Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-almd-3_14-cv-00179/USCOURTS-almd-3_14-cv-00179-2/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 350
Nature of Suit: Motor Vehicle Personal Injury
Cause of Action: 28:1332 Diversity-Auto Negligence

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF ALABAMA

EASTERN DIVISION

JIMMIE ROGERS and )

ROBERT ROGERS, )

 )

Plaintiffs, )

 )

v. ) CASE NO. 3:14-CV-179-WHA-WC

 ) 

 ) (WO)

SOUTH STAR LOGISTICS, INC. ) 

and GILL SINGH, )

 )

Defendants. )

ORDER

This case is before the court on the Defendants’ Motion in Limine to Exclude Negligent 

Hiring/Training/Supervision and Negligent Entrustment Arguments (Doc. # 45), together with

related objections to exhibits and portions of depositions. 

More often than not, the issue of whether there is sufficient evidence to go to a jury on 

these theories is presented by a motion for summary judgment, with both sides submitting 

evidence and argument on the issue and the court having adequate time for careful consideration 

before ruling. This is particularly important because of the danger of unfair prejudice to the 

Defendants if evidence of past driving records is admitted and the need of the court to consider 

balancing, if it first determines that the evidence is relevant. That is not possible here because 

the deadline for summary judgment motions expired over three months ago, with no request for 

extension. 

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After a review of what is presently before the court, presented now on the eve of trial, in 

the form of the Motion in Limine, objections, responses, and trial briefs, the court finds the issue 

to be a close question. Accordingly, it is hereby ORDERED as follows: 

1. The Motion in Limine, together with all objections relating to this issue, are GRANTED 

and SUSTAINED, provisionally, subject to the procedure set out below. 

2. Although Plaintiffs’ counsel may, if he chooses to do so, mention in opening statement 

that their claims will include those referred to in the Motion in Limine, he may not, and 

his witnesses may not, refer in any way to any evidence they seek to offer in support of 

them, until allowed to do so outside the presence of the jury. 

3. Plaintiffs shall first present all their evidence in support of their claims of liability of the 

Defendants for negligence and wantonness based on the facts of the accident and the 

operation of the vehicle by the Defendant driver (agency has been admitted). This will 

not include evidence of damages. 

4. The court will then hold a hearing outside the presence of the jury for the Plaintiffs to 

state in detail the evidence which they are prepared to submit, and the foundation 

therefor, to establish their claims based on negligent entrustment, hiring, training, and

supervision, and for both sides to argue their positions. The court will then rule and the 

Plaintiffs will resume presentation of their case to the jury accordingly. If allowed to 

proceed on the claims, Plaintiffs will be allowed to recall, to the extent necessary, any 

previous witness to testify limited to support of these claims. 

5. No later than Wednesday, June 3, 2015, Plaintiffs are DIRECTED to file a brief setting 

out in detail the witnesses, testimony, and exhibits (whether objected to or not) they will 

offer in support of these contested claims, including the foundations to be established for 

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same. The brief shall specify by exhibit number each exhibit that will be offered and 

through which witness in the context of the witness’s expected testimony. Testimony to 

be offered by deposition shall include copies of highlighted portions of the depositions. 

DONE this 29th day of May, 2015. 

W. HAROLD ALBRITTON

SENIOR UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

/s/ W. Harold Albritton

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