Opinion ID: 1865168
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: substitution of plaintiff

Text: Before proceeding to an analysis of the issues raised by the appeal from the district court's sustainment of the defendants' demurrers and dismissal of the petition, we turn our attention to the defendants' claim that as Fairbanks' employment with one of the defendant counties has terminated, he is not a proper person to bring this suit. However, inasmuch as Fairbanks is no longer the plaintiff, we need not, and therefore do not, concern ourselves with whether he could have maintained this suit notwithstanding the termination of his employment. Rather, we go to the issue of whether it was proper to permit the substitution of another plaintiff. The propriety of substituting parties depends on whether the cause of action otherwise remains the same. Thus, where such substitution will introduce a new cause of action into the case, the substitution will not be allowed. See, West Town Homeowners Assn. v. Schneider, 215 Neb. 905, 341 N.W.2d 588 (1983); Collection Associates, Inc. v. Eckel, 212 Neb. 607, 324 N.W.2d 808 (1982); Meyer v. Sandhills Beef, Inc., 211 Neb. 388, 318 N.W.2d 863 (1982). In determining whether a new cause of action results from the substitution of parties, the test is whether an attempt is made to state facts giving rise to a wholly distinct and different legal obligation against the defendant, or to change the liability sought to be enforced. See, Klopstock v. Superior Court, 17 Cal.2d 13, 108 P.2d 906 (1941); Oetzel v. Martin, 163 Ohio St. 512, 127 N.E.2d 353 (1955) (two tests to be applied: whether same evidence will support both petitions and whether same measure of damages will apply to both). See, also, St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co. v. Touche Ross & Co., 244 Neb. 408, 507 N.W.2d 275 (1993) (cause of action consists of facts which give right to judicial relief against another). Additionally, in order to substitute one party for another, the party substituted must bear some relation to the original party or possess an interest in the controversy sufficient to enable that party to maintain the proceeding. See Nelson v. Sing Oil Co., 122 Ga.App. 19, 176 S.E.2d 227 (1970) (substitution of party not authorized by statute providing for adding or disposing of parties). Where rules of practice governing amendments to pleadings permit the adding or striking out of the name of any party, such amendments have been held to permit the court, in its discretion, to allow the substitution of a new plaintiff for the original plaintiff. See, Harmelink v. Arvada, 41 Colo. App. 122, 580 P.2d 841 (1978); Oetzel v. Martin, supra ; Pearlman v. Rowell, 121 R.I. 466, 401 A.2d 19 (1979); Superscope, Inc. v. Benjamin Co., Inc., 276 S.C. 231, 277 S.E.2d 596 (1981); Jacobson v. Southern Biscuit Co., 198 Va. 813, 97 S.E.2d 1 (1957). In our practice, under Neb.Rev.Stat. § 25-852 (Reissue 1989), [t]he court may, either before or after judgment, in furtherance of justice, and on such terms as may be proper, amend any pleading, process or proceeding, by adding or striking out the name of any party.... The decision whether to allow or deny an amendment lies within the discretion of the court to which application is made. Maricle v. Spiegel, 213 Neb. 223, 329 N.W.2d 80 (1983); Tilden v. Beckmann, 203 Neb. 293, 278 N.W.2d 581 (1979); McCarty v. Morrow, 173 Neb. 643, 114 N.W.2d 512 (1962). However, the statute is to be liberally construed and amendments permitted when proposed at an opportune time in the furtherance of justice. Bittner v. Miller, 226 Neb. 206, 410 N.W.2d 478 (1987); Building Systems, Inc. v. Medical Center, Ltd., 213 Neb. 49, 327 N.W.2d 95 (1982); Kleinknecht v. McNulty, 169 Neb. 470, 100 N.W.2d 77 (1959) (it is abuse of discretion to refuse to permit amendment proposed at opportune time in furtherance of justice). Thus, we have held that amendments under this statute may even be made in this court after appeal. Lippire v. Eckel, 178 Neb. 643, 134 N.W.2d 802 (1965). Here, Fairbanks sought to substitute one employee of the defendant counties for another. No other change was sought or made, and the newly named plaintiff bears the same relationship to the dispute as did his predecessor. Under the circumstances, it cannot be said that the Court of Appeals abused its discretion in permitting Hoiengs to be substituted as the plaintiff.