ROBERTO DIAZ-ROHENA, M.D. v. CYNTHIA S. MELTON (other)

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No. 07-0173

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Roberto Diaz-Rohena, M.D., Petitioner,

v.

Cynthia S. Melton, Respondent

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On Petition for Review from the

Court of Appeals for the Second District of Texas

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PER CURIAM

Cynthia Melton filed this suit claiming Dr. Diaz-Rohena negligently performed surgery on her left eye and negligently conducted post-operative treatment. As required by statute, within 120 days of filing Melton served a curriculum vitae and expert report signed by Dr. John H. Maggiano supporting her claim.[1] Dr. Diaz-Rohena moved for dismissal and attorney s fees on the ground that the expert report was inadequate,[2] but the trial court denied the motion.

Dr. Diaz-Rohena filed a timely interlocutory appeal with the Second Court of Appeals, which dismissed for want of jurisdiction.[3] For the reasons stated today in Lewis v. Funderburk,[4] we hold that Dr. Diaz-Rohena s motion seeking dismissal and fees was a motion pursuant to section 74.351(b), and thus reviewable by interlocutory appeal when the trial court denied it.[5] The court of appeals erred by concluding otherwise.

Accordingly, we grant the petition for review, and without hearing oral argument, Tex. R. App. P. 59.1, we reverse the court of appeals judgment and remand the case to that court to consider the remaining arguments raised by the interlocutory appeal.

OPINION DELIVERED: April 11, 2008

[1] Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code 74.351(a).

[2] Id. 74.351(b).

[3] ___ S.W.3d ___ .

[4] ___ S.W.3d ___ (Tex. 2007).

[5] Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code 51.014(a)(9).