Before JOHNSON, C.J., and REAVIS, J., and BOYD, S.J. ⁽¹⁾

Appealing from a summary judgment signed on November 7, 2002, in favor of appellees, Linda Jean Branum filed her notice of appeal on February 20, 2003. A motion for new trial was filed extending the time in which to file a notice of appeal to February 5, 2002. Rule 26.3 of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure allows this Court to extend the time in which to file a notice of appeal for 15 days following the deadline if the party filing the notice files a motion for extension of time in compliance with Rule 10.5(b) reasonably explaining the need for an extension. Jones v. City of Houston, 976 S.W.2d 676, 677 (Tex. 1998); Verburgt v. Dorner, 959 S.W.2d 615, 617 (Tex. 1997).

By the motion for extension of time, counsel explains that the late filing was not deliberate or intentional, but was the result of inadvertence and mistake. Counsel also notes in his certificate of conference that due to time restraints, he was only able to contact counsel for Baptist St. Anthony's Hospital, who is opposed to the motion for extension of time. In Verburgt, the Court noted that appellate courts should not dismiss an appeal for a procedural defect whenever any arguable interpretation of the Rules of Appellate Procedure would preserve the appeal. 959 S.W.2d at 616. We accept counsel's explanation for failing to file the notice of appeal within 90 days after the judgment was signed and conclude that because the notice was filed within the 15-day window following the deadline, appellant should be permitted to prosecute the appeal. See generally Boyd v. American Indem. Co., 958 S.W.2d 379, 380 (Tex. 1997) (remanding the case to the court of appeals in light of its decision in Verburgt to determine whether appellant offered a reasonable explanation). Accordingly, we grant the motion to extend the time in which to file the notice of appeal.

It is so ordered.

Per Curiam

1.John T. Boyd, Chief Justice (Ret.), Seventh Court of Appeals, sitting by assignment.