Opinion ID: 2346556
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Motion to Extend Time

Text: Appellant contends that the trial court erred in denying her motion to extend time to complete discovery because the jury was deprived of expert testimony in critical areas, which would have made a difference on the outcome of the trial. [7] Appellees respond that appellant failed to set forth good cause for an extension to secure medical experts beyond the deadline, as required by Superior Court Civil Rule 16(b)(6). While we agree with appellant that the motions judge should have granted an extension of time, we conclude the error was harmless. We usually defer to the exercise of the trial court's discretion under Rules 16 and 26. See Ferrell v. Rosenbaum, 691 A.2d 641, 646 (D.C.1997). However, we balance the concern for judicial economy against the strong judicial and societal preference for determining cases on the merits. See Abell v. Wang, 697 A.2d 796, 800 (D.C.1997). In Abell, we reversed the grant of summary judgment and remanded to the trial court to reconsider a Rule 26(b)(4) statement filed out of time taking into account the following several factors: (1) whether allowing the evidence would incurably surprise or prejudice the opposite party; (2) whether excluding the evidence would incurably prejudice the party seeking to introduce it; (3) whether the party seeking to introduce the testimony failed to comply with the evidentiary rules inadvertently or willfully; (4) the impact of allowing the proposed testimony on the orderliness and efficiency of the trial; and (5) the impact of excluding the proposed testimony on the completeness of information before the court or jury. Id. at 801. Moreover, the trial court should also consider whether a less severe sanction than dismissal or summary judgment is warranted. See id. at 802. Likewise, in Tisdale v. Howard University, Inc., 697 A.2d 53, 54 (D.C.1997) (noting that the trial court must consider the totality of circumstances in each case), we remanded for reconsideration of the trial court's denial of appellant's motion to file an expert witness designation after the discovery deadline, because the trial court failed to consider the factors enumerated in Abell. See id. In this case, the motions court did not explain the reasoning behind its decision, but appears to have relied on the appellees' opposition that appellant did not have good cause for extending the deadline and that the extension would necessitate setting new deadlines for all of the dates in the scheduling order. In addition, the judge's order mentioned that discovery was not due to close for another two months, on December 15, 1997. The court did not specify how appellees would suffer prejudice by an extension of thirty days, nor is there any indication that the trial court took into account potential prejudice or surprise to the appellees, or the impact to appellant's case. Moreover, as a trial date had not yet been set, nor motions for summary judgment filed, allowing a thirty-day extension would not have significantly affected the orderly progression of the trial. Under Abell, it is likely that a remand would be warranted in these circumstances. We do not think a remand on the medical expert issue is required in this case, however, because any error was harmless. While appellant claims that a medical expert would have testified that her chronic medical problems were proximately caused by the fire, she has not designated any physician who examined her and would have offered expert testimony in support of her claim. More importantly, appellant provided significant testimony during trial about how the fire caused her to suffer many medical problems. Her treating physician testified that she saw appellant after the fire and that appellant had mentioned being concerned about the fire and that she had resumed drinking (she had previous alcohol abuse problems). The treating physician also testified that appellant was taking medication for depression, and suffered from pancreatitis, pain, dizziness, and high blood pressure. Taking the stand, appellant testified about her extreme emotional distress and medical problems after the fire, and that she suffered from stress, high blood pressure, insomnia, and flashbacks as a result of the fire. She admitted during cross-examination, however, that she suffered from some of these health problems before the fire, and does not contend that an expert would have testified otherwise. Appellant has not explained how an as-yet-unidentified medical expert would have added to what was presented by her and her doctor.