Opinion ID: 883136
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Did the District Court err when it ordered sanctions against Columbus in the amount of $5500?

Text: As mentioned above, in determining whether a district court imposes proper sanctions for discovery abuse, we examine whether the district court abused its discretion. Eisenmenger, 871 P.2d at 1319. Judge Warner ordered Columbus to pay Sullivan $5500 for attorney fees as a sanction for discovery abuse. The District Court heard testimony regarding Sullivan's attorney fees. After a hearing, Judge Warner found that $2500 for amounts expended for work on summary judgment and $3000 for work required after the verdict was a sufficient sanction. Judge Warner did not award attorney fees for amounts expended trying the case. The District Court Judge is better situated to decide the appropriate sanctions in this case. He heard evidence regarding the missing files and attorney fees, and concluded that $5500 was a reasonable amount. We conclude that the District Court did not abuse its discretion when it imposed monetary sanctions in the amount of $5500. This analysis is also dispositive of the issue raised by Sullivan's cross-appeal challenging the sufficiency of sanctions.