiff class rise to the level required by the Constitution for this type of class action. We overrule
    National=s third and fourth issues.
    Additional Issues
    In its seventh issue, National contends that the trial court erred in admitting expert testimony
    without undergoing a Robinson analysis. See E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Inc. v. Robinson, 
    923 S.W.2d 549
    (Tex. 1996). It is widely accepted in our class action jurisprudence that a trial court need not
    base its class certification ruling on admissible evidence. E.g., Monsanto Co. v. Davis, 
    25 S.W.3d 773
    ,
    784 (Tex. App.CWaco 2000, pet. dism=d w.o.j.); Texas Commerce Bank v. 
    Wood, 994 S.W.2d at 801
    ;
    24
    St. Louis Southwestern Ry. Co. v. Voluntary Purchasing Groups, Inc., 
    929 S.W.2d 25
    , 30 (Tex.
    App.CTexarkana 1996, no writ). Courts need not apply the same level of evidentiary standards at a class
    certification hearing as would be applied at trial. Microsoft Corp. v. 
    Manning, 914 S.W.2d at 615
    . At a
    certification hearing, the trial court must only have enough material before it to determine the nature of the
    claims at issue. 
    Id. If the
    trial court properly bases its decision on that material, it does not abuse its
    discretion, even if the material offered at the hearing ultimately fails at trial. Id.; Dresser Indus., Inc. v.
    Snell, 
    847 S.W.2d 367
    , 376 (Tex. App.CEl Paso 1993, no writ).
    The concerns voiced by the Texas Supreme Court in Robinson dealt largely with the
    possibility that juries might give undue weight and credibility to unreliable testimony simply because the
    witness was designated as an expert. See 
    Robinson, 923 S.W.2d at 553
    . Those same concerns are not
    present in a class certification hearing before a trial court. In Microsoft v. Manning, the defendant voiced
    an identical challenge to the production of expert testimony at the certification 
    hearing. 914 S.W.2d at 615
    .
    The Microsoft trial court accepted the material offered by the expert and, along with a great deal of other
    material, certified the class without any indicia of how much weight was given to the expert=s opinions. The
    court of appeals considered the Robinson challenge and determined that, in accordance with the principles
    allowing the consideration of non-admissible evidence at a certification hearing, the trial court did not abuse
    its discretion by allowing the presentation of the expert=s testimony. National=s challenge in this case is
    nearly identical to that raised in Microsoft. The only discernable difference is that Rowe=s experts
    submitted affidavits rather than live testimony. We agree with the holding in Microsoft and overrule
    National=s seventh issue regarding the admission of expert testimony.
    25
    In its final issue, National argues that the trial court erred in ordering National to bear some
    of the costs of identifying the names and addresses of some class members for notification purposes. The
    trial court ordered National to allow Rowe access to National=s computer systems and records, to
    cooperate with Rowe=s counsel, and to compile an electronic database containing a mailing list of the
    policyholders within the class. On appeal, National objects to this order and cites American Express
    Travel Related Services Co. v. Walton for the proposition that the proponent of class certification must
    provide notice to all class members and bear the cost of such notice. 
    883 S.W.2d 703
    , 709-10 (Tex.
    App.CDallas 1994, no writ).
    While National cites the general rule, the United States Supreme Court has long recognized
    an exception to that rule. In instances such as these, where the defendant is able to perform a necessary
    task, such as compiling a list from its internal records to be used by class counsel in mailing the notice, with
    less difficulty and expense than class counsel, the trial court may properly exercise its discretion and order
    the defendant to perform the task in question. Oppenheimer Funds, Inc. v. Sanders, 
    437 U.S. 340
    , 356
    (1978). Furthermore, the trial court enjoys the discretion to decide whether the cost of performing this task
    should remain with the defendant or be borne by the class. 
    Id. at 358.
    The trial court has a great deal of
    discretion in determining who should bear the costs of performance. 
    Id. at 359
    (if substantial, may be
    proper for plaintiff class to reimburse defendant; if insubstantial, defendant can be ordered to pay; if task
    would be done in ordinary course of business, regardless of substantiality, defendant may properly bear
    cost). In light of the Supreme Court=s holding in Oppenheimer, we believe the trial court acted within its
    26
    discretion. The trial court=s order allocates to National only an insubstantial expense of compiling an
    electronic database.5 We overrule National=s eighth issue.
    CONCLUSION
    Having reviewed the record and considered the arguments of both parties, we conclude that
    the trial court did not abuse its discretion in ordering class certification. The trial court=s order is affirmed.
    Mack Kidd, Justice
    Before Justices Kidd, Yeakel and Patterson
    Affirmed
    Filed: August 8, 2002
    5
    The American Express case to which National cites involved an expense of $100,000.
    American Express Travel Related Servs. Co. v. Walton, 
    883 S.W.2d 703
    , 709-10 (Tex. App.CDallas
    1994, no writ). In this case, National contends that compiling the database will take approximately 45
    hours. Assuming a reasonable hourly billing for performing this task, any expense borne by National will be
    relatively insubstantial. Furthermore, if the expense proves more substantial than all parties originally
    estimated, National may petition the trial court to require reimbursement from Rowe.
    27
    Publish
    28