Walls v. Travis County

KIDD, Justice.

Victor Walls, while confined in the Travis County jail, suffered second and third degree burns when another inmate threw hot water on him. The trial court, in rendering summary judgment against Walls, found the statute of limitations barred Walls’ suit against Travis County. We hold to the contrary, reverse the trial-court judgment, and remand the cause.

The Controversy

In March 1993, another inmate in the Travis County jail picked up a container of near-boiling water and threw the water on Walls, who was transported to the hospital for treatment of burns to his face, chest, and…