CHARLES MOODY V HOME OWNERS INSURANCE COMPANY (Authored Opinion)

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STATE OF MICHIGAN COURT OF APPEALS CHARLES MOODY, FOR PUBLICATION February 25, 2014 9:10 a.m. Plaintiff, and GET WELL MEDICAL TREATMENT, PROGRESSIVE REHAB CENTER, and CAROL REINTS, INC, Plaintiffs-Appellants, v No. 301783 Wayne Circuit Court LC No. 10-006722-AV HOME OWNERS INSURANCE COMPANY, Defendant-Appellee. CHARLES MOODY, Plaintiff-Appellant, and GET WELL MEDICAL TREATMENT, PROGRESSIVE REHAB CENTER, and CAROL REINTS, INC, Plaintiffs, v No. 301784 Wayne Circuit Court LC No. 10-006722-AV HOME OWNERS INSURANCE COMPANY, Defendant-Appellee. LINDA C. HODGE, Plaintiff-Appellant, v No. 308723 Wayne Circuit Court LC No. 10-012109-AV STATE FARM MUTUAL AUTOMOBILE -1- INSURANCE COMPANY, Defendant-Appellee. Before: MARKEY, P.J., and FITZGERALD and OWENS, JJ. MARKEY, P.J. These consolidated appeals are before this Court for consideration as on leave granted.1 Each case presents the legal issue pertaining to the jurisdiction of the district court under MCL 600.8301(1) when a plaintiff presents evidence and argument of damages far in excess of the district court s $25,000 amount in controversy jurisdictional limit. In Docket No. 301783, plaintiffs Get Well Medical Treatment, Progressive Rehab Center and Carol Reints, Inc., appeal the order of Wayne Circuit Judge Robert Colombo, Jr., reversing a district court judgment in plaintiffs favor following a jury trial and remanding for a new trial. In Docket No. 301784, plaintiff Charles Moody appeals the same order of Judge Colombo vacating the judgment in plaintiff s favor because the district court lacked subject matter jurisdiction and remanding to the district court to either dismiss the case or transfer it to the circuit court. Similarly, in Docket No. 308723, plaintiff Linda C. Hodge appeals the order of Wayne Circuit Judge Brian R. Sullivan vacating a district court judgment for plaintiff in the amount of $25,000 plus interest following a jury verdict of $85,957 against defendant State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company. We affirm. I. FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS Plaintiff Moody filed his complaint for no-fault benefits in 36th District Court on September 15, 2008. Paragraph 3 of plaintiff s complaint alleges that plaintiff claims [sic] damages do not exceed $25,000.00. The complaint s prayer for relief sought damages in whatever amount Plaintiff is found to be entitled not in excess of [$]25,000.00, plus interest, costs, and no-fault attorney fees. The providers filed their complaint in 36th District Court on June 11, 2009, seeking payment for reasonably necessary products, services and accommodations that they provided Moody as a result of the motor vehicle accident. Get Well Medical Transport, Progressive Rehab Center and Carol Reints, Inc. sought no-fault benefits in the amounts, respectively, of $5,604, $14,845 and $2,533.14, for a combined total claim for damages of $21,982.14. While still awaiting discovery regarding the extent of Moody s claims, defendant moved on July 29, 2009 to consolidate his case with that of the providers. An order doing so was 1 See Hodge v State Farm Mutual Automobile Ins Co, 493 Mich 937; 826 NW2d 730 (2013); Moody v Getwell Medical Transport, 491 Mich 923; 812 NW2d 770 (2012). This Court entered an order on April 3, 2013, consolidating the appeal in Docket No. 308723 with those in Dockets Nos. 301783 and 301784. -2- entered without objection. Meanwhile, defendant filed several motions to compel discovery. The district court finally entered an order compelling signed answers to defendant s interrogatories on October 6, 2009, which plaintiff Moody signed on October 12, 2009. In his answers to interrogatories, Moody indicated that, in addition to a $32,447.23 bill from Henry Ford Hospital, he also intended to present to the jury damage claims for over $110,000 in lost wages and over $262,800 in attendant care benefits. Based on Moody s answers to interrogatories and depositions taken just before trial, defendant, on the day trial was scheduled to commence, raised the issue of the trial court s subject matter jurisdiction because it appeared certain Moody intended to claim damages far exceeding the $25,000 jurisdictional limit of the district court under MCL 600.8301(1). Defendant asserted several arguments, including (1) when Moody s counsel presented argument and evidence of damages in excess of $25,000, the district court would lose jurisdiction, and defendant would move for summary disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(4)(the court lacks jurisdiction of the subject matter); (2) Moody s action could be transferred to circuit court under MCR 2.227(A)(1); and (3) if Moody s counsel were permitted to present argument and evidence of damages in excess of $25,000, defendant should be allowed to impeach Moody s claims through evidence or by judicial notice of the fact that the district court s jurisdiction is limited to claims not exceeding $25,000. The district court ruled that it would not restrict Moody s counsel in the evidence or argument he could present, and that if the jury returned a verdict for Moody in excess of $25,000, it would cure the jurisdictional problem by limiting the judgment to $25,000, exclusive of attorney fees, interest, and costs. Furthermore, the district court ruled that it would not take judicial notice of the district court s jurisdictional limit and that defense counsel could not advise the jury of it. Finally, the district court ruled it would not transfer Moody s action to the circuit court. The district court entered a hand written order that provided: This action will not be transferred to circuit court. Each plaintiff s complaint is limited to the jurisdictional dollar amount of $25,000 exclusive of attorney fees, interest and costs. Defendant will be precluded from advising [the] jury of [the] court s jurisdictional limits. During his opening statement, Moody s counsel repeatedly told the jury that if defendant were required to pay no-fault benefits, it could obtain reimbursement from the assigned claims facility. After defense counsel s third objection to the comments, the district court ruled it would not preclude the argument but that it would permit defense counsel to argue in its opening statement that defendant would not be entitled to reimbursement from the assigned claims facility. And that is what defense counsel did. The providers counsel supported plaintiff s counsel on this point in his opening statement, indicating that he understood that an insurance company could obtain reimbursement from the assigned claims facility if it were determined within one or two years that the company should not have been paying the claim in the first place. The main issue at trial was whether at the time of the accident Moody was domiciled in the same household as his father and step-mother, whom defendant insured, or whether Moody lived with his mother in Detroit. The trial extended over three weeks, and Moody s counsel presented evidence of no-fault claims far in excess of $25,000. In addition to the proofs of the $32,447.23 hospital bill from Henry Ford, Moody presented evidence of lost wages of $28,288 to -3- $29,298.28, replacement services of $14,600, and claims of attendant care for $192,720. After presentation of this evidence, defendant twice renewed its motion for summary disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(4) because plaintiff s claims for damages far exceeded the district court s $25,000.00 jurisdictional limit; the district again denied defendant s motions. The jury found against defendant on its coverage defense, deciding that Moody lived with his father and step-mother at the time of the accident; that issue has not been appealed. The jury awarded Moody $32,447.23 for the hospital expense. But the jury found that Moody did not sustain any lost wages nor did he incur any attendant care expenses. The jury further found that Moody s allowable expenses were not overdue. When entering its judgment, the district court reduced the award to $25,000, the court s jurisdictional limit. The jury awarded the providers the amounts that they sought: $5,604 to Get Well; $13,845 to Progressive Rehab and $2,533.14 to Carol Reints, Inc. Defendant appealed to circuit court. Judge Colombo heard oral arguments on defendant s appeal on October 19, 2010, and issued a lengthy opinion from the bench. Judge Colombo considered that MCL 600.605 provides that circuit courts have original jurisdiction over all civil claims and remedies, except where exclusive jurisdiction is given in the constitution or by statute to some other court, and that MCL 600.8301(1) provides the district court has jurisdiction over civil actions when the amount in controversy does not exceed $25,000 and circuit court has jurisdiction over civil actions when the amount in controversy exceeds $25,000. The circuit court concluded that it was inappropriate for the district court to allow a plaintiff to present evidence of damages above the district court s jurisdictional limit, noting that although district courts formerly were permitted to award damages in excess of the limit when a case was remanded from the circuit court, the statute authorizing that practice, MCL 600.641, had been repealed. Judge Colombo also noted that Moody was bound by his pleadings, which alleged damages of not more than $25,000. Accordingly, Moody could not present damage proofs that exceeded $25,000. Judge Colombo also rejected plaintiffs reliance on the principle that a court s subjectmatter jurisdiction is determined only by the allegations in the plaintiff s complaint. Instead, Judge Colombo reasoned that a court must at all times question its own jurisdiction over parties, the subject matter of an action, or the limits of the relief that it may grant. Further, when a court determines that it lacks jurisdiction, it should not pursue the matter further except to dismiss the action or transfer it to the proper court. The circuit court opined: Once [defendant] raised the issue of the district court s jurisdiction, the district court was obliged to determine whether it had subject matter jurisdiction. The district court concluded that it had jurisdiction because it could reduce any verdict to $25,000. This was clearly error on the part of the district court. It had no jurisdiction to try Moody s case when the damage proofs exceeded its jurisdiction. Judge Colombo also stated it believed that Moody s counsel engaged in forum shopping as a matter of strategy in hopes of having a better the opportunity to win on the issue of residence. Judge Colombo summarized his reasons for reversing the judgment for Moody: -4- The facts in this case are too compelling to do anything but to set aside the jury verdict and the judgment in this case. Counsel for Moody presented damage proofs of hundreds of thousands [of] dollars in excess of the district court s jurisdictional amount. His proofs did not comply with his pleadings. He attempted to proceed in district court, even though the district court was without jurisdiction and [he] improperly engaged in forum shopping. . . . The only appropriate remedy is reversal of the jury verdict and the judgment under all the circumstances in this case. The case is remanded to the district court to either dismiss the Moody case for lack of jurisdiction or transfer it to [the circuit court] pursuant to MCR 2.227. The circuit court also ruled that the judgment for the providers must be reversed and the case remanded for a new trial because the providers claim was so intertwined with Moody s case for which the district court lacked jurisdiction. The circuit court reasoned that because the providers case was consolidated with Moody s case, significant evidence was admitted in the case that normally would not have been admitted in the medical providers case. The court believed that the presentation of the extra evidence may have affected the outcome on both the issues of residence and damages. With respect to defendant s claims regarding improper comments by plaintiff s counsel at trial, Judge Colombo opined that error warranting reversal occurred when Moody s counsel purposefully interjected the irrelevant issue of the assigned claims facility. The court concluded that the cumulative effect of counsel s comments, particularly regarding the assigned claims facility and subrogation, deprived defendant of a fair trial. Accordingly, in addition to finding that the district court lacked subject-matter jurisdiction, the circuit court ordered a new trial on the basis that counsel s improper comments deprived defendant of a fair trial. Also, for this additional reason, Judge Colombo reversed as to all plaintiffs and ordered a new trial. The appeal in Docket No. 308723 presents the same central legal issue as in Docket Nos. 301783 and 301784 regarding the district court s jurisdiction under MCL 600.8301(1). Plaintiff Linda C. Hodge brought an action in 36th District Court asserting a first-party no-fault claim and presented proof of damages far in excess of the district court s $25,000 subject matter jurisdictional limits. The jury returned a verdict of $85,957 against defendant State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (defendant or State Farm), and on October 1, 2010, the district court entered a judgment of $25,000 plus interest against defendant. State Farm appealed to the circuit court, which held a hearing on December 16, 2011. Judge Brian R. Sullivan reversed and issued an order on February 1, 2012 providing in pertinent part that [t]he amount in controversy in this case was in excess of the $25,000.00 jurisdictional limit of MCL 600.8301. The circuit court ordered that the jury verdict and subsequent judgment . . . is reversed and vacated for the reason that the court lacked jurisdiction over the subject matter because the amount in controversy exceeded the district court s jurisdictional limits contained in MCL 600.8301[.] II. THE DISTRICT COURT S JURISDICTION The central issue in all three appeals pertains to the application of MCL 600.8301(1), which provides: The district court has exclusive jurisdiction in civil actions when the amount in controversy does not exceed $25,000.00. Whether the district court has subject-matter -5- jurisdiction on the facts presented is a question of law reviewed de novo. Hillsdale Co Senior Servs, Inc v Hillsdale Co, 494 Mich 46, 51; 832 NW2d 728 (2013). Likewise, the interpretation and application of both statutes and court rules are questions of law that are reviewed de novo. Id.; Chen v Wayne State Univ, 284 Mich App 172, 191; 771 NW2d 820 (2009). We conclude that nothing in MCL 600.8301(1), MCR 2.227(A)(1), or MCR 2.116(C)(4), requires that a court limit its jurisdictional query to the amount in controversy alleged in the pleadings. Here, plaintiffs Moody and Hodge patently claimed damages far in excess of the $25,000 amount-in-controversy limit of the district court s jurisdiction throughout litigation. The district court was duty-bound to recognize the limits of its subject matter jurisdiction, In re Estate of Fraser, 288 Mich 392, 394; 285 NW 1 (1939),2 and either dismiss the plaintiff s case or transfer it to the circuit court, Fox v Univ of Michigan Bd of Regents, 375 Mich 238, 242; 134 NW2d 146 (1965),3 and MCR 2.227(A)(1). Because the district court failed to either dismiss a case that was patently outside its subject-matter jurisdiction or transfer it to the circuit court, the subsequent district court judgment and on the facts presented here, also the providers claims is void. In re Hatcher, 443 Mich 426, 438; 505 NW2d 834 (1993),4 Jackson City Bank & Trust Co v Fredrick, 271 Mich 538, 544; 260 NW 908 (1935),5 and Altman v Nelson, 197 Mich App 467, 472-473; 495 NW2d 826 (1992).6 These cases are governed by principles of statutory construction, which apply to both statutes and court rules. Henry v Dow Chem Co, 484 Mich 483, 495; 772 NW2d 301 (2009); Brausch v Brausch, 283 Mich App 339, 352; 770 NW2d 77 (2009). The primary goal of statutory interpretation is to ascertain and give effect to the Legislature s intent as expressed by the language of the statute. Ferguson v Pioneer State Mut Ins Co of Mich, 273 Mich App 47, 51; 731 NW2d 94 (2006). Similarly, the language used in a court rule and its place within the organization of the Michigan Court Rules is important. Henry, 484 Mich at 495. Thus, when addressing how to construe a statute or a court rule, one must first look to the language used and 2 Courts are bound to take notice of the limits of their authority, and a court may, and should, on its own motion, though the question is not raised by the pleadings or by counsel, recognize its lack of jurisdiction and act accordingly by staying proceedings, dismissing the action, or otherwise disposing thereof, at any stage of the proceeding. Estate of Fraser, 288 Mich at 394. 3 When a court is without jurisdiction of the subject matter, any action with respect to such a cause, other than to dismiss it, is absolutely void. Fox, 375 Mich at 242. 4 [A] proven lack of subject matter jurisdiction renders a judgment void. Hatcher, 443 Mich at 438. 5 When there is a want of jurisdiction over the parties, or the subject-matter, no matter what formalities may have been taken by the trial court, the action thereof is void because of its want of jurisdiction, and consequently its proceedings may be questioned collaterally as well as directly. Jackson City Bank, 271 Mich at 544. 6 When there is a want of jurisdiction over the parties or the subject matter, no matter what formalities may have been taken by the trial court, the action is void because of its want of jurisdiction. Altman, 197 Mich App at 472-473. -6- give the words their plain and ordinary meaning unless defined otherwise. Lafarge Midwest, Inc v Detroit, 290 Mich App 240, 246; 801 NW2d 629 (2010); Ferguson, 273 Mich App at 51-52. In this regard, when words are undefined, one may properly consult a dictionary concerning their plain and ordinary meaning. Cairns v East Lansing, 275 Mich App 102, 107; 738 NW2d 246 (2007). When the language used in a court rule or statute is clear and unambiguous, no further interpretation is either necessary or permitted. People v Lown, 488 Mich 242, 254-255; 794 NW2d 9 (2011); Ferguson, 273 Mich App at 52. The overarching rule of statutory construction is that a court must enforce clear and unambiguous statutory provisions as written. Johnson v Recca, 492 Mich 169, 175; 821 NW2d 520 (2012). Furthermore, when a court interprets a statute, it may not read anything into an unambiguous statute that is not within the Legislature s manifest intent as derived from the words used in the statute itself. People v Breidenbach, 489 Mich 1, 10; 798 NW2d 738 (2011); Mich Ed Ass n v Secretary of State (On Rehearing), 489 Mich 194, 218; 801 NW2d 35 (2011). The circuit court is the primary court in Michigan having jurisdiction over civil cases. MCL 600.605 provides: Circuit courts have original jurisdiction to hear and determine all civil claims and remedies, except where exclusive jurisdiction is given in the constitution or by statute to some other court or where the circuit courts are denied jurisdiction by the constitution or statutes of this state. MCL 600.8301(1) provides for an exception for bringing civil actions in district court when the amount in controversy does not exceed $25,000.00. The critical phrase amount in controversy and the critical word controversy are not defined by statute or Michigan case law. See Szyszlo v Akowitz, 296 Mich App 40, 51; 818 NW2d 424 (2012). But this Court has suggested that amount in controversy is based on damages claimed. Id.; Etefia v Credit Technologies, Inc, 245 Mich App 466, 475; 628 NW2d 577 (2001). The word amount clearly refers to a dollar value because the district court s jurisdictional limit is stated in the dollar value of $25,000. The plain and ordinary meaning of controversy is confirmed by consulting a dictionary which defines it as a [usually] prolonged public dispute concerning a matter of opinion. Random House Webster s College Dictionary (1992). Also, controversy is defined in The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language (1981), as [a] dispute, especially a lengthy and public one, between sides holding opposing views. Both dictionaries list argument as the synonym of controversy. These dictionaries also define, respectively, controvert the verb version of controversy as to argue against; dispute; deny; oppose; debate; [and] discuss, and [t]o raise arguments against; voice opposition to; deny [and] [t]o argue or dispute about; to debate. Also, because the phrase amount in controversy concerns a court s jurisdiction, it may have acquired a peculiar and appropriate meaning in the law, MCL 8.3a, so it is also appropriate consult a legal dictionary. People v Steele, 283 Mich App 472, 488 n 2; 769 NW2d 256 (2009). Black s Law Dictionary (9th ed), defines amount in controversy as [t]he damages claimed or relief demanded by the injured party in a lawsuit. But Black s also defines the word controversy to mean [a] disagreement or a dispute, [especially] in public [or] [a] justiciable dispute. Id. Likewise, Black s Law Dictionary defines controvert as [t]o dispute or contest. Id. Based on theses definitions, we conclude that the plain, ordinary, and legal meaning of amount in controversy under MCL 600.8301(1) is the amount the parties to a lawsuit dispute, argue about, or debate during the litigation. While the amount in controversy in a lawsuit will most often be determined by reviewing the amount of damages or injuries a party claims in his -7- pleadings, the statute does not explicitly state this. Indeed, the statute does not provide a preferred or any method for determining the amount in controversy. [A] court may read nothing into an unambiguous statute that is not within the manifest intent of the Legislature as derived from the words of the statute itself. Breidenbach, 489 Mich at 10. If the Legislature had intended to establish that the limits of the district court s jurisdiction were to be determined solely based on the amount demanded in the complaint, it could easily have done so. Rather, the amount in controversy is the dollar value of the amount that is disputed in the lawsuit, the amount parties argue about, debate, or, stated otherwise, the amount that the parties controvert. Here, Moody s pretrial discovery answers, the arguments of counsel before trial, and the presentation of evidence at trial, all showed that the amount in controversy far exceeded the $25,000 subject matter jurisdiction of the district court. MCL 600.8301(1). Without subject matter jurisdiction over Moody s complaint, the only action the district court could have properly taken would have been to dismiss the action, MCR 2.216(C)(4), or transfer it to the circuit court, MCR 2.227(A)(1). See Fox, 375 Mich at 242; Yee v Shiawassee Co Bd of Comm rs, 251 Mich App 379, 399; 651 NW2d 756 (2002). We find appellants arguments to the contrary unpersuasive. First, appellants cite several cases for the proposition that subject matter jurisdiction is determined only by the allegations in the plaintiff s complaint and prayer for relief. See Fox v Martin, 287 Mich 147, 151; 283 NW2d 9 (1938) ( Jurisdiction does not depend upon the facts, but upon the allegations. ); Zimmerman v Miller, 206 Mich 599, 604-605; 173 NW 364 (1919); Trost v Buckstop Lure Co, 249 Mich App 580, 586; 644 NW2d 54 (2002) ( A court s subject-matter jurisdiction is determined only by reference to the allegations listed in the complaint. ); Grubb Creek Action Comm v Shiawassee Co Drain Comm r, 218 Mich App 665, 668; 554 NW2d 612 (1996) (opining the same as Trost); and Altman, 197 Mich App at 472 ( Jurisdiction always depends on the allegations and never upon the facts. ). None of these cases is factually similar to the ones at hand where a plaintiff has set forth in his complaint a request for relief up to the jurisdictional limit of the district court but then presents to the jury evidence of and argument for damages far exceeding the jurisdictional limit of the court, and patently knew that the true amounts sought exceeded $25,000. Rather, the cited cases address the point in time when a court s jurisdiction is determined and also whether the subject matter of the suit other than the amount in controversy is cognizable in the circuit court. See Fox, 287 Mich at 153 (effort to foreclose on an expired lien); Trost, 249 Mich App at 587 (libel action); Grubb Creek Action Comm, 218 Mich App at 666 (review of drain board s determination of necessity); and Altman, 197 Mich App 473-474 (a paternity and custody action). In Zimmerman, the issue was whether the circuit court lost jurisdiction because the plaintiff alleging breach of contract failed to establish damages more than the court s jurisdictional minimum. The Court held on the basis of long-standing case law that the jurisdiction of the court is determined by the amount demanded in the plaintiff s pleadings, not by the sum actually recoverable or that found by the judge or jury on the trial. Zimmerman, 206 Mich at 604-605. Thus, properly understood, these cases stand for the proposition that what the plaintiff alleges he will be able to prove at trial, not what the factfinder later determines (or the amount entered in a judgment), establishes the amount in controversy for the purpose of determining the court s subject matter jurisdiction. This principle has ancient roots in Michigan, sprouting from Strong v Daniels, 3 Mich 466, 471 (1855), which held upon general principles . . . that jurisdiction must be determined from the record, and, where it depends on -8- amount, by the sum claimed in the declaration or writ. The Court in a later case stated the rule that the damages claimed in the declaration or process, and not the amount found by the court or jury upon trial, must be the test of jurisdiction. Inkster v Carver, 16 Mich 484, 487 (1868). So, according to these early cases, determining a court s jurisdiction at the outset on the basis of what the plaintiff believed he could prove was the only practical rule. Id. at 488. The rule requiring the determination of the jurisdictional amount based on the plaintiff s allegations does not support, as here, a plaintiff s artfully pleading a claim for relief ostensibly within the limits of district court s subject matter jurisdiction but then placing in dispute through evidence and argument at trial an amount of damages much greater than the court s jurisdictional limit. Furthermore, appellants contention that the subject matter jurisdiction of the court can be determined by the amount ultimately awarded by the court, i.e., by limiting judgment to the jurisdictional amount, is contrary to the long-standing rule adopted in Strong of determining the subject matter jurisdiction of the court by the amount in controversy before a trial and the determination of the facts by a judge or jury. We recognize dicta in Strong about a jury s ability to award more than the jurisdictional limit of the court,7 but the Court s holding is that jurisdiction is determined based on the amount claimed before the facts are determined. Moreover, the implication of appellants argument that subject matter jurisdiction may be conferred by artful pleading and by limiting a judgment to the district court s jurisdictional limit after the facts are determined violates the principle that the parties to a lawsuit cannot confer jurisdiction on the court that it does not have and says nothing to the offensive notion that one may merely say the magic words to confer jurisdiction where it otherwise would not exist . In re Hatcher, 443 Mich at 433. In fact, a court must make its own determination regarding the existence of a statutory basis for jurisdiction. Id. And, the court must make this jurisdictional determination before the fact finding of the trial has concluded. Fox, 287 Mich 151-152; Zimmerman, 206 Mich at 604-605. Appellants cite other cases regarding federal district court jurisdictional limits, the removal of state court actions to the federal district court, and cases involving entry of default judgments that are simply not relevant to interpreting MCL 600.8301(1) or the Michigan Court Rules. Furthermore, the case of Brooks v Mammo, 254 Mich App 486; 657 NW2d 793 (2002), has such unique facts a factual oddity including the repeal and amendment of pertinent statutes and a scenario far different from the present cases a transfer of a case originally filed in circuit court to the district court that it has virtually no value in deciding the issues presented in these appeals. The case of Krawczyk v Detroit Automobile Inter-Insurance Exchange, 117 Mich App 155; 323 NW2d 633 (1982), rev d in part on other grounds 418 Mich 231; 341 NW2d 110 (1983), also does not assist appellants argument. The defendant in Krawczyk did not initially contend that the district court lacked subject matter jurisdiction, only that judgment could not be 7 The Court opined: It is well settled in actions commenced before a justice of the peace, that the test of jurisdiction is the sum demanded in the writ or declaration, and the justice will not be ousted of his jurisdiction by the jury returning a verdict, or by proof of damages beyond his jurisdiction. In such case the excess may be remitted, and judgment rendered for the balance. Strong, 3 Mich at 473. -9- entered for more than the district court s jurisdictional limits. Krawczyk, 117 Mich App at 162. The Court held that certain benefits were not recoverable, thus reducing the judgment amount, exclusive of interest, costs and attorney fees, to within the district courts jurisdictional limits. Id. at 163. Our Supreme Court affirmed in part and reversed in part this Court s decision regarding recoverable no-fault benefits, but it did not address the issue of the district court s jurisdictional limits. Krawczyk, 418 Mich at 236. We also find that Clohset v No Name Corp (On Remand), 302 Mich App 550; 840 NW2d 375 (2013), does not alter our analysis of the issues presented in these cases because it is factually unique and addresses the district court s more specific equitable jurisdiction regarding claims arising under chapter 57 of the Revised Judicature Act (RJA), MCL 600.5701 et seq., which concerns proceedings to recover possession of premises. Clohset, 302 Mich App at 560. The Court held that because the district court s equitable jurisdiction under MCL 600.8302(1) and (3) was invoked, that specific jurisdictional grant took precedence over the more general jurisdictional grant provided in MCL 600.8301(1). Clohset, 302 Mich App at 561562. Therefore, the Court held the district court had jurisdiction to enter the parties stipulated consent judgment even though it would have otherwise exceeded the jurisdictional limit of MCL 600.8301(1). Id. at 562-563. And the court reasoned that if the district court erred entering the stipulated judgment, the defendant could not collaterally attack the error in the exercise of jurisdiction. Clohset, 302 Mich App at 564, citing Bowie v Arder, 441 Mich 23, 49, 490 NW2d 568 (1992), quoting Jackson City Bank, 271 Mich at 545. The Clohset court further noted that a consent judgment is different from a judgment after trial because it represents the agreement of the parties, and, absent fraud, mistake, or unconscionable advantage, it cannot be appealed or set aside without the consent of the parties. Id. at 565-566, 572-573. Finally, the Court found applicable the principle that a party may not participate in and harbor error. Id. at 566-567. In sum, because the present cases do not involve summary proceedings, the equitable jurisdiction of the district court under MCL 600.8302, or the entry of a stipulated consent judgment, Clohset has no application to the circumstances presented in the instant cases. Appellants arguments also fail when considered in light of pertinent court rules. Before the trial of these cases, it was patent to the parties and the district court that plaintiffs Moody and Hodge were asserting claims for damages far in excess of the district court s jurisdictional limit of $25,000. Given that a court is continually obliged to question sua sponte its own jurisdiction over a person, the subject matter of an action, or the limits of the relief it may afford, Yee, 251 Mich App at 399, the district court should have either dismissed plaintiff s case or transferred it to circuit court pursuant to MCR 2.227(A)(1), which provides: When the court in which a civil action is pending determines that it lacks jurisdiction of the subject matter of the action, but that some other Michigan court would have jurisdiction of the action, the court may order the action transferred to the other court in a place where venue would be proper. If the question of jurisdiction is raised by the court on its own initiative, the action may not be transferred until the parties are given notice and an opportunity to be heard on the jurisdictional issue. [Emphasis added.] The court rule provides no particular manner in which a court determines that it lacks jurisdiction of the subject matter of the action. Rather, it only provides that if the court acts sua -10- sponte regarding its determination, the parties must be given notice and an opportunity to be heard on the jurisdictional issue. Further, the court rule plainly requires that the court may consider matters other than the pleadings when considering whether it has subject matter jurisdiction and whether it must either dismiss or transfer a case to court having jurisdiction. MCR 2.227(A)(1) does not restrict a court in its jurisdictional determination to a review of the pleadings, and such a requirement may not be read into the rule when not derived from its manifest intent as evidenced by the words of the rule itself. See Breidenbach, 489 Mich at 10; Mich Ed Ass n, 489 Mich at 218; Henry, 484 Mich at 495. Also pertinent is MCR 2.116(C)(4), which provides that summary disposition may be entered where [t]he court lacks subject matter jurisdiction. Defendant Home Owners moved under this rule in plaintiff Moody s case after he presented evidence of damages far in excess of the district court s subject matter jurisdictional limit $25,000. A motion brought on the grounds of lack of subject matter jurisdiction may be brought at any time. MCR 2.116(D)(3); Hillsdale Co Senior Servs, 494 Mich at 51 n 3. The determination whether the court has jurisdiction when a motion under MCR 2.116(C)(4) is brought is explicitly not restricted to the pleadings alone. MCR 2.116(G)(5) provides (with emphasis added): The affidavits, together with the pleadings, depositions, admissions, and documentary evidence then filed in the action or submitted by the parties, must be considered by the court when the motion is based on subrule (C)(1)-(7) or (10). See also Toaz v Dep t of Treasury, 280 Mich App 457, 459; 760 NW2d 325 (2008); L & L Wine & Liquor Corp v Liquor Control Comm, 274 Mich App 354, 356; 733 NW2d 107 (2007). Because plaintiff Moody claimed and presented evidence of damages far in excess of $25,000, it was the [district] court s duty to take notice of its lack of subject-matter jurisdiction and dismiss [Moody s case] pursuant to MCR 2.116(C)(4). Yee, 251 Mich App at 399. To summarize, there is nothing in MCL 600.8301(1), MCR 2.227(A)(1), or MCR 2.116(C)(4) that limits the district court s duty-bound jurisdictional query to the pleadings. Plaintiffs Moody and Hodge plainly claimed damages far in excess of the $25,000 amount in controversy limit of the district court s subject matter jurisdiction. The district court was required to either dismiss each plaintiff s case or transfer it to the circuit court. See Fox, 375 Mich at 242; MCR 2.227(A)(1); MCR 2.116(C)(4). Because the district court failed to do either, the subsequent district court judgments including that with respect to providers claims that were consolidated with those of Moody s are void for want of subject matter jurisdiction. Fox, 375 Mich at 242; Jackson City Bank & Trust Co, 271 Mich at 544. III. DOCKET NO. 301783 The providers argue that they may bring a direct claim against defendant Home Owners for no-fault benefits. See Lakeland Neurocare Ctrs v State Farm Mut Ins Co, 250 Mich App 35; 645 NW2d 59 (2002). Furthermore, the providers note that even their combined claims did not exceed the court s $25,000 jurisdictional limit and that it was defendant Home Owners that moved to consolidate the provider s claims with those of plaintiff Moody. Therefore, the providers argue, under the invited error doctrine, see People v Jones, 468 Mich 345, 352 n 6; 662 NW2d 376 (2003), defendant cannot complain of any taint from consolidation of the providers case with Moody s case as the circuit court found. -11- We find that the providers invited error argument is without merit. In Jones, 468 Mich at 52 n 6, the Court noted that [i]nvited error is typically said to occur when a party s own affirmative conduct directly causes the error. Under the invited error doctrine, appellate relief is generally not available because when a party invites the error, he waives his right to seek appellate review, and any error is extinguished. Id. A related rule is that error requiring reversal may only be predicated on the trial court s actions and not upon alleged error to which the aggrieved party contributed by plan or negligence. Lewis v LeGrow, 258 Mich App 175, 210; 670 NW2d 675 (2003); see also Smith v Musgrove, 372 Mich 329, 331; 125 NW2d 869 (1964) ( Error to be reversible must be error of the trial judge; not error to which the aggrieved appellant has contributed by planned or neglectful omission of action on his part. ). Waiver is the intentional relinquishment or abandonment of a known right. Quality Products & Concepts Co v Nagel Precision, Inc, 469 Mich 362, 374; 666 NW2d 251 (2003). Here, defendant Home Owners moved to consolidate the providers case with Moody s case before discovery disclosed Moody s claims for damages were far in excess of the district court s jurisdictional limits. After discovery disclosed that the amount in controversy with respect to Moody s claims exceeded the district court s jurisdictional limits, defendant brought the issue to the attention of the court and requested that Moody s claims be transferred to circuit. Further, when Moody s counsel presented evidence of claims exceeding the court s jurisdictional limits, defendant moved for summary disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(4) because Moody claimed damages far in excess of the district court s $25,000.00 jurisdictional limits. Thus, as a factual matter, defendant did not waive its jurisdictional arguments and preserved its claim that the district court erred by denying severance of Moody s claims or by not dismissing them. Moreover, defects in subject matter jurisdiction cannot be waived and may be raised at any time. Hillsdale Co Senior Servs, 494 Mich at 51 n 3. Because subject matter jurisdiction concerns the court s power to hear a case, it is not subject to waiver. Lown, 488 Mich at 268. In addition, a court must at all times be cognizant of its own jurisdiction and sua sponte question whether it has jurisdiction over a person or the subject matter of an action. Straus v Governor, 459 Mich 526, 532; 592 NW2d 53 (1999); Yee, 251 Mich App at 399. When a court is without jurisdiction of the subject matter, any action with respect to such a cause, other than to dismiss it, is absolutely void. Fox, 375 Mich at 242. In this case, based on pretrial discovery, it was patently obvious before the trial began, to the district court and to the parties, that plaintiff Moody s claims for damages far exceeded the $25,000 amount in controversy jurisdictional limit of MCL 600.8301(1). Based on the clear evidence supporting the determination that Moody s claims for damages exceeded the district court s subject matter jurisdiction, the district court should have dismissed that claim. Fox, 375 Mich at 242. Alternatively, under Michigan Court Rules, the district court could have transferred Moody s case to the circuit court. MCR 2.227(A)(1). Because the district court failed to either dismiss Moody s claim or transfer it to circuit court, the subsequent proceedings, including the consolidated providers claims, were void. Fox, 375 Mich at 242. We also reject the providers argument that their claims may be saved by severing them after the fact of trial and judgment from the extra-jurisdictional claims of Moody. While the providers may bring an independent cause of action against a no-fault insurer, the providers claims against defendant are completely derivative of and dependent on Moody s having a valid -12- claim of no-fault benefits against defendant. Specifically, the providers claims are dependent on establishing Moody s claim that he suffered accidental bodily injury arising out of the . . . use of a motor vehicle, MCL 500.3105(1), that they provided reasonably necessary products, services and accommodations for [Moody s] care, recovery, or rehabilitation, MCL 500.3107(a), and that at the time of the accident, Moody was domiciled in the same household as his father who was insured by defendant Home Owners, MCL 500.3114(1). The providers and Moody s claims with respect to the requisites of defendant Home Owners liability are therefore identical. Because there is an identity between Moody s claims and those of the providers and because the claims were consolidated for trial, we consider them merged for purpose of determining the amount in controversy under MCL 600.8301(1). The providers cite Boyd v Nelson Credit Centers, 132 Mich App 774, 780-781; 348 NW2d 25 (1984), for the proposition that the claims of individual plaintiffs may not be aggregated to satisfy the circuit court s jurisdictional minimum amount in controversy. We note that Boyd has precedential effect under the rule of stare decisis, MCR 7.215(C)(2), but because it was decided before November 1990, its precedent is not binding, MCR 7.215(J)(1). Further, because the providers claims are derivative of Moody s claim, we find applicable the exception noted in Boyd of aggregating the claims of a single plaintiff for the purpose of determining whether a court s subject matter jurisdiction jurisdictional amount is satisfied or as here exceeded. Boyd, 132 Mich App at 781. This analysis is also consistent with the general rule that when the claims of multiple parties are consolidated to facilitate the presentation of proofs, the cases are not merged into one cause. They retain their own separate identities. See Armstrong v Commercial Carriers, Inc, 341 Mich 45, 52; 67 NW2d 194 (1954). But this Court has observed that when cases are consolidated under MCR 2.505(A) because of a substantial and controlling common question of law or fact, the court rule is silent with regard to whether the consolidated cases are effectively merged into a single case. Chen, 284 Mich App at 195. The Court in Chen, citing 3 Longhofer, Michigan Court Rules Practice (5th ed), ยง 2505.3, p 79, discussed two situations. In one, the consolidated cases are ordered tried together but each retains its separate character and requires the entry of a separate judgment. Id. But in the other situation, when actions that are normally between the same parties are consolidated, the actions are joined together to form a single action in which a single judgment is entered. Id. (emphasis added). This latter situation exists where several actions are pending between the same parties stating claims which could have been brought in separate counts of a single claim. People ex rel Director of Conservation v Babcock, 38 Mich App 336, 342; 196 NW2d 489 (1972), quoting 2 Honigman & Hawkins, Michigan Court Rules Annotated (2d ed), Rule 505, p 364. Here, there is virtual identity between the providers and Moody s claims and Moody could have brought all the claims in a single case in which a single judgment is entered. Indeed, it is Moody s claim against defendant Home Owners that the providers are allowed to assert because the no-fault act provides that benefits are payable to or for the benefit of an injured person, MCL 500.3112. See Lakeland Neurocare Ctrs, 250 Mich App at 38-40. But the providers PIP claims actually belong to Moody because the right to bring an action for personal protection insurance benefits, including claims for attendant care services, belongs to the injured party. Hatcher v State Farm Mut Auto Ins Co, 269 Mich App 596, 600; 712 NW2d 744 (2006). Thus, the injured party may waive by agreement his or her claim against an insurer for no-fault benefits, and a service provider is bound by the waiver. Michigan Head & Spine Institute, PC v State Farm Mut Auto Ins Co, 299 Mich App 442, 447-449; 830 NW2d 781 -13- (2013). If an injured party waives a PIP claim, a service provider s remedy is to seek payment from the injured person. Id. at 449-450. Based on the foregoing, we conclude that there is such an identity between the providers and Moody s claims that consolidation for trial resulted in merging the claims for purpose of determining the amount in controversy under MCL 600.8301(1). Because the providers claims are derivative of Moody s claims, the consolidated claims are the equivalent of a single plaintiff asserting multiple claims against a single defendant. See Boyd, 132 Mich App at 781. In sum, defendant did not waive its objection to the district court s jurisdiction by initially moving to consolidate the claims of Moody and the providers. The fact that the providers combined claims were within the district court s $25,000 jurisdictional limit does not cure the jurisdictional defect from consolidating the providers claims with those of Moody where the amount in controversy of the consolidated claims clearly exceeded the district court s $25,000 subject matter jurisdiction. MCL 600.8301(1). The entire judgment that included both the providers and Moody s claims was void. Fox, 375 Mich at 242; Jackson City Bank & Trust Co, 271 Mich at 544. Also, as discussed next, the circuit court did not err by finding that defendant Home Owners was denied a fair trial by counsel s improper remarks, which independently warranted reversal and remand for a new trial of the providers claims. Reetz v Kinsman Marine Transit Co, 416 Mich 97, 100-103; 330 NW2d 638 (1982). IV. DOCKET NOS. 301783 & 301784: COUNSEL MISCONDUCT A. PRESERVATION Moody and the providers argue that defendant Home Owners failed to preserve this claim for appeal and, in fact, waived the issue. Appellants contend that while Home Owners asserted in the trial court and on appeal that alleged attorney misconduct entitled it to a directed verdict, defendant did not request a new trial in either court. Accordingly, appellants contend that defendant waived the relief of an order for new trial by not moving for a new trial in the trial court, not including whether a new trial should be ordered as an issue on appeal, MCR 7.212(C)(5), and by not requesting a new trial in its appellate brief. We disagree. Contrary to appellants argument, defendant preserved for appeal the issue of plaintiff s counsel s improperly remarking to the jury by objecting and obtaining a ruling from the trial court. Generally, an issue is . . . properly preserved if it is . . . raised before, addressed by, or decided by the lower court or administrative tribunal. General Motors Corp v Dep t of Treasury, 290 Mich App 355, 386; 803 NW2d 698 (2010). And, in Reetz, 416 Mich at 101-102, the Court referred to the appellate preservation requirement as the no objection no ruling no error presented rule. Nevertheless, Reetz could be read as generally requiring a request for a curative instruction or a motion for a mistrial to preserve appellate review of remarks by counsel. But appellate review without such actions may be granted where counsel s remarks deny a party a fair trial. Id. at 100. Thus, incurable errors are not shielded from appellate review because an attorney fails to request what in that case would be a futile instruction. Id. at 101. In this case, the district court abdicated both its responsibility to control the trial proceedings, MCR 2.513(B), and to instruct the jury regarding the law, MCR 2.512(B). See -14- Reetz, 416 Mich at 103 n 9 ( [T]he trial court has a duty to assure that all parties who come before it receive a fair trial. Consequently, if counsel exceeds the proper bounds of argument, a judge should interrupt to correct counsel and take any curative measures which are necessary. ); Badalamenti v William Beaumont Hosp-Troy, 237 Mich App 278, 293; 602 NW2d 854 (1999) ( The trial court has a duty to assure that the parties before it receive a fair trial. ). It is apparent from the record that the district court simply allowed counsel to present conflicting views on an irrelevant issue and that a defense request for a curative instruction would have been futile. Although a motion for a mistrial is appropriate, it is not mandatory. Reetz, 416 Mich at 102. As a result, this record demonstrates that defense counsel sufficiently preserved for appellate review the issue of improper remarks of counsel. B. STANDARD OF REVIEW Appellate review of claims of misconduct by counsel is de novo to determine whether a party was denied a fair trial. Reetz, 416 Mich at 100. Analysis of such claims requires two steps: (1) did error occur and (2) does it require reversal. Id. at 102-103; Hunt v Freeman, 217 Mich App 92, 95, 550 NW2d 817 (1996). A lawyer s comments will usually not be cause for reversal unless they indicate a deliberate course of conduct aimed at preventing a fair and impartial trial or where counsel s remarks were such as to deflect the jury s attention from the issues involved and had a controlling influence on the verdict. Ellsworth v Hotel Corp, 236 Mich App 185, 191; 600 NW2d 129 (1999). Stated otherwise, [r]eversal is required only where the prejudicial statements of an attorney reflect a studied purpose to inflame or prejudice a jury or deflect the jury s attention from the issues involved. Hunt, 217 Mich App at 95. Proper instructions to the jury will cure most, but not all, misconduct by counsel. Reetz, 416 Mich at 105-106. On this issue, the circuit court sitting in its appellate capacity also made a pertinent finding of fact: Counsel for Moody purposely injected an irrelevant issue to prejudice the [defendant] and to erroneously suggest to the jury that the [defendant] may not be liable for any of the claims and can recover from a third-party source. A lower court s finding of fact is reviewed on appeal for clear error. MCR 2.613(C). A finding is clearly erroneous if the reviewing court, on the whole record, is left with the definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been made. Hughes v Almena Twp, 284 Mich App 50, 60; 771 NW2d 453 (2009). C. DISCUSSION Based on our determination that the judgment entered in these cases is void, this issue may be moot. An issue is moot when a judicial determination cannot have any practical legal effect on the existing controversy. People v Richmond, 486 Mich 29, 34-35; 782 NW2d 187 (2010). But this Court may review a moot issue if it is publicly significant and likely to recur, yet may evade judicial review. General Motors Corp, 290 Mich App at 386. Such is the case here. We conclude that the circuit court did not clearly err regarding the facts and did not commit legal error by concluding that the improper remarks of Moody s counsel, in which the providers counsel joined, denied defendant a fair trial, thus warranting reversal and remand for a new trial. Moody s appellate counsel concedes for the purposes of this appeal that its trial counsel s comments regarding the assigned claims facility were either wrong or irrelevant. We agree -15- that counsel s argument were both wrong and irrelevant. Defendant s policy insuring Moody s father requires it to pay Moody personal protection insurance benefits if Moody were determined to be domiciled in the same household as his father. MCL 500.3114(1). The assigned claims facility is not liable for no-fault benefits unless no personal protection insurance is applicable to the injury, no personal protection insurance applicable to the injury can be identified, the personal protection insurance applicable to the injury cannot be ascertained because of a dispute between 2 or more automobile insurers concerning their obligation to provide coverage or the equitable distribution of the loss, or the only identifiable personal protection insurance applicable to the injury is, because of financial inability of 1 or more insurers to fulfill their obligations, inadequate to provide benefits up to the maximum prescribed. MCL 500.3172(1). Furthermore, the assigned claims facility, if it pays benefits, is entitled to reimbursement from the defaulting insurers to the extent of their financial responsibility. Id. This record supports that the circuit court did not clearly err by finding that Moody s counsel purposely injected an irrelevant issue to prejudice the [defendant] and to erroneously suggest to the jury that the [defendant] may not be liable for any of the claims and can recover from a third-party source. This finding warrants granting a new trial. Ellsworth, 236 Mich App at 191; Hunt, 217 Mich App at 95. The district court failed to instruct the jury to ignore these references and the references were so numerous that it is doubtful any instruction would have been effective. Reetz, 416 Mich at 106. As noted already, appellants arguments regarding preservation fail. Appellants arguments regarding waiver and due process must also fail. Defendant did not and could not waive the circuit court s authority to grant appropriate relief on appeal of improper remarks of counsel that deny a fair trial. Although defendant requested in the district court and on appeal to the circuit court that a verdict be directed in its favor, the underlying issue of counsel misconduct was nonetheless preserved and presented on appeal. Appellants contention they were denied due process regarding this issue is without merit. The essential requisites of procedural due process are adequate notice, an opportunity to be heard, and a fair and impartial tribunal. Hughes, 284 Mich App at 69. Appellants received ample notice and opportunity to be heard of this issue, and nothing suggests that the circuit court was not fair and impartial. Thus, appellants were not denied due process of law. Moreover, the circuit court possessed the authority to grant a new trial. MCR 7.112 provides that in its appellate capacity the circuit court may grant relief as provided in MCR 7.216, which in turn provides in pertinent part that the Court of Appeals may, in its discretion, and on the terms it deems just: . . . enter any judgment or order or grant further or different relief as the case may require. MCR 7.216(A)(7). The misconduct of a party s attorney that denies another party a fair trial is a basis for granting a new trial. See MCR 2.611(A)(1)(a), (b); Reetz, 416 Mich at 100; Badalamenti, 237 Mich App at 289-290. Consequently, we affirm the circuit court s alternative basis for granting defendant Home Owners relief in these cases. V. CONCLUSION In all three cases, we affirm the circuit court s ruling that the district court lacked subject matter jurisdiction under MCL 600.8301(1). Consequently, the district court judgments are void, and we affirm the circuit court orders vacating those judgments. -16- We also hold that all no fault claims for benefits due a single injured party based on the same accidental injuries must be aggregated for the purposes of determining compliance with the district court s subject matter jurisdiction under MCL 600.8301(1). Consequently, we affirm the circuit court s order vacating the judgment for the providers in Docket No. 301783. Finally, we affirm the circuit court s determination in Docket Nos. 301783 and 301784 that counsel misconduct denied defendant Home Owners a fair trial and independently warranted reversal and remand for new trial. We remand to the circuit court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. As the prevailing parties, appellees may tax costs under MCR 7.219. We do not retain jurisdiction. /s/ Jane E. Markey /s/ E. Thomas Fitzgerald /s/ Donald S. Owens -17-

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