Court Opinion

ID: 4371305
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-02-26 20:03:18.289387+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T11:59:11.939000
License: Public Domain

FIFTH DIVISION
                               MCFADDEN, P. J.,
                           RICKMAN and MARKLE, JJ.

                    NOTICE: Motions for reconsideration must be
                    physically received in our clerk’s office within ten
                    days of the date of decision to be deemed timely filed.
                                http://www.gaappeals.us/rules

                                                                   February 22, 2019

In the Court of Appeals of Georgia
 A18A2037, A18A2038. U-HAUL COMPANY OF ARIZONA et al. MA-074
     v. RUTLAND et al. and vice versa.                MA-075

      MARKLE, Judge.

      Charles Rutland was killed in a tragic auto accident involving a truck driven

by Joshua Mayberry that was owned by U-Haul of Arizona (“UHAZ”), registered in

Arizona, and rented from U-Haul of Georgia (“UHGA”). Margaret Rutland, as

Charles’s surviving spouse, filed suit against UHAZ and UHGA (collectively, “the

U-Haul defendants”), along with Mayberry, Stephanie Crocker, who had rented the

truck, and Sarah Wolf, the named driver on the rental agreement (collectively, “the

individual defendants”). As is relevant to these appeals, in Count VI of the complaint,

Rutland sought a declaratory judgment that UHAZ and UHGA did not qualify as self-

insurers under OCGA §§ 33-34-2 (4) and 33-34-5.1, and thus the U-Haul defendants
could be liable for damages in excess of the minimum insurance coverage provisions.1

See OCGA § 33-34-3. The U-Haul defendants moved to dismiss on the grounds that

they were not required to register as a self-insurer and that there was no actual

controversy that would authorize the trial court to issue a declaratory judgment.

Thereafter, Mayberry moved for a stay of proceedings and a protective order, and

Rutland moved the trial court to take judicial notice of the U-Haul defendants’ recent

filings with the Georgia Commissioner of Insurance.

      The trial court (1) denied the U-Haul defendants’ motions to dismiss the

declaratory judgment count; (2) granted Rutland’s motion for judgment on the

pleadings; (3) granted defendant Mayberry’s motion to stay the proceedings and for

a protective order; and (4) granted in part Rutland’s motion to take judicial notice of

UHAZ’s filing with the Georgia Insurance Commissioner. The trial court issued a

certificate of immediate review, and this Court granted the U-Haul defendants’

application for interlocutory review. These appeals followed.

      After a thorough review of the record and the relevant statutory provisions, we

conclude that the trial court erred in denying the U-Haul defendants’ motion to

      1
       Rutland also requested a declaratory judgment on whether Mayberry was a
permissive user of the rental truck (Count IV of the complaint). The U-Haul
defendants conceded this issue.

                                          2
dismiss because the declaratory judgment action was improper. Accordingly, we

reverse the trial court’s order in Case No. A18A2037 and remand the case with

instructions to dismiss the declaratory judgment count of the complaint. As to the

cross-appeal in Case No. A18A2038, we conclude that the trial court abused its

discretion by failing to review each of Mayberry’s assertions of his Fifth Amendment

right. Accordingly, we vacate the trial court’s order granting the protective motion

and remand the case for further proceedings. We also conclude that any allegation of

error in staying the proceedings is moot because the stay has now lapsed. Finally, in

light of our conclusion in Case No. A18A2037 that the declaratory judgment action

against the U-Haul defendants was not properly before the trial court, Rutland’s claim

that the trial court should have taken judicial notice of all the documents the U-Haul

defendants submitted to the Insurance Commissioner is also moot.

      A motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim upon which relief may be
      granted should not be sustained unless (1) the allegations of the
      complaint disclose with certainty that the claimant would not be entitled
      to relief under any state of provable facts asserted in support thereof;
      and (2) the movant establishes that the claimant could not possibly
      introduce evidence within the framework of the complaint sufficient to
      warrant a grant of the relief sought. In deciding a motion to dismiss, all
      pleadings are to be construed most favorably to the party who filed
      them, and all doubts regarding such pleadings must be resolved in the

                                          3
      filing party’s favor. In other words, a motion to dismiss for failure to
      state a claim should not be granted unless it appears to a certainty that
      the plaintiff would be entitled to no relief under any state of facts which
      could be proved in support of his claim. If, within the framework of the
      complaint, evidence may be introduced which will sustain a grant of
      relief to the plaintiff, the complaint is sufficient.

(Citations and punctuation omitted.) Austin v. Clark, 294 Ga. 773, 774-775 (755

SE2d 796) (2014). We review de novo a trial court’s ruling on a motion to dismiss.

Walker Co. v. Tri-State Crematory, 292 Ga. App. 411 (664 SE2d 788) (2008).

      So viewed, the record shows that Crocker rented a U-Haul truck from UHGA

on October 4, 2015. Crocker signed the rental agreement and paid cash for the truck

for a two-day rental period. At no time did UHGA ask Crocker if she had or wished

to purchase insurance, and neither Crocker nor Mayberry possessed any other

automobile insurance. Mayberry drove the truck out of UHGA’s lot.

      Crocker and Mayberry did not return the truck at the end of the rental period

on October 6. On October 8, Mayberry was driving the truck when he crossed the

center line and struck Charles Rutland’s vehicle head on, killing Charles. The police

report alleged that Mayberry was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time

                                           4
of the accident. Mayberry was arrested and indicted for homicide by vehicle, driving

under the influence, and reckless driving, among other charges.

      Margaret Rutland, Charles’s widow, sued the U-Haul defendants, Crocker,

Mayberry, and Wolf, for wrongful death, negligent entrustment, and punitive

damages. She also sought a declaratory judgment to establish that UHAZ and UHGA

did not qualify as self-insurers and thus there was no cap on their liability for

damages. Along with the complaint, Rutland served her initial discovery requests on

the U-Haul defendants and Mayberry.

      The U-Haul defendants answered and moved to dismiss the complaint. Rutland

opposed the motions and moved for judgment on the pleadings with respect to the

declaratory judgment counts.

      Mayberry remained incarcerated while the civil suit proceeded. In response to

many of the various discovery requests, Mayberry invoked his Fifth Amendment right

against self-incrimination. Mayberry and the U-Haul defendants also moved for a

protective order under OCGA § 9-11-26 (c), and for a stay of discovery pending the

outcome of Mayberry’s criminal case.

      Rutland opposed the motions for a stay and protective order and moved to

compel discovery. She asserted that Mayberry had waived his right against self-

                                         5
incrimination by speaking to investigators after the accident, and that opposing

counsel deliberately withheld this information from her. Thus, Rutland filed a

“motion for emergency relief,” seeking in camera review or an evidentiary hearing

to evaluate Mayberry’s claims of privilege. She further requested sanctions under

OCGA § 9-11-37 (d). Mayberry disputed that he had waived his Fifth Amendment

rights, and he sought sanctions against Rutland under OCGA § 9-15-14 for

unnecessarily expanding the litigation with the emergency motion.

      Rutland also moved the trial court to take judicial notice of UHAZ’s July 2016

filing of self-insurance with the Georgia Commissioner of Insurance. The U-Haul

defendants subsequently amended their answer to disclose an insurance policy

underwritten by Repwest Insurance Company, which the U-Haul defendants alleged

was designed to cover the minimum limits of coverage.2

      Following a hearing on the motions to dismiss, the trial court denied the U-

Haul defendants’ motions and granted Rutland’s motion for judgment on the

pleadings. Specifically, the trial court found that the U-Haul defendants were not self-

insurers as that term is defined in OCGA § 33-34-2 (4) because they had not filed

      2
        We note that the Repwest policy contained in the record is neither verified nor
a certified copy and is largely illegible. Additionally, Repwest, a foreign insurer
authorized to do business in Georgia, is not a party to the declaratory action.

                                           6
their insurance plan with the Georgia Insurance Commissioner, and that they had

failed to offer “spot” insurance at the time of rental. The trial court reviewed the

Repwest policy, which the U-Haul defendants submitted to establish they possessed

sufficient coverage, and concluded that it would not qualify as “spot” insurance.

Thus, the trial court found that the U-Haul defendants had not limited their liability

to the minimum coverage amount.

      By separate order that same day, the trial court granted the motion for

protective order and stayed the pending lawsuit as it pertained to Mayberry, and

denied Rutland’s motions for emergency relief and to compel discovery. The trial

court concluded that Mayberry was entitled to assert his Fifth Amendment right

against self-incrimination, and that he had not waived that right by speaking with

investigators before the instant lawsuit had been filed. The trial court reserved any

ruling on attorney fees.

      As to Rutland’s request that the trial court take judicial notice of UHAZ’s 2016

filing with the Insurance Commissioner, the trial court granted the request to take

judicial notice of the fact that UHAZ was listed and approved as a self-insurer. The

trial court declined, however, to take judicial notice of the application and self-

insurance plan UHAZ submitted to the Insurance Commissioner.

                                          7
       The trial court issued a certificate of immediate review, and this Court granted

the U-Haul defendants’ application for interlocutory review. These appeals followed.

       1. The U-Haul defendants argue that, in denying their motion to dismiss and

granting the declaratory judgment, the trial court misapplied the statutory provisions

as to motor vehicle liability insurance. We agree that the trial court erred in denying

the motion to dismiss, albeit on different grounds –– we find that the declaratory

judgment action against the U-Haul defendants was improper at this stage of the

litigation.

       The parties argued before the trial court as to whether Rutland could bring a

declaratory judgment action directly against the U-Haul defendants when the

underlying civil case against Mayberry and the individual defendants remained

pending. The trial court resolved that issue in favor of Rutland, concluding that

“Rutland is a third-party beneficiary of legislatively-mandated financial responsibility

laws and so is authorized to seek declaratory relief to resolve this disagreement over

the extent of the U-Haul Defendants’ potential liability.” We disagree.

       Under the Declaratory Judgment Act (“the Act”), OCGA § 9-4-2,

       (a) In cases of actual controversy, the respective superior courts of this
       state shall have power, upon petition or other appropriate pleading, to

                                           8
      declare rights and other legal relations of any interested party petitioning
      for such declaration, whether or not further relief is or could be prayed;
      and the declaration shall have the force and effect of a final judgment or
      decree and be reviewable as such.

      (b) In addition to the cases specified in subsection (a) of this Code
      section, the respective superior courts of this state shall have power,
      upon petition or other appropriate pleading, to declare rights and other
      legal relations of any interested party petitioning for the declaration,
      whether or not further relief is or could be prayed, in any civil case in
      which it appears to the court that the ends of justice require that the
      declaration should be made; and the declaration shall have the force and
      effect of a final judgment or decree and be reviewable as such.

Subsection (a) speaks of “cases of actual controversy.” As we have explained, “[t]he

existence of an actual controversy is fundamental to a decision on the merits by this

court.” (Citation omitted.) Richards v. State Farm Mut. Ins. Co., 252 Ga. App. 45, 46

(555 SE2d 506) (2001).

      The idea of an actual controversy is often described as standing to bring the

suit. Lebbos v. Davis, 256 Ga. App. 1, 3 (2) (567 SE2d 345) (2002). “The

constitutional and procedural concept of ‘standing’ falls under the broad rubric of

‘jurisdiction’ in the general sense, and in any event, a plaintiff with standing is a

                                           9
prerequisite for the existence of subject matter jurisdiction.”3 Blackmon v. Tenet

Healthsystem Spalding, Inc., 284 Ga. 369, 371 (667 SE2d 348) (2008). As it relates

to standing, we view the requirement that there be an actual case or controversy at the

time the complaint is filed. Perdue v. Lake, 282 Ga. 348 (1) (647 SE2d 6) (2007).

“Standing focuses on the party seeking relief and not on the issues the party wishes

to have adjudicated, and it is the person wishing to invoke a court’s jurisdiction who

must have standing.” (Citation and punctuation omitted.) Atlantic Specialty Ins. Co.

v. Lewis, 341 Ga. App. 838, 845 (1) (c) (802 SE2d 844) (2017). Here, Rutland sought

a declaratory judgment that the U-Haul defendants would be liable for the full extent

of any judgment received in the underlying wrongful death case. Thus, our focus is

on Rutland’s position and status with regard to the U-Haul defendants at the time the

complaint was filed.

      3
        We recognize that some cases from our Court have found the standing issue
waivable. See, e.g., I. A. Group LTD. Co. v. RMNANDCO, Inc., 346 Ga. App. 396
(816 SE2d 359) (2018). That case, however, addressed a standing issue not plead as
an affirmative defense and not raised before the trial court. Id. at 399 (1). Here, in
contrast, the parties heavily litigated the standing issue in the trial court. Thus, the
issue was not waived. Indeed, we may even raise the issue sua sponte. Center for A
Sustainable Coast, Inc. v. Turner, 324 Ga. App. 762, 763 n. 1 (751 SE2d 555) (2013).
Thus, we find no merit to Rutland’s claim that the U-Haul defendants have
abandoned this issue.

                                          10
      “To establish a legal interest sufficient to maintain standing under the

Declaratory Judgment Act, [Rutland] must show that [her] rights are in direct issue

or jeopardy. [She] must show that the facts are complete and that the interest is not

merely academic, hypothetical, or colorable, but actual.” (Citation omitted.) Bd. of

Natural Resources v. Monroe County, 252 Ga. App. 555, 557 (1) (556 SE2d 834)

(2001). “It is well-established that a plaintiff lacks standing to seek declaratory relief

when he or she has only a generalized economic interest that is contingent upon

future events because such interests are not legally protectible interests.” (Citation

and punctuation omitted.) Lewis, 341 Ga. App. at 843-844 (1) (a).

      Moreover, as we have explained, “[a]s a general rule, a plaintiff does not hav[e]

standing to bring a direct action against a defendant’s insurance company unless the

plaintiff has obtained a judgment against the defendant that remains unsatisfied.”4

Lewis, 341 Ga. App. at 841 (1).

      4
         Undeniably, the U-Haul defendants could have sought a declaratory judgment
against Mayberry on this issue. See St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co. v. Johnson, 216
Ga. 437, 438-439 (117 SE2d 459) (1960); see also Ga. Cas. & Surety Co. v. Turner,
86 Ga. App. 418 (71 SE2d 773) (1952) (permitting declaratory judgment action
brought by insurers against insolvent insured). And they could have joined Rutland
in that suit. Johnson, 216 Ga. at 439. But “the question whether a party is a necessary
or proper party to an existing action is a separate question from whether the party has
standing to bring his or her own action.” Lewis, 341 Ga. App. at 844-845 (1) (c).

                                           11
      The rationale for this rule is that the plaintiff is not in privity of contract
      with either the defendant or the defendant’s insurance company under
      the liability insurance policy and is not considered a third party
      beneficiary of the policy. It is only once a judgment has been obtained
      against the defendant insured that the plaintiff is no longer a stranger to
      the insurance policy but instead ‘stands in the shoes’ of the insured and
      can sue the defendant’s insurer directly when the judgment is
      unsatisfied.

(Citations and punctuation omitted.) Id. Although there are some exceptions that

would allow a plaintiff to sue an insurer directly, the only one potentially relevant

here involves cases in which liability insurance is mandated by the legislature. Id. But

that exception is inapplicable here because there is no dispute that the U-Haul

defendants are responsible for covering that minimum amount. See Auto-Owners Ins.

Co. v. Jackson, 211 Ga. App. 613, 614 (1) (440 SE2d 242) (1994) (“By mandating

that all motor vehicle owners have at least [$25,000] in liability insurance coverage,

the Legislature established the public policy that innocent persons who are injured in

accidents involving motor vehicles should be able to recover at least [$25,000] of

their damages.”) (citations omitted). See also Neese v. Cotton States Mut. Ins. Co.,

254 Ga. 335, 341-342 (2) (329 SE2d 136) (1985) (exclusion in automobile insurance

policy was void only to the extent of the minimum compulsory insurance required,

                                            12
noting “compulsory insurance law does not establish public policy as to sums greater

than those required by such law.”).

      When we apply this interpretation of standing under subsection (a) of the Act,

it is clear that Rutland has not shown that she has standing to pursue a declaratory

judgment.5 See Lewis, 341 Ga. App. at 842 (1). What Rutland seeks is a declaratory

judgment as to liability beyond that minimum amount. But Rutland has no direct

relationship with the U-Haul defendants, and until she obtains a judgment in the

underlying tort suit, she has only a hypothetical and generalized economic interest.

In other words, Rutland’s future conduct is not in jeopardy; only the extent of her

potential recovery is uncertain. In fact, she has not shown that her interest is in

jeopardy at all. Bd. of Natural Resources, 252 Ga. App. at 557 (1). Rather, she merely

seeks to confirm hypothetically that the U-Haul defendants will be obligated to pay

      5
          As we noted in Lewis, our courts have held that an injured party lacks
standing to raise certain defenses or counterclaims in declaratory judgment actions
brought by the insurance company because that party does not have a judgment
against the insured and was not in privity with the insurer. See Capitol Indem. Corp.
v. Fraley, 266 Ga. App. 561, 563 (1), (597 SE2d 601) (2004); Colonial Penn Ins. Co.
v. Hart, 162 Ga. App. 333, 337-339 (6) (291 SE2d 410) (1982) (injured party lacked
standing to assert counterclaims in declaratory judgment action brought by insurer).
We explained that “[w]e discern no reason for creating a different rule of standing
merely because, as in the present case, the plaintiff in the underlying tort action
initiates the declaratory judgment action rather than asserts a counterclaim or defense
in such an action.” Lewis, 341 Ga. App. at 843 (1) (a).

                                          13
the full amount of a judgment if and when she prevails in the underlying civil suit

against the individual defendants. Thus, she has not shown that her interest is

anything other than “merely academic, hypothetical, or colorable” as it remains

dependent on the jury’s verdict in the underlying wrongful death case. Lewis, 341 Ga.

App. at 843 (1) (a). See also Bankers Life & Cas. Co. v. Cravey, 90 Ga. App. 113,

119-120 (82 SE2d 150) (1954) (declaratory relief cannot be predicated “on the

happening of hypothetical future events”) (citation and punctuation omitted).6

Although the U-Haul defendants may face uncertainty as to future conduct, Rutland

does not. As set forth above, we are required to view standing from the standpoint of

the plaintiff at the time the complaint is filed. Perdue, 282 Ga. at 348 (1); Lewis, 341

      6
         At least one court has reached the opposite conclusion and allowed a
declaratory judgment to proceed where there were “at least the ripening seeds of such
[a] controversy.” See Community Action of Greater Indianapolis v. Indiana Farmers
Mut. Ins. Co., 708 NE2d 882, 884 (Ct. App. Ind. 1999). That case, however, involved
a dispute between the insurer and the insured over an indemnification question and
not an issue of the extent of the potential liability. Moreover, the other authorities
cited by the appellate court in that case involved similar issues of indemnification or
whether coverage existed at all, but did not ask the courts to express an opinion on
the extent of the potential liability. We find these differences significant. Any
standing a third-party like Rutland possesses would not “ripen” into an actual
controversy until she obtains a judgment against Mayberry. See, e.g., Cross v.
Occidental Fire & Cas. Co., 347 F. Supp 342 (W.D. Ok. 1972) (plaintiff lacked
standing to sue defendant driver’s insurance for declaratory judgment where there
was no underlying tort judgment against driver).
14
Ga. App. at 845 (1) (b). And at that relevant point in time, Rutland’s faced no

uncertainty as to her own future conduct.

      If we were to conclude otherwise and permit a plaintiff like [Rutland] to
      pursue an action for declaratory relief against the defendant’s insurer
      while the underlying personal injury suit against the defendant remained
      pending, there is no reason why every tort claimant would not, upon
      filing a personal injury action, concomitantly file a declaratory judgment
      action to determine the maximum amount of coverage to which [s]he
      would be entitled in the event that liability was subsequently
      established. We cannot create the right to such premature litigation.

(Citation omitted.) Lewis, 341 Ga. App. at 842 (1).

      We find our recent decision in Lewis on point and persuasive. In that case, a

woman sued the City and the City’s insurance company following an automobile

accident that severely injured her daughter. 341 Ga. App. at 838-839. While the tort

action was proceeding, the mother sought a declaratory judgment against the City and

its insurer, confirming that the City had $5 million in insurance coverage. Id. at 838.

The City acknowledged that it had waived its sovereign immunity up to $500,000, but

argued that it did not waive immunity for the additional policy amount. Id. at 839. We

held that the mother’s suit against the City was improper under the Act because the

mother lacked standing, and the issue was not ripe given that she had neither an

                                          15
unsatisfied judgment against the City in the underlying tort action nor a contractual

relationship with the insurer. Id. at 842 (1), 844 (1) (a). In holding that the mother

lacked standing to sue the insurance company directly, we found that the exception

for cases of legislatively mandated coverage did not apply. Id. at 842 (1). We noted

that the City was statutorily required to carry insurance in the minimum amount of

$500,000, but that it had discretion to obtain additional coverage, in that case up to

$5 million. Id. at 840 n. 2.

      The facts of our case are analogous. The U-Haul defendants concede they

would owe the $25,000 minimum coverage, but they dispute that they could owe

more. The minimum coverage is mandated by statute. See OCGA § 33-7-11 (a) (1).

But whether U-Haul opted to obtain additional coverage was at its discretion.

Applying the rationale of Lewis, the mandated minimum coverage does not open the

door and give Rutland standing to bring suit directly against the U-Haul defendants.

Like the mother in Lewis, Rutland lacks standing to bring this declaratory action

directly. Moreover, as in Lewis, Rutland’s claims are not ripe.

      Therefore, given the relationship of the parties at this stage of the litigation, we

must conclude that Rutland lacks standing to bring a declaratory judgment action

directly against the U-Haul defendants under subsection (a) of the Act.

                                           16
      Our conclusion in this regard does not end the analysis, however, because

subsection (b) of the Act “broadens the scope of the Declaratory Judgment Act

beyond actual controversies to include ‘justiciable controversies.’” (Citation omitted.)

Baker v. City of Marietta, 271 Ga. 210, 214 (1) (518 SE2d 879) (1999); see also

Calvary Independent Baptist Church v. City of Rome, 208 Ga. 312 (66 SE2d 726)

(1951). A “justiciable controversy” under this subsection means

      there are circumstances showing a necessity for a determination of the
      dispute to guide and protect the plaintiff from uncertainty and insecurity
      with regard to the propriety of some future act or conduct, which is
      properly incident to his alleged rights and which if taken without
      direction might reasonably jeopardize his interest. . . .

(Citation and punctuation omitted.) Baker, 271 Ga. at 214 (1). Although subsection

(b) is broader in scope than subsection (a), the plaintiff must still face uncertainty as

to a right she possesses. Id.

      As our Supreme Court explained, “[w]here the party seeking declaratory

judgment does not show it is in a position of uncertainty as to an alleged right,

dismissal of the declaratory judgment action is proper; otherwise, the trial court will

be issuing an advisory opinion, and the Declaratory Judgment Act makes no provision

                                           17
for a judgment that would be ‘advisory.’” (Citations and punctuation omitted.) Baker,
271 Ga. at 214 (1). Thus, subsection (b) would not authorize the trial court to decide

the question before it in this case. Rutland is not in a position of uncertainty as to any

right or future conduct on her part. The uncertainty she faces is merely in the form of

the source of any financial award she might obtain from a jury in her pending tort

case.7 Essentially, she asks this Court to determine the extent of the U-Haul

defendants’ liability if Mayberry is found liable in the underlying lawsuit. Although

the Act is to be liberally construed, OCGA § 9-4-1, such liberal construction does not

permit the courts to venture into issuing advisory opinions. Baker, 271 Ga. at 214 (1).

See also Brende v. Brende, 330 Ga. App. 556, 557-558 (3) (768 SE2d 531) (2015)

      7
         In State Farm Mut. Automobile Ins. Co. v. Mabry, the Supreme Court of
Georgia held that subsection (b) permitted a declaratory judgment to consider an issue
that was unsettled, of manifest importance to the parties, and which involved a pure
question of law for the court to decide. 274 Ga. 498, 500-501 (3) (556 SE2d 114)
(2001). At first blush, this holding seems to indicate that the present action might be
permissible. But Mabry is readily distinguishable as it involves a first party insurance
dispute between insureds and their insurer to determine whether the policies covered
the losses sustained. Id. at 498. The parties were in privity, the policy holders clearly
had established rights under the policy, and the declaratory judgment was necessary
to determine what exactly those rights entailed. Id. In contrast, in the instant case, the
parties are not in privity, the plaintiff has no accrued rights with respect to the U-Haul
defendants, and no right will attach – if at all – until there is a favorable jury verdict
in the underlying civil case. Thus, any claim for declaratory relief is speculative at
best, and any opinion of this Court would be advisory. We therefore find that Mabry
does not dictate that the trial court had authority to decide the case.

                                           18
(trial court was not authorized to issue ruling based on future contingency and, as an

advisory opinion, trial court’s order was due to be vacated) (physical precedent only).

      The directive from our Supreme Court is clear: “Declaratory judgment will not

be rendered based on a possible or probable future contingency. Entry of a

declaratory judgment under such circumstances is an erroneous advisory opinion

which rules in a party’s favor as to future litigation over the subject matter and must

be vacated.” Baker, 271 Ga. at 214 (1). See also City of Suwanee v. Settles Bridge

Farm, LLC, 292 Ga. 434, 437 (738 SE2d 597) (2013) (“Before reviewing the merits

of the case, we must first address the issue of ripeness, because if this case is unripe

for judicial review, this Court is not authorized to decide it.”).

      Rutland essentially asks this Court to give an advisory opinion stating the

possible extent of the U-Haul defendants’ liability if the driver is deemed liable

following the civil trial. This we cannot do. Accordingly, we conclude that the trial

court erred in denying the U-Haul defendants’ motion to dismiss. We therefore

reverse the trial court’s order and remand the case with instructions to dismiss the

remaining declaratory judgment count of Rutland’s complaint.

                                 Case No. A18A2038

                                          19
      2. In Case No. A18A2038, Rutland appeals the trial court’s orders granting

Mayberry’s and the U-Haul defendants’ motions for a protective order, staying the

proceedings pending the outcome of Mayberry’s criminal case, and restricting its

judicial notice of documents UHAZ submitted in its application to Georgia’s

Commissioner of Insurance. We discern no error.

      (a) Protective order

      Rutland contends that the trial court abused its discretion by allowing

Mayberry to invoke a blanket Fifth Amendment privilege to all discovery requests

because Mayberry waived the privilege when he gave a statement to insurance

company investigators. She further contends that the trial court’s order cannot stand

because the court failed to consider the totality of the circumstances in granting the

protective order and failed to exercise its discretion. Finally, she argues that, at a

minimum, she should have been granted an evidentiary hearing or an in camera

review of the documents and statements to assess the extent of the privilege.

      We review a trial court’s ruling on discovery matters for abuse of discretion.

Dempsey v. Kaminski Jewelry, Inc., 278 Ga. App. 814, 815 (630 SE2d 77) (2006).

      The Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution provides that no person

shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself. The Georgia

                                         20
Constitution contains a similar privilege against self-incrimination, providing that no

person shall be compelled to give testimony tending in any manner to be

self-incriminating. Ga. Const. of 1983, Art. I, Sec. I, Par. XVI. See also OCGA § 24-

5-505 (a) (“No party or witness shall be required to testify as to any matter which may

incriminate or tend to incriminate [himself] or which shall tend to bring infamy,

disgrace, or public contempt upon [himself] or any member of [his] family.”). The

privilege protects a party from “the cruel trilemma of self-accusation, perjury or

contempt.” (Citation omitted.) Michigan v. Tucker, 417 U.S. 433, 445 (III) (94 SCt

2357, 41 LE2d 182) (1974).

      This privilege against self-incrimination extends not only to those answers that

would support a conviction, but also to answers creating a “real and appreciable”

danger of establishing a link in the chain of evidence needed to prosecute. Axson v.

Nat. Surety Corp., 254 Ga. 248, 250 (327 SE2d 732) (1985); see also Dempsey, 278
Ga. App. at 815 (1) (a). Where a party chooses to invoke the privilege in a civil

proceeding, the result is that the factfinder may infer that the documents would have

been harmful. See In the Matter of Henley, 271 Ga. 21, 22 (2) (518 SE2d 418) (1999)

(noting that an “adverse inference . . . could have been drawn had [defendant] refused

production based upon his privilege against self-incrimination”).

                                          21
       Nevertheless, as we have explained, “[t]here is no blanket Fifth Amendment

right to refuse to answer questions in civil proceedings, however. The privilege must

be specifically claimed on a particular question and the matter submitted to the court

for its determination as to the validity of the claim.” (Citation and punctuation

omitted.) Dempsey, 278 Ga. App. at 815 (1) (a).

       To sustain the privilege, it need only be evident from the implications
       of the question, in the setting in which it is asked, that a responsive
       answer to the question or an explanation of why it cannot be answered
       might be dangerous because injurious disclosure could result. The trial
       judge in appraising the claim must be governed as much by his personal
       perception of the peculiarities of the case as by the facts actually in
       evidence.

(Citation omitted.) Id. at 816 (1) (a). Thus, a party cannot assert a sweeping privilege

to all questions; “[o]nly when the privilege is asserted in response to a specific

question could a trial court hold that the claim of privilege is justified.” (Citations

omitted.) Id. at 816 (1) (a) (i).

       Moreover, the privilege does not apply to all forms of discovery. For example,

producing a document may fall outside the privilege. See Dempsey, 278 Ga. App. at

817 (1) (a) (ii) (“The act of producing a document, financial or otherwise, does not

in itself automatically create evidence by means of a testamentary act in the way that

                                          22
. . . responding to a pre-trial interrogatory . . . does. Instead . . . the act may merely

allow access to evidence already in existence.”).

      Here, Mayberry invoked the privilege in relation to specific discovery requests.

For example, Mayberry invoked the privilege in response to interrogatories asking

him to describe how the accident occurred; if he had consumed any alcoholic

beverages or controlled substances prior to the accident; and if he had been given any

tests to detect drugs or alcohol following the accident. He also invoked the privilege

when asked to produce copies of expert reports concerning the accident; any

statements he made regarding the accident; and the statements of any eyewitnesses.

In granting the protective order, the trial court explained,

      the allegations contained in the Complaint . . . and the discovery
      requests propounded upon Defendant Mayberry . . . implicate his rights
      against self-incrimination under the 5th Amendment of the U. S.
      Constitution, as there is a substantial overlap between the allegations
      contained in the Plaintiff’s Complaint, along with the discovery
      requests, and the pending criminal indictment . . . .

      The trial court’s order, however, does not show that it undertook a review to

ascertain whether the privilege was appropriate for each response in which it was

                                           23
invoked. As our Supreme Court explained, “[i]n making the determination, the trial

court should consider the implications of each question to which the privilege is

raised and the setting in which it is asked.” Axson, 254 Ga. at 249.

      Moreover, the trial court did not evaluate the privilege with respect to requests

to produce, and we have explained that the privilege can, but does not automatically,

apply to the act of producing a document. Dempsey, 278 Ga. App. 817 (1) (a) (ii) n. 3

(Bernes, J., dissenting). Here, the trial court’s order is simply too cursory to enable

us to review whether it properly exercised its discretion. Accordingly, we must vacate

the trial court’s order granting the protective order and remand the case for further

proceedings with respect to whether Mayberry can invoke his Fifth Amendment right

as to each request. See Begner v. State Ethics Comm., 250 Ga. App. 327, 332 (1) (552

SE2d 431) (2001).

      Rutland also contends that Mayberry waived the privilege when he made

statements to insurance investigators after the accident. “[A] person who waives his

privilege of silence in a civil case risks that testimony in the civil case will be

admissible in the criminal case.” Austin v. Nagareddy, 344 Ga. App. 636, 640 (1)

(811 SE2d 68) (2018). The trial court found that there was no waiver because the

statements “did not occur in the same trial or proceeding where the privilege is

                                          24
claimed.” We agree. See Mallin v. Mallin, 227 Ga. 833, 836 (3) (183 SE2d 377)

(1971) (waiver of privilege in first trial did not preclude defendant from invoking

privilege in subsequent trial); see also In re Saunders, 528 B.R. 860, 868 (2) (Bankr.

N.D. Ga. 2015) (waiver applied to statement made under oath in same judicial

proceeding). Moreover, waiver of this constitutional right “is not lightly to be

inferred” and must be knowingly and voluntarily obtained.8 Emspak v. United States,

349 U.S. 190, 196 (I) (75 SCt 687, 99 LE2d 997) (1955). Accordingly, we conclude

that the trial court properly determined that Mayberry had not waived the privilege.

      Finally, Rutland seeks to circumvent the protective order, at least as it pertains

to the U-Haul defendants, by claiming that there is a “substantial need” exception to

the work product privilege. In light of our conclusion in Division 1 that the

      8
        Rutland cites Bowman v. State, 324 Ga. App. 734 (751 SE2d 532) (2013), for
the proposition that there are certain factors the trial court must consider when
determining whether a defendant waived a constitutional right. But that case involved
a confession by a juvenile, which we explained must be viewed with “greater caution
than those of adults.” Id. at 735-736 (1). We have found no Georgia case that has
applied these factors to a Fifth Amendment waiver in other contexts, and we are
reluctant to conclude that the same factors come into play in viewing a waiver by an
adult.

                                          25
declaratory judgment action against the U-Haul defendants was not properly before

the trial court, we need not address this alleged error.9

       (b) Stay of proceedings10

       Rutland argues that the trial court erred in staying the entire proceeding

pending the outcome of Mayberry’s criminal trial. The U-Haul defendants contend

that this issue is moot because the trial court’s order issued the stay for 120 days and

that time frame has passed.

We review a trial court’s decision to grant a motion to stay for abuse of discretion.

Austin, 344 Ga. App. at 638 (1).

       The power to stay proceedings is incidental to the power inherent in
       every court to control the disposition of the causes on its docket with
       economy of time and effort for itself, for counsel, and for litigants. How

       9
         We note, however, that “[Mayberry’s] privilege against self-incrimination
does not prevent [Rutland] from seeking the documents from appropriate third
parties.” Dempsey, 278 Ga. App. at 822 (1) (a) (ii) n. 5 (Bernes, J., dissenting).
       10
         Rutland also devotes a portion of her brief in this cross-appeal to challenge
sanctions under OCGA § 9-15-14. The record shows, however, that the trial court
reserved ruling on this issue, and thus there is nothing for this Court to review.
Homelife on Glynco v. Gateway Center Commercial Assn., __ Ga. App. __ (6) (819
SE2d 723, 731 (6) ) (2018) (“Where there is no final ruling upon an issue by the trial
court, there is nothing for the appellate court to pass upon, for this court is a court for
the correction of errors made in the trial court.”) (citation omitted).

                                            26
       this can best be done calls for the exercise of judgment, which must
       weigh competing interests and maintain an even balance.

(Citations and punctuation omitted.) Bloomfield v. Liggett & Myers, 230 Ga. 484, 485

(198 SE2d 144) (1973). As we recently explained, “whether to stay a civil action

pending resolution of a parallel criminal prosecution is not a matter of constitutional

right, but, rather, one of court discretion, that should be exercised when the interests

of justice so require.” (Citations omitted.) Austin, 344 Ga. App. at 638-639 (1).

       In Austin, we noted that various federal courts have considered a series of

factors to determine whether a stay was proper. 344 Ga. App. at 639 (1). Although we

did not expressly adopt those balancing tests, we noted that the trial court should

consider whether the action “should be stayed based on the particular facts before it

and the extent to which such a stay would work a hardship, inequity, or injustice to

a party, the public or the court. . . .” (Citation omitted.) Id. at 640 (1).

       Here, the trial court stayed the proceedings for 120 days in its order dated

January 31, 2018. As that period of time passed before this case was docketed in this

Court, we conclude that the issue is moot. See Cook v. Harris, 209 Ga. 425 (73 SE2d

89) (1952) (when business license that was subject of injunction expired by its own

terms, injunction was moot); Weeks v. Weeks, 324 Ga. App. 785, 789 (4), n. 4 (751

                                            27
SE2d 575) (2013) (“A case is moot when its resolution would amount to the

determination of an abstract question not arising upon existing facts or rights.”

(citation and punctuation omitted).

      (c) Judicial notice

      Finally, Rutland argues that the trial court erred in limiting the documents of

which it would take judicial notice because the U-Haul defendants’ application to the

Commissioner of Insurance was filed under oath and as part of the regulatory process.

In light of our conclusion in Division 1 that the trial court erred in allowing the

declaratory action to proceed, and our reversal of the trial court’s denial of the U-Haul

defendants’ motion to dismiss, the issue of judicial notice is moot.

      In summary, we reverse the trial court’s order denying the U-Haul defendants’

motion to dismiss, and we remand the case with instructions to dismiss the complaint

against the U-Haul defendants. We vacate the trial court’s protective order, and

remand the case with instructions to reconsider Mayberry’s invocation of his Fifth

Amendment privilege as it pertains to each individual discovery request. Finally, we

dismiss the appeal with regard to the order granting the stay and granting in part the

request to take judicial notice.

                                           28
      Judgment reversed, and case remanded with direction in Case No. A18A2037;

judgment vacated in part and dismissed in part in Case No. A18A2038. Rickman, J.,

concurs. McFadden, P. J., concurs fully and specially.

                                       29
 A18A2037, A18A2038. U-HAUL COMPANY OF ARIZONA et al.

       v. RUTLAND et al.; and vice versa.

      MCFADDEN, Presiding Judge, concurring fully and specially.

      I am persuaded by the majority’s thoughtful opinion and so concur fully. But

I write separately to express my discomfort at deciding this case on an issue not

addressed in the appellate briefs. Should the appellees choose to file a motion for

reconsideration on that issue, I look forward to seeing their argument and any

response by the appellants.