ÿWPCÿ Ô$cË‚Ûˆ¤©’$;¦Œ{öOAZþÀN£âc¤!Ç5NñŸdnêvÍDtÕ–uJŒðµøw?ózvòí¹ÒíúUp1= >»°a,ìr=ý¿¯è3e%»çÓR&TæÇ¼¢F%ëóíV”Õè¨QΩk"‹ ƒrßÛî»ïˆó4P‰š‰q)ò'ôÄzMŠK}‰û›áv♩q/Â)‰ñ“kÓlŽ\#òaÏ%¾Ò)XçütG_ßE"ïáÐÕ&Û¢(Ýcƒ‚”–·˜qã_~ÒGüÐîô¿À˜{Ù×5|1lprá'DÜ–¸úR=’4Íã1TÇeCÆÈ0Ä’x8ß 4"= —ãþfò³V°Xà\ð(ÂÑczßq‚]Ÿ¶è·îF±cûúM©¶íR ÛÏÊsÆÜS µ8‰ì™hœšeÜ>cr}³W»6úP£¹(°o-L€HÉ¥†`#Á@U+N %O 0(U w} 4 • ¤ ¾ bÆ 72Î N 0P ^ R ^ m` 0³w b* . 1‡6 1u½ 0c2 0D• UNÙ U N' U Nu Eà ›Å Å ` ^hdÆm*************************************************** 0D————— BÛÛÛÛ Aø D?y BG¸˜HP LaserJet 4Si,ü,,,,,ü0(ÖÃ9 Z ‹6Times New Roman RegularX($¡¡ë~Š(tttttt3|xwaiver- ù-i)((3/Q$««Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÔ d Ô“ž¸(L ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ(c(2Êò$¤¤Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÔ€X}0XXXÔÓ  ÓÑ  ÑÑÑà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó ù (ÀCEKQW]cioAutoList1i.i.i.i.i.i.i.i.3#37=CIQYag­­1.a.i.(1)(a)(i)1)a)(;3£$´´Ô2#ÔÚ  Ú0Ú  Ú.Ô3  Ôà0  à(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó(ÈhH  Z 6Times New Roman Regular(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular ‘Ý ƒÊò$ÝÔ€X}0XXXÔÓ  ÓÑ @ ÑÑ@Ñà  àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ‡X{ôXXX}0ÔIn€its€order€granting€summary€judgment,€the€trial€court€did€not€mention€the€Dead€PersonððsÐ ° ÐStatute.Ô#†X}0XXX{ôš#Ô€Ô‡X}0XXX}0ÔThe€trial€court€dismissed€both€claims,€stating:Ð  ð ÐÌà8  àThe€Court€specifically€finds€that€there€is€no€genuine€issue€of€fact€concerning€whetherÐ ŒÜ ÐPlaintiff€actually€retained€the€services€of€Defendant€for€purposes€of€filing€a€claim€forÐ xÈ Ðcompensation€under€the€Criminal€Injury€Compensation€Program.€€The€mere€fact€thatÐ d ´ Ðthere€was€apparently€discussion€concerning€the€possibility€of€such€representation€isÐ P   Ðnot€enough€to€establish€the€required€attorney€client€relationship.€Ð< ŒÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àThus,€while€the€court€granted€summary€judgment€to€the€defendant€on€the€entire€complaint,Ð  d  Ðthe€findings€relate€to€only€one€claim.Ô#†X}0XXX}0V#Ô3?\Appellees Attorney Name & Appellee's Name. ZÝ ƒÊò$ÝÔ€X}0XXXÔÓ  ÓÑ @ ÑÑ@Ñà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€Both€parties€agree€Mr.€Cowden€was€providing€representation€to€Ms.€Johnston€on€mattersÐ ° Ðunrelated€to€the€assault€and€the€two€potential€remedies€growing€out€of€that€assault.€ cÝ ƒÊò$ÝÔ€X}0XXXÔÓ  ÓÑ @ ÑÑ@Ñà  àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔIn€her€written€response€to€the€estateððs€€motion€for€summary€judgment,€Ms.€Johnston€stated:Ð ° ÐÌà8  àIt€should€also€be€pointed€out€that€there€is€clearly€no€guarantee€that€a€late„filed€claimÐ ˆØ Ðwould€have€been€honored€by€the€Victimððs€Compensation€authorities.€€It€is€clear,Ð tÄ Ðhowever,€from€a€reading€of€the€entire€record€that€the€very€minor€statutory€amount€thatÐ `° Ðmight€have€been€paid€by€a€Victimððs€Compensation€claim€was€only€secondary€to€theÐ L œ Ðpersonal€injury€lawsuit€that€is€at€the€heart€of€this€litigation.€€The€Court€can€takeÐ 8 ˆ Ðjudicial€knowledge€that€the€Victimððs€Compensation€statute€is€not€an€exclusiveÐ $ t Ðremedy,€and€provides€only€very€nominal€recovery€under€some€circumstances.Ð `Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àThis€statement,€of€course,€is€merely€argument€and€not€evidence,€but€indicates€the€lack€ofÐ è 8  Ðimportance€Ms.€Johnston€placed€on€the€claim€under€the€Criminal€Injuries€Compensation€Act.€As€theÐ Ô$  Ðstatement€indicates,€however,€the€Criminal€Injuries€Compensation€ActÔ‡X}0XXX}0Ô€contains€various€conditions,Ð À  Ðexceptions,€and€limitations€regarding€eligibility€for€payment.€€òòÔ#†X}0XXX}0)#ÔSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€Ann.€ðð€29„13„Ð ¬ü  Ð106.€€Ô‡X}0XXX}0Ô€We€also€note€that€to€succeed€in€showing€damage,€Ms.€Johnston€would€have€to€demonstrateÐ ˜è  Ðthat€she€was€entitled€to€payment€under€theÔ#†X}0XXX}0"#Ô€Ô‡X}0XXX}0ÔAct.€Ô#†X}0XXX}0û#ÔÐ „Ô  Ðà  à(3¯$££Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý dT^yúÿ  <<= 8ÀÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ____3 TripledxdCTriple 1+| d d dÝ ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ‡X{ôXXXÔÔ‡¼jc»XX{ôÔÑ8€}0XXdìdÈ8Ñà@¦ ¦ ìàÔ#†X{ôX»¼jcJ#ÔÔ‡¼jc»XX{ôÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@§§$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†X{ôX»¼jcÖ#ÔÔ‡¼jc»XX{ôÔˆÐ È ÐÔ#†X{ôX»¼jcp#ÔÌò òÔ‡¼jc»XX{ôÔÓ  ÓDOROTHY€J.€JOHNSTON€òòvóó.€FRED€E.€Ô_ÔCOWDENÔ_Ô,€JR.Ô#†X{ôX»¼jcÌ#ÔÔ#†X}0XXX{ô+#ÔÔ‡X{ôXXX}0Ôó óÐ Ð  ÐÓëÓÌà@  ìàò òDirectÔ% ‡ ÔÔ%†ðÔ€Appeal€from€the€Circuit€Court€for€Davidson€CountyˆÐ Ø ( Ðà@§ § ìàNo.€97C„365€Thomas€Brothers,€JudgeˆÐ È  ÐÌÌà@ìì*ìàßA€Y) °°` d€÷E<— ` A߈Ð ˜ è  ÐÌà@· · ìàNo.€M1999„00962„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV€„€Decided€May€25,€Ô_Ô2000Ô_ԈР—ç  ÐÌßA€Y) °°` dE<v` AßÐ wÇ  Ðó óÌÔ#†X}0XXX{ô#ÔThis€legal€malpractice€action€was€filed€against€the€estate€of€a€deceased€attorney€who€allegedlyÐ vÆ  Ðfailed€to€file€a€civil€action€and€a€claim€for€compensation€under€the€Criminal€InjuriesÐ b²  ÐCompensation€Act€on€the€plaintiffððs€behalf.€€Implicitly€applying€the€Dead€Personððs€Statute,€Tenn.Ð Nž ÐCode€Ann.€ðð€24„1„203,€the€trial€court€granted€the€estateððs€motion€for€summary€judgment€on€aÐ :Š Ðfinding€that€the€deceased€attorney€was€never€retained.€€We€affirm.Ð &v ÐÌò òà@SSìàTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Circuit€CourtˆÐ þN Ðà@ ìàAffirmed€and€Remandedó óˆÐ ê: ÐÌòòÔ‡X{ôXàX}0ÔCottrell,óó€J.,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€whichòò€Ô_ÔCantrellÔ_Ô,€Ô_ÔP.J.Ô_Ô,€M.S.óó€and€òòCainóó,€J.Ð Â Ðjoined.Ð ² ÐÔ#†X}0XXX{ôþ#ÔÌLionel€R.€Barrett,€Jr.,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€appellant,€Dorothy€J.€Johnston.Ð ŽÞ ÐÌÔ% ‡ ÔÔ%†ˆ ÔJohn€P.€Ô_ÔBranhamÔ_Ô€&€Kathryn€E.€Barnett,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€Fred€E.€Ô_ÔCowdenÔ_Ô,€Jr.€Deceased,Ð f¶ Ðby€Fred€E.€Ô_ÔCowdenÔ_Ô,€Sr.,€as€Executor€of€the€Estate€of€Fred€E.€Ô_ÔCowdenÔ_Ô,€Jr.Ð R¢ ÐÌà@66'ìàò òOPINIONó óˆÐ *!z  ÐòòÔ‡°·@ °XX}0ÔÓÓà@ìì*ìàóóÔ#†X}0X °°·@. #ÔˆÌÓÓà  àDorothy€(ð ðÔ_ÔDodiÔ_Ôðð)€J.€Johnston€filed€this€legal€malpractice€case€against€the€estate€of€Fred€E.Ð î#># ÐÔ_ÔCowdenÔ_Ô,€Jr.,€a€deceased€attorney€who€allegedly€failed€to€file€a€civil€action€and€a€claim€forÐ Ú$* $ Ðcompensation€under€the€Criminal€Injuries€Compensation€Act€on€her€behalf.€€The€trial€courtÐ Æ%!% Ðgranted€the€estateððs€motion€for€summary€judgment€on€a€finding€that€Ms.€Johnston€never€retainedÐ ²&"& ÐMr.€Ô_ÔCowdenÔ_Ô.€€Ð ž'î"' Ðà  àÌà  àOn€February€3,€1995,€Ms.€Johnston€was€injured€by€an€individual€who€was€subsequentlyÐ v)Æ$) Ðarrested€and€convicted€of€aggravated€assault.€€It€is€undisputed€that€sometime€prior€to€January€8,Ð b*²%* Ð1996,€Ms.€Johnston€consulted€with€Mr.€Ô_ÔCowdenÔ_Ô€about€suing€the€man€who€assaulted€her€andÐ N+ž&+ Ðfiling€a€claim€under€the€criminal€injuries€compensation€statutes.€€€The€outcome€of€this€appealÐ :,Š', ÐÔ_Ôhinges€on€whether€there€is€sufficient€evidence€in€the€record€to€support€a€finding€that€Ms.Ð ° ÐJohnstonððs€€contact€with€Mr.€Cowden€gave€rise€to€an€attorney/client€relationship€and/or€that€Ms.Ð œì ÐJohnston€€suffered€any€damage€from€the€failure€to€file€a€victim€compensation€claim.Ð ˆØ Ðà  àÌà  àThe€complaint€alleges€that€Ms.€Johnston€hired€Mr.€Cowden€at€an€unspecified€time€to€fileÐ `° Ðthe€actions€arising€from€the€assault.€€However,€the€record€shows€that€on€January€8,€1996,€Mr.Ð L œ ÐCowden€sent€Ms.€Johnston€the€following€letter:Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌà8  àYou€had€indicated€that€you€wanted€me€to€prepare€your€claim€for€compensationÐ  ` Ðunder€the€Criminal€Injury€Compensation€Program.€€You€sent€me€the€forms,Ð ü L  Ðhowever,€I€need€certain€information€from€you€in€order€to€complete€the€forms.€InÐ è 8  Ðaddition,€you€had€discussed€the€possibility€of€filing€a€civil€suit€against€theÐ Ô$  Ðindividual€convicted€of€the€assault,€and€we€need€to€discuss€that€if€you€decide€toÐ À  Ðpursue€the€matter.€€I€would€appreciate€hearing€from€you€at€your€earliestÐ ¬ü  Ðconvenience.ÓÓИè Ð Ð  ÐThe€record€contains€no€evidence€that€Ms.€Johnston€complied€with€this€request.Ð pÀ ÐÓÓà  àThe€complaint€alleges€that€when€Ms.€Johnston€contacted€Mr.€Cowden€on€February€5,Ð H˜ Ð1996,€she€was€shocked€to€learn€that€he€had€never€pursued€her€claims€and€the€statute€of€limitationsÐ 4„ Ðhad€passed.€€à ` àÐ  p Ðà  àÌà  àIn€November€of€1996,€Mr.€Cowden€was€fatally€injured.€€Ms.€Johnston€commenced€theÐ øH Ðunderlying€action€against€his€estate€in€February€of€1997,€seeking€$250,000€in€damages.€Ð ä4 Ðà  àÌà  àIn€October€1997,€Mr.€Cowdenððs€estate€moved€for€summary€judgment€on€two€bases:€(1)Ð ¼  Ðthat€there€was€no€competent€evidence€that€Mr.€Cowden€had€agreed€to€represent€Ms.€Johnston€inÐ ¨ø Ðthe€civil€action,€and€(2)€Ms.€Johnston€had€suffered€no€harm€due€to€Mr.€Cowdenððs€failure€to€fileÐ ”ä Ðthe€claim€for€victimððs€compensation€because€the€opportunity€to€file€the€claim€still€existed.€€Thus,Ð €Ð Ðthe€motion€alleged€separate€reasons€for€dismissal€of€each€of€the€two€claims€of€malpracticeÐ l¼ Ðbrought€by€Ms.€Johnston.€€In€support€of€the€motion€the€estate€filed€the€above€quoted€letter€and€aÐ X ¨ Ðsecond€letter€addressed€to€Ms.€Johnstonððs€present€counsel€from€Christine€Carlton,Ô‡X{ôXXX}0Ô€€anotherÐ D!” Ðattorney€who€had€previously€represented€Ms.€Johnston€in€some€matters.€€This€letter€stated€inÐ D"”  Ðpertinent€part€that€Ms.€Carlton€recalled€speaking€to€Mr.€Cowden€in€March€1996Ô#†X}0XXX{ôµ#ÔÔ‡X{ôXXX}0Ô€about€Ms.Ð 4#„! ÐJohnstonððs€assertion€that€he€was€to€file€the€claims€at€issue€for€her.€€€She€recalled:Ð $$t" Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àHe€confirmed€that€he€had€not€deemed€her€civil€action€worthwhile€and€told€me€heÐ &T!$ Ðhad€not€felt€obligated€to€advise€her€of€his€decision€not€to€file€suit€as€he€believed€heÐ ô&D"% Ðwas€only€officially€retained€regarding€the€other€matters€he€was€handling€for€her.׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ׀Рä'4#& ÐHe€was€unaware€that€the€statute€had€also€run€on€the€criminal€injuriesÐ Ô($$' Ðcompensation€claim€and€said€he€would€call€me€back€after€he€looked€into€theÐ ° Ðmatter.€€He€subsequently€phoned€and€directed€my€attention€to€a€saving€clause€inÐ  ð ÐT.C.A.€ðð€29„13„108(a)€which€provides€that€ð ðupon€good€cause€shown,€the€timeÐ à Ðperiod€for€filing€such€claim€may€be€extended€either€before€or€after€the€expirationÐ €Ð Ðof€the€filing€period.ðð€€He€suggested€that€Dodie€try€filing€a€late€claim€and€offered€toÐ pÀ Ðprovide€me€with€a€sworn€affidavit€admitting€his€liability€if€it€became€necessary.€Ð ` ° ÐHe€was€hopeful€that€she€would€be€appeased€if€her€claim€was€approved,€but€statedÐ P   Ðthat€he€would€ð ðcall€his€carrierðð€if€all€else€failed,€or€words€to€that€effect.€€He€thenÐ @  Ðhad€her€file€delivered€to€me€.€.€.€I€subsequently€lost€touch€with€Dodie€and€neverÐ 0 € Ðfollowed€through€with€€filing€the€late€criminal€injuries€compensation€claim,Ð  p  Ðprimarily€because€she€never€paid€me€for€the€first€work€I€did€for€her.€€(In€fact,€IððmÐ `  Ðstill€out€$33€in€out„of„pocket€expenses.)€.€.€.€ÐP Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àThe€third€exhibit€attached€to€the€estateððs€motion€for€summary€judgment€was€an€excerptÐ à0  Ðfrom€Ms.€Johnstonððs€deposition,€her€response€to€a€question€seeking€the€reason€why€she€neverÐ Ð  Ðfiled€a€late€claim€for€compensation€as€a€victim.€€She€testified:Ð À Ðà8  àÐ Ð Ð  Ðà8  àI€donððt€know€how€to€do€that.€€Thatððs€not€my€job.€€I€tried€to€get€Lionel€[her€presentÐ  ð Ðattorney€in€this€action]€to€do€it.€€I€donððt€know€how€to€do€it.€€Iððm€the€victim;€IððmÐ à Ðnot€the€attorney.ЀÐÐ Ð  ÐÌà  àThe€sole€evidentiary€support€for€Ms.€Johnstonððs€€response€to€the€motion€for€summaryÐ `° Ðjudgment€was€her€affidavit€which€stated€in€pertinent€part:Ð P  ÐÌà8  àI€specifically€remember€Mr.€Cowden€talking€in€terms€of€the€personal€injury€caseÐ 0€ Ðin€which€he€said€that€we€would€get€more€judgment€from€the€defendant€that€wouldÐ  p Ðbe€more€than€he€would€ever€be€able€to€pay.€€Those€were€Mr.€Cowdenððs€specificÐ ` Ðwords,€or€close€thereto.€€I€recall€specifically€that€he€said€that€we€should€probablyÐ P Ðget€$250,000€in€compensatory€damages€and€$250,000€in€punitive€damages,€for€aÐ ð@ Ðtotal€of€$500,000.€€During€the€period€of€time€that€Mr.€Cowden€was€representingÐ à0 Ðme€on€the€other€matters,€whenever€I€would€make€any€inquiry€as€to€the€personalÐ Ð  Ðinjury€case€he€was€representing€me€on,€he€would€always€tell€me€not€to€worryÐ À! Ðabout€it.€Ð°" Ð Ð  ÐÌà  àMr.€Cowdenððs€estate€responded€that€this€evidence€was€barred€by€the€Dead€PersonððsÐ $à" ÐStatute,€Ô#†X}0XXX{ôÓ#ÔÔ‡X}0XXX}0ÔTenn.€Code€Ann.€ððÔ#†X}0XXX}0‡*#ÔÔ‡X{ôXXX}0Ô€24„1„203,€which€prohibits€persons€who€sue€the€estate€of€a€deceasedÐ €%Ð # Ðperson€from€testifying€about€statements€made€by€the€decedent.€€The€estate€argued€that€Ms.Ð €&Ð!$ ÐJohnston€had€presented€no€admissible€evidence€to€oppose€the€motion€for€summary€judgment.€€Ð p'À"% ÐÌà  àThe€trial€court€agreed,€finding€that€the€absence€of€evidence€showing€that€Ms.€JohnstonÐ P) $' Ðhad€retained€Mr.€Cowden€€mandated€summary€judgment.€€It€stated€that€the€mere€fact€that€thereÐ @*%( Ðâ âhad€been€an€apparent€discussion€concerning€the€possibility€of€a€lawsuit€was€insufficient€toÐ 0+€&) Ðestablish€an€attorney/client€relationship.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€€Ms.€Johnston€appealed€this€rulingòò.óóÐ ° Ðâ âÌà  àOn€appeal,€Ms.€Johnston€challenges€the€trial€courtððs€finding€that€the€evidence€of€herÐ à Ðattorney/client€relationship€with€Mr.€Cowden€was€insufficient.€€She€maintains€the€existence€ofÐ €Ð Ðthat€relationship€presents€a€disputed€issue€of€fact€precluding€summary€judgment.Ð pÀ ÐÌà8  àThe€standards€governing€an€appellate€court's€review€of€a€motion€for€summaryÐ P   Ðjudgment€are€well€settled.€Summary€judgment€is€appropriate€only€where€theÐ @  Ðmoving€party€demonstrates€that€there€are€no€genuine€issues€of€material€fact€and€Ð0 €Ð Ð  Ðà8  àthat€he€or€she€is€entitled€to€judgment€as€a€matter€of€law.€òòByrd€v.€Hallóó,€847€S.W.2dÐ  p  Ð208,€210€(Tenn.1993);€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€56.03.€We€review€the€summary€judgmentÐ `  Ðmotion€as€a€question€of€law€in€which€our€inquiry€is€de€novo€without€aÐ P  Ðpresumption€of€correctness.€òò€Finister€v.€Humboldt€Gen.€Hosp.,€Incóó.,€970€S.W.2dÐ ð@  Ð435,€437€(Tenn.1998);€òòRobinson€v.€Omer,€óó952€S.W.2d€423,€426€(Tenn.1997).€WeÐ à0  Ðmust€view€the€evidence€and€all€reasonable€inferences€in€the€light€most€favorableÐ Ð  Ðto€the€nonmoving€party.€òòByrd,óó€847€S.W.2d€at€210-11.€If€both€the€facts€andÐ À Ðconclusions€to€be€drawn€therefrom€permit€a€reasonable€person€to€reach€only€oneÐ ° Ðconclusion,€then€summary€judgment€is€appropriate.€òòRobinson,€óó952€S.W.2d€at€426;€Ð  ð ÐòòBain€v.€Wellsóó,€936€S.W.2d€618,€622€(Tenn.1997).ÐàÐ Ð  ÐÌòòGuiliano€v.€Cleo,€Inc.óó,€995€S.W.2d€88,€94€(Tenn.1999).Ô#†X}0XXX{ôÝ*#ÔÔ‡X{ôXXX}0ÔÐ pÀ ÐÌà  àSummary€judgment€is€inappropriate€if€a€"genuine€issue€as€to€any€material€fact"€exists.€Ð P  ÐòòSeeóó€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€56.03.€€However,€there€can€be€no€genuine€issue€for€trial€unless€there€isÐ @ Ðsufficient€evidence€upon€which€a€jury€can€return€a€verdict.€€òòSee€Anderson€v.€Liberty€Lobby,€Incóó.,Ð 0€ Ð477€U.S.€242,€249,€106€S.Ct.€2505,€2511,€91€L.Ed.2d€202,€212€(1986).€€Thus,€complaints€can€beÐ  p Ðdismissed€on€summary€judgment€if€plaintiffs,€after€being€given€a€reasonable€opportunity,€areÐ ` Ðunable€to€establish€an€essential€element€of€their€case€on€which€they€will€have€the€burden€of€proofÐ P Ðat€trial.€€òòSee€Stanley€v.€Joslinóó,€757€S.W.2d€328,€330€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1987);€òòsee€Moman€v.Ð ð@ ÐWalden,óó€719€S.W.2d€531,€533€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1986).€€Ð à0 Їà  àMs.€Johnston€bore€the€burden€of€proving€all€the€essential€elements€of€legal€malpractice.€Ð ° ÐÔ#†X}0XXX{ô55#ÔòòSee€Horton€v.€Hughes,óó€971€Ô‡X}0XXX}0ÔS.W.2dÔ#†X}0XXX}0±9#Ô€957,€959€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998).€Ô‡X{ôXXX}0ÔÐ  ð ÐÌà8  àIn€a€suit€against€an€attorney€for€professional€negligence,€the€plaintiff€must€proveÐ |Ì Ðthree€things€in€order€to€recover:€€(1)€the€employment€of€the€attorney;€€(2)€neglect€Ðl¼Ð Ð  Ðà8  àby€the€attorney€of€a€reasonable€duty;€€(3)€damages€resulting€from€such€neglect.€Ð\ ¬Ð Ð  ÐÌòòSammons€v.€Rotroffóó,€653€Ô#†X}0XXX{ô:#ÔÔ‡X}0XXX}0ÔS.W.2dÔ#†X}0XXX}0ó;#ÔÔ‡X{ôXXX}0Ô€740,€745€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1983),€òòcert.€deniedóó,€464€U.S.€860,€104Ð < Œ ÐS.Ct.€186,€78€L.Ed.2d€165Ô#†X}0XXX{ô;<#Ô€(1983)Ô‡X{ôXXX}0Ô;€òòsee€€Lazy€Seven€Coal€Sales,€Inc.€v.€Stone€&€Hinds,€P.C.óó,€813Ð < Œ ÐS.W.2d€400,€403€(Tenn.€1991);òò€Blocker€v.€Dearborn€&€Ewing,óó€851€S.W.2d€825,€827€(Tenn.€Ct.Ð < Œ  ÐApp.€1992).€Ô#†X}0XXX{ôø<#ÔÔ‡X{ôXXX}0ÔÐ ,|  ÐÔ#†X}0XXX{ô>#ÔÔ‡X{ôXXX}0ÔÌà  àHere,€the€only€evidence€Ms.€Johnston€produced€in€opposition€to€the€estateððs€motion€forÐ  \  Ðsummary€judgment€was€Ô#†X}0XXX{ôj>#Ôher€affidavit.€€As€the€trial€court€implicitly€determined,€the€admission€ofÐ üL  ÐMs.€Johnstonððs€affidavit€is€governed€by€Tennesseeððs€Dead€Personððs€Statute,€Ô‡X}0XXX}0ÔTenn.€Code€Ann.€ððÔ#†X}0XXX}0ï?#ÔÔ‡X{ôXXX}0ÔÐ üL  Ð24-1-203€(1980).€€That€statute€states:Ð è8 ÐÌà8  àIn€actions€or€proceedings€by€or€against€executors,€administrators,€or€guardians,€inÐ È Ðwhich€judgments€may€be€rendered€for€or€against€them,€neither€party€shall€beÐ ¸ Ðallowed€to€testify€against€the€other€as€to€any€transaction€with€or€statement€by€theÐ ¨ø Ðtestator,€intestate,€or€ward,€unless€called€to€testify€thereto€by€the€opposite€party.€IfÐ ˜è Ða€corporation€is€a€party,€this€disqualification€shall€extend€to€its€officers€of€everyÐ ˆØ Ðgrade€and€its€directors.€€ÐxÈÐ Ð  ÐÔ#†X}0XXX{ôE@#ÔÌThe€purpose€of€this€statute€is€to€prevent€€testimony€of€the€living€against€the€dead.€€It€precludesÐ T¤ ÐÌà8  àthe€surviving€party€from€having€the€benefit€of€his€own€testimony,€when,€by€theÐ ,| Ðdeath€of€his€adversary,€his€representative€was€deprived€of€the€decedent's€version€ofÐ h Ðthe€transaction€or€the€statement.€€€òòMcDonald€v.€Allenóó,€8€Baxt.€446;€òòBingham€v.Ð T ÐLavenderóó,€2€Lea€48,€70€Tenn.€48.€Ô‡X{ôXXX}0Ô€Ô#†X}0XXX{ôE#ÔÔ‡X{ôXXX}0ÔòòÓÓÐð@Ð Ð  ÐÓÓBaker€v.€Bakeróó,€24€Tenn.€App.€220,€230,142€S.W.2d€737,€744€(1940).€€€Ô#†X}0XXX{ôHE#ÔÐ ð!@ ÐÌà  àSeveral€factors€bring€a€case€within€the€purview€of€this€statute,€thereby€authorizing€theÐ Ì#! Ðexclusion€of€the€evidence:€(1)€the€proposed€witnesses€must€be€parties€to€the€suit€such€thatÐ ¸$ " Ðjudgment€may€be€rendered€for€or€against€them€and€(2)€the€subject€matter€of€their€testimony€mustÐ ¤%ô # Ðconcern€some€"transaction€with€or€statement€by€the€testator.ðð€€òòLeffew€v.€Mayesóó,€685€Ô‡X}0XXX}0ÔS.W.2dÔ#†X}0XXX}0èG#Ô€288,Ð &à!$ Ð293€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1984);€òòseeóó€òòMontague€v.€Thomason,óó€91€Tenn.€168,€171„72,€18€S.W.€264,€265Ð |'Ì"% Ð(1892).€€Testimony€regarding€a€transaction€with€a€decedent€is€rendered€incompetent€under€theÐ h(¸#& Ðstatute€when€the€decedent's€estate€or€administration€is€a€party€to€the€lawsuit.€€€òòSee€Haynes€v.Ð T)¤$' ÐCumberland€Builders,€Inc.óó,€546€S.W.2d€228,€230€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1976).Ô‡X{ôXXX}0ÔÐ @*%( ÐÌà  àEach€of€these€factors€is€present€in€the€case€before€us.€€First,€Ms.€Johnston€is€a€party€to€thisÐ ,l'* Ðaction€Ô#†X}0XXX{ôöI#Ôsuch€that€judgment€could€be€rendered€for€or€against€her.€€In€fact,€she€is€challenging€aÐ ° Ðjudgment€against€her€in€this€appeal.€€Second,€the€subject€matter€of€her€affidavit€concerns€aÐ ° Ðtransaction€she€purportedly€had€with€Mr.€Cowden,€the€decedent:€it€involves€a€statement€sheÐ œì Ðclaims€Mr.€Cowden€made€relating€to€the€viability€of€the€causes€of€action€arising€from€the€assaultÐ ˆØ Ðagainst€Ms.€Johnston€and€relates€to€the€existence€of€an€employment€arrangement€between€them.€Ð tÄ ÐThird,€Mr.€Cowdenððs€estate€is€a€party€to€this€action.€€Ô‡X{ôXXX}0Ô€Clearly,€the€Dead€Personððs€Statute€excludesÐ ` ° ÐMs.€Johnstonððs€affidavit.€€In€the€absence€of€her€affidavit,€the€record€contains€no€evidence€that€Mr.Ð ` ° ÐCowden€owed€a€duty€to€Ms.€Johnston€relating€to€the€causes€of€action€arising€from€the€assault,€anÐ P   Ðessential€element€of€her€legal€malpractice€claimÔ#†X}0XXX{ôCM#ÔÔ‡X{ôXXX}0Ô.€€Ô#†X}0XXX{ôêN#Ô€òòSee€Byrd€v.€Hallóó,€847€S€.W.2d€208,€215Ð @  Ð(Tenn.1993)€(the€facts€upon€which€the€nonmovant€relies€must€be€admissible€at€trial);€òòHortonóó,€971Ð @   ÐÔ‡X}0XXX}0ÔS.W.2dÔ#†X}0XXX}0ìO#Ô€at€959.€€Because€the€Dead€Personððs€Statute€precluded€the€admission€of€Ms.€JohnstonððsÐ ,|  Ðaffidavit,€no€evidence€was€presented€in€opposition€to€the€estateððs€motion€for€summary€judgment.€Ð h  ÐAbsent€some€proof€giving€rise€to€a€disputed€fact€about€whether€Ms.€Johnston€retained€Mr.Ð T  ÐCowden€to€file€a€civil€lawsuit€for€damages,€summary€judgment€was€appropriate€as€to€that€claim.Ð ð@  ÐÌà  àMs.€Johnston€argues€that€the€estate€waived€the€statuteððs€application€by€presenting€as€anÐ È Ðexhibit€the€January€8,€1996€letter€Mr.€Cowden€sent€to€her€asking€for€additional€informationÐ ´ Ðbefore€he€commenced€action€on€her€behalf.€She€presents€no€authority€in€support€of€thisÐ  ð Ðproposition.€Ð ŒÜ ÐÌà  àWhile€the€Dead€Personððs€Statute€is€waivable,€such€waiver€does€not€occur€when€aÐ d´ Ðdocument€written€by€the€decedent€is€admitted€into€evidence.€€€The€Statute€may€be€waived€when€aÐ P  Ðparty€seeks€to€admit€favorable€portions€of€the€decedentððs€discovery€deposition€but€excludeÐ <Œ Ðunfavorable€portions.€€òòSee€Sherrod€v.€Mooneyhamóó,€No.€03A01„9810„CV„00351,€1999€WLÐ (x Ð538214€at€*6€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€July€14,€1999)€(Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€denied€Jan.€3,Ð d Ð2000);€òòcf.óó€òòIngram€€v.€Phillipsóó,€684€S.W.2d€954,€958„59€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1984)€(holding€thatÐ P ÐÔ‡X{ôXXX}0Ômerely€taking€a€discovery€deposition€that€elicited€evidence€excludable€under€the€Dead€PersonððsÐ ì< ÐStatute€does€not€constitute€a€waiver).€€The€restrictions€of€the€Dead€Personððs€Statute€may€also€beÐ Ü, Ðwaived€when€one€opposing€party€calls€the€other€as€a€witness€to€testify€as€to€excludable€evidenceÐ Ì Ðor€a€party€testifies€to€excludable€facts€without€objection.€€òòSee€Burchett€v.€Stephensóó,€794€Ô#†X}0XXX{ô%V#ÔÔ‡X}0XXX}0ÔS.W.2dÔ#†X}0XXX}0,X#ÔÔ‡X{ôXXX}0ÔÐ ¼  Ð745,€748€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1990);€òòSmith€v.€Baconóó,€No.€03A01„9409„CH„0331,€1995€WL€322155Ð ¼  Ðat€*3€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€June€1,€1995)€(no€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed);€òòRose€v.€Stalcupóó,Ð ¬!ü Ð731€Ô#†X}0XXX{ôtX#ÔÔ‡X}0XXX}0ÔS.W.2dÔ#†X}0XXX}0»Y#ÔÔ‡X{ôXXX}0Ô€541,€542€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1987).€€But€we€have€found€no€law€which€supports€Ms.Ð œ"ì  ÐJohnstonððs€contention€that€admission€of€a€letter€written€by€the€decedent€waives€the€Dead€PersonððsÐ œ#ì! ÐStatute.€€The€Dead€Personððs€Statute,€by€its€terms,€prohibits€the€admission€of€testimony€by€partiesÔ#†X}0XXX{ôZ#ÔÐ Œ$Ü" Ðas€to€transactions€with€or€statements€by€the€decedent.€€Mr.€Cowdenððs€letter€is€not€testimony,€andÐ |%Ì # Ðthe€record€before€us€contains€no€testimony€regarding€this€letter.€Ð h&¸!$ ÐÌà  àIn€the€absence€of€an€employment€contract,€Mr.€Cowden€was€under€no€obligation€toÐ @(#& Ðinitiate€any€legal€action€on€Ms.€Johnstonððs€behalf.€€The€record€supports€the€trial€courtððsÐ ,)|$' Ðconclusion€that€no€contractual€agreement€relating€to€the€civil€action€existed.€€The€letter€Mr.Ð *h%( ÐCowden€wrote€to€Ms.€Johnston€reflects€the€uncertain€nature€of€their€relationship.€€In€the€letter,Ð +T&) ÐMr.€Cowden€informed€Ms.€Johnston€that€he€would€take€no€action€until€Ms.€Johnston€providedÐ ð+@'* Ðhim€with€additional€information€and€they€discussed€the€matter.€€Because€Ms.€Johnston€providedÐ ° Ðno€admissible€evidence€to€dispute€this€proof€that€their€relationship€had€not€ripened€into€anÐ œì Ðagreement€that€Mr.€Cowden€represent€her€in€the€civil€lawsuit€for€damages€against€her€attacker,Ð ˆØ Ðthe€trial€court€properly€granted€summary€judgment€to€the€estate€on€this€claim.Ð tÄ ÐÌà  àWhether€Mr.€Cowden€was€retained€to€represent€Ms.€Johnston€on€the€victim€compensationÐ L œ Ðclaim€presents€a€more€problematic€question€regarding€the€propriety€of€summary€judgment€on€theÐ 8 ˆ Ðbasis€of€lack€of€an€employment€relationship.€€Mr.€Cowdenððs€letter€indicates€that€Ms.€JohnstonÐ $ t Ðwas€to€provide€him€with€further€information,€and€nothing€in€her€response€to€the€motionÐ  ` Ðdemonstrates€that€she€provided€such€information.€However,€the€letter€from€Christine€Carlton€toÐ ü L  ÐMs.€Johnstonððs€present€lawyer,€while€clearly€supporting€a€finding€that€no€employmentÐ è 8  Ðrelationship€was€created€regarding€the€civil€action,€€raises€the€issue€of€whether€Mr.€Cowden€feltÐ Ô$  Ðhe€had€been€retained€to€file€the€victim€compensation€claim.€€Because€the€estate€offered€this€letterÐ À  Ðin€support€of€its€motion€for€summary€judgment,€we€believe€it€is€estopped€from€arguing€that€theÐ ¬ü  Ðletter€is€not€evidence€which€can€be€relied€upon€in€deciding€the€motion.€€Viewing€that€letter€andÐ ˜è  Ðreasonable€inferences€therefrom€in€the€light€most€favorable€to€Ms.€Johnston,€we€are€notÐ „Ô  Ðconvinced€that€a€reasonable€person€could€only€conclude€that€no€employment€relationship€existedÐ pÀ Ðregarding€the€victim€compensation€claim.Ð \¬ ÐÌà  àHowever,€even€if€€the€trial€courtððs€conclusion€that€Ms.€Johnston€never€retained€Mr.Ð 4„ ÐCowden€does€not€apply€equally€to€both€claims€she€intended€to€pursue€involving€the€assault,Ð  p Ðsummary€judgment€on€the€victim€compensation€claim€was€nevertheless€appropriate.€€As€statedÐ  \ Ðpreviously,€one€of€the€elements€of€legal€malpractice€is€damages€resulting€from€the€attorneyððsÐ øH Ðneglect.€òòSee€Sammonsóó,€653€S.W.2d€at€744.€€Ms.€Johnston€bore€the€burden€of€presenting€sufficientÐ ä4 Ðevidence€to€raise€an€issue€of€disputed€fact€on€that€element.€€òòSee€Stanleyóó,€757€S.W.2d€at€330.€€ThisÐ Ð  Ðshe€failed€to€do.€€As€the€estateððs€motion€specifically€stated,€ð ð[T]he€plaintiffððs€opportunity€to€file€aÐ ¼  Ðpetition€under€the€Victimððs€Compensation€Act€still€exists€and€therefore,€the€alleged€inaction€ofÐ ¨ø ÐMr.€Cowden€did€not€harm€the€plaintiff.ðð€€Ð ”ä ÐÌà  àThe€estateððs€position€is€based€upon€language€of€the€statute.€€Although€the€CriminalÐ l¼ ÐInjuries€Compensation€Act€includes€a€one€year€statute€of€limitation€for€filing€claims€thereunder,€itÐ X ¨ Ðalso€contains€the€following€language:€ð ðupon€good€cause€shown,€the€time€period€for€filing€suchÐ D!” Ðclaim€may€be€extended€either€before€or€after€the€expiration€of€the€filing€period.ðð€Tenn.€CodeÐ 0"€  ÐAnn.€ðð€29„13„108(a).€€There€is€no€indication€in€the€record€that€Ms.€Johnston€attempted€to€utilizeÐ #l! Ðthis€provision€and€file€a€late€claim.€€She€has€not€shown€that€her€claim€was€or€would€have€beenÐ $X" Ðrejected€as€untimely.€€According€to€Ms.€Carlton,€Mr.€Cowden€pointed€out€the€ð ðfor€good€causeððÐ ô$D # Ðlanguage€in€the€statute,€offered€to€provide€an€affidavit€to€establish€the€ð ðgood€cause,ðð€and€sent€Ms.Ð à%0!$ ÐJohnstonððs€file€on€these€matters€to€Ms.€Carlton.€€Apparently,€neither€Ms.€Carlton€nor€any€otherÐ Ì&"% Ðattorney€attempted€to€file€such€a€claim.€In€the€absence€of€a€showing€that€she€lost€her€right€to€file€aÐ ¸'#& Ðclaim€because€of€Mr.€Cowden's€failure€to€file€a€claim€within€one€year,€€Ms.€Johnston€cannot€showÐ ¤(ô#' Ðthe€essential€element€of€damage.Ð )à$( ÐÌà  àMs.€Johnstonððs€affidavit€in€response€to€the€motion€for€summary€judgment€addressesÐ h+¸&* Ðprimarily€the€civil€lawsuit€against€her€attacker€and€only€mentions€in€passing€a€potential€judgmentÐ ° Ðfrom€the€State€of€Tennessee.€The€affidavit€nowhere€responds€to€the€allegation€that€she€couldÐ œì Ðshow€no€harm€regarding€any€failure€on€the€part€of€Mr.€Cowden€to€file€a€claim€with€the€criminalÐ ˆØ Ðinjuries€compensation€fund.׃!×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð tÄ ÐÌà  àAccordingly,€the€judgment€of€the€trial€court€is€affirmed.€€This€case€is€remanded€for€anyÐ L œ Ðfurther€proceedings€which€may€be€necessary.€€Costs€of€this€appeal€are€taxed€to€Ms.€Johnston,€forÐ 8 ˆ Ðwhich€execution€may€issue€if€necessary.Ð $ t Ð