IN THE SUPREME COURT OF TEXAS

════════════

No. 06-0653

════════════

In re Mary Louise Watkins, M.D., Relator

════════════════════════════════════════════════════

On Petition for Writ of Mandamus

════════════════════════════════════════════════════

Chief Justice Jefferson, joined by Justice O’Neill, concurring.

            I join the Court’s opinion but write separately to elaborate upon the report that was served in this case. The report was written by a physician specializing in treatment of the eyes. He states that he treated Jones for injuries sustained after acetic acid was splashed into Jones’s right eye during a procedure at Dr. Watkins’s office for a facial lesion. The report notes that Jones suffered an epithelial defect and corneal stromal scar, and it discusses the “high likelihood of permanent scarring” Jones faced. It describes a course of treatment with the eye specialist (including a separate visit to a cornea specialist), and concludes that while Jones’s situation was stable, he suffered a corneal scar in the right eye.

            ___________________________________

            Wallace B. Jefferson

            Chief Justice

OPINION DELIVERED:         January 23, 2009