Deveneau v. Weilt ( 2014 )

Deveneau v. Weilt et. al., No. 321-9-12 Bncv (Wesley, J. Apr. 10, 2014).
[The text of this Vermont trial court opinion is unofficial. It has been reformatted from the original. The accuracy of the text and the
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STATE OF VERMONT
SUPERIOR COURT CIVIL DIVISION
Bennington Unit Docket No. 321-9-12 Bncv
William Deveneau vs. Susan Weilt & Brian Toomey
ENTRY REGARDING MOTION
Count 1, Personal Injury - Auto (321-9-12 Bncv)
Count 2, Personal Injury - Auto (321-9-12 Bncv)
Title: Motion to Compel Appearance of Defendant Toomey (Motion 6)
Motion to Extend Expert Witness Deadline (Motion 7)
Motion to Amend Scheduling Order (Motion 8)
Filer: William Deveneau
Attorney: Ronald F. Wright
Filed Date: February 19 and March 7, 2014
Response filed on 02/27/2014 and 03/14/2014 by Attorney Leo A. Bisson for Defendant Brian
Toomey
The motion to compel is DENIED and the motions to extend scheduling order are GRANTED.
Decision on Pending Discovery Motions
Plaintiff sues Defendants for negligence. According to the complaint, on November 7,
2009, Plaintiff was a Vermont State Trooper driving a police cruiser on Vermont Route 7A.
While driving the cruiser, Plaintiff struck a horse owned by Defendant Susan Weilt. Plaintiff
suffered injuries from the collision. Defendant Weilt leased the land on which she stored the
horse from Defendant Brian Toomey. Plaintiff argues Defendants were negligent for not taking
proper precautions to keep the horse confined. The Court now considers three discovery-
related motions.
Plaintiff’s Motion to Compel Appearance of Defendant Toomey
On February 19, 2014, Plaintiff filed a motion to compel Toomey’s appearance in
Vermont for a deposition. On February 27, 2014, Toomey opposed the motion. Toomey now
lives in Florida and has refused to appear in Vermont. Toomey’s opposition states he suffers
from Meniere’s disease, which causes him to experience vertigo and nausea when traveling by
air. Toomey offered to be available by video conference for a deposition. Alternatively, Toomey
seeks Plaintiff to share in his transportation costs.
Normally, a party noticing a deposition has the right to determine where the deposition
occurs. See V.R.C.P. 30(b)(1) (“The notice shall state the time and place for taking the
deposition…”). The Superior Court may order a deposition to occur by telephone. V.R.C.P.
30(b)(7). Vermont case law on allowing telephone depositions is limited. See Chester v.
Weingarten, No. 2751005, 2011 WL 10980777 (Vt. Super. Ct. May 13, 2011) (Morris, J.)
(mentioning telephone depositions).
Nevertheless, V.R.C.P. 30(b)(7) is similar to F.R.C.P. 30(b)(7). “The party opposing a
telephonic deposition bears the burden of demonstrating good cause why the deposition
should not be conducted by telephone.” Loughin v. Occidental Chem. Corp., 234 F.R.D. 75, 77
(E.D.Pa. 2005) (citing James Wm. Moore et al., Moore's Federal Practice § 30.24 (3d ed. 1999)).
Where a party seeks deposition of an out of state party, telephonic depositions are an
appropriate cost-saving measure. See Shockey v. Huhtamaki, Inc., 280 F.R.D. 598 (D. Kan. 2012).
In this case, Toomey’s offer to be available by telephone or video conference is
reasonable. Toomey lives in Florida and suffers from a condition that makes it difficult for him
to travel by air. Moreover, Toomey was the landlord of Wielt and it is unclear if he will have
extensive information. A deposition by video conference substantially addresses any claim by
Plaintiff as to the need to observe Toomey’s demeanor. The Court will not order Toomey to
appear in Bennington County for the deposition.
Plaintiff’s Motion to Extend Expert Witness Deadline and Amend ADR Stipulation
On March 7, 2014, Plaintiff moved to extend the expert witness deadline. The
scheduling order, dated May 8, 2013, required Plaintiffs to disclose expert witnesses by January
1, 2014. The case is set to be ready for trial by June 1, 2014. On March 14, 2014, Defendant
opposed the motion. Defendant noted V.R.C.P. 16.2 allows extension only for good cause.
Plaintiff responded on March 24, 2014.
The Court may extend a stipulated scheduling order “on motion and a showing of good
cause.” V.R.C.P. 16.2. Parties must be diligent in adhering to the scheduling order, but the
Court strives to avoid injustice. See id. The Court has discretion in allowing deviation from a
scheduling order. See Carpenter v. Cent. Vt. Med. Ctr., 170 Vt. 565, 568 (1999).
In this case, the parties have been unable to agree on the deposition of Toomey. While
the lack of agreement stems from Plaintiff’s rigid unwillingness to stipulate to a video
deposition, the Court cannot find grounds to deny the associated request to extend the
scheduling order. Accordingly, the Court will grant Plaintiff’s motions to extend the expert
witness deadline and amend the alternative dispute resolution.
In conclusion, the parties must work together to depose Toomey by telephone or video
conference by May 15, 2014. Plaintiff shall make expert disclosure by June 1. Defendant shall
make expert disclosure by July 1. Depositions of experts shall be concluded by August 1. Any
request for dispositive relief shall be filed by August 15. The case will be considered ready for
trial by September 1, 2014
WHEREFORE, it is hereby ORDERED :
The Court DENIES Plaintiff’s motion to compel appearance of Toomey. The Court
GRANTS Plaintiff’s motion to extend the deadline for disclosure of expert witnesses. The Court
GRANTS Plaintiff’s motion to amend ADR stipulation.
So ordered.
Electronically signed on April 09, 2014 at 04:13 PM pursuant to V.R.E.F. 7(d).
______________________________________
John P. Wesley
Superior Court Judge
Notifications:
Leo A. Bisson (ERN 2369), Attorney for Defendant Brian Toomey
Michael J. Gannon (ERN 3738), Attorney for Defendant Susan Weilt
Ronald F. Wright (ERN 5341), Attorney for Plaintiff William Deveneau
Neutral Mediator/Arbitrator/Evaluator James W. Spink
Kerby John Wright (ERN N/A), Attorney for party 1 Co-Counsel
wesley