Court Opinion

ID: 9770193
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 15:54:09.268336+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:31:15.712369
License: Public Domain

HOWERTON, Judge,
dissenting.
I respectfully disagree with the reasoning and the result of the majority opinion. Although the application of CR 56 and summary judgment may be technically incorrect, Poe v. Rice, Ky.App., 706 S.W.2d 5 (1986), the dismissal should still be affirmed. We generally affirm a correct result, even though it is based on a wrong reason. Haddad v. Louisville Gas & Electric Co., Ky., 449 S.W.2d 916 (1969).
In this case, Judge Daniels set a trial date and put all parties on notice of a reasonable (generous) schedule for furnishing names of witnesses and taking proof or discovery by deposition. Counsel for the Wards did not come close to complying with the order. He was nine months late in naming a prospective expert witness to establish a claim of negligence against Dr. Housman. Even though a name was mentioned in the untimely response to Housman’s interrogatories, the Wards apparently made no effort to depose their “expert.”
Finally, on August 8, 1989, Housman moved to exclude any testimony by a Ward “expert.” On August 11, the court granted the motion, which in essence killed the Wards’ case. Morris v. Hoffman, Ky. App., 551 S.W.2d 8 (1977). The Wards’ motion to reconsider was denied on September 6, and the summary judgment was entered.
The only real issue is whether the trial court’s order of August 11 was an abuse of discretion. I believe it was not.
CR 37.02(2)(b) and (c) authorize a court to prohibit a disobedient party from introducing certain evidence and/or to dismiss the action. The Wards were very late, they did not seek any enlargement of time to take any proof until after Housman sought to limit their proof, and we fail to find any explanation for such tardiness.
While dismissals may be disfavored, rules of procedure and court orders do have a legitimate purpose. Of course the Wards are prejudiced by a dismissal, but Housman and the court were prejudiced by the inaction of the Wards. This was not mere tardiness; it was gross untimeliness.
The trial court had the power to take its action, the result dictated a dismissal, and call it whatever you want, dismissal was proper exercise of discretion. I would affirm.