Opinion ID: 1131388
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: the superior court erred by awarding american honda excessive costs.

Text: Yurioff argues that the superior court erred in awarding American Honda one hundred percent of its paralegal fees. This contention is without merit. Paralegal expenses which are necessarily incurred are recoverable under Alaska Civil Rule 79(b). [4] CTA Architects v. Active Erectors, 781 P.2d 1364, 1367 (Alaska 1989); Atlantic Richfield Co. v. State, 723 P.2d 1249, 1253 (Alaska 1986). Thus, the superior court did not err in awarding American Honda its actual paralegal costs. Yurioff also argues that the superior court erred in awarding American Honda certain fees for testimony by two expert witnesses. We agree. American Honda paid Yurioff's two treating physicians $500.00 and $275.00, respectively, to take their depositions. The superior court awarded American Honda the full fees it paid to the treating physicians. Alaska Administrative Rule 7(c) provides in part that [r]ecovery of costs for a witness called to testify as an expert is limited to the time when the expert is employed and testifying and shall not exceed $50.00 per hour. Treating physicians are expert witnesses when they testify as such and the prevailing party is entitled to recover fees paid for their testimony subject to the limitations of Administrative Rule 7(c). Costs exceeding the limits of Administrative Rule 7 are not recoverable under the catchall provision of Civil Rule 79(b). CTA Architects, 781 P.2d at 1368 (Rabinowitz, J., concurring); Miller v. Sears, 636 P.2d 1183, 1195 (Alaska 1981) (applying Administrative Rule 9(c) which now appears as Administrative Rule 7(c)). We hold that the superior court erred in awarding expert witness costs exceeding the limits of Administrative Rule 7. The summary judgment is AFFIRMED. The award of costs incurred to depose the treating physicians is REVERSED and REMANDED for redetermination pursuant to Administrative Rule 7(c). MOORE, J., not participating.