Free Response in Opposition to Motion - District Court of Arizona - Arizona

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LAW OFFICES

William W. Drury, Jr., #005238 J. Gordon Cook, #000586 James W. Barnhouse, #013749 RENAUD COOK DRURY MESAROS, P.A. One North Central, Suite 900 Phoenix, Arizona 85004-4418 (602) 307-9900 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Attorneys for Defendants Correctional Health Resources, Inc., Kenneth Faiver, Rosemary Faiver and Joseph E. Rich, M.D. Paul G. Ulrich, No. 001838 Melinda K. Cekander, No. 012085 131 E. El Caminito Drive Phoenix, Arizona 85020-3503 (602) 248-9465 [email protected] [email protected] Co-Counsel for Defendants Correctional Health Resources, Inc., Kenneth Faiver, Rosemary Faiver and Joseph E. Rich, M.D. UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF ARIZONA RUBECCA MIKKELSEN, surviving spouse of Kelly Mikkelsen, deceased, individually and on behalf of MILES MIKKELSEN, JERRET MIKKELSEN and ALLISON MIKKELSEN, the minor children of Kelly Mikkelsen, deceased, and on behalf of DENNIS MIKKELSEN, natural father of Kelly Mikkelsen, deceased; and on behalf of TAYLOR R. FOX, a minor, by her next friend and natural mother, TRACY FOXTANGA, Plaintiff, v. CORRECTIONAL HEALTH RESOURCES, INC., a foreign corporation; KENNETH L. FAIVER and JANE DOE FAIVER, husband and wife; JOSEPH EDWARD RICH, M.D. and JANE DOE RICH, husband wife; DOES I through V, inclusive, Defendants. No. CIV 02-2252-PHX-JAT CORRECTIONAL HEALTH RESOURCES, INC., ET AL., SUPPLEMENTAL RESPONSE IN OPPOSITION TO PLAINTIFFS MIKKELSEN'S MOTION IN LIMINE NO. 7 TO PRECLUDE EVIDENCE OR ARGUMENT REGARDING THE ALLOCATION OF FAULT TO RUBECCA MIKKELSEN (Oral Argument Requested)

RENAUD COOK DRURY MESAROS
ONE NORTH CENTRAL SUITE 900 PHOENIX, AZ 85004 TELEPHONE 602-307-9900 FACSIMILE 602-307-5853

(Page 1, CIV 02-2252-PHX-JAT)

Case 2:02-cv-02252-JAT

1004.0604

Document 282

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LAW OFFICES

Defendants Correctional Health Resources, Inc., Kenneth and Rosemary Faiver, and Joseph Edward Rich, M.D., respectfully supplement their response in opposition to Plaintiffs Mikkelsen's Motion in Limine No. 7 to preclude evidence or argument regarding allocation of fault to Rubecca Mikkelsen as follows. Arizona Constitution Art. XVIII, § 5 requires that "[t]he defense of contributory negligence . . . shall, in all cases whatsoever, be a question of fact and shall, at all times, be left to the jury." This constitutional provision applies to comparative fault. See Estate of Reinen v. Northern

Arizona Orthopedics, Ltd., 198 Ariz. 283, 290, ¶ 23, 9 P.3d 314, 321 (2000). Accordingly, the jury here must determine which parties and nonparties are at fault. The jury cannot be deprived of that constitutional function in any case, much less a case where, as here, the allegation of Rubecca Mikkelsen's fault was expressly made one and one-half to two years prior to trial, and two and one-half months before the discovery cutoff. For this additional reason, Plaintiffs Mikkelsen's Motion in Limine No. 7 to preclude evidence or argument regarding the allocation of fault to Rubecca Mikkelsen should be denied. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED this 2nd day of November, 2005. RENAUD COOK DRURY MESAROS, PA By: s/ James W. Barnhouse William W. Drury, Jr. James W. Barnhouse Phelps Dodge Tower One North Central, Suite 900 Phoenix, AZ 85004-4418 Attorneys for Correctional Health Resources, Inc., Kenneth Faiver, Rosemary Faiver and Joseph E. Rich, M.D.

RENAUD COOK DRURY MESAROS
ONE NORTH CENTRAL SUITE 900 PHOENIX, AZ 85004 TELEPHONE 602-307-9900 FACSIMILE 602-307-5853

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1004.0604

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LAW OFFICES

PAUL G. ULRICH, PC

By: s/ Paul G. Ulrich Paul G. Ulrich Melinda K. Cekander 131 East El Caminito Drive Phoenix, Arizona 85020-3503 Attorneys for Correctional Health Resources, Inc., Kenneth Faiver, Rosemary Faiver and Joseph E. Rich, M.D. E-Filed with the U.S. District Court this 2nd day of November, 2005; and COPY of the foregoing delivered this 2nd day of November, 2005, to: Hon. James A. Teilborg U.S. District Court 401 West Washington Street Suite 523, SPC 51 Phoenix, Arizona 85003-0001

RENAUD COOK DRURY MESAROS
ONE NORTH CENTRAL SUITE 900 PHOENIX, AZ 85004 TELEPHONE 602-307-9900 FACSIMILE 602-307-5853

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1004.0604

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