Opinion ID: 2378741
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Double standard

Text: Goodyear argues that the failure to require a full evidentiary hearing in cases where the court strikes the defendant's answer as to liability only, but not as to damages, creates a double standard between plaintiffs and defendants. We disagree. Goodyear relies upon the case of Nevada Power v. Fluor Illinois, 108 Nev. 638, 837 P.2d 1354 (1992), to support its argument that a full evidentiary hearing is necessary when an answer is going to be dismissed as to liability. Goodyear incorrectly relies on this case because in Nevada Power, the district court dismissed the complaint of Nevada Power with prejudice without conducting an evidentiary hearing regarding alleged discovery abuses. Since the district court entered its order dismissing Nevada Power's complaint with prejudice, the case was over. The only remedy Nevada Power had was to appeal; therefore, an evidentiary hearing was appropriate. In Bahena, the district court struck Goodyear's answer as to liability only, but Goodyear had the full right to contest general, special, and punitive damages. In fact, Goodyear prevailed upon Bahena's claim for punitive damages. As distinguished from Nevada Power, Goodyear was not out of court based upon the district court's sanction order. Therefore, we decline to extend the holding of Nevada Power Company for non-case concluding discovery sanctions.