Wilhelm v. Flores

The issue in this case is whether a seller of hived bees owes a commercial buyer’s employees or agents any duty to warn them of the dangers associated with bee stings or to protect them from being stung. The court of appeals held that such a duty exists. 133 S.W.3d 726, 734 (Tex.App.—Corpus Christi 2003). We disagree.

Petitioner Curtis Wilhelm kept bees as a hobby, but he decided to sell his fourteen hives to John Black, a commercial beekeeper. Black inspected the hives and bought them, then returned the next day with two men to load them onto a trailer and take them away. (Wilhelm estimated…