Opinion
Docket Nos. 123193, 137222.
Submitted February 12, 1992, at Detroit.
Decided April 5, 1993, at 10:20 A.M.
Miller Lemberg, P.C. (by Wayne J. Miller and Lisa A. Welton), for John McMillan.
Brandt, Hanlon, Becker, Lanctot, McCutcheon, Schoolmaster Taylor (by David J. Lanctot) ( Gross Nemeth, by James G. Gross and Mary T. Nemeth, of Counsel), for Auto Club Insurance Association.
Before: DOCTOROFF, C.J., and MICHAEL J. KELLY and BRENNAN, JJ.
ON REMAND
Pursuant to the Supreme Court's order of February 8, 1993, this Court advises all parties, the Supreme Court, and the Oakland Circuit Court that its rulings and inconsistencies were correctly interpreted by Auto Club Insurance Association's attorneys in its pleading entitled Appellee's Motion for Review of Taxation of Costs, dated July 28, 1992, which is attached hereto as Appendix A.
This Court ruled that John McMillan, individually and as guardian and conservator of Charyl McMillan is entitled to future no-fault benefits and that ACIA, a Michigan corporation and a Michigan reciprocal interinsurance exchange, is liable to pay future no-fault benefits. 195 Mich. App. 463; 491 N.W.2d 593 (1992). Obviously, such benefits must be reasonably incurred, necessary, and appropriate. The Supreme Court has ordered that we consider ACIA's arguments concerning the effect that the award by the jury in the first-party action of only twenty percent of the claimed benefits has upon ACIA's ongoing liability for future first-party no-fault benefits. We consider that it has no effect. The jury may have properly and appropriately considered that the costs incurred were unreasonable or unnecessary. Such a finding cannot be applied to future benefits.
The Supreme Court having retained jurisdiction, any further applications, requests, or pleadings shall be addressed to that Court.
APPENDIX A
APPELLEE'S MOTION FOR REVIEW OF TAXATION OF COSTS
Now comes Appellee, Auto Club Insurance Association (ACIA), by and through its attorneys, Brandt, Hanlon, Becker, Lanctot, McCutcheon, Schoolmaster Taylor, and its attorneys of counsel Gross Nemeth, and in support of its Motion for Review of Taxation of Costs, pursuant to MCR 7.219(E), states as follows:
1. On May 14, 1992, Judges DOCTOROFF, KELLY and BRENNAN issued a per curiam opinion resolving Appellant's two consolidated appeals. (Appendix A). The opinion does not indicate which, if either, party is entitled to tax costs under MCR 7.219(A).
2. In Docket No. 123193, Appellant prevailed on only one of three issues he presented i.e., Appellant was entitled to approximately $6,000 in trial court costs under MCR 2.625(A)(1) because Appellant received a $60,000 judgment.
3. ACIA prevailed on the remaining two issues in Docket No. 123193, i.e., Appellant was not entitled to additur to $194,000 or a new trial on damages, and was not entitled to 12% no-fault penalty interest before October 8, 1989.
4. In Docket No. 137222, Appellant prevailed on the sole issue presented, i.e., the jury's answer to Question 1 of the verdict form in Docket No. 123193 require ACIA to pay future no-fault benefits.
5. On June 10, 1992, Appellant filed a Bill of Costs with the Clerk of this Court, seeking $3,965.42, in appellate costs pursuant to MCR 7.219. (Appendix B).
6. On June 17, 1992, ACIA filed Objections to Appellant's Bill of Costs, pursuant to MCR 7.219(C). ACIA argued that neither party was entitled to costs because neither had prevailed in full on appeal or, alternatively, that Appellant was only entitled to costs related to those two issues on which he prevailed on appeal. (Appendix C).
7. On June 24, 1992, Appellant filed a response to ACIA's objections, arguing that he was entitled to all requested costs because he had improved his position on appeal. (Appendix D).
8. On July 21, 1992, the Clerk of this Court taxed all costs requested because Appellant had improved his position on appeal. The Clerk further stated that it did not have the authority to rule on ACIA's objections, but that such objections could be raised by filing a motion with this Court pursuant to MCR 7.219(E). (Appendix E).
9. Since neither party fully prevailed on appeal, ACIA requests that this Court exercise its discretion and refuse to award costs to either party. Under MCL 600.2445(1), MSA 27A.2445(1); and MCR 7.219(a), this Court can direct that no appellate costs be taxed. In numerous cases, appellate courts have declined to award costs to either party where neither prevailed in full on appeal. See e.g., Borman's Inc v City of Detroit, 386 Mich. 250, 257 (1971); McCoy v DeLiefde, 376 Mich. 198, 208 ; Cooley v Mid-Century Ins Co, 52 Mich. App. 612, 618 (1974); Mixon v Mixon, 51 Mich. App. 696, 703 (1974); Hite v Evart Products Co, 34 Mich. App. 247, 259 (1971). See also additional case law digested at 7 West's Michigan Digest [2d ed], Costs, Key No. 230.
10. Alternatively, costs should be apportioned and taxed according to those issues on which Appellant prevailed on appeal. MCR 2.625(B)(2), which is incorporated by reference in MCR 7.219(H), provides that in actions with several issues or counts, "the party prevailing on each issue or count may be allowed costs for that issue or count". See also Jordan v Whiting Corp (On Rehearing), 49 Mich. App. 481, 495-496 (1973), rev'd on other grounds, 396 Mich. 145, 151 (1976).
11. If costs are apportioned, Appellant should not be allowed to recover costs for the trial transcript and copies thereof because those transcripts were unnecessary to the resolution of the issues on which Appellant prevailed on appeal. The transcripts were necessary only for the issues upon which ACIA prevailed, i.e., additur or new trial as to damages, and no-fault penalty interest.
12. In Docket No. 123193, Appellant is entitled to tax only the following requested costs related to Issue I of that appeal:
(a) Filing Fees
Claim of Appeal — Court of Appeals $100.00 — Circuit Court 10.00 Motion to Extend Time 25.00 Motion for Leave to File Supplemental Brief 25.00 Motion to Strike Oral Argument 50.00
(b) November 1, 1989 Motion Transcript 61.10
(c) Appellate Briefs ($1.00 per page)
Plaintiff-Appellant's Brief on Appeal (5/9/90) 28.00 Plaintiff-Appellant's Supplemental Brief (10/29/90) 12.00 Plaintiff-Appellant's Response Brief (4/12/91) 9.00 _______ TOTAL $320.10 =======
13. In Docket No. 137222, Appellant is entitled to tax the following requested costs:
(a) Filing Fees
Claim of Appeal — Court of Appeals $100.00 — Circuit Court 10.00
(b) November 30, 1990 Motion Transcript 35.00
(c) Appellate Briefs ($1.00 per page)
Defendants-Appellants' Amended Brief on Appeal (3/27/91) 46.00 Defendants-Appellants' Supplemental Brief (1/23/92) 11.00 _______ TOTAL $202.00 =======
14. The maximum, total amount which can be taxed for the issues on which Appellant prevailed in these appeals is $522.10.
15. If costs are apportioned, ACIA does not seek an award of costs for the issues on which ACIA prevailed on appeal.
Wherefore, Appellee, Auto Club Insurance Association, respectfully requests this Honorable Court to declare that no costs should be taxed on appeal pursuant to MCL 600.2445(1), MSA 27A.2445(1); MCR 7.219(A), because neither party prevailed in full.
In the alternative Appellee requests that costs be apportioned and taxed only on those two issues on which Appellant prevailed on appeal pursuant to MCR 7.219(H) and MCR 2.625(B)(2), and that Appellant be awarded no more than $522.10.
Brandt, Hanlon Becker, Lanctot, McCutcheon, Schoolmaster Taylor By: David J. Lanctot (P16378) Attorneys for ACIA 1700 First Federal Building Detroit, MI 48226 (313) 237-5648
Gross Nemeth
/s/ _________________________________ By: Mary T. Nemeth (P34851) Attorneys of Counsel for ACIA 444 Penobscot Building Detroit, MI 48226 (313) 963-8200
Dated: July 28, 1992