Opinion ID: 2562586
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Hertz's Motion for Sanctions

Text: Hertz argues that the superior court erred by denying his motion to sanction the defendants' counsel, Paula Jacobson, for conduct during discovery. His motion identified three grounds for sanctions under Civil Rule 95(b): [10] (1) failing to timely comply with the order to produce Beach's interrogatory responses; (2) failing to send Hertz a copy of Dr. Anderson's contract with DOC after the court's production order; and (3) issuing false statements denying the existence of certain evidence. The superior court ordered Jacobson to serve properly signed interrogatory responses within twenty days of its December 5, 2006, order. Jacobson provided evidence showing she mailed the interrogatory responses to Hertz on December 19, 2006. The Alaska Rules of Civil Procedure provide that [s]ervice by mail is complete upon mailing, [11] and Jacobson therefore complied with the court's order. There was no basis for the superior court to sanction Jacobson regarding Beach's interrogatory responses. When the court granted Hertz's motion to compel production of Dr. Anderson's contract with DOC, it did not set a deadline for production. Hertz acknowledged he received the contract sometime before February 6, 2007. The court therefore did not abuse its discretion in refusing to sanction Jacobson for any possible delay in production. Finally, Hertz requested a copy of Dr. Morrow's recommendation/report concerning Hertz's teeth, and Jacobson responded that Dr. Morrow did not make any specific `recommendations' regarding Hertz's teeth. She did, however, make notes in Hertz's medical chart. Those notes have been produced to Hertz. Hertz contended this statement amounted to a sanctionable lie. The superior court did not abuse its discretion in refusing to impose sanctions for Jacobson's discovery response because no discovery was withheld and Hertz was not misled. We therefore affirm the superior court's denial of Hertz's motion for sanctions against Jacobson.