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Higgins v. Fitzgerald

Citations: 758 So. 2d 800; 2000 La. LEXIS 2750; 2000 WL 366468Docket: No. 2000-CC-0833

Court: Supreme Court of Louisiana; March 23, 2000; Louisiana; State Supreme Court

Narrative Opinion Summary

The judgment of the trial court denying the relators’ motion in limine is reversed by the Court of Appeal, Fifth Circuit, in the case of In re American National General Insurance Company; Fitzgerald, Sean. The court grants the motion, mandating the exclusion of any evidence related to the plaintiffs’ mental anguish from witnessing their son's operation, which occurred months after the relevant accident. This decision references Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure article 2315.6 and the precedent set in Trahan v. McManus, 97-1224 (La.3/2/99, 728 So.2d 1273). The case is remanded to the trial court for further proceedings, with Justice Victory noted as not being on the panel.

Legal Issues Addressed

Application of Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Article 2315.6

Application: The decision to exclude evidence was based on the provisions of Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure article 2315.6, which governs claims for emotional distress damages.

Reasoning: This decision references Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure article 2315.6 and the precedent set in Trahan v. McManus, 97-1224 (La.3/2/99, 728 So.2d 1273).

Exclusion of Evidence under Motion in Limine

Application: The Court of Appeal reversed the trial court's decision, granting the motion in limine to exclude evidence related to the plaintiffs’ mental anguish.

Reasoning: The court grants the motion, mandating the exclusion of any evidence related to the plaintiffs’ mental anguish from witnessing their son's operation, which occurred months after the relevant accident.

Precedential Influence of Trahan v. McManus

Application: The case applied the precedent from Trahan v. McManus in determining the outcome regarding the exclusion of evidence for mental anguish.

Reasoning: This decision references Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure article 2315.6 and the precedent set in Trahan v. McManus, 97-1224 (La.3/2/99, 728 So.2d 1273).

Remand for Further Proceedings

Application: The case was remanded to the trial court for additional proceedings following the appellate decision.

Reasoning: The case is remanded to the trial court for further proceedings, with Justice Victory noted as not being on the panel.