Barbeau v. Hoppenrath

2001 NMCA 077, 33 P.3d 675, 131 N.M. 124
CourtNew Mexico Court of Appeals
DecidedAugust 29, 2001
Docket20,922
StatusPublished
Cited by15 cases

This text of 2001 NMCA 077 (Barbeau v. Hoppenrath) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering New Mexico Court of Appeals primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Barbeau v. Hoppenrath, 2001 NMCA 077, 33 P.3d 675, 131 N.M. 124 (N.M. Ct. App. 2001).

Opinion

OPINION

CASTILLO, Judge.

{1} Plaintiffs Ronald and Leora Barbeau (Barbeaus) originally filed their personal injury claim (first complaint) against Defendant Kim Hoppenrath (Hoppenrath) and Farmers Insurance Company of Oregon in the United States District Court for the District of Oregon (Oregon federal court) two days before the New Mexico statute of limitations on the claim expired. After the federal magistrate dismissed the suit and denied the motion to transfer venue to New Mexico, Barbeaus filed a second complaint in New Mexico district court attempting to avail themselves of the New Mexico Savings Statute, NMSA 1978, § 37-1-14 (1880). The district court granted summary judgment to Hoppenrath and dismissed the ease with prejudice. Barbeaus appeal. We affirm.

I. STANDARD OF REVIEW

{2} The standard of review for a motion for summary judgment is whether there are any genuine issues of material fact and whether the moving party is entitled to summary judgment as a matter of law. Williams v. Cent. Consol. Sch. Dist., 1998-NMCA-006, ¶ 7, 124 N.M. 488, 952 P.2d 978; see Rule 1-056(C) NMRA 2001. We consider the facts in the light most favorable to the party opposing summary judgment. See Gillin v. Carrows Rest., Inc., 118 N.M. 120, 122, 879 P.2d 121, 123 (Ct.App.1994). If, however, the facts are not in dispute, and only a legal interpretation of the facts remains, summary judgment is appropriate. See Garrity v. Overland Sheepskin Co., 121 N.M. 710, 718, 917 P.2d 1382, 1390 (1996). In this case, there are no facts in dispute.

II. BACKGROUND

{3} In response to Barbeaus’ second complaint, Hoppenrath filed a motion for summary judgment, to which she attached Bar-beaus’ first complaint and the entire order entered by the federal magistrate; neither was contested by Barbeaus. The first complaint alleges that Barbeaus were citizens of Oregon and that one of the defendants, Farmers Insurance Company of Oregon, was a citizen of Oregon. Given the nature of the cause of action, the only arguable basis for federal court jurisdiction would be diversity of citizenship. 28 U.S.C. § 1332 (1996). By alleging that the plaintiffs and one of the defendants were all citizens of Oregon, Bar-beaus defeated diversity and eliminated subject matter jurisdiction. Therefore, the claim was clearly improperly filed in Oregon federal court.

{4} The federal magistrate’s order provides additional information about the prosecution of the case in Oregon. After Hoppenrath filed her motion to dismiss the first complaint on jurisdictional grounds, Bar-beaus conceded that there was no personal jurisdiction in Oregon and then filed a motion to transfer venue to New Mexico pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1406(a) (1996). Section 1406(a) permits federal courts, “in the interest of justice,” to transfer cases to the district in which the case should have been brought. The federal magistrate observed that the attorney for Barbeaus “knew or should have known that there was not subject matter jurisdiction at the time he filed the case.” The federal magistrate, recognizing that failing to transfer could result in the inability of Barbeaus to recover due to the statute of limitations, nonetheless refused to transfer because he found that Barbeaus’ counsel “was not diligent in this case.” The federal magistrate dismissed the case for lack of personal and subject matter jurisdiction, and denied the motion to transfer venue.

{5} Barbeaus then re-filed their action in New Mexico district court within the six-month time limit pursuant to Section 37-1-14. They also filed a motion for summary judgment. Before the district court heard the motions, the parties stipulated to the following facts:

(1) Barbeaus were injured on October 8, 1995, in an automobile accident in Bernalillo County, New Mexico.
(2) On October 6, 1998, Barbeaus filed a complaint against Hoppenrath and Farmers Insurance Company of Oregon in Oregon federal court.
(3) On February 3, 1999, Federal Magistrate Coffin dismissed the ease for lack of personal and subject matter jurisdiction.
(4) Hoppenrath was a resident of Wisconsin and had no connections to Oregon.
(5) On May 4,1999, the case was re-filed in New Mexico.

{6} At the hearing, the district court heard the arguments of the parties. Without explaining its rationale, the district court entered an order granting Hoppenrath’s motion for summary judgment and dismissing the case against Barbeaus with prejudice. We review the district court’s order de novo.

III. ANALYSIS

{7} The New Mexico Savings Statute reads as follows: “If, after the commencement of an action, the plaintiff fail therein for any cause, except negligence in its prosecution, and a new suit be commenced within six months thereafter, the second suit shall, for the purposes herein contemplated, be deemed a continuation of the first.” Section 37-1-14. There is no dispute that the second suit was timely filed.

{8} Hoppenrath argues for affirmance urging this Court to hold that the New Mexico Savings Statute does not apply to out-of-state cases. We need not reach this issue and specifically decline to do so because we hold that Barbeaus were negligent in the prosecution of their case and, thus, the New Mexico Savings Statute does not apply.

{9} Barbeaus contend that the statute does apply to their case because they were not negligent in its prosecution. First, they argue that the federal magistrate order cannot be relied upon to show negligence because it was based on speculation and there was no hearing. We do not rely on the magistrate’s order except to confirm what appears to be true based on the undisputed facts and the law we apply later in this opinion.

{10} Barbeaus also argue that a party should not be penalized for filing in an improper forum because the choice of forum should be left to the discretion of the plaintiff and that in New Mexico negligence in prosecution only applies to cases that are dismissed for failure to actually prosecute citing to Gathman-Matotan Architects & Planners, Inc. v. State Dep’t of Fin. Admin., 109 N.M. 492, 493, 787 P.2d 411, 412 (1990). We address these arguments together.

{11} We agree with Barbeaus that courts should not second guess an attorney’s rationale in filing in one jurisdiction or another; however, whatever forum chosen must at least arguably provide personal and subject matter jurisdiction. In this case, Barbeaus waited to file their complaint until two days before the expiration of the statute of limitations.

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Bluebook (online)
2001 NMCA 077, 33 P.3d 675, 131 N.M. 124, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/barbeau-v-hoppenrath-nmctapp-2001.