Opinion ID: 2633414
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Final Adjudication on the Merits

Text: Rodriguez argues that because Judge Wilper's original order dismissing his claims was entered without prejudice, there was not a final adjudication on the merits of the case. We disagree. A dismissal without prejudice usually does not result in issue preclusion. See Easter Idaho Agric. Credit Ass'n v. Neibaur, 133 Idaho 402, 408, 987 P.2d 314, 320 (1999). But in addressing the issue of finality of judgments, the Court in Neibaur noted that for purposes of issue preclusion, a final judgment `includes any prior adjudication of an issue in another action that is determined to be sufficiently firm to be accorded conclusive effect.' Id. (quoting Restatement (Second) of Judgments § 13 (1982)). The Court further stated that while preclusion should be refused if the previous decision was avowedly tentative, other factors supporting the conclusion that the decision was final for purposes of issue preclusion included whether the parties were fully heard, whether the court supported its decision with a reasoned opinion, and whether the decision was subject to appeal. See id. (citing Restatement (Second) of Judgments § 13 cmt. g). Here, Rodriguez was certainly given full opportunity to argue the merits of the tolling issue at the October 25 hearing. In addition, although Judge Wilper did not enter an opinion containing factual findings or conclusions of law, he specifically noted at the close of the October 25 hearing that under the facts presented, he was not persuaded that the time period to file the notice of tort claim was tolled. Judge Wilper's order denying Rodriguez's motion to reconsider also states that based upon the pleadings and arguments made by the parties in their briefs and at oral argument, Rodriguez's motion for reconsideration was denied because his notice of tort claim was filed more than 180 days from the date of the accident. Although Judge Wilper's decision was subject to appeal, Rodriguez did not appeal that decision but opted instead to file a second, nearly identical claim. It is clear that Judge Wilper's ruling became final when it was not appealed. Because there has been a final judgment on the merits determining the lack of a tolling of I.C. § 6-905 with respect to Rodriguez's situation, Rodriguez is estopped from raising this issue again.