Opinion ID: 3002949
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Consolidation of the Two Cases

Text: Adams argues that the district court erred when it consolidated the two cases. Under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 42(a)(2), a district court may consolidate actions if they “involve a common question of law or fact.” Adams contends that the district judge failed to recognize that the two suits were factually distinct and that the preparation required for the Monell claims was different. “A district court’s decision to consolidate cases is subject to review only for an abuse of discretion.” King v. Gen. Elec. Co., 960 F.2d 617, 626 (7th Cir. 1992). 4 The City apparently was dismissed from the action after the district court granted it summary judgment on the Monell claims. 5 In its response to the special interrogatory, the jury found that probable cause existed to arrest Adams for driving in excess of the posted speed limit and battery against a police officer. No. 08‐1456 Page 4 However, even if we assume arguendo that the district court abused its discretion in consolidating the two cases, the harmless error standard set forth in Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 61 requires us to disregard errors which have no effect upon a litigant’s substantial rights. Although Adams did not argue in his briefs that he was prejudiced by the consolidation, at oral argument he stated that the consolidation made presentation of the case difficult at trial due to the number of defendants and confused the jury. First, the mere presence of six defendants did not make the presentation of the case excessively unwieldy. Originally, there were five defendants named in the first suit. Had the cases not been consolidated and the Monell claims not been dismissed, the trial of the first suit would have involved five defendants; therefore, it is unreasonable for Adams to contend that one additional defendant at the actual trial caused him any prejudice. Second, he does not point to any evidence of jury confusion, nor can we identify any. The consolidated case involved two relatively brief episodes, one at a stop site and the other at a police station, with three defendants from each. The claims relevant to each episode were for false arrest and excessive force under § 1983 and battery under state law. Thus, the factual background and applicable laws were not so complex as to confuse the jury. Accordingly, because Adams has not shown that his substantial rights were affected, the district court’s error (if any) in consolidating the cases was harmless.