Silva v. State

745 P.2d 380, 106 N.M. 472

• Court: New Mexico Supreme Court
• Decided: November 3, 1987
• Docket: 16798
• Status: Published

Opinions

OPINION

RANSOM, Justice.

This case is before the Court on a writ of certiorari to the court of appeals to review an opinion on interlocutory appeal which affirmed the ruling of the court below that plaintiffs were not entitled to partial summary judgment of liability. Plaintiffs had sought partial summary judgment on the grounds of claim or issue preclusion arising out of prior action taken by the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico. Also on review is the affirmance of the trial court’s dismissal of a direct action under the Tort Claims Act against the state, the Corrections and Criminal Rehabilitation Department of the State of New Mexico (Corrections Department), and the Secretary of Corrections. This question, as it relates to the applicability of respondeat superior, has been briefed for us by the New Mexico Trial Lawyers Association and the New Mexico Defense Lawyers Association. These excellent briefs by friends of this Court have been of significant aid.

This action was brought seeking damages for the wrongful death of Manuel Silva (Silva) who committed suicide by hanging while incarcerated at a facility'of the Corrections Department. Because of psychiatric problems, Silva was held at a facility where he could receive medication; and it was known that special care was required to prevent his suicide. Negligent failure to provide that care was the alleged cause of Silva’s suicide.

The defendants included the state, the Corrections Department, and the Secretary of Corrections (Francke), and other law enforcement officers and health care providers. Moving the court for partial summary judgment on the issue of defendants’ liability, plaintiffs relied upon the doctrines of res judicata (claim preclusion) or, alternatively, upon collateral estoppel (issue preclusion). The motion was based on an order entered by the federal court in Duran v. Anaya, No. 7-721-JB, on unchallenged findings of a special master who conducted an evidentiary hearing into the events and circumstances surrounding Silva’s death. Duran is a class action in which partial consent decrees and an agreement were approved and adopted on July 14, 1980, requiring the State of New Mexico, its Corrections Department and its Secretary of Corrections to operate by certain standards, procedures and policies for the benefit of a class of inmates to which Silva belonged.

The federal court found that Francke and others connected with the Corrections Department failed to operate by standards and procedures required by the consent decree. These included staffing, training and provision for facilities which would have provided Silva a course of treatment and acute mental health care to address the mental disorder undergirding his basic prison classification and to address his immediate symptoms of depression and suicidal ideation. Also, adherence to required standards and procedures would have caused Silva to be placed on a suicide watch and would have otherwise protected him from a suicide attempt or aided in his resuscitation.

Application of the doctrine of res judicata, or “claim preclusion,” depends upon identity of prior and subsequent actions in four respects: (1) parties or privies, (2) capacity or character of persons for or against whom the claim is made, (3) cause of action, and (4) subject matter. Three Rivers Land Co. v. Maddoux, 98 N.M. 690, 652 P.2d 240 (1982); Adams v. United Steelworkers of Am., AFL-CIO, 97 N.M. 369, 640 P.2d 475 (1982). When the duty sued upon stems from different roots in the prior and subsequent actions, even if both actions involve essentially the same course of wrongful conduct, it is indicated that the suits arise from different causes of action. Adams, 97 N.M. at 373, 640 P.2d at 479. Here, suffice to say, the hearing ordered by the federal court to inquire into whether the defendants in Duran were in compliance with the “consent decree” with respect to the events and circumstances surrounding Silva’s death was not the same cause of action as the personal representatives’ action for wrongful death. Where the ultimate facts necessary for the resolution of two suits are different, and the issues necessarily dispositive in the prior cause are different from those in the subsequent cause, the doctrine of res judicata is inapplicable. Torres v. Village of Capitan, 92 N.M. 64, 68, 582 P.2d 1277, 1281 (1978).

[Wjhere the causes of action in the cases are identical in all respects, the first judgment is a conclusive bar upon the parties and their privies as to every issue which either was or properly could have been litigated in the previous case. But absent the identity of causes of action, the parties are precluded from relitigating only those ultimate issues and facts shown to have been actually and necessarily determined in the previous litigation.

City of Santa Fe v. Velarde, 90 N.M. 444, 446, 564 P.2d 1326, 1328 (1977).

Collateral estoppel bars relitigation of ultimate facts or issues actually and necessarily decided in a prior suit. Under collateral estoppel, or “issue preclusion,” the cause of action in the second suit need not be identical with the first suit. Adams v. United Steelworkers of Am., AFL-CIO; see Torres v. Village of Capitan; City of Santa Fe v. Velarde; and Edwards v. First Fed. Sav. & Loan Ass’n of Clovis, 102 N.M. 396, 400, 696 P.2d 484, 488 (Ct.App.1985) (with analysis of “issues actually and necessarily decided”).

It is clear from the cited New Mexico authorities that, in deciding whether to apply the doctrine of collateral estoppel, the trial judge may determine that its application would be fundamentally unfair and would not further the aim of the doctrine, which is to prevent endless relitigation of issues. Fundamental fairness requires that the party against whom estoppel is asserted had a full and fair opportunity to litigate. To give rise to estoppel, the finding of ultimate facts in the prior action must have been final. See C & H Constr. & Paving Co. v. Citizens Bank, 93 N.M. 150, 160-61, 597 P.2d 1190, 1200-01 (Ct.App.1979). Also, for application of collateral estoppel, New Mexico has adhered to the rule that the parties in the second suit must be the same or in privity with the parties in the first suit. A growing number of jurisdictions hold that, absent fundamental unfairness in a given case, the doctrine of collateral estoppel may be applied against parties or their privies to both suits regardless of whether the party asserting the doctrine was privy to the first suit.

The reason given for the “same parties” requirement is the doctrine of mutuality. The mutuality requirement prevents a litigant from invoking the conclusive effect of a judgment unless that litigant would have been bound if the judgment had gone the other way. Dissatisfaction with the mutuality requirement resulted in a “modern” view of mutuality, which dispenses with the “same parties” requirement. Atencio v. Vigil, 86 N.M. 181, 521 P.2d 646 (1974). The modern view has two aspects — defensive collateral estoppel, see Blonder-Tongue Laboratories, Inc. v. University of Illinois Foundation, 402 U.S. 313, 91 S.Ct. 1434, 28 L.Ed.2d 788 (1971), and offensive collateral estoppel, see Parklane Hosiery Co. v. Shore [439 U.S. 322, 99 S.Ct. 645, 58 L.Ed.2d 552 (1979)].

Edwards, 102 N.M. at 401, 696 P.2d at 489. In Edwards, defensive collateral estoppel was allowed despite defendant’s not having been a party to a prior federal court action brought by Edwards against the United States claiming that a tax was wrongfully levied on First Federal Savings & Loan Association of Clovis.

The Edwards court held that the federal law of collateral estoppel governs the preclusion effect of the federal judgment in a case which decided a federal question, and that the application of collateral estoppel in federal courts is not grounded upon the “mechanical requirement of mutuality,” but is tested by whether a litigant has had a “full and fair opportunity for a judicial resolution” of the issue. In the subsequent suit for damages against First Federal, Edwards claimed First Federal’s response to the levied tax was to unlawfully use trust funds rather than the personal funds of the taxpayer. To the contrary, in his memorandum opinion, the federal judge had stated that, “[b]ecause the Trust is a nullity and sham for tax purposes, property held in the name of the Trust is not shielded from levy by the government.” The showing by First Federal in support of summary judgment based upon the use of collateral estoppel as a complete defense to Edward’s claim consisted of the memorandum and decision in the federal suit. This satisfied movant’s burden of showing a prima facie case for summary judgment. The federal judgment, deciding a federal question, precluded in subsequent state proceedings any issue which was actually and necessarily decided in the federal suit. It was then respondent’s burden to show there was a factual issue as to a full and fair opportunity to litigate. Respondent did not do so. To the extent the court of appeals affirmed the summary judgment on the basis of defensive collateral estoppel, we specifically approve Judge Wood’s excellent opinion in Edwards.

Plaintiffs in the present case, however, assert the offensive use of collateral estoppel as adopted in Parklane Hosiery Co. v. Shore, 439 U.S. 322, 99 S.Ct. 645, 58 L.Ed.2d 552 (1979), a stockholder’s action against a corporation, its officers, directors and others who were claimed to have issued false and misleading proxy statements. Before the action came to trial, the Securities and Exchange Commission sued the same defendants and obtained a declaratory judgment based upon findings that the proxy statement was false and misleading in essentially the same respects claimed by Shore in his suit. As did the plaintiffs in the present case, Shore moved for partial summary judgment asserting that Park-lane, its officers, directors and other defendants were collaterally estopped from relitigating the issues that had been resolved against them in the action brought by the SEC.

In Parklane Hosiery Co., the Supreme Court adopted a general rule that a trial judge may allow the use of offensive collateral estoppel except in cases where a plaintiff could easily have joined in the earlier action or where the application of offensive estoppel would be unfair to a defendant. Unfairness was discussed as arising where a defendant had little incentive to defend vigorously in the first suit, where the judgment relied upon as a basis for the estoppel is itself inconsistent with one or more previous judgments in favor of the defendant, or where the second action affords the defendant procedural opportunities unavailable in the first action that could have easily caused a different result. Id. at 330-31, 99 S.Ct. at 651-52. It was also noted that the presence or absence of a jury as fact finder is basically neutral, quite unlike, for example, the necessity of defending the first lawsuit in an inconvenient forum. Id. at 352 n. 19, 99 S.Ct. at 662. As to constitutional rights to a jury trial, the court held that, regardless of whether the party against whom estoppel is asserted has previously lost because of adverse factual findings in law or in equity, by jury verdict or court decision, there is no further fact-finding function for a jury to perform in the subsequent action, since the common factual issues have been resolved in the previous action. Id. at 335-36, 99 S.Ct. at 653-54; cf. Ex parte Peterson, 253 U.S. 300, 310, 40 S.Ct. 543, 546, 64 L.Ed. 919 (1920) (“No one is entitled in a civil case to trial by jury unless and except so far as there are issues of fact to be determined.” ).

In accordance with the principles discussed herein, we hold that the doctrine of defensive collateral estoppel may be applied when a defendant seeks to preclude a plaintiff from relitigating an issue the plaintiff has previously litigated and lost regardless of whether defendant was privy to the prior suit; and that the doctrine of offensive collateral estoppel may be applied when a plaintiff seeks to foreclose the defendant from litigating an issue the defendant has previously litigated unsuccessfully regardless of whether plaintiff was privy to the prior action.

The trial court is in the best position to decide whether a party against whom estoppel is asserted has had a full and fair opportunity to litigate. Neither the offensive or defensive use of collateral estoppel is to be applied where the record is insufficient to determine what issues were actually and necessarily determined by prior litigation, Howell v. Anaya, 102 N.M. 583, 698 P.2d 453 (Ct.App.), cert. denied, 102 N.M. 613, 698 P.2d 886 (1985), and it is the burden of the movant invoking the doctrine of collateral estoppel to introduce sufficient evidence for the court to rule whether the doctrine is applicable. International Paper Co. v. Farrar, 102 N.M. 739, 700 P.2d 642 (1985). When the movant has made a prima facie showing, the trial court must consider the countervailing equities including, but not limited to, prior incentive for vigorous defense, inconsistencies, procedural opportunities, and inconvenience of forum as discussed in Parklane Hosiery Co. Although the Supreme Court also noted that the presence or absence of a jury is basically neutral, we do not believe such a fact to be altogether immaterial. To be similarly considered is the use of a special master or other alternative or administrative dispute resolution techniques in the prior litigation.

In the present case, we do not know whether, in denying the plaintiffs’ motion for partial summary judgment on defendants’ liability, the trial court determined either finality of issues actually and necessarily decided, or issues of fairness. The court found only that questions of material fact exist. This could be interpreted as meaning that, because the doctrine of offensive collateral estoppel had not been adopted in New Mexico, no fact issues had been precluded. In deciding whether to apply the doctrine of collateral estoppel, the threshold issues of fact are for the court to resolve. It does not appear that the court exercised discretion in deciding finality or fairness because it determined that the decision involved a controlling question of law as to which there is substantial ground for difference of opinion. In due course, leave to file this interlocutory appeal was granted.

We could remand for the trial court to reconsider the motion for partial summary judgment in accordance with the law articulated in this opinion. However, it is the opinion of this Court that, as a matter of law, the federal court did not actually and necessarily make a final determination that any failure of defendants to exercise ordinary care was a proximate cause of Silva’s death. These are the ultimate fact issues in question. Failure to operate by standards and procedures required by the consent decree is not a matter which subjects defendants to offensive use of collateral estoppel. Under the consent decree, the agreement specifically purports not to establish standards of culpability for civil liability.

As to whether a direct action lies against the state and its entities under the Tort Claims Act, NMSA 1978, Sections 41-4-1 through 41-4-29 (Repl.Pamp.1986 & Cum.Supp.1987), we believe that the court of appeals was correct in Abalos v. Bernalillo County Dist. Attorney’s Office, 105 N.M. 554, 734 P.2d 794 (Ct.App.), cert. quashed, 106 N.M. 35, 738 P.2d 907 (1987), specifically modifying Silva v. State, the case presently before us. A governmental entity is not immune from liability for any tort of its employee acting within the scope of duties for which immunity is waived. NMSA 1978, § 41-4-4(A). When the act of the employee is the act of the public entity, let the master answer. To the extent that prior eases have rejected the applicability of the tort doctrine of respondeat superior under the Tort Claims Act, e.g., Wittkowski v. State, 103 N.M. 526, 710 P.2d 93 (Ct.App.), cert. quashed, 103 N.M. 446, 708 P.2d 1047 (1985), those cases are hereby overruled. As stated in Abalos:

To name a particular entity in an action under the Tort Claims Act requires two things: (1) a negligent public employee who meets one of the waiver exceptions under Sections 41-4-5 to -12; and (2) an entity that has immediate supervisory responsibilities over the employee. If a public employee meets an exception to immunity, then the particular entity that supervises the employee can be named as a defendant in an action under the Tort Claims Act. If the city or state directly supervises the employee, then the city or state can be named.

105 N.M. at 559, 734 P.2d at 799. It is only when a public employee is acting within the scope of his employment and in furtherance of the business of a public entity that immunity and the Tort Claims Act have any relevance. See Garcia v. Albuquerque Pub. Schools Bd. of Educ., 95 N.M. 391, 622 P.2d 699 (Ct.App.1980) (Sutin, J., specially concurring), cert. quashed, 95 N.M. 426, 622 P.2d 1046 (1981); cf. Candelaria v. Robinson, 93 N.M. 786, 606 P.2d 196 (Ct.App.1980). Therefore, it is only when the public entity is itself acting through its employee with thé right to control the manner in which the details of work are to be done, SCRA 1986, 13-403, that the Tort Claims Act comes into play. The public entity can act only through its employees, and the act of the offending employee is the act of the public entity under traditional tort concepts. Cf. SCRA 1986, 13-409.

While the Abalos court has held that, “[i]f the city or state directly supervises the employee, then the city or state can be named,” we believe that traditional tort law requires that statement to be interpreted to include the right of control regardless of whether exercised. Public policy recognizes the inherently unfair and inequitable results which occur in the strict application of the doctrine of sovereign immunity. NMSA 1978, § 41-4-2(A). While the court may apply the doctrine of remoteness in striking the state or city as a named defendant, the court must be constrained in each instance to avoid inherently unfair and inequitable results. Adherence to a principle of “direct supervision” should never be used to defeat totally a claim which otherwise has been brought under traditional concepts of respondeat superi- or. In the present case, we do not know whether the trial court exercised its discretion in granting defendants’ motion for dismissal of the state. The dismissal of the state and the Corrections Department is reversed and, on remand, the trial court may reconsider the motion for dismissal of the state in terms of the doctrine of remoteness.

The trial court erred in concluding that certain statutory waivers of immunity were inapplicable as a matter of law to the acts or omission of Francke while acting within the scope of his duties as Secretary of Corrections. No public employee is immune from tort liability while acting within the scope of duty where immunity has been waived by one or more of the eight sections of specified exceptions. NMSA 1978, § 41-4-4. Of the eight sections, four are arguably applicable here. These include duties in the operation or maintenance of any building, machinery, equipment, or furnishings (41-4-6), duties in the operation of any hospital, infirmary, mental institution, clinic, dispensary, medical care home or like facilities (41-4-9), duties of providing health care services (41-4-10), or deprivation of any rights, privileges or immunities secured by the constitution and laws of the United States or New Mexico when caused by law enforcement officers while acting within the scope of their duties (41-4-12). This Court has held that the Secretary of Corrections is not a law enforcement officer within the meaning of Section 41-4-12 as defined in Section 41-4-3(D). Anchondo v. Corrections Dep’t, 100 N.M. 108, 666 P.2d 1255 (1983). Therefore, Franke cannot be held liable under the waiver of immunity in that section. However, as pointed out in Anchondo, the duties of the Secretary of Corrections require that he manage all operations of the department, exercise general supervisory authority over all department employees, organize the department into the most efficient organizational units, and issue and enforce orders and instructions. It will be for the finder of fact to determine whether Francke failed to exercise ordinary care in the discharge of these duties as they may be found to include the operation or maintenance of the corrections and medical care facilities and health care services proximately related to the death of Silva.

While Francke may be liable for negligent performance of a duty, he is not subject to liability because of the negligent act or omission of some other employee, merely because of his executive position. See Clark v. Ruidoso-Hondo Valley Hosp., 72 N.M. 9, 380 P.2d 168 (1963). We hold only that Francke’s management and enforcement duties may be found to have included staffing, training and provision for facilities which would have provided Silva a course of treatment, health care and protection to address the mental disorder undergirding his basic prison classification.

Failure of an employee to operate in compliance with practices adopted by a governmental entity for the welfare of persons similarly situated to the plaintiff constitutes evidence of negligence in a tort action. Petznick v. United States, 575 F.Supp. 698 (D.Neb.1983); Dillenbeck v. City of Los Angeles, 69 Cal.2d 472, 446 P.2d 129 (1968). Under the terms of the consent decree, as we have previously noted, the agreement must not be construed to establish or change the standard of culpability for civil liability. That standard is established by the traditional tort concept of duty to exercise ordinary care. Evidence of the breach of that standard may include the failure to operate by practices separately adopted by the Corrections Department unless the court finds, as a threshold issue, that the practice would not have been adopted but for the agreement. Regardless of the adoption of practices, the jury may consider acts and omissions relevant to treatment, health care and protection measured against the standard of ordinary care or the testimony of experts relevant to that standard. Pursuant to the federal order adopting the consent decree, we hold only that no evidence may be adduced through the agreement itself.

We affirm the court of appeals in part, on its affirmance of the ruling of the court below that plaintiffs were not entitled to partial summary judgment of liability. We reverse the court of appeals in part, on its affirmance of the trial court’s dismissal of a direct action under the Tort Claims Act against the state, the Corrections Department, and the Secretary of Corrections, and we remand this case to the district court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

SOSA, Senior Justice, and WALTERS, J., concur. SCARBOROUGH, C.J., and STOWERS, J., dissent.