Opinion ID: 878969
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: did an abuse of discovery process by respondent leatham and guaranty national insurance company prejudice appellants' discovery of relevant facts and evidence prior to trial and deny appellants a fair trial?

Text: Appellants argue that discovery abuses prevented them from obtaining a fair trial. In Massaro v. Dunham (1979), 184 Mont. 400, 603 P.2d 249, we discussed discovery abuse. That case involved a divorce action where various attempts to discover information concerning child support payments and to require production of documents related thereto were ignored by opposing counsel. We set forth some general propositions that govern: The District Court has the inherent discretionary power to control discovery. That power is based on the District Court's authority to control trial administration. See, State v. Mecca Twin Theater & Film Exchange, Inc. (1973), 82 Wash.2d 87, 507 P.2d 1165, 1167. In controlling discovery, the District Court must regulate traffic to insure a fair trial to all concerned, neither according one party an unfair advantage nor placing the other party at a disadvantage. State v. Boehme (1967), 71 Wash.2d 621, 430 P.2d 527, 534. We will reverse the District Court only when its judgment may materially affect the substantial rights of the appellant and allow the possibility of a miscarriage of justice. Wolfe v. Northern Pacific Railway Co. (1966), 147 Mont. 29, 41, 409 P.2d 528, 534. We find such a situation here. The purpose of discovery is to promote the ascertainment of truth and the ultimate disposition of the lawsuit in accordance therewith. Discovery fulfills this purpose by assuring the mutual knowledge of all relevant facts gathered by both parties which are essential to proper litigation. Hickman v. Taylor (1947), 329 U.S. 495, 507, 67 S.Ct. 385, 392, 91 L.Ed. 451, 460. 184 Mont. at 404, 405, 603 P.2d at 251, 252. Appellants complain that certain accident reports prepared by Guaranty on behalf of Leatham were not produced. The reports were prepared in anticipation of litigation. The District Court ruled that appellants did not demonstrate a substantial need for the investigative reports to require production pursuant to Rule 26(b), M.R.Civ.P. The appellants offer no substantive reasons why the reports in question should have been turned over to them; they only complain that respondents never applied for a protective order. The District Court properly denied relief to Lindberg. This ruling was made on September 1, 1982, 8 1/2 months before trial commenced. Appellants' presentation at trial was not prejudiced by this delay. Appellants claim they were prejudiced by the fact that they were denied certain photos taken by insurance adjuster, Sid Griffin before the April 6, 1984 deposition of expert, Dr. F. Denham Lee. Appellants do not move at trial to limit inquiry or exclude the use of Dr. Lee's first deposition for impeachment. Appellants does not identify these crucial photos by exhibit number here on appeal nor point out how they were crucial to Dr. Lee's change in position. Dr. Lee testified he did a lot more work after his initial deposition. He viewed 80 additional photos before changing his position. He had an opportunity to explain his change from the swerve theory to the theory that the Leatham truck crossed the centerline. Even if the seven so-called Sid Griffin photos were wrongfully withheld from appellants their omission does not amount to reversible error.