Opinion
No. 82 CA 0086.
November 16, 1982. On Rehearing April 13, 1983.
APPEAL FROM THIRTY-SECOND DISTRICT COURT, PARISH OF TERREBONNE, STATE OF LOUISIANA, HONORABLE CLEVELAND J. MARCEL, SR., J.
Carlos E. Lazarus, Jr., Houma, for defendant-appellee (Patterson Edmonson Const. Inc.)
Christopher B. Siegrist, Houma, for plaintiff-appellee (Betty Gros Gaudet).
Lawrence J. Centola, Jr., New Orleans, for Greyhound Lines, Inc.
Ronald R. Thompson, Baton Rouge, for Louisiana Dept. of Highway.
Huntington B. Downer, Jr., Houma, for City of Houma.
Jude T. Fanguy, Houma, for Lucille Greco Hebert.
Robert D. Morvant, Thibodaux, for U.S. Fidelity Guaranty Co.
Harold J. Lamy, New Orleans, for Ruby Woolens.
Before COVINGTON, LEAR and LANIER, JJ.
In this action to recover property damages brought by Lucille Greco Hebert, the owner of property damaged by the accident described in the companion case of Betty Gros Gaudet v. Louisiana Department of Highways, 432 So.2d 867 (La.App. 1 Cir. 1982), Docket Number 82 CA 0085, in which a separate decision has been rendered by us on this date, the trial court awarded plaintiff, Lucille Greco Hebert, the sum of $14,886.00 against Patterson and Edmonson Construction Company and the Estate of Jackson Gaudet.
Our review of the record reveals that the Estate of Jackson Gaudet was not properly before the court below; no pleadings were filed on behalf of the Estate and no preliminary default was entered against it, thus there was no joinder of issue as to this defendant. Accordingly, the judgment against the Estate must be set aside.
For the foregoing reasons and the reasons stated in the companion case of Betty Gros Gaudet v. Louisiana Department of Highways, supra, the judgment appealed herein is amended to read: It is ordered, adjudged and decreed that there be judgment herein in favor of plaintiff, Lucille Greco Hebert, and against Patterson and Edmonson Construction Company in the full sum of Fourteen Thousand Eight Hundred Eighty Six (14,886.00) Dollars, together with legal interest from date of judgment until paid, and all costs of the proceedings. All costs of this appeal are assessed against Patterson and Edmonson Construction Company.
AMENDED AND AS AMENDED, AFFIRMED.
ON REHEARING
A rehearing was granted in this case to determine whether Greyhound Lines, Inc., is entitled to a remand under the particular circumstances of this case. At the close of plaintiffs' case, Greyhound was dismissed on a directed verdict pursuant to LSA-C.C.P. art. 1810. As we erred in definitively finding Greyhound at fault at this time based on the alleged concurrent negligence of its driver, we remand these cases to afford Greyhound an opportunity to present evidence in its defense.
In the recent Supreme Court case of Aetna Casualty and Surety Company v. Nero, 425 So.2d 730 (La. 1983), it was held that the Court of Appeal should not have rendered judgment against the defendant on appeal when the trial judge had granted a motion to dismiss under LSA-C.C.P. art. 1810 and the defendant had no opportunity to present defense evidence. The Court noted that Code of Civil Procedure Article 1810:
. . . clearly states that `any party without waiving his right to offer evidence in the event that the motion is not granted, may move for a dismissal of the action as to him on the ground that upon the facts and law, the plaintiff has shown no right to relief.' In the event that the motion is granted by the trial court and later reversed by the Court of Appeal, the defendant who made the motion has certainly not waived [the] right to present [defense evidence].
Clearly, Greyhound has the right to present evidence which might exonerate it from the potential liability facing it in this lawsuit.
Accordingly, and for the above reasons, these cases are remanded for trial consistent with the reasons set out in this decision. Costs of this appeal are to be borne equally by Lucille Greco Hebert, Patterson and Edmonds Construction Company and Greyhound Lines, Inc. All other costs are to await final disposition of the case.
REMANDED.