In re Rudolph Automotive, LLC (Opinion)
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The Supreme Court conditionally granted mandamus relief in this negligence and premises liability action, holding that the district court's decision to grant a new trial after a three-week trial was an abuse of discretion.
Irma Villegas, an employee of Rudolph Mazda, was struck by a vehicle driven by another employee after several employees drank beer on site. Plaintiff, Villegas's daughter, sued Defendants alleging negligence, failure to train, and premises liability. The jury awarded Plaintiffs over $4 million in damages. Plaintiff filed motions for judgment notwithstanding the verdict and, on grounds of mistrial, for a new trial. The district court granted the motion, giving four reasons for its decision. Rudolph petitioned the court of appeals for a writ of mandamus, which the court denied. The Supreme Court conditionally granted the writ, holding that, individually or collectively, none of the errors identified by the district court presented a proper basis for a new trial.
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