Entergy Texas, Inc. v. David Woollen and Wayne Hill ( 2021 )

In The
Court of Appeals
Ninth District of Texas at Beaumont
__________________
NO. 09-20-00297-CV
__________________
ENTERGY TEXAS, INC., Appellant
V.
DAVID WOOLLEN AND WAYNE HILL, Appellees
__________________________________________________________________
On Appeal from the 172nd District Court
Jefferson County, Texas
Trial Cause No. E-202,405
__________________________________________________________________
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Appellant Entergy Texas, Inc. (“Entergy”) complains that the trial court erred
by denying its Motion for Summary Judgment because appellees, David Woollen
and Wayne Hill (collectively referred to as “Plaintiffs”), violated Chapter 752 of the
Texas Health and Safety Code and, as a result, their claims are extinguished due to
circular indemnity. See Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. §§ 752.001-.008. We
reverse the trial court’s Amended Order and remand to that court for further
proceedings.
1
BACKGROUND
In September 2017, Plaintiffs were riding in a boat in a flooded area in Hardin
County, Texas, and performing rescue operations during Hurricane Harvey when
Woollen’s boat struck an energized power line, causing Plaintiffs to be electrocuted
and burned. Plaintiffs sued Entergy for negligence and alleged that Entergy owned
and operated the power line and owed Plaintiffs a duty to protect and prevent injury
during the Hurricane Harvey rescue operations. According to Plaintiffs, Entergy was
aware of flooding in the area and breached its duty to Plaintiffs by failing to take
proper precautions to protect rescuers from electrocution by de-energizing the power
lines in the flooded areas. Plaintiffs alleged that Entergy’s failures were the
proximate cause of the accident and their injuries.
In its First Original Amended Answer to Plaintiffs’ Original Petition, Entergy
answered with affirmative defenses, including that Plaintiffs were guilty of acts
and/or omissions constituting contributory negligence and negligence per se for
violating the provisions of section 752.001, and following, of the Texas Health and
Safety Code. See id. § 752.001. Entergy moved for summary judgment on its
Chapter 752 affirmative defense and indemnity claim and argued that Plaintiffs
violated Chapter 752 by placing themselves and the boat within six feet of a high
voltage overhead power line without first arranging with Entergy to guard against
possible contact. See id. §§ 752.001-.008. According to Entergy, Plaintiffs must
2
indemnify it for all liability it incurred as a result of Plaintiffs’ electrical contacts,
and due to circular indemnity, Plaintiffs’ claims are extinguished as a matter of law.
Entergy argued that it is undisputed that Plaintiffs: (1) performed an activity
where it was possible to bring themselves and the boat within six feet of an overhead
high voltage power line without first making arrangements with Entergy to guard
against contact; and (2) physically and electrically contacted a high voltage overhead
power line while navigating through flood waters off the roadways, over private
yards, and between houses. Entergy further argued that any alleged negligence on
its part does not negate statutory indemnity. See id. § 752.008. To establish facts
relevant to its Chapter 752 defense, Entergy attached relevant excerpts from
Plaintiffs’ depositions; the depositions of Dr. Peter Cass (“Cass”) and Stephanie
Cass, who were witnesses to the accident; and the affidavit of David Richard,
Entergy’s Senior Manager, Operations and Safety.
In his deposition, Woollen testified that he drove his boat down Keith Road
with Hill to pick up Cass, Stephanie, and their daughter, and after he took the Casses
to get gas for their generator, he decided to help rescue a family. According to
Woollen, the next thing he remembers was hearing his wife tell him that he had been
electrocuted. Woollen testified that prior to the accident, he never contacted Entergy
regarding the power lines, but he had heard that the power was supposed to have
3
been turned off. Woollen explained that when he was operating his boat, the back of
his head contacted the power line.
Hill testified that he volunteered to help Woollen in rescue efforts. Hill
testified that after they took the Casses to get gas and to check on a friend’s cat, they
planned to navigate across the highway to help people who needed a boat. Hill
explained that they followed the streets and stayed on the roadway until they reached
Artesian Acres where the accident occurred. According to Hill, he did not remember
the accident or being near any power lines. Hill testified that prior to the accident,
he did anticipate that he would be near power lines, but he did not call Entergy to
de-energize any power lines.
Cass testified that he, Stephanie, and his daughter, Natalie, were with Woollen
and Hill when the accident occurred. Cass testified that they decided to help evacuate
people on the other side of Highway 69, and Woollen drove the boat while Hill
navigated. Cass explained that he saw power lines along the road, and they tried to
stay as far away as possible because they did not know if the lines were energized.
Cass also explained that they had to travel under one or two lines, but he could not
remember if they were cable or power lines. Cass testified that while they were
navigating through the neighborhood, they encountered some dry roads and had to
travel between houses and through individual yards. According to Cass, they had to
be careful because it was “fairly tight” navigating between houses.
4
Cass testified that at one point they were navigating between two houses when
they encountered a power line in the backyard of the houses that blocked their route.
Cass explained that Woollen throttled down the engine while they discussed how
they were going to navigate around the power line, but the boat drifted towards the
power line, causing the power line to electrocute Hill and Woollen by contacting the
boat and Woollen’s head. Cass testified that the boat came within two to three feet
of the power line, which they assumed was energized, and he did not know if
Woollen or Hill had contacted Entergy before they entered the area.
Stephanie testified that on the day of the accident, she rode with Woollen and
Hill to check on pets and to help with evacuation efforts. Stephanie testified that they
traveled under power lines and assumed that they were energized, but she also
assumed that they were dead because there was no power. Stephanie explained that
some of the roads were not flooded, and they had to travel through individual yards
and between houses. Stephanie further explained they found themselves in what they
assumed was the backyard of someone’s home when they encountered a power line
that they had to maneuver under, and Stephanie testified that the power line came in
contact with the boat and Woollen’s head. Stephanie testified that nobody told her
that the power lines were de-energized, and on the day of the accident, she did not
have any conversations with Entergy.
5
In his affidavit, David Richard averred that he was employed by Entergy as
Sr. Manager, Operations and Safety and that he has personal knowledge of the power
lines contacted by Woollen and Hill. Richard testified that the bare overhead
powerline contacted by Woollen and Hill carried 7,600 volts measuring from phase
to ground.
Plaintiffs filed a Response to Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment in
which they argued that Entergy’s motion should be denied because Chapter 752 does
not apply when a person comes in contact with an overhead line while on the water
engaging in rescue boating activities during natural disasters. Plaintiffs further
argued that if Chapter 752 does apply, complying with the statute during hurricane
rescues is an impossibility. Plaintiffs argued that the statute’s legislative history
shows that the statute was designed to address dangers associated with anticipated
work around power lines and not to insulate Entergy from liability during natural
disasters. Plaintiffs further argued that Chapter 752 does not apply to accidents that
occur on water because the statute specifically provides that it applies to accidents
that occur on land, a building or highway, or other premises. According to Plaintiffs,
the accident happened on a boat and on the water, and the only possible location that
could apply would be a “premises,” but the statute does not define “premises” and
water does not fall under the term’s common definition.
6
Plaintiffs also argue that the statute only applies to “work” because the intent
of the statute was to address concerns with employers and employees working
around power lines. Plaintiffs contend that the statute does not apply because they
did not intend to perform work around high voltage lines. According to Plaintiffs,
although Entergy was aware of the flood and the presence of rescue boaters, Entergy
was negligent because it failed to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of
citizens by de-energizing all the power lines in the flooded areas, and Entergy should
not be afforded immunity for activities that it knew were ongoing by claiming that
it was required to be notified by boaters performing rescue operations. Plaintiffs’
summary-judgment evidence includes, among other items, the statute’s Bill
Analysis; a News Release issued by Entergy regarding its preparations for Tropical
Storm Harvey; excerpts from the deposition of Richard; excerpts from the deposition
of Cass; and Trouble Tickets from Entergy’s Outage Management System.
In an Amended Order, the trial court denied Entergy’s Motion for Summary
Judgment and made the following findings:
1. There are substantial grounds for differences of opinion regarding
the one controlling question of law presented by [Entergy’s] Motion
for Summary Judgment – whether the Texas Health & Safety Code
§§ 752.001-.008 apply to the facts presented, to which this Court
rules that the statute does not apply to the facts presented in this
case; and
2. Since the application of the statute would result in the dismissal of
Plaintiffs’ claims in this case through circular indemnity, an
7
immediate appeal from this Amended Order may materially advance
the ultimate termination of this litigation.
Entergy filed this interlocutory appeal. See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. §
51.014(d).
ANALYSIS
In its sole issue, Entergy argues that the trial court erred in denying its Motion
for Summary Judgment because Chapter 752 applies to the facts in this case, it is
undisputed that Plaintiffs violated the statute, and Plaintiffs’ violation results in
circular indemnity. Entergy argues that the plain language of Chapter 752 makes it
clear that the Legislature intended the provisions to apply to both employment and
non-employment activities. See Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. §§ 752.003,
752.004. According to Entergy, the plain language of the statute expressly includes
activities on land or other premises, which would include Plaintiffs’ rescue boating
activity. Entergy also argues Plaintiffs are not exempt from complying with the
statute and that Chapter 752 applies to Plaintiffs regardless of Plaintiffs’ intent or
any allegations of negligence against Entergy.
Plaintiffs argue that Chapter 752 does not apply because Plaintiffs were not
involved in any sort of work or activity or function as contemplated by Chapter 752.
See id. §§ 752.003-.005. Plaintiffs further argue that Chapter 752 does not apply to
people who are simply traveling in the vicinity of a power line or to boats traveling
on the water. According to Plaintiffs, since they had no intent to perform any work
8
around high voltage power lines, they were not required to notify Entergy, and since
the winds and current drifted the boat into the power line, Plaintiffs should not be
held liable for Entergy’s losses because they were not responsible for any alleged
violation of Chapter 752. See id. §§ 752.003, 752.007, 752.008. Plaintiffs contend
that the fact that such a violation would result in a criminal penalty provides a
compelling reason not to construe the statute in a manner that would include people
who were merely passing by a powerline while rescuing victims during natural
disasters.
We review rulings on motions for summary judgment using a de novo
standard. See Provident Life & Accident Ins. Co. v. Knott, 128 S.W.3d 211, 215 (Tex.
2003). The moving party has the burden to show with competent summary-judgment
evidence that no genuine issue of material fact exists and it is entitled to summary
judgment as a matter of law. See Tex. R. Civ. P. 166a(c); Mann Frankfort Stein &
Lipp Advisors, Inc. v. Fielding, 289 S.W.3d 844, 848 (Tex. 2009); Nixon v. Mr. Prop.
Mgmt. Co., 690 S.W.2d 546, 548 (Tex. 1985).
On appeal, we review the summary-judgment record “in the light most
favorable to the nonmovant, indulging every reasonable inference and resolving any
doubts against the motion.” City of Keller v. Wilson, 168 S.W.3d 802, 824 (Tex.
2005). We credit evidence in favor of the verdict if reasonable jurors could and
disregard evidence that contradicts the verdict unless reasonable jurors could not. Id.
9
at 827. Summary judgment for a defendant is proper only if the defendant negates at
least one element of each of the plaintiff’s theories of recovery. Sci. Spectrum, Inc.
v. Martinez, 941 S.W.2d 910, 911 (Tex. 1997). A party asserting an affirmative
defense has the burden of pleading and proving the defense as a matter of law such
that there is no genuine issue of material fact. Montgomery v. Kennedy, 669 S.W.2d
309, 310-11 (Tex. 1984); Chavez v. City of San Antonio ex rel. v. City Public Service
Bd. of San Antonio, 21 S.W.3d 435, 438 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2000, pet.
denied); see also Tex. R. Civ. P. 94.
The issue in this appeal involves statutory construction, which is a question
of law that we review de novo. See Bragg v. Edwards Aquifer Auth., 71 S.W.3d 729,
734 (Tex. 2002). When construing a statute, we must ascertain the Legislature’s
intent in enacting the statute. Fleming Foods of Tex. v. Rylander, 6 S.W.3d 278, 284
(Tex. 1999). In determining the Legislature’s intent, we look to the plain meaning
of the words used in the statute. See Fireman’s Fund Cty. Mut. Ins. Co. v. Hidi, 13
S.W.3d 767, 768-69 (Tex. 2000). We presume every word was deliberately chosen
and that excluded words were purposely omitted. USA Waste Servs. of Houston, Inc.
v. Strayhorn, 150 S.W.3d 491, 494 (Tex. App.—Austin 2004, pet. denied). We must
consider the entire act and not isolated portions. See Jones v. Fowler, 969 S.W.2d
429, 432 (Tex. 1998). We may also consider the legislative history, the “object
sought to be attained[]” by enacting the statute, and the “consequences of a particular
10
construction[.]” Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. § 311.023. However, legislative history
cannot be used to alter or disregard the express terms of a code provision when its
meaning is clear. Rylander, 6 S.W.3d at 284.
We now turn to the relevant provisions of Chapter 752 of the Texas Health
and Safety Code, which pertains to persons who engage in activities near high
voltage power lines. See Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. §§ 752.001-.008;
McCaughtry v. Barwood Homes Ass’n, 981 S.W.2d 325, 334 (Tex. App.—Houston
[14th Dist.] 1998, pet. denied). Section 752.001(1) defines “high voltage” as “more
than 600 volts measured between conductors or between a conductor and the
ground.” Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. § 752.001(1). Section 752.002 provides
exemptions for certain employees and activities and notes the Chapter “does not
apply to the construction, reconstruction, operation, or maintenance by an authorized
person of overhead electrical or communication circuits or conductors[.]” Id. §
752.002(a). Section 752.003 requires a person responsible for temporary work or a
temporary activity or function within certain prescribed proximities to a high voltage
overhead line to notify the operator of the line at least forty-eight hours before any
work, activity, or function begins and to arrange for temporary de-energization of
the line or other safety precautions to prevent contact between the line and the
material or equipment or the person performing the work, activity, or function. Id. §
752.003(a)-(b). Section 752.004 requires a person to first comply with section
11
752.003 before performing a function or activity on land, a building, a highway, or
other premises if at any time the person performing the function or activity may “(1)
move or be placed within six feet of a high voltage overhead line while performing
the function or activity; or (2) bring any part of a tool, equipment, machine, or
material within six feet of a high voltage overhead line while performing the function
or activity.” Id. § 752.004(a)-(b). Unless a person guards against danger by contact
with the line as prescribed by section 752.003, a person may not operate any
equipment within six feet of a high voltage line. Id. § 752.005(2).
The Legislature’s intent behind passing Chapter 752 was to ensure the safety
of individuals engaged in activities near power lines. See Ringo v. Gulf States Util.
Co., 569 S.W.2d 31, 65 (Tex. App.—Beaumont 1978, writ ref’d n.r.e.) (discussing
purpose of the predecessor statute). A person who violates Chapter 752 is subject to
a criminal penalty, and if the violation results in physical or electrical contact with a
high voltage overhead line, the person is liable to the owner or operator of the line
for all damages to the facilities and for all liability that the owner or operator incurs
because of the contact. Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. §§ 752.007, 752.008; see
also Trail v. Friedrich, 77 S.W.3d 508, 513-14 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.]
2002, pet. denied); Chavez, 21 S.W.3d at 438-39. The purpose of the indemnification
provision of Chapter 752 is to place the liability for losses resulting from
noncompliance with the notification and safety provisions on the person responsible
12
for performing the temporary work, activity, or function near a high voltage
overhead line. See Chavez, 21 S.W.3d at 439.
We are not persuaded by Plaintiffs’ argument that Chapter 752 only applies
to people doing work in the vicinity of power lines. The statute is unambiguous, and
where statutory text is clear the text of the statute determines the Legislature’s intent.
Entergy Gulf States, Inc. v. Summers, 282 S.W.3d 433, 437 (Tex. 2009). It is clear
that the Legislature did not intend for Chapter 752 to only apply to employees
performing work because the Legislature included the terms “function” and
“activity” in addition to “work,” and the Legislature also included the terms “person”
“individually,” and “employee” with the conjunction “or,” which makes it clear that
the provisions were intended to apply to both employment and non-employment
activities. See Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. §§ 752.003, 752.004; Presley v. Gulf
States Utils. Co., No. 09-10-00039-CV, 2010 WL 4264097, at *6 (Tex. App.—
Beaumont Oct. 28, 2010, pet. denied) (mem. op.).
We disagree with Plaintiffs’ contention that the legislation was aimed at work
being done on land and things solidly grounded and does not apply to events
happening in a boat on the water. While Chapter 752 does not define the term
“premises,” Chapter 481 of the Texas Health and Safety Code defines “premises” as
“real property and all buildings and appurtenances pertaining to the real property.”
See Tex. Health & Safety Code. Ann. §§ 481.134(a)(4), 752.001. Section 752.004
13
expressly includes activities “on land, a building, a highway, or other premises[.]”
Id. § 752.004. It is undisputed that Plaintiffs were in a boat over someone’s privately
owned real property that was temporarily flooded, and that the real property
remained a premises before, during, and after Hurricane Harvey. See Baker v. City
of Fort Worth, 210 S.W.2d 564, 567 (Tex. 1948) (stating that a flood overflowed
petitioner’s premises and inflicted damages); City of Austin v. Leggett, 257 S.W.3d
456, 474-75 (Tex. App.—Austin 2008, pet. denied) (explaining that a flooded
intersection is an ordinary premises defect). We conclude that Chapter 752 applies
to Plaintiffs’ temporary activity of conducting rescue boating operations on a
premises.
We also disagree that Plaintiffs are not responsible for contacting the power
line. A person is responsible for violating Chapter 752 when they have the desire to
perform a temporary activity and have some degree of control over the activity. See
Tex. Health & Safety Code. Ann. § 752.003; Chavez, 21 S.W.3d at 439. It is
undisputed that Plaintiffs made the decision to take the boat into flooded waters and
perform rescue operations, and while navigating the boat, Plaintiffs came into
contact with a power line. The fact that Plaintiffs did not plan to perform a temporary
activity near an overhead power line or unexpectedly became aware of the possibility
that an activity would have to be performed near a power line does not excuse
Plaintiffs from the obligation of informing Entergy before initiating the activity. See
14
AEP Tex. North Co. v. SPA Pipe, Inc., No. 03-06-00122-CV, 2008 WL 5210919, at
*6 (Tex. App.—Austin 2008 Dec. 12, 2008, pet. dism’d) (mem. op.). A contrary
construction would be inconsistent with the public policy interests of imposing
liability on the person performing an activity near a power line and of minimizing
the potentially devastating consequences of doing so. See id.Additionally, we conclude that Plaintiffs are not exempt from complying with
Chapter 752. By its plain language, Chapter 752 does not exempt private persons
engaged in performing rescue operations from indemnity for failure to comply with
section 752.003. See Tex. Health & Safety Code. Ann. §§ 752.002, 752.003. Section
752.002 expressly exempts certain employees and activities from complying with
the provisions of the Act, and if the Legislature wanted to exclude persons
performing rescue operations from the Act’s application it could have done so. See
id. Moreover, since section 752.008 does not contain qualifications limiting its
applicability to situations in which the utility is without fault, Chapter 752’s
indemnity provision applies regardless of any alleged negligence on Entergy’s part.
See id. § 752.008; AEP Tex. North Co., 2008 WL 5210919, at *6.
Based on the record before us, we conclude Entergy established as a matter of
law that Chapter 752 applies to the facts in this case, Plaintiffs violated Chapter 752
by performing an activity on a premises that brought Plaintiffs and their boat within
six feet of a high voltage overhead power line without first making arrangements
15
with Entergy, and Plaintiffs’ claims are extinguished due to circular indemnity. See
Tex. Health & Safety Code Ann. §§ 752.001-.008. We further conclude that the trial
court erred by denying Entergy’s Motion for Summary Judgment. In its Motion for
Summary Judgment, Entergy sought to recover costs; therefore, we sustain
Entergy’s sole issue and reverse the trial court’s Amended Order and remand to that
court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
REVERSED AND REMANDED.
_________________________
W. SCOTT GOLEMON
Chief Justice
Submitted on August 26, 2021
Opinion Delivered November 10, 2021
Before Golemon, C.J., Kreger and Johnson, JJ.
16