Robbin Somers v. NW IA Mental Health

• Court: Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
• Decided: August 2, 1996
• Docket: 95-4088
• Status: Unpublished

Opinion

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No. 95-4088 ___________

Robbin Somers, individually and * as next friend of Lauren Somers, * * Appellant, * * Appeal from the United States v. * District Court for the * Northern District of Iowa. Northwest Iowa Mental Health * Center; Jim Simpson, Dr., * [UNPUBLISHED] * Appellees. *

Submitted: July 26, 1996

Filed: August 2, 1996 ___________

Before BOWMAN, MAGILL, and LOKEN, Circuit Judges. ___________

PER CURIAM.

Robbin Somers brought this diversity tort action against Northwest Iowa Mental Health Center and its former executive director, based on their involvement in child-visitation issues arising out of a divorce proceeding Somers had initiated, and an ensuing child-abuse investigation. The district court granted defendants' summary judgment motion, concluding that they were entitled to immunity under Muzingo v. St. Luke's Hosp., 518 N.W.2d 776, 776 (Iowa 1994) (per curiam) (extending quasi-judicial immunity to court-appointed psychiatrists and hospitals asked by court to render opinion about patient's mental health). Somers appeals.

Upon our de novo review of the record, we conclude that the district court correctly granted summary judgment in favor of defendants. We also reject as meritless Somers's contention on appeal that she is entitled to relief because defendants allegedly withheld discoverable information.

Accordingly, we affirm. See 8th Cir. R. 47B.

A true copy.

Attest:

CLERK, U.S. COURT OF APPEALS, EIGHTH CIRCUIT.