Opinion
360056
01-25-2022
Mohammed Abdul Khalique v. Mendelson Orthopedics PC
LC No. 2019-000089-NH
Elizabeth L. Gleicher, Colleen A. O'Brien Judges.
ORDER
Kathleen Jansen Presiding Judge.
The motion for immediate consideration is GRANTED.
The application for leave to appeal is DENIED for failure to persuade the Court of the need for immediate appellate review.
Gleicher, J., would reverse the trial court's denial of the parties' joint request for an adjournment. One of plaintiffs counsel is ill with Covid-19. Defendants supported the motion for an adjournment, reasoning that "the current state of affairs in regard to the Covid-19 pandemic serves as good cause for adjournment of trial in accordance with MCR 2.503." Six hospitals in Michigan have received federal response-team assistance in caring for Covid-19 and other patients filling intensive care beds. A jury trial only increases the risk of more sick people and more hospital admissions. This is a civil case and there is no need for it to be tried this month. In my view, the circuit court abused its discretion by refusing an eminently reasonable request for an adjournment.