Opinion ID: 2581913
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Procedural v. Substantive Law

Text: The application of Oregon substantive law was proper in this case. However, the Grovers claim that the amendment of a complaint is a procedural rule, and that they should have been allowed to amend their complaint to allow a claim for punitive damages. The district court ruled that the Grovers could not amend their complaint to add a claim for punitive damages, because punitive damages are available under Oregon law only if a plaintiff shows that the defendant acted outside the scope of his practice and with malice. See O.R.S. § 18.550. The Grovers could not show that the defendants acted with malice. The jury never reached the issue of damages, because it found that Mrs. Grover's negligence, not the defendants' negligence, caused Mrs. Grover's stroke. Therefore, any error in this regard would likely be harmless. However, even if the error were not harmless, the Grovers are incorrect that this is a procedural issue. This Court recently stated: [s]ubstantive law prescribes norms for societal conduct and punishments for violations thereof. It thus creates, defines, and regulates primary rights. In contrast, practice and procedure pertain to the essentially mechanical operations of the courts by which substantive law, rights, and remedies are effectuated. Floyd v. Board of Commissioners of Bonneville County, 131 Idaho 234, 238, 953 P.2d 984, 988 (1998) (quoting State v. Currington, 108 Idaho 539, 541, 700 P.2d 942, 944 (1985)). Damages and punishments are substantive law. The district court properly applied Oregon law in determining not to allow amendment of the complaint.