Opinion ID: 1468940
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the death knell exception

Text: [¶ 12] The death knell exception to the final judgment rule allows a party to appeal an interlocutory order immediately if substantial rights of a party will be irreparably lost if review is delayed until final judgment. Webb v. Haas, 1999 ME 74, ¶ 5, 728 A.2d 1261, 1264 (quoting Cook v. Cook, 574 A.2d 1353, 1354 (Me.1990)). The exception is only available when the injury to the plaintiff's claimed right would otherwise be imminent, concrete, and irreparable. Morse Bros., Inc. v. Webster, 2001 ME 70, ¶ 14, 772 A.2d 842, 847 (quoting Lewellyn v. Bell, 635 A.2d 945, 948 (Me.1993)). A right will be irreparably lost if the appellant would not have an effective remedy if the interlocutory determination were to be vacated after a final disposition of the entire litigation. See In re Bailey M., 2002 ME 12, ¶ 8, 788 A.2d 590, 594 (appellant could immediately appeal decision not to open proceedings to the public because there would be no way to open proceedings retroactively after final judgment); Andrews, 1998 ME 198, ¶ 4, 716 A.2d at 215 (interlocutory review of denial of qualified immunity at summary judgment stage proper because defendant would irreparably lose right to avoid having to defend against suit). The fact that a delay will involve some harm to the appellant is not sufficient to constitute an irreparable loss when the harm will last only for the duration of the litigation and is temporary. See In re Erica B., 520 A.2d 342, 345 (Me.1987) (although preliminary order suspending custody of child implicated a substantial right, it was not immediately appealable because the harm was only temporary). Carter has not demonstrated an irreparable loss.