Opinion ID: 885786
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: standard of review

Text: ¶ 19 This Court reviews an order granting summary judgment de novo, using the same Rule 56, M.R.Civ.P., criteria applied by the district court. See Spinler v. Allen, 1999 MT 160, ¶ 14, 295 Mont. 139, ¶ 14, 983 P.2d 348, ¶ 14. This Court looks to the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, admissions on file, and affidavits to determine the existence or nonexistence of a genuine issue of material fact. See Erker v. Kester, 1999 MT 231, ¶ 17, 296 Mont. 123, ¶ 17, 988 P.2d 1221, ¶ 17. ¶ 20 When we review a district court's conclusions of law, our standard of review is plenary and we must determine whether the court's conclusions are correct as a matter of law. See Lane v. Farmers Union Ins., 1999 MT 252, ¶ 15, 296 Mont. 267, ¶ 15, 989 P.2d 309, ¶ 15 (citation omitted). ¶ 21 Ordinarily, summary judgment is not granted in causes grounded in negligence claims due to the requisite finding that no material facts remain in dispute. See Dillard v. Doe (1992), 251 Mont. 379, 382, 824 P.2d 1016, 1018 (citations omitted). However, if a party seeking summary judgment establishes the absence of a genuine issue of material fact as to any one of the elements constituting the cause of action, and the opposing party fails to come forward with proof establishing the existence of a genuine issue as to that element, summary judgment is proper. See White v. Murdock (1994), 265 Mont. 386, 389-90, 877 P.2d 474, 476. Any inferences to be drawn from the factual record, however, must be resolved in favor of the party opposing summary judgment. See Boylan v. Van Dyke (1991), 247 Mont. 259, 266, 806 P.2d 1024, 1028. ¶ 22 Further, we may affirm a district court decision which is correct regardless of the district court's reasoning in reaching its decision. See, e.g., Clark v. Eagle Systems, Inc. (1996), 279 Mont. 279, 287-88, 927 P.2d 995, 1000 (affirming summary judgment on tortious interference and emotional distress).