Court Opinion

ID: 9714396
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 05:36:35.12485+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:23:25.751758
License: Public Domain

JUSTICE FREEMAN, dissenting: The majority correctly concludes that the appellate court did not consider all of the evidence available in ruling on the cross-motions for summary judgment. And it is true enough that that evidence would tend to show Colvin knew of his physician’s opinion that cigarette smoking, not exposure to welding fumes, was the likely cause of Colvin’s breathing difficulties. But having keenly noted what that evidence would tend to show, the majority misapprehends its significance in disposing of the summary judgment motions. The issue in this case is simply whether Colvin was advised by his counsel in the workers’ compensation action that the settlement amount of $20,000 was all Colvin was entitled to on the claim. The issue is not whether Colvin was made aware of the root cause of his breathing difficulties. Yet the evidence the majority points to as overlooked by the appellate court is relevant only for resolving that issue, not whether Colvin was advised by counsel as to the settlement. The majority finds no difficulty in concluding that proof of Colvin’s awareness of the cause of his breathing difficulties is proof that Colvin was advised about the limited amount of the settlement. I do. Whether Colvin was, in fact, so advised remains unresolved and is more properly a matter for disposition by a trier of fact. I believe both summary judgment motions should have been denied.