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White Oak, Inc. v. Katz & Simone

Citations: 515 So. 2d 476; 1987 La. App. LEXIS 10425

Court: Louisiana Court of Appeal; October 14, 1987; Louisiana; State Appellate Court

Narrative Opinion Summary

In this case, White Oak, Inc. initiated a lawsuit against Katz and Simone, a professional law corporation, and First National Bank of Jefferson Parish. The defendants objected to the improper venue, which the trial court denied. Seeking an appeal, the defendants argued that the denial of their venue objection would lead to irreparable harm. Under Code of Civil Procedure article 2083, an appeal from an interlocutory judgment is permissible if it poses a risk of irreparable injury. The court evaluated the risk of irreparable harm based on whether the error could be corrected in a subsequent appeal following a trial on the merits. The court found that the denial of the venue objection constituted a risk of irreparable injury as the appellate court would not have the means to rectify such an error after the trial. Consequently, the motion to dismiss the appeal was denied, and costs were assigned to the mover. The exception of improper venue was specifically raised by defendants Stephen Simone and Katz.

Legal Issues Addressed

Appealability of Interlocutory Judgments under Code of Civil Procedure Article 2083

Application: The court applies the principle that an appeal from an interlocutory judgment is permissible when there is a risk of irreparable injury, which cannot be corrected in a subsequent appeal.

Reasoning: According to Code of Civil Procedure article 2083, an appeal can be taken from an interlocutory judgment if it may cause irreparable injury.

Irreparable Injury Standard for Venue Objections

Application: The court determines that denying an objection to improper venue poses a risk of irreparable harm because the appellate court cannot rectify such an error post-trial.

Reasoning: The court recognizes that a judgment denying an objection to improper venue does indeed create a risk of irreparable injury, as the appellate court lacks the means to remedy such an error post-trial.