Court Opinion

ID: 7713174
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-30 19:15:01.460299+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:27:04.138893
License: Public Domain

LEMMON, Justice,
concurring in the Denial of the Application.
By their nature, the statements of the witnesses to plaintiffs accident are the work product of the defendant. The statements were taken because of the prospect of litigation and therefore “in anticipation of litigation.” La.Code Civ.Proc. art. 1424.
Under Ogea v. Jacobs, 344 So.2d 953 (La.1977), the party seeking to compel production of work product is required to establish that denial of production will unfairly prejudice him or cause him undue hardship. The mere fact that the statements were taken immediately after the accident does not alone justify production. In this case, plaintiff has not *1249established undue hardship. If plaintiff can make a further showing that the witnesses are unavailable or are unable to remember significant facts or have an incomplete memory, perhaps that additional showing will establish undue hardship and will provide the basis for further discovery motions.