Court Opinion

ID: 9821373
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-01 08:02:36.995279+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:38:50.600188
License: Public Domain

RAPP, P.J.
(sitting by designation), concurring specially,
- 11 I concur fully in the Majority's Opinion, The Majority is correct in reversing and in finding the trial court abused its discretion.
~T2 I note that the trial court relied on District Court Rule 9. Rule 9 was stricken on April 28, 2018. The trial court should have been aware of the status of Rule 9. Thus, the *521trial court erred by making a ruling based on this former District Court Rule.
T3 I agree that the trial court has authority to dismiss a petition upon failure to prosecute in a timely manner. I also recognize that the trial court, if it reaches the correct decision for the wrong reason, will be affirmed. Here, the trial court apparently felt that the length of the litigation was due to Plaintiffs failure to diligently prosecute and made its ruling based on the stricken D1stmct Court Rule 9.
4 The Majority correctly pointed out that the Medical Center's vigorous defense caused a substantial portion of the delay. Apparently, Medical Center hoped to wear down Plaintiff and exhaust Plaintiff's money and patience. Medical Center's delays resulted in Plaintiff incurring additional expenses, As a result of the delays, the trial court did not set a Jury trial and decedent was deprived of a verdict during his lifetime.