Opinion ID: 2173465
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Sufficiency of the affidavit supporting the motion for summary judgment

Text: Rule 56(e), M.R.Civ.P., mandates that [s]upporting and opposing affidavits shall be made on personal knowledge, shall set forth such facts as would be admissible in evidence, and shall show affirmatively that the affiant is competent to testify to the matters stated therein. Allstate's affidavit in support of its motion for summary judgment was made by the District Claims Manager of the Company for the State of Maine. It was fatally deficient so far as it attempted to set forth as fact that Allstate had no notice of any settlement or settlement negotiations prior to the settlement and execution of the release and trust agreement between the appellant and Commercial and that Allstate never consented in writing or otherwise to any such settlement, because it was made on information and belief, rather than upon personal knowledge. We are aware that an affidavit, even if stated to have been made on information and belief, may be sufficient within the requirements of the rule, provided that, when viewed in its entirety, it shows obviously that all pertinent parts thereof were made from personal knowledge of the affiant. Steeves v. Irwin, Me., 233 A.2d 126, 130 (1967). See Field, McKusick & Wroth, Maine Civil Practice, § 56.5 (2d ed. 1970). In order to be considered as supplying verified factual support to a motion for summary judgment, the affidavit must show affirmatively that the affiant has personal knowledge of the matters asserted. Although it identifies the affiant as Allstate's District Claims Manager for the State of Maine, the instant affidavit fails to disclose in any definite manner that Murray, as District Claims Manager, held such a position with Allstate that he would necessarily be apprised of the facts attested to in the affidavit. Nowhere does the affidavit set forth the nature of the affiant's duties, nor the Company's policies and ways of operation whereby he would obtain personal knowledge of the facts stated. To presume personal knowledge of the facts verified by Murray simply from his status of District Claims Manager would be pure speculation. Hence, it was error for the Court below to refuse to strike the affidavit on motion. Regardless, summary judgment would still be appropriate, if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file otherwise established that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that any party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law. Rule 56(c), M.R.Civ.P.; Steeves v. Irwin, supra, at 130. Disregarding the Murray affidavit and considering this record, including the documents before the presiding Justice, we must conclude this is not a case where we can say that it is evident as a matter of law that the appellant cannot recover. After resolution of the legal points raised by the terms of the uninsured motorist endorsement of the appellant's policy issued to her by Allstate, we must conclude that Ms. Wescott will still have to prove as in tort her legal entitlement to damages from Heath, the uninsured motorist, and the amount thereof, in order to recover from Allstate. With genuine issues of fact remaining unresolved, it was error for the presiding Justice to grant Allstate's motion for summary judgment.