Justia Civil Procedure Opinion Summaries

In May 2023, Officers Jacob Ondich and Mathew Lougee of the Casper Police Department arrested Daniel Charles Hemmer at his home and transported him to the Natrona County Detention Center (NCDC). Hemmer was charged with felony theft and entered a no-contest plea in December 2023. Subsequently, Hemmer filed a civil suit against the officers, the Casper Police Department, and NCDC, alleging unlawful entry, arrest without probable cause or a warrant, and a strip search at NCDC. He claimed the officers' actions constituted kidnapping and sought $12 million in damages.The Natrona County District Court dismissed Hemmer's complaint. The court found that Hemmer did not allege facts showing NCDC's involvement in his arrest or provide legal authority for his claims against the detention center. The court also dismissed the claims against the Casper Police Department due to a lack of specific allegations. The kidnapping claim against the officers was dismissed because Hemmer did not support it with legal authority. Additionally, the court concluded that Hemmer failed to submit a timely notice of claim under the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act.The Wyoming Supreme Court reviewed the case and summarily affirmed the district court's dismissal. The court noted that Hemmer's pro se brief did not comply with appellate rules, lacked a statement of issues, and failed to present cogent arguments supported by legal authority. The court emphasized that while pro se litigants are given some leniency, they must still reasonably comply with procedural rules. Consequently, the Supreme Court affirmed the lower court's decision to dismiss Hemmer's complaint. View "Hemmer v. City of Casper Police Department" on Justia Law

A personal representative of a deceased resident's estate filed a complaint against a hospital district and its associated rehabilitation center, alleging negligence and vicarious liability for injuries suffered by the resident due to physical abuse by a temporary certified nursing assistant (CNA). The hospital district denied liability, claiming the CNA was an independent contractor. After a six-day trial, the jury found the CNA was an agent of the hospital district, and her negligence was a proximate cause of the resident's damages. The jury apportioned fault between the CNA and the hospital district, awarding $660,000 in damages to the estate.The district court reduced the damages by the percentage of fault attributed to the CNA, leading to an appeal by the personal representative, who argued the reduction was contrary to Wyoming law and inconsistent with the jury's verdict. The hospital district cross-appealed, asserting the district court should not have allowed the jury to consider whether the CNA was an agent and should have granted its motion for judgment as a matter of law.The Wyoming Supreme Court reviewed the case and found the district court did not err in denying the hospital district's motion for judgment as a matter of law. The court held there was sufficient evidence for a reasonable jury to find in favor of the personal representative on both direct and vicarious liability claims. The court also found the jury instructions adequately informed the jury of the applicable law and did not cause confusion.However, the Supreme Court determined the district court erred in reducing the damages. The jury found the CNA's conduct was negligent and that she was an agent of the hospital district, making the hospital district vicariously liable for her actions. The court reversed the judgment and remanded the case with instructions to enter a judgment for the full $660,000 in favor of the estate. View "Campbell County Hospital District v. Elsner" on Justia Law

The Randy W. Stevens Living Trust owns land in Saratoga, Wyoming, bordered by an alleyway owned by the Town of Saratoga. Randy Stevens, the trustee, and Quality Landscape & Nursery, Inc., which uses the land, have had various disputes with the Town over the years. In 2019, a judgment was issued in favor of the Town, which the Stevens parties did not appeal. In 2023, the Stevens Trust and Quality Landscape filed a motion for an order to show cause and for a writ of mandamus, which the district court dismissed, citing res judicata and the parties' contractual limitations period. The court also found mandamus was not available under the circumstances.The district court of Carbon County had previously ruled on several issues between the parties, including the reconstruction of the alleyway, installation of utilities, and access to the property. The court found that the Town had acted in good faith and that the Stevens parties had failed to prove damages. The Stevens parties did not appeal these rulings. In 2023, they sought to revisit these issues, but the district court dismissed their motion, finding that the claims were barred by res judicata and the contractual limitations period.The Supreme Court of Wyoming reviewed the case and affirmed the district court's decision. The court held that the claims raised by the Stevens parties were barred by res judicata, as they had been or could have been litigated in prior proceedings. The court also agreed that mandamus was not an appropriate remedy, as the duties in question were not ministerial. Finally, the court found that judicial estoppel did not apply, as the Town had not taken inconsistent positions. The court affirmed the district court's dismissal of the Stevens parties' motion. View "Stevens v. The Governing Body of the Town of Saratoga, Wyoming" on Justia Law

Harold Sheppard, Jr., who operates a plane salvage and trucking business, began leasing part of the South Big Horn County Airport in 2011 for a metal scrapping and recycling venture. In 2019, Big Horn County sued him for unpaid rent, resulting in a money judgment and an order to remove his property, which he did not comply with. In 2021, the County filed a $543,600 storage lien against his property. Sheppard then sued the Board of County Commissioners to stop the sale of his property, challenge the lien, and seek damages. The parties engaged in settlement negotiations in September 2022, leading to the vacating of a scheduled trial.The County Commissioners moved to dismiss Sheppard’s claims for failure to prosecute in January 2024, citing a lack of action since the September 2022 status conference. The district court granted the motion, dismissing the case with prejudice. Sheppard did not appeal this dismissal but filed a motion to reconsider under W.R.C.P. 60(b)(6) in March 2024, arguing that the dismissal was premature and that the court should enforce the settlement agreement before dismissing the case.The district court denied Sheppard’s motion, finding he failed to meet the burden for relief under Rule 60(b)(6). Sheppard appealed, arguing that the district court abused its discretion by not recognizing the unusual circumstances and the existence of a settlement agreement. The Wyoming Supreme Court reviewed the case and found that the district court did not abuse its discretion. The court noted that Sheppard failed to protect his legal interests by ensuring the settlement agreement and lease were executed and that his delay in filing the motion to reconsider was unreasonable. The Supreme Court affirmed the district court’s decision. View "Sheppard v. Board of County Commissioners, In and for Big Horn County, Wyoming" on Justia Law

Kattie Boline sustained injuries from a car accident and sued JKC Trucking and driver Jerzy Syrzyna for negligence. During her jury trial, Boline violated a stipulated order in limine by mentioning insurance, which led the district court to declare a mistrial. The court found her violation intentional and sanctioned her by ordering her to pay $62,074.95 in defense attorneys’ fees and costs. The court also ruled that no new jury trial would be held until the sanction was paid. When Boline failed to pay, the district court dismissed her case with prejudice and entered judgment against her for the sanction amount.The district court of Sweetwater County initially handled the case, where Boline filed her complaint in 2018. The case experienced several delays before being set for trial in August 2022. During the trial, Boline’s mention of insurance, despite a pretrial order prohibiting such testimony, led to the mistrial. The district court then sanctioned her and conditioned a new trial on the payment of the sanction. Boline’s inability to pay the sanction led to the dismissal of her case with prejudice.The Wyoming Supreme Court reviewed the case and affirmed the district court’s decisions. The Supreme Court held that the district court did not abuse its discretion in sanctioning Boline and dismissing her case with prejudice. The court found that the district court properly considered Boline’s mental health condition, financial situation, and the reasonableness of the attorneys’ fees and costs. The Supreme Court also held that the district court did not violate Boline’s right to open access to the courts under the Wyoming Constitution, as the sanction and subsequent dismissal were appropriate responses to her intentional violation of the court’s order. View "Boline v. JKC Trucking" on Justia Law

Chesapeake Exploration, LLC (Chesapeake) and Morton Production Company, LLC (Morton) entered into a joint operating agreement for oil and gas development in Converse County, Wyoming. Morton sued Chesapeake for breach of contract, violation of the Wyoming Royalty Payment Act (WRPA), and conversion after Chesapeake adjusted Morton’s ownership interest and withheld production proceeds. Chesapeake counterclaimed for breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. The district court granted summary judgment in favor of Morton.Chesapeake appealed, challenging the district court’s summary judgment on Morton’s breach of contract claim, the supplemental decision on Chesapeake’s counterclaims and affirmative defenses, and the determination that Chesapeake violated the WRPA. The Wyoming Supreme Court reviewed the case.The Wyoming Supreme Court affirmed the district court’s decision. It held that Chesapeake breached the contract by adjusting Morton’s ownership interest and billing for costs beyond the twenty-four-month limitation period specified in the 1985 COPAS Form, which was incorporated into the joint operating agreement. The court found the language in the COPAS Form unambiguous and declined to consider extrinsic evidence. The court also upheld the district court’s use of Rule 60(a) to correct a clerical error in its original order and found that Chesapeake’s counterclaims were properly dismissed as they were rendered moot by the summary judgment on Morton’s claims. Additionally, the court ruled that Chesapeake violated the WRPA by withholding production proceeds without placing the disputed funds in escrow, as required by the statute. View "Chesapeake Exploration, LLC, v. Morton Production Company, LLC" on Justia Law

The State of Wyoming filed a petition against MF (Mother) and JF (Father) on June 22, 2020, alleging neglect of their minor children, JF and TF. Following a shelter care hearing, the juvenile court removed the children from the home and placed them in foster care. After a disposition hearing, the children remained in the custody of the Department of Family Services (the Department), with a permanency plan of family reunification. On January 19, 2024, after an evidentiary permanency hearing, the juvenile court changed the permanency plan to adoption.The juvenile court found that the Department had made reasonable efforts to reunify the family, but these efforts were unsuccessful. The court noted that Mother had made some progress but ultimately failed to consistently address the children's needs and safety concerns. The court also found that the children's best interests were served by changing the permanency plan to adoption, given their progress in foster care and the lack of stability and safety in Mother's care.The Wyoming Supreme Court reviewed the case and affirmed the juvenile court's decision. The court held that the juvenile court did not abuse its discretion in changing the permanency plan to adoption, as the Department had made reasonable efforts at reunification, which were unsuccessful. The court also found that the juvenile court's decision to cease reunification efforts with Mother was supported by Wyoming law, which allows for discontinuation of such efforts when they are inconsistent with the permanency plan.Additionally, the Wyoming Supreme Court held that Mother's due process rights were not violated by the denial of a continuance of the permanency hearing or by the juvenile court's evidentiary rulings. The court found that Mother had adequate notice and opportunity to be heard, and the juvenile court's decisions were within the bounds of reason. The court also declined to adopt Mother's request for a change in procedures to require compliance with the Wyoming Rules of Evidence in evidentiary permanency hearings. View "In the Interest of: JF v. The State of Wyoming" on Justia Law

Nicholas Hull sued North Lincoln Hospital District and several medical professionals for negligence in the death of his newborn son, Eli Hull. Canessa Hull, Nicholas's wife, went into labor on August 9, 2021, and was admitted to Star Valley Health. Due to complications during labor, Eli was born with a double-knotted nuchal cord and did not survive. The Hulls were initially informed by the attending doctors that the nuchal cord was the sole cause of Eli's death. However, in April 2023, Dr. Burk, an anesthesiologist, revealed that Eli's death was preventable and due to the failure to follow safety protocols during labor.The District Court of Lincoln County dismissed Mr. Hull’s complaint, ruling that his notice of governmental claim was untimely. The court found that the two-year period for filing the notice expired in September 2023, and Mr. Hull’s notice, submitted in July 2023, was defective. Mr. Hull argued that the period should be equitably extended due to the defendants' fraudulent concealment of the true cause of Eli’s death.The Supreme Court of Wyoming reviewed the case and affirmed the lower court's decision. The court held that Mr. Hull’s complaint did not adequately allege the elements required for equitable estoppel or equitable tolling. Specifically, the complaint failed to show that the delay in filing the notice was induced by the defendants' misinformation and that Mr. Hull acted on this misinformation in good faith, resulting in his failure to file a timely notice. Additionally, the complaint did not establish that the fraudulent concealment prevented Mr. Hull from complying with the statutory deadline, as he had over four months remaining to file a proper notice after discovering the concealment. Therefore, the court concluded that neither equitable estoppel nor equitable tolling applied, and the dismissal of the complaint was affirmed. View "Hull v. North Lincoln Hospital District" on Justia Law

The Wyoming Board of Land Commissioners (Board) manages state trust lands for the benefit of public schools. In Teton County, the Board issued temporary use permits to Basecamp Hospitality, LLC and Wilson Investments, LLC for commercial activities on state trust lands. Teton County challenged these permits, arguing they should be subject to local land use regulations. The district court dismissed Teton County's challenge, stating the county lacked standing for judicial review. Subsequently, Teton County issued abatement notices to the permit holders, which led the Board to seek declaratory and injunctive relief, claiming sovereign immunity from local regulations.The Teton County Board of County Commissioners (Teton County) filed a petition for review, which was dismissed by the Ninth Judicial District Court. The Board then filed for declaratory judgment and injunctive relief in the First Judicial District, Laramie County, Wyoming. The district court issued a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction against Teton County's enforcement actions. Citizens for Responsible Use of State Lands (CRUSL), formed by local property owners, sought to intervene, claiming their interests were directly impacted by the use of the state trust lands.The Wyoming Supreme Court reviewed the case. CRUSL argued it had a significant protectable interest due to the proximity of its members' properties to the state trust lands. However, the court found CRUSL's interests were contingent on the outcome of the sovereign immunity issue and thus not significant protectable interests. Additionally, the court held that Teton County adequately represented CRUSL's interests, as both sought to enforce local regulations on state trust lands. Consequently, the court affirmed the district court's denial of CRUSL's motion to intervene as a matter of right under Wyoming Rule of Civil Procedure 24(a)(2). View "Citizens for Responsible Use of State Lands v. State" on Justia Law

Husband and Wife married in 2012 and purchased a home in Cheyenne, Wyoming, in 2014. They shared the residence and paid the mortgage from a joint account. In 2021, they refinanced the home, and in December 2021, they separated. They discussed the division of their marital property without attorneys and obtained two appraisals for the home. Wife retained counsel to draft a stipulated divorce decree, which both parties signed. The decree awarded the home to Husband, with a provision that Wife would receive half the net proceeds if the home was sold or refinanced.The District Court of Laramie County granted the divorce and entered the Stipulated Decree in June 2022. Husband refinanced the home but did not pay Wife her share of the equity. Wife filed a motion for relief, claiming the decree entitled her to half the equity regardless of whether the home was sold or refinanced. The district court granted Wife relief under Rule 60, correcting the decree to reflect that any equity recognized through sale or refinance was to be equally divided.Husband appealed, and the Wyoming Supreme Court found the decree ambiguous and remanded the case for an evidentiary hearing. The district court held a hearing and found that both parties intended to split the equity in the home equally. The court awarded Wife half the equity, amounting to $106,323.40, and Husband appealed again.The Wyoming Supreme Court affirmed the district court's decision, finding that the clarification under Rule 60(a) was appropriate and did not modify the original judgment. The court also found that the district court's findings of fact and conclusions of law were sufficient and supported by the record. View "Van Vlack v. Van Vlack" on Justia Law