Opinion
2:12-cv-2583 JWS
12-09-2014
Jacob Amrani, Plaintiff, v. United States of America, Defendant.
ORDER AND OPINION
[Re: Motion at docket 185]
I. MOTION PRESENTED
At docket 185 plaintiff Jacob Amrani ("Dr. Amrani") asks that defendant "be precluded from asserting a defense of assumption of risk." Defendant United States of America ("United States") opposes at docket 191. No reply has been filed. Oral argument would not assist the court.
Doc. 185 at p. 1.
II. DISCUSSION
Motions in limine are motions which seek to exclude evidence. As the United States points out in its briefing, the Supreme Court has said that motions in limine are motions "whether made before or during trial, to exclude anticipated prejudicial evidence before the evidence is actually offered." The motion at docket 185 does not ask the court to exclude evidence that Dr. Amrani assumed a risk relating to the surgery performed on him by explaining why particular evidence (such as that discussed in the United States' response at docket 191) should be excluded. Instead, the motion asks the court to rule that regardless of what evidence might be offered at trial, the defense of assumption of risk may not be asserted. In other words, the motion at docket 185 is actually a motion for partial summary judgment asking the court to rule that as a matter of law, the defense fails. However, the time for filing summary judgment motions ran on August 22, 2014. The motion at docket 185 was not filed until October 23, 2014.
Doc. 191 at pp. 1-2 (quoting Luce v. United States, 469 U.S. 38, 40 n.2 (1984)).
Order at docket 142.
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The court will deny the motion at docket 185, because it is an untimely motion for summary judgment. Of course, that is not to say that the court will permit the United States to introduce any particular evidence at trial. What evidence, if any, will be admitted relating to the assumption of risk defense pled by the United States will be taken up at trial and resolved using the customary objection and offer of proof process.
III. CONCLUSION
For the reasons above, the motion at docket 185 is DENIED.
DATED this 9th day of December 2014.
/s/ JOHN W. SEDWICK
SENIOR UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE