In Re Cook Children's Medical Center

OPINION LIVINGSTON, Justice.

I. INTRODUCTION AND HOLDING

In this original proceeding, we are asked to decide whether a trial court’s actions in taking a case from another, assigned trial court were void. Because the assignment order had not expired, we hold that another trial court cannot unilaterally take a case back from a properly assigned trial court.

II. BACKGROUND

On April 27, 1999, Elizabeth Perez, on behalf of her minor son Blake Perez, filed suit against Cook Children’s Medical Center (the Hospital) for “negligent medical care.” The suit was randomly assigned to Judge Paul Enlow’s trial…