Court Opinion

ID: 9685780
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 15:02:46.65541+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:18:10.418623
License: Public Domain

D. E. Holbrook, Jr.
(dissenting). I respectfully dissent. I acknowledge that MCR 2.116(G)(5) provides that, in deciding a motion based on MCR 2.116(C)(7), a trial judge must consider the affidavits, pleadings, depositions, admissions and documentary evidence filed at the time the motion is considered. However, the majority ignores MCR 2.116(I)(3), which provides that a court may, under proper circumstances, order immediate trial to resolve any disputed issue of fact:
(3) A court may, under proper circumstances, order immediate trial to resolve any disputed issue of fact, and judgment may be entered forthwith if the proofs show that a party is entitled to judgment on the facts as determined by the court. An immediate trial may be ordered if the grounds asserted are based on subrules (C)(1) through (C)(6), or if the motion is based on subrule (C)(7) and a jury trial as of right has not been demanded on or before the date set for hearing. If the motion is based on subrule (C)(7) and a jury trial has been demanded, the court may order immediate trial, but must afford the parties a jury trial as to issues raised by the motion as to which there is a right to trial by jury.
Plaintiffs’ affidavits in the instant case indicate that on November 23, 1984, plaintiff Eric Blana first learned that his periodontal disease had progressed significantly since he was treated by defendant in 1981. Although plaintiff stated that he first saw Dr. Dobrusin on January 17, 1984, because of sudden, excruciating pain, Dr. Dobrusin merely *357removed an abscessed tooth. Plaintiff was given no indication at that time that he still had periodontal disease. There was no evidence presented that plaintiff did or did not suffer periodontal pain or problems within the time period, more than six months prior to the filing of the complaint. Consequently, even considering the affidavits presented, I conclude that a disputed issue of fact exists as to whether plaintiff Eric Blana discovered or should have discovered his claim within six months of filing the complaint. Under MCR 2.116(I)(3), a jury trial was required to resolve these factual disputes. I would, therefore, reverse and remand for a jury trial as to the issues raised by the motion for summary disposition.