Case Name: Woody H. NICHOLS, Individually and as the Curator of the Interdict, Lynda Leona Nichols v. Reubin K. HODGES et al.
Court: Louisiana Court of Appeal
Jurisdiction: Louisiana
Decision Date: 1980-03-31
Citations: 385 So. 2d 298
Docket Number: No. 13084
Parties: Woody H. NICHOLS, Individually and as the Curator of the Interdict, Lynda Leona Nichols v. Reubin K. HODGES et al.
Judges: Before ELLIS, CHIASSON and PONDER, JJ.
Reporter: Southern Reporter, Second Series
Volume: 385
Pages: 298–305

Head Matter:
Woody H. NICHOLS, Individually and as the Curator of the Interdict, Lynda Leona Nichols v. Reubin K. HODGES et al.
No. 13084.
Court of Appeal of Louisiana, First Circuit.
March 31, 1980.
Robert S. Cooper, Jr., Baton Rouge, of counsel for plaintiff-appellant Woody H. Nichols, Indv.
Robert J. Vandaworker, Baton Rouge, of counsel for defendant-appellant Reubin K. Hodges, Lloyd W. Prine, Prine Building Materials, Inc. and Southern Farm Bureau Casualty Ins. Co.
David W. Robinson, Baton Rouge, of counsel for defendant-appellee Government Employees Ins. Co.
Daniel R. Atkinson, Baton Rouge, of counsel for defendant-appellee Allstate Insurance Company.
Lawrence A. Durant, Baton Rouge, of counsel for third party defendant-appellee The Ron Miller Corporation.
James E. Kuhn, Denham Springs, of counsel for third party defendant Thomas M. Stewart.
William M. Faller, Baton Rouge, of counsel for third party defendant-appellee Lafayette Insurance Company.
Before ELLIS, CHIASSON and PONDER, JJ.

Opinion:
ELLIS, Judge:
Lynda Leona Nichols was badly injured when the automobile she was driving, which was owned by James L. Mansell, was struck by a truck owned by Prine Building Materials, Inc., and operated by Reubin K. Hodges. This suit was filed by Woody H. Nichols, individually and as curator of Miss Nichols, who has been interdicted, for general and special damages occasioned by her injuries. Mr. Nichols died after judgment was rendered below, and Mrs. Leona J. Ad-amson Nichols, his widow, and mother of Lynda, qualified as curatrix and has been substituted as party plaintiff.
Defendants are Lloyd W. Prine, doing business as Prine Building Materials; Prine Building Materials, Inc.; Reubin K. Hodges; Louisiana Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company, their insurer; Government Employees Insurance Company, uninsured motorist insurer of the Mansell car; and Allstate Insurance Company, uninsured motorist insurer of an automobile belonging to Mr. Nichols.
Both GEICO and Allstate third partied Mr. Prine, Prine Building Materials, Inc., Mr. Hodges and Louisiana Farm, asking indemnification. Mr. Prine, Prine Building Materials, Inc., Mr. Hodges and Louisiana Farm third partied the Ron Miller Corporation, Thomas M. Stewart and Pat Sumerall asking for indemnification or contribution. It is alleged that Miller is the proprietor of the "J" Club and Mr. Stewart and Mr. Sumerall the proprietors of the "Jantom Lounge." They are alleged to be liable because they sold intoxicating beverages to Mr. Hodges on the night before the accident, causing him to become intoxicated, which is alleged to be a cause of the accident. Mr. Stewart third partied Lafayette Insurance Company, which he alleges to be his liability insurer.
Issue was joined on all demands except by Pat Sumerall, who made no appearance.
After trial on the merits, judgment was rendered against Prine Building Materials, Inc., Mr. Hodges, Louisiana Farm, GEICO and Allstate, in solido, and in favor of Woody H. Nichols, individually, for $60,-226.15, and as curator of Lynda Leona Nichols for $1,762,878.79. The judgment as to Louisiana Farm, GEICO and Allstate was restricted to their respective limits of liability.
Judgment was further rendered in favor of GEICO and Allstate on their third party demands against Prine Building Materials, Inc., and Mr. Hodges to the full extent of the judgment against them on the main demand. All other demands and third party demands were dismissed.
Prine Building Materials, Inc., Mr. Hodges and Louisiana Farm applied for a new trial, which was granted as to the issue of the cost of future care of Lynda Leona Nichols. A hearing was held thereon, at which evidence was offered by plaintiff and defendants. Thereafter, final judgment was signed which increased the award to the curatrix of the interdict to $2,241,-179.50, and which is otherwise the same as the original judgment.
From this judgment, Prine Building Materials, Inc., and Louisiana Farm have appealed. Plaintiff has appealed as against Lloyd W. Prine and Allstate Insurance Company only.
ON THE MOTION TO DISMISS
Plaintiff has filed a motion to dismiss the appeal taken by Prine Building Materials, Inc., and Louisiana Farm. It is alleged that, since no appeal was taken on behalf of Reubin K. Hodges, and since the liability of Prine is based on the doctrine of respondeat superior, the appellants may raise only the question of whether Mr. Hodges was in the course and scope of his employment. It is further argued that, since Mr. Hodges' employment is admitted, there is no basis for the appeal.
The argument is without merit. These appellants are entitled to have reviewed all facets of the case which affect the nature and extent of their liability. This includes the liability of Mr. Hodges and the extent of the award. See Robertson v. Perry, 370 So.2d 596 (La.App. 4th Cir. 1979) and cases cited therein.
The motion is denied.