Brian Webb v. Horace Mann and Co. ( 1999 )

United States Court of Appeals
FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT
___________
No. 98-1282
___________
Brian Webb, *
*
Appellant, *
*
v. *
*
Horace Mann and Companies, *
*
Appellee. *
___________
Appeals from the United States
No. 98-1393 District Court for the
___________ Eastern District of Arkansas.
[UNPUBLISHED]
Brian Webb, *
*
Appellee, *
*
v. *
*
Horace Mann and Companies, *
*
Appellant. *
___________
Submitted: February 11, 1999
Filed: July 6, 1999
___________
Before WOLLMAN,1 LOKEN, and MORRIS SHEPPARD ARNOLD, Circuit Judges.
___________
PER CURIAM.
Brian Webb filed this state law breach of contract claim against Horace Mann
and Companies to recover under a homeowner’s insurance policy after a fire destroyed
his home. The case was removed to federal court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1441(a). On
September 12, 1997, a jury returned a verdict in favor of Webb and awarded $97,267
in damages. Judgment was entered on the verdict on October 8, 1997. Horace Mann
then filed a renewed motion for judgment as a matter of law and a motion for new trial
on October 20, 1997. The district court2 denied the motion for judgment as a matter
of law, but granted the motion for new trial and set aside the judgment. Webb appeals
the grant of a new trial, and Horace Mann cross-appeals the denial of its motion for
judgment as a matter of law. We dismiss the appeal for want of jurisdiction.
We have jurisdiction only over appeals from final orders. See 28 U.S.C. § 1291.
An order granting a new trial issued within the district court’s jurisdiction is not
appealable. See Peterman v. Chicago Rock Island and Pacific R.R. Co., 493 F.2d 88,
89 (8th Cir. 1974); General Motors Corp. v. Lord, 488 F.2d 1096, 1098-99 (8th Cir.
1973).
Webb argues that the district court was without jurisdiction to enter an order for
a new trial because Horace Mann submitted its post-trial motions more than ten days
after the judgment was entered. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 50(b), 59(b) (requiring that a
motion for new trial be filed no later than ten days after entry of judgment). Webb’s
1
The Honorable Roger L. Wollman became Chief Judge of the United States
Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit on April 24, 1999.
2
The Honorable Stephen M. Reasoner, United States District Judge for the
Eastern District of Arkansas.
-2-
argument, however, overlooks the fact that “[w]hen the period of time prescribed or
allowed is less than 11 days, intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays shall
be excluded in the computation.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 6(a). Thus, the motion for new trial
was timely filed and the district court acted within its jurisdiction in granting it.
When a district court denies a motion for judgment as a matter of law but grants
a motion for new trial, the order is not appealable. See 9A Charles Alan Wright &
Arthur R. Miller, Federal Practice and Procedure § 2540 (2d ed. 1994). In the absence
of an appealable order, “it necessarily follows that the entire case rests in the trial
court.” Gallon v. Lloyd-Thomas Co., 261 F.2d 26, 28 (8th Cir. 1958). Accordingly,
the cross-appeal must also be dismissed.
It is so ordered.
A true copy.
Attest:
CLERK, U.S. COURT OF APPEALS, EIGHTH CIRCUIT.
-3-