ADVANCED
CIVIL TRIAL
COURSE
Honorable Phil Peden
Director
Volume 1
January 1978
rP'Pfi!ssiona[
'bevefqpment
SJn&raflLJ
COPYRIGHT © 1978
by
STATE BAR OF TEXAS
All rights reserved.
Prepared for the "Advanced Civil Trial Course (Including Personal Injury) " sponsored by the State Bar of
Texas and held in Houston . Dallas and San Antonio during February and March . 1978.
ADVANCED
CIVIL TRIAL
COURSE
Honorable Phil Peden
Director
Volume 2
January 1978
"SJrEfessiona[
'bevefqpment
~rqgranLJ
COPYRIGHT © 1978
by
STATE BAR OF TEXAS
All rights reserved.
Prepared for the " Advanced Civil Trial Course (Including Personal Injury)" sponsored by the State Bar of
Texas and held in Houston . Dallas and San Antonio during February and March. 1978.
ADVANCED CIVIL TRIAL COURSE (1978)
Table of Contents
VOLUME I
Chapter
SPECIAL ISSUES AND INSTRUCTIONS--CURRENT PROBLEMS
S. Tom Morris
A
TECHNICAL EVIDENCE
Frank J. Knapp
B
NEGLIGENCE; CURRENT TRENDS
Tom H. Davis
C
PRODUCTS LIABILITY
James B. Sales
D
WORKERS' COMPENSATION
Tony Korioth
E
STATUTORY CLAIMS
Scott Baldwin
F
PROFESSIONAL MALPRACTICE
Jim Mac Perdue
G
INITIATING THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP ,
J. Carlisle DeHay, Jr.
H
JURISDICTION, PARTIES &ACTIONS
Judge Patrick E. Higginbotham
I
VENUE IN CIVIL CASES
Judge Quentin Keith
J
PLEADINGS: STATE AND FEDERAL
Harry M. Reasoner
K
JURISDICTION OVER THE PERSON AND SERVICE OF PROCESS
Professor William V. Dorsaneo, III
L
CLASS ACTION LITIGATION
Judge Finis E. Cowan
M
PREPARATION IN CIVIL LITIGATION
Windle Turley
N
DISCOVERY
John H. Hall
0
MOTION PRACTICE
Jack Hebdon
P
Advanced Civil Trial Course (1978)
Table of Contents
Page 2
Chapter
Q
SUMMARY JUDGMENTS
Dean Otis H. King
COMPROMISE SETTLEMENTS
Wayne Fisher
& THEIR
R
EFFECTS
PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY AND THE CODE OF
PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY - AN OVERVIEW
Joe Bruce Cunningham
S
VOLUME 2
JURY SELECTION AND OPENING STATEMENTS
Joseph D. Jamail
T
DIRECT & CROSS EXAMINATION
Professor James W. McElhaney
U
HOW TO USE DEMONSTRATIVE
George E. Pletcher
& TESTIMONIAL
EVIDENCE
V
RELEVANCE, COMPETENCY, PRIVILEGE, PRESUMPTIONS
AND JUDICIAL NOTICE
Dean Frank Elliott
W
HEARSAY AND THE EXCEPTIONS TO THE HEARSAY RULE
Professor John F. Ensle
X
THE EXCLUSION OF INADMISSIBLE EVIDENCE; THE INTRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS AND PHYSICAL EVIDENCE; THE
INTRODUCTION OF OPINION EVIDENCE, LAY AND EXPERT
Professor Newell Blakely
Y
PROCEDURAL ASPECTS OF SPECIAL ISSUE SUBMISSION
COURT'S CHARGE
Professor L. Wayne Scott
&
z
JURY ARGUMENT
Warren Burnett
AA
JURY DELIBERATIONS, THE VERDICT AND JUDGMENT
Professor Matt Dawson
BB
PROTECTING THE RECORD
W. James Kronzer
& PERFECTING
APPEAL
CC
WORKERS' COMPENSATION
Table of Contents
1.
EMPLOYMENTS COVERED -------------------------------- EA. PRIVATE EMPLOYMENT. ------------------------------1.
Included --------------------------------- -2.
Excluded ----------------------------------3.
Mandatory -------- -------------------------4.
Voluntary Coverage ------------------------B. GOVERNMENTAL EMPLOYMENT --- ----------------------1.
State Employees ---------------------------2.
Political Subdivisions---------------------3.
Federal Compensation -----------------------
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
II.
INJURIES COVERED-------------------------------------- 3
A. STATUTORY PROVISIONS------------------------------ 3
B. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY------------------------------- 3
C. SPECIFIC PROBLEMS--------------------------------- 3
1.
Accidental Injury--------------------------- 3
2.
Heart Attacks ------------------------------ 4
3.
Suicide ------------------------------------ 4
4.
Fright or Excitement ----------------------- 5
Idiopathic Falls --------------------------- 5
5.
Horseplay----------------------------------- 5
6.
7.
Assualt by Third Person -------------'------- 6
8.
Intoxication-------------------------------- 7
9.
Acts of God ----- ---------------- --- -- ----- 7
10.
Volunteers --------------------------------- 8
11.
Unexplained Injury ------------------------ 8
12.
Diseases Resulting From Injury ------------- 8
13.
Diseases Indirectly from Injury------------- 9
14.
Aggrevation -------------------------------- 10
III.
NOTICE OF INJURY AND CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION --------A. STATUTORY PROVISIONS -------------------------- - -B. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY ----------- ---- ------------- -C. NOTICE OF INJURY --------------------------------D. CLAIM FOR COMPENSATION --------------------------E. LATE FILING-GOOD CAUSE --------------------------1.
General Rules ----------------------------2.
Good Cause---------------------------------3.
No Good Cause------------------------------F. TOLLING OF STATUTE ------------------------------
11
11
COMPENSATION BENEFITS -------------------------------A. STATUTORY PROVISIONS ----------------------------1.
Weekly Benefit ----------------------------2.
Discount &Interest------------------------3.
Death Benefits-----------------------------4.
Total Incapacity --------------------------5.
Partial Incapacity ------------------------6.
Specific Injuries -------------------------7.
Hernia--------------------------------------
15
15
15
16
16
16
16
16
16
IV.
e-i
11
11
12
12
12
13
14
15
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
V.
VI.
VII.
MAXIMUM
GENERAL
GENERAL
GENERAL
GENERAL
GENERAL
BENEFITS -------------------------------RULES-TOTAL DISABILITY -----------------RULES-PARTIAL DISABILITY----------------RULES-DEATH-----------------------------RULES-SPECIFIC INJURIES ----------------RULES-HERNIA-----------------------------
AVERAGE WEEKLY WAGE --------------------------------A. STATUTORY PROVISIONS----------------------------B. GENERAL RULES ----------------------------------C. PROVING THE AVERAGE WEEKLY WAGE-----------------1.
The Steps---------------------------------2.
Procedure---------------------------------3.
Other Compensation -----------------------MEDICAL BENEFITS -----------------------------------A. STATUTORY PROVISIONS----------------------------B. GENERAL RULES -----------------------------------
17
17
18
18
19
21
21
22
RECOVERY FROM THIRD PERSON: SUBROGATION AND ATTORNEY'S
FEES ------------------------------------------------ 42
A. STATUTORY PROVISIONS ---------------------------- 42
B. GENERAL RULES ----------------------------------- 43
II.
ATTORNEY'S FEES ------------------------------------A. STATUTORY PROVISIONS ---------------------------B. GENERAL RULES -----------------------------------
44
44
APPEALS --------------------------------------------A. GENERAL PROVISIONS -----------------------------B. VENUE -------------'- ----------------------------C. DIVERSITY JURISDICTION--------------------------D. GENERAL RULES ----------------------------------1.
Mandamus ---------------------------------2.
Payment ----------------------------------3.
Notice -----------------------------------4.
Finality of Award ------------------------5.
Statute of Limitations -------------------6.
Ord~rs.Ap~ealable ------------------------7.
Jurlsdlctlon ------------------------------
44
44
45
23
23
23
24
III.
25
25
26
28
28
28
29
29
30
MODIFICATION OF AGREEMENTS AND AWARDS --------------A. GENERAL PROVISIONS --------------------------- - -1.
Change of Condition ----------------------2.
Mistake or Fraud -------------------------3.
Compensation Period ----------------------4.
Fin~lity of Award-------------------------5.
Notlce ----------------------------------6.
Non-suit ---------------------------------B. GENERAL PROVISIONS -----------------------------1.
No Review By Board -----------------------2.
Suit to Set Aside -------------------------
35
35
35
35
35
35
35
36
36
36
36
IX.
BENEFICIARIES --------------------------------------A. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY ----------------------------B. PERSONS TO WHOM BENEFITS PAYABLE ---------------1.
No Dependency Required -------------------2.
Dependency Required ----------------------3.
Liability For Debts -----------------------
36
36
37
37
37
38
X.
EFFECT OF PREVIOUS DISABILITY------------ - ----------A. STATUTORY PROVISIONS ---------------------------B. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY ----------------------------C. CONTRIBUTION ----------------------------------1.
General Rules ----------------------------a . Burden of Proof-----------------------b . Average Weekly Wage ----------------- - -
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39
39
39
39
39
40
32
IV.
32
34
XVI.
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46
46
46
47
47
47
47
47
48
EXTRA-TERRITORIAL EFFECTS --------------------------A. GENERAL PROVISIONS -----------------------------B. VENUE ------------------------------------------C. TIME LIMITATION ----------------------------'----D. ELECTION ---------------------------------------E. FULL FAITH AND CREDIT --------------------------F. SPECIAL ISSUES ----------------------------------
48
48
48
49
49
49
49
RESIDENT AND NON-RESIDENT ALIEN BENEFICIARIES
50
PRACTICE BEFORE THE INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT BOARD
A. STATUTORY PROVISIONS ---------------------------B. GENERAL RULES -----------------------------------
50
50
51
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS AND ISSUES -------- - -------A. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS -----------------------1.
Confidentiality of Claim Files -----------2.
Fraud ------------------------------------3.
Funeral Expenses ----------------------- - -4.
Insurance Premiums -----------------------5.
Exemplary Damages ------------------------6.
Discrimination ---------------------------7.
Notice of Cancellation -------------------8.
Interest ---------------------------------9.
Real Estate Salesmen----------------------10.
Evidence ----------------------------------
51
51
51
52
54
54
54
55
55
55
55
55
e-iii
e-ii
40
40
41
1.
20
COMPROMISE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS ------------------ - A. APPROVAL ---------------------------------------1.
By The Board -----------------------------2.
By The Court -----------------------------3.
Approved Settlement,Effect ---------------4.
Grounds for Setting Aside-----------------5.
Review by Court --------------------------6.
Non-Compliance ---------------------------B. NOTICE ------------------------------------------
VIII.
D.
c. Subsequent Injuries ------------------d. Specific Problems --------------------SECOND INJURY FUND-------------------------------
11.
12.
13.
Transportation ---------------------------Rule 277, T.R.C.P. -----------------------"Workers' Compensation" -------------------
APPENDIX-INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT BOARD RULES
e-iv
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S6
S6
S7- 77
RELEVANCE, COMPETENCY, PRIVILEGE, PRESUMPTIONS
AND JUDICIAL NOTICE
Table of Contents
Page
w=-SCOPE OF ARTICLE.
1
RELEVANCY . . . .
A. DEFINITION. .
B. ADMISSIBILITY
1.
Relevant Evidence
2.
I rre 1 evan t Ev idence
C. PREJUDICE, CONFUSION, OR WASTE OF ' TIME.
D. CHARACTER. . . . . . .
1. Evidence of an Act. . . .
2.
Character in Issue. . . .
a. Plaintiff's Character as Affecting Damages.
b. Employee's Character.
E. HAB IT . . . . . .
1.
Federal Rule. . . . . . .
2.
Texas Rule. . . . . . . .
F. SIMILAR ACTS AND TRA~SACTIONS
1.
Other Contracts . . . . .
2. Sales of Similar Property
3.
Similar Claims by Same Claimant
4.
Conduct of Other Persons in Similar Situations.
G.
SUBSEQUENT REMEDIP.L HFASURES. . . .
H. COMPROMISE AND OFFERS TO COMPROMISE
1.
Texas Rule. .
2.
Federal Rule. . . . . . . . . .
3.
Used to Prove Other Fact. . . .
I. PAYMENT OF MEDICAL AND SIMILAR EXPENSES
1.
Federal Rule. .
2.
Texas Rule. . .
J.
LIABILITY INSURANCE
1.
Texas Rule. .
2.
Federal Rule.
3. Used to Prove Other Fact.
COMPETENCY. . .
IN GENERAL.
B. MENTAL CAPACITY
1.
In General.
2.
In fan t s . .
a. Intelligence.
b.
Oa th. . . .
3. Insane Persons. .
4. Miscellaneous . .
C. MARl TAL RELATI ONSHI P .
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1
1
1
2
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A.
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i
D.
E.
IV .
IN TEREST. . . . . . . .
1. In General. . . . .
2.
Dead Man's Statute .
a. Actions..
. ..
b . Transaction or Statement .
c . Waiver. . . . . . . . . .
(1)
Failure to object . .
(2)
Calling opposite party as witness.
(3)
Cross-examining opposite party . .
(4)
Taking deposition of opposite party .
(5)
Requests for Adm i ssions .
(6)
Interrogatories . .
(7)
Authority . . . . .
d . Instruc t ion to Jury . .
FEDERAL RU LE . . . . . . . . . .
1 . Lack of Personal Knowledge .
2.
Oa th. . . . .
. . . .
3.
Compe t ency of Judge as Witness.
4 . Competency of Juror as Witness .
5. Summary
PRIVILEGES .
A. IN GENERAL.
B. SELF INCRIMINATIO~.
C. CONFIDEN TIAL COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN HUSBAND A~D
WIFE.
1.
Statutory Basis
2 . Type of Communication
a. Purpose of Privilege.
b. What is Confident i al Communicatio n.
3. Type of Action
4.' Eavesdroppers
5 . Duration
D. CONFIDENTIAL COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN ATTORNEY AND
CLIENT
1. St atutory Bas is
2 . Communica t ion Must be in Course of Professional
Serv i ce
a. Communication Must be Professional .
b. Fur t herance of Crime or Fraud
c. Relationship of Attorney and Client
3 . Type of Co mmunication
4 . Confident i ality
5 . Who May Cl aim
6 . Eavesdroppers
7 . Duration
E . CONFIDENT I AL COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN CLERGYMAN
AND PEN I TENT .
1. Statutory Basis
2 . Who May Cl aim
3. Adminis t ration of Justice
F. MISCELLANEOUS
G. FEDERAL RULES OF EVIDENCE
V.
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VI .
PRESUMPTIONS . .
A. DEFINITION.
B. ORIGINATIOn
1.
Pleadings . . .
2. Judicial Notice
3.
Stipulation . .
4.
Evidence . . . .
C. EFFECT . . . . . . . . . . .
D. EVIDENCE REBUTTING PRESUMED FACT.
1.
Examples . . . .
2.
General Rule. . . . . .
E . FEDERAL RULE . . . .
1.
Federal Rule of Evidence ~Ol .
2. Federal Rule of Evidence 302.
F. QUASI PRESUMPTIONS . . . . .
G. SPECIAL ISSUE SUBMISSION . .
1.
Basic Fact Established no Evidence to
Rebut Presumed Fact . : . . . . . .
2.
Basic Fact Established, Evidence Rebutting
Presumed Fact . . . . . .
a . Evidence of Basic Fact'S~ffi~i~nt to·
Raise Fact Issue on Presumed Fact . .
b . Evidence of Basic Fact Insufficient to
Raise Fact Issue on Presumed Fact . .
~.
Basic Fact Disputed, no Evidence to Rebut
Presumed Fact . . . . . . . . '. . . . .
4.
Basic Fact Disputed, Evidence Rebutting
Presumed Fact
5.
Examples .
JUDICIAL NOTICE
A. THEORY . .
B . LAWS . . . .
1. Texas Laws.
a . Statutes.
. . .
b. Municipal Charters . .
c . Municipal Ordinances .
2. Federal Laws. . . . . . .
a. Statutes . . . . . . . . . . . .
b . Proclamations of the President.
c. Administrative Rules
~. Laws of Other States and · F~r~ign·C~u~t~i~s:
a . Other States . . . .
. . .
. ....
b. Foreign Countries
C. POLITICAL DIVISIONS
1 . Counties
2 . Cities
D. JUDICIAL FACTS.
1 . Courts
. .. . .
2. Records of Proceedings.
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E.
F.
G.
H.
I.
J.
VI I .
BUSINESS . AND INDUSTRIAL FACTS.
HISTORICAL FACTS.
GEOGRAPHICAL FACTS
LIFE PHENOMENA.
MI SCELLANEOUS. . .
FEDERAL RULES OF EVIDENCE.
1. Kinds of Facts . . . .
a. Generally Known Within the Territorial
Jurisdiction of the Trial Court. . . .
b. Capable of Accurate and Ready Determination by Resort to Sources Whose Accuracy
Cannot Reasonably Be Questioned.
2. When Discretionary. . .
3 . When Manda tory . . . . .
4. Opportunity to be Heard.
5. Time of Taking Notice.
6. Instructing Jury
SUMMARY. . . . . . . . .
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