Opinion ID: 1198241
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: jurisdiction

Text: Ordinarily we do not accept special action jurisdiction to review the propriety of a pretrial ruling granting partial judgment. See Munroe v. Galati, 189 Ariz. 113, 115, 938 P.2d 1114, 1116 (1997). We generally prefer to wait until after final judgment because an interlocutory appeal often frustrates the expeditious resolution of claims, unnecessarily increases both appellate court caseload and interference with trial judges, harasses litigants with prolonged and costly appeals, and provides piecemeal review. City of Phoenix v. Yarnell, 184 Ariz. 310, 315, 909 P.2d 377, 382 (1995). In exceptional circumstances, however, this court will accept special action jurisdiction to review pretrial partial judgments. See Munroe, 189 Ariz. at 115, 938 P.2d at 1116; Bledsoe v. Goodfarb, 170 Ariz. 256, 258, 823 P.2d 1264, 1266 (1991). We believe the nature of the present case merits our acceptance of special action jurisdiction prior to final judgment. The elder abuse statute is relatively new, and the issue presented is one of first impression in Arizona. See Sanchez v. Coxon, 175 Ariz. 93, 94, 854 P.2d 126, 127 (1993) (holding that special action jurisdiction is appropriate for issues of first impression before this court). Trial courts are unclear as to how to decide this issue, which has resulted in contrary rulings in courts in the same county. [1] The issue in this case is of statewide significance, affecting not just the parties involved, but all incapacitated and vulnerable adults and all adult care homes in our state. See Bledsoe, 170 Ariz. at 258, 823 P.2d at 1266. Further, the issue presented here is purely a question of law. See Cardon v. Cotton Lane Holdings, Inc., 173 Ariz. 203, 210, 841 P.2d 198, 205 (1992) (factor in court's decision to accept special action jurisdiction was that issue was question of law). The advancing age of petitioner and others similarly situated also militates in favor of a speedy remedy. Finally, in many elder abuse actions, the claim for pain and suffering will often be the most significant element of damages. Persons bringing such cases usually will not have claims for lost earnings or diminution of earning capacity. Their medical and other special damages will usually be covered by Medicare or other insurance. As a result, an elder abuse case that proceeds to trial without damages available for pain and suffering will often be senseless and futile. In this case, reasonably prompt justice can be satisfactorily obtained only through special action relief. See Cardon, 173 Ariz. at 210, 841 P.2d at 205. Accordingly, we granted review and have jurisdiction pursuant to Arizona Constitution article VI, section 5(3) and Arizona Rules of Procedure for Special Action 8(b).