Opinion ID: 4509259
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: analysis

Text: [3] The threshold issue we must first address is whether this court has jurisdiction over the appeal. For an appellate court to acquire jurisdiction of an appeal, there must be a final order entered by the court from which the appeal is taken; 2 State v. Uhing, 301 Neb. 768, 919 N.W.2d 909 (2018). 3 Heckman v. Marchio, 296 Neb. 458, 894 N.W.2d 296 (2017). - 887 - Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets 304 Nebraska Reports LOYD v. FAMILY DOLLAR STORES OF NEB. Cite as 304 Neb. 883 conversely, an appellate court is without jurisdiction to entertain appeals from nonfinal orders.4 [4] There are three types of final orders which may be reviewed on appeal,5 one of which is an order that affects a substantial right made during a special proceeding.6 Because workers’ compensation proceedings are special proceedings, the issue is whether the court’s order is final.7 In a special proceeding, an order is final and appealable if it affects a substantial right of the aggrieved party. An order affects a substantial right when the right would be significantly undermined or irrevocably lost by postponing appellate review.8 Stated another way, an order affects a substantial right if it “‘“affects the subject matter of the litigation, such as diminishing a claim or defense that was available to the appellant prior to the order from which he or she is appealing.”’”9 Loyd asserts that this court has jurisdiction because the appeal was filed within 30 days of the compensation court’s order disapproving the lump-sum settlement agreement and joint stipulation. Loyd further asserts that this court has jurisdiction over the appeal, because it centers around § 3-501.6 of the Nebraska Rules of Professional Conduct10 and the comment section of the rule specifically allows for appeal under the circumstances presented in this case. Compensation Court’s Disapproval. [5] Under § 48-139(2)(b)(iv), if an application for approval of a lump-sum settlement is not approved, the compensation 4 Becerra v. United Parcel Service, 284 Neb. 414, 822 N.W.2d 327 (2012). 5 Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-1902 (Reissue 2016). 6 Id. 7 Jacobitz v. Aurora Co-op, 287 Neb. 97, 841 N.W.2d 377 (2013). 8 Deines v. Essex Corp., 293 Neb. 577, 879 N.W.2d 30 (2016). 9 Id. at 581, 879 N.W.2d at 33-34 (quoting State v. Jackson, 291 Neb. 908, 870 N.W.2d 133 (2015)). 10 See Neb. Ct. R. of Prof. Cond. § 3-501.6 (rev. 2019). - 888 - Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets 304 Nebraska Reports LOYD v. FAMILY DOLLAR STORES OF NEB. Cite as 304 Neb. 883 court may (1) dismiss the application at the cost of the employer or (2) continue the hearing, in the discretion of the compensation court. Here, the compensation court did neither. Instead, it entered an order of disapproval. The order of disapproval did not impact the subject matter of the proceeding. Nor did it prevent Loyd from submitting another application for approval. Loyd’s case is retained for further action. Absent an order actually dismissing the application, there is no final and appealable order from which Loyd can appeal. We conclude that the compensation court’s order of disapproval, standing alone, is not a final, appealable order. Nebraska Rules of Professional Conduct. [6] The Nebraska Rules of Professional Conduct do not, as Loyd suggests, authorize appellate jurisdiction over adverse rulings on claims involving privilege. Comment 11 of § 3-501.6 provides: A lawyer may be ordered to reveal information relating to the representation of a client by a court or by another tribunal or governmental entity claiming authority pursuant to other law to compel the disclosure. Absent informed consent of the client to do otherwise, the lawyer should assert on behalf of the client all nonfrivolous claims that the order is not authorized by other law or that the information sought is protected against disclosure by the attorney-client privilege or other applicable law. In the event of an adverse ruling, the lawyer must consult with the client about the possibility of appeal to the extent required by Rule 1.4. Unless review is sought, however, paragraph (b)(4) permits the lawyer to comply with the court’s order. [7] Comment 11 does not confer appellate jurisdiction. The right of appeal in Nebraska is “‘purely statutory.’”11 Comment 11 Heckman, supra note 3, 296 Neb. at 461, 894 N.W.2d at 299 (quoting Huskey v. Huskey, 289 Neb. 439, 855 N.W.2d 377 (2014)). - 889 - Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets 304 Nebraska Reports LOYD v. FAMILY DOLLAR STORES OF NEB. Cite as 304 Neb. 883 11 merely requires the attorney to consult with the client about the possibility of appeal. [8] Moreover, in the context of discovery orders, we have held that an interlocutory order compelling the production of documents for which a claim of privilege is asserted is appealable neither as a final order nor under the collateral order doctrine.12 We have concluded that other available mechanisms such as mandamus actions and authorized appeals from interlocutory civil contempt orders are appropriate and “‘serve as useful “safety valve[s]” for promptly correcting serious errors’” in claims involving privileged information.13 Here, Loyd asserts a claim of privilege; however, the compensation court’s order was not a final, appealable order. Hence, there is no appellate jurisdiction in this case.