Opinion ID: 2110780
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Chrysler's Pending Motion to Dismiss Skyline's Appeal

Text: On January 16, 1992, Chrysler filed in this court a motion to dismiss Skyline's appeal predicated upon a purported settlement of Pfaff's personal injury action by the parties and a voluntary dismissal with prejudice of that action on January 15, 1992. Attached to the motion was a copy of the order of dismissal which stated that the parties had stipulated to the dismissal and that Chrysler's second-amended third-party complaint against Skyline, alleging contribution, was also dismissed with prejudice. On January 21, 1992, Skyline filed its objection to Chrysler's motion to dismiss the appeal on the basis that the order dismissing the cause was entered ex parte; Skyline had not agreed to waive its worker's compensation lien and had not participated in or agreed to any settlement of the Pfaff personal injury action; nor had Chrysler agreed to release its contractual indemnification causes of action filed in Michigan or conceded that dismissal of the Pfaff case would have res judicata effect upon the claims pending before the Michigan court. Skyline further advised this court that Skyline had filed a motion to vacate the dismissal of the cause in the trial court and that a hearing on the motion was scheduled for January 22, 1992. On January 22, 1992, we ordered that Chrysler's motion to dismiss Skyline's appeal be taken with the case. Also on January 22, 1992, the trial court heard arguments on Skyline's motion to vacate the order of dismissal. The trial court indicated that it did not approve of the wording of the order of dismissal or its ex parte nature, and vacated the order. The trial court observed, however, that the third-party plaintiff, Chrysler, and Cullen could not be prevented from voluntarily dismissing their claims against one another. In such case, the trial court indicated, it would require that any order of dismissal specify that the entire case, including the contractual indemnification causes against Skyline, be dismissed with prejudice. The trial court stated that Chrysler had abandoned the contractual indemnity claims previously before the court. Thus, the court stated that it did not want the order of dismissal to be interpreted as preserving those claims for future litigation. Following this discussion, Pfaff's counsel stated that plaintiff would accept Chrysler and Cullen's offer of settlement and motioned to dismiss the cause. Chrysler and Cullen initially joined in the motion; however, after a brief recess, Chrysler withdrew its motion because Chrysler could not agree to settle and dismiss the cause by means of the order proposed by the trial court. Plaintiff, accordingly, also withdrew his motion to dismiss. Chrysler now argues that Skyline has interfered with the settlement of the underlying personal injury action for no reason other than to keep this appeal alive. We disagree. It is clear that Skyline opposed the trial court's order, purportedly dismissing the entire cause, because the order failed to state that Chrysler's previously alleged claims for contractual indemnity were dismissed with prejudice. Skyline's opposition goes to an essential element of this appeal: the actual status of these claims at the time Chrysler was enjoined. Under these circumstances, we hardly think Skyline's opposition was manufactured merely to preserve its appeal. Whether Skyline has any legal basis to argue that its participation was necessary to the settlement of the underlying personal injury action is beside the point. The status of the previously stricken indemnity and breach of contract claims remained unclear. Skyline had reason to oppose the trial court's order dismissing the underlying action. Chrysler also contends that the trial court refused to enter any dismissal order, even if a settlement could be reached which would include the satisfaction of Skyline's Worker's Compensation Lien, unless Chrysler also agreed to dismiss its independent contractual cause of action pending against Skyline in Michigan. Chrysler's argument misstates the record. The trial court agreed to an order which would dismiss the entire Illinois cause. We have considered the pleadings in support of and in opposition to Chrysler's motion, as well as a record of proceedings before the trial court on January 22, 1992. Thus, as a preliminary matter, we deny Chrysler's motion to dismiss this appeal.