Lane v. Baxter Healthcare Corp.

OPINION

OLIVER-PARROTT, Chief Justice.

This appeal presents the issue of what constitutes a justiciable controversy for the purposes of a declaratory judgment. The trial court dismissed the cause on the grounds that there was no justiciable controversy, and the appellant, Ernest Lane, raises four points of error on appeal. We reform the judgment, and as reformed, affirm.

Background

The appellant, Ernest Lane, is an inventor of tissue heart valves. In October 1973, he began to work for American Hospital Supply Corporation, which was later acquired by Baxter Healthcare Corporation. Under the terms…