Ayers v. Continental Casualty Co.

240 F.R.D. 216, 67 Fed. R. Serv. 3d 319, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 1520
CourtDistrict Court, N.D. West Virginia
DecidedJanuary 8, 2007
DocketCivil Action No. 5:05-CV-95
StatusPublished
Cited by18 cases

This text of 240 F.R.D. 216 (Ayers v. Continental Casualty Co.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, N.D. West Virginia primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Ayers v. Continental Casualty Co., 240 F.R.D. 216, 67 Fed. R. Serv. 3d 319, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 1520 (N.D.W. Va. 2007).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM, OPINION, and ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFFS’ MOTION FOR A PROTECTIVE ORDER AND GRANTING DEFENDANT’S MOTION TO COMPEL INTERROGATORY RESPONSES

SEIBERT, United States Magistrate Judge.

On October 24, 2006 came the above named Plaintiffs, by Paul Harris, John Wallace, IV, and Joseph Wallace, in person, and the above named Defendant, by John Moustakas, Mary Kostel, and Larry Blalock, in person, for Plaintiffs’ Motion for a Protective Order and Defendant’s Motion to Compel Interrogatory Responses. Testimony was taken from attorneys Paul Harris and Mary Kostel.

I. Introduction

A. Background

This case concerns alleged violations of the West Virginia Unfair Trade Practices Act by Defendant in previous litigation between the parties. The parties engaged in discovery and a dispute arose. Plaintiffs filed a Motion for Protective Order on September 11, 2006. Defendant filed a brief in opposition on September 25, 2006. On September 28, 2006, Defendant filed a Motion to Compel Interrogatory Responses. Plaintiffs filed a Response on October 12, 2006. Defendants filed a Reply on October 23, 2006. This Court held an evidentiary hearing regarding both motions on October 24, 2006.

B. The Motions

[219]*219Plaintiffs Motion for Protective Order.1

Defendants’ Motion to Compel Interrogatory Responses.2

C. Decision

Plaintiffs’ Motion for a Protective Order is DENIED. Plaintiffs’ Motion is untimely and even if it were not, Plaintiffs have waived any right to object to Defendant’s interrogatories by failing to make timely objections. This includes objections based upon privilege. Defendant’s Motion to Compel Interrogatory Responses is GRANTED. Plaintiffs shall respond as directed in this opinion within fourteen days of the date of this Order.

II. Facts

1. Plaintiff originally filed this action in the Circuit Court of Ohio County, West Virginia. Plaintiff served interrogatories and requests for productions with the complaint.

2. Defendant served interrogatories and requests for production of documents on Plaintiff on January 11, 2006. The parties eventually reached an agreement that Plaintiff would answer Defendant’s interrogatories by June 30, 2006. Plaintiff requested an extension until July 14, 2006, and Defendant agreed. Plaintiff responded to the interrogatories on July 14, 2006.

3. Defense counsel wrote to Plaintiffs’ counsel on August 1, 2006, describing alleged deficiencies in Plaintiffs’ interrogatory responses. The letter stated an intention by defense counsel to call Plaintiffs counsel on August 9, 2006, to discuss the alleged deficiencies. The letter said defense counsel would assume that time was convenient for discussion unless they heard otherwise. Plaintiffs’ counsel did not participate in the August 9 conference.

4. Defense counsel sent Plaintiffs counsel another letter on August 15, 2006. The letter indicated that because defense counsel had not heard from Plaintiffs’ counsel, defense counsel assumed Plaintiffs counsel was working to correct the alleged discovery deficiencies. It also stated that if defense counsel did not hear from Plaintiffs’ counsel by August 31, 2006, they would assume Plaintiffs’ counsel was refusing to meet and confer to discuss Defendant’s discovery requests and would consider other options to pursue their client’s interests.

5. Plaintiffs’ counsel replied to defense counsel’s correspondence on August 16, 2006. Plaintiffs’ counsel stated they had received defense counsel’s August 1 and August 15 correspondence and would try to provide a more complete response to the discovery requests.

6. Counsel for both sides conferred by telephone on August 28, 2006. Plaintiffs’ counsel raised the issue that it believed the number of interrogatories defense counsel had submitted was excessive.

7. Plaintiffs’ counsel delivered supplemental interrogatory responses to defense counsel on August 31, 2006. Defense counsel found the supplemented responses unacceptable. They wrote to Plaintiffs’ counsel on September 7, 2006, to explain their position. Plaintiffs counsel called defense counsel on September 11, 2006, to further discuss this discovery dispute. The discussion did not produce a resolution.

8. Plaintiff filed the Motion for Protective Order on September 11, 2006.

9. Defendant filed its Motion to Compel Interrogatory Responses on September 28, 2006.

III. The Motions

A. Contentions of the Parties

Plaintiffs ask this Court to grant a protective order pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(c). They raise four arguments in support of their Motion. Plaintiffs argue (1) Defendant’s interrogatories are too numerous, (2) Defendant has the records from [220]*220which discovery is sought, (3) Defendant is familiar with the relevant facts, and (4) Defendant has waived its right to compel responses to the interrogatories. Defendant opposes the Motion. Defendant contends (1) Plaintiffs have waived their right to move for a protective order by failing to make timely objections to Defendant’s interrogatories, (2) Plaintiffs failed to meet and confer as required by the Federal and Local Rules before filing the Motion, and (3) none of Plaintiffs’ arguments have merit.

Defendant requests the Court grant its Motion to Compel. Defendant argues (1) Plaintiffs have waived any objections to the interrogatories, (2) Plaintiffs’ objections on grounds of privilege lack merit, (3) contrary to Plaintiffs’ arguments, the interrogatories do not exceed numerical limits, (4) Plaintiffs’ answers are inadequate, and (5) the Motion to Compel is timely. Plaintiffs dispute the Motion to Compel by arguing (1) it is untimely, and (2) Defendant’s interrogatories exceed the permissible number under the Rules.

B. The Standards

1. Discovery-Scope. “Parties may obtain discovery regarding any matter, not privileged, that is relevant to the claim or defense of any party, including the existence, description, nature, custody, condition, and location of any books, documents, or other tangible things and the identity and location of persons having knowledge of any discoverable matter. For good cause, the court may order discovery of any matter relevant to the subject matter involved in the action. Relevant information need not be admissible at the trial if the discovery appears reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence. All discovery is subject to the limitations imposed by Rule 26(b)(2)(i), (ii), and (in).” Fed.R.Civ.P. 26(b)(1).

2. Discovery-Scope. A party “may obtain discovery regarding any matter, not privileged, that is relevant to the claim or defense of any party.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 26(b)(1). In addition, “the discovery rules are given ‘a broad and liberal treatment.’ ” Nat’l Union Fire Ins. Co.

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Bluebook (online)
240 F.R.D. 216, 67 Fed. R. Serv. 3d 319, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 1520, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/ayers-v-continental-casualty-co-wvnd-2007.