Texas Department Mental Health and Mental Retardation v. Opal Petty

We consider whether our state government may be held responsible for a citizens injuries resulting from misdiagnosis and mistreatment during her institutionalization in state facilities. The trial court rejected the States claim that suit was barred by the doctrine of sovereign immunity and rendered judgment for damages. The court of appeals affirmed. 817 S.W.2d 707. We conclude that the State is not immune from such an action and affirm the judgment of the court of appeals.