Ramirez v. Packer

At issue is whether a trial court may extend the time for ruling on an affidavit of inability to pay costs on appeal, when the extension is granted more than ten days after the original contest to the affidavit is filed. We hold that a trial court may not do so.

Relator Alicia Ramirez was injured at her place of employment when a steel gate on a freight elevator struck her. She then sued the manufacturer of the elevator, Otis Elevator Company. At trial, the jury found against Ramirez on all questions submitted. Ramirez desired to appeal, and she filed on January 9, 1991 an affidavit of…