Opinion ID: 736976
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Propriety of Failure to Join Michigan State Police

Text: 33 Defendants also raised in their brief the argument that the district court erred in refusing to join the Michigan State Police officers who shot Hild as he attempted to flee. Defendants contend that the officers' joinder is required for proper subrogation in this case ... so that the financial responsibility in this case [may] be assigned to the proper parties. Defendants further contend, citing Wilson v. Beebe, 770 F.2d 578, 587-88 (6th Cir.1985), that Michigan would be required to indemnify the wrongdoing troopers sued in their individual capacities. 34 Rule 19 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure governs compulsory joinder. In this case, we consider whether complete relief cannot be accorded among those already parties without the presence of the officers. FED.R.CIV.P. 19(a). Lapeer County was obligated to pay Hild's medical expenses under Michigan law, which requires a county to pay the medical expenses incurred by all prisoners and persons charged with an offense. MICH. COMP. LAWS ANN. § 801.4 (West 1982 & Supp.1996). 3 Although Michigan law allows Lapeer County to seek reimbursement from prisoners for their medical care, id. § 801.5a(1) (West 1982), the law does not require the county to do so. That provision provides in pertinent part as follows: 35 The county board of commissioners may seek reimbursement for expenses incurred in providing medical care and treatment.... If a county board of commissioners seeks reimbursement pursuant to this section, reimbursement shall be sought only in the following order: 36 (a) From the prisoner or person charged. 37 (b) From insurance companies ... or other source for those expenses. 38 Id. Hild is not a party in this case. Nor do defendants seek to join him. As the district court noted, moreover, defendants did file a third-party claim against the officers in an action brought by Hild against defendants for alleged improper medical care. See EEOC v. Brown & Root, Inc., 688 F.2d 338 (5th Cir.1982) (movant failed to demonstrate adverse effect of failure to join party). In contrast, this matter involves Lapeer County's effort to be reimbursed for expenses incurred in pursuing and returning Hild as a fugitive. See OHIO REV.CODE § 307.50. Under these circumstances, we conclude there is nothing in that cause of action that requires the presence of state police. Therefore, the district court did not err in failing to join the officers. AFFIRMED. 4 39