PITMAN, J.
Third-Party Defendant Paul Eikert appeals the trial court's rulings in favor of Plaintiff Deborah Beebe and Defendant Hollis Charles Larche. For the following reasons, we affirm.
On December 4, 2003, Ms. Beebe filed a petition for damages in which she named Mr. Larche as the defendant.
On October 4, 2005, Mr. Larche filed an answer and third-party demand, stating that the lessee at the time of the alleged accident was Mr. Eikert and that their lease agreement required Mr. Eikert to hold Mr. Larche harmless from any damages or injuries occasioned by defects of the premises. Mr. Larche stated that he did everything reasonably within his power to keep the premises safe whenever called upon or whenever he had any notice of any problems. He pled the affirmative defenses of comparative negligence and assumption of the risk and contended that it was Mr. Eikert's responsibility to monitor and prevent defects on the premises. Mr. Larche made Mr. Eikert a third-party defendant and requested indemnification from him for any damages with which he might be assessed.
Regarding the third-party demand, a preliminary default against Mr. Eikert and in favor of Mr. Larche was granted on June 26, 2006. On March 27, 2007, the third-party demand came before the trial court for confirmation of the default judgment. Mr. Larche testified about the lease between himself and Mr. Eikert. An unsigned copy of the lease was entered into the record,
After several trial settings and continuances, Ms. Beebe and Mr. Larche proposed a consent judgment on August 22, 2014. Ms. Beebe was awarded $40,000 plus court costs. Pursuant to La. R.S. 9:3221,
On August 28, 2014, Mr. Eikert filed a motion to reconsider judgment on third-party demand, stating that he was never served with the third-party demand and alleging insufficient service. He further stated that although the sheriff's return purported to show personal service on "Paul Eikart" at "6988 United Street, Bastrop, LA 71220," there is no building with the address of "6988 United Street."
That same day, Mr. Eikert filed a motion for permission to intervene. He stated that, in response to her fall, Ms. Beebe filed a workers' compensation claim against him. He alleged that he has a lien on any amount recovered by Ms. Beebe in the current litigation for repayment of workers' compensation benefits paid to her.
Also on August 28, 2014, Mr. Eikert filed a motion for new trial regarding the consent judgment. He argued that the judgment cannot be considered a consent judgment because he is a party to the proceedings and did not consent to entry of the judgment.
On October 30, 2014, Mr. Larche filed an answer and exceptions of prescription and peremption. He alleged that Mr. Eikert was personally served and that his attempt to bring a nullity action against the consent judgment was subject to a prescriptive period of one year. He stated that Mr. Eikert's action both prescribed and perempted. On October 31, 2014, Ms. Beebe filed an answer and exceptions of prescription and peremption and raised
A hearing on Mr. Eikert's motions was held on November 18, 2014, wherein he stated that his motion to intervene was moot. On December 4, 2014, the trial court signed a judgment dismissing the motion to reconsider the 2007 judgment; finding that the motion to intervene is moot; and resetting the hearing on the motion for new trial.
On January 5, 2015, Mr. Eikert filed an exception of no cause or right of action. He argued that the third-party demand failed to set forth a cause or right of action in the absence of an indemnity agreement or of a direct action by Ms. Beebe against him.
On February 5, 2015, a hearing was held regarding the motion for new trial and the exception of no cause or right of action. On February 19, 2015, the trial court dismissed with prejudice the exception of no cause or right of action and also dismissed with prejudice the motion for new trial on the consent judgment and the exception of lack of jurisdiction.
Mr. Eikert filed a motion for a suspensive appeal on March 11, 2015. He sought review of all final and interlocutory judgments rendered against him in this matter, including, but not limited to, the August 2014 consent judgment; the February 2015 dismissals of the motion for new trial, the exception of lack of jurisdiction and the exception of no cause or right of action; the December 2015 judgment dismissing the motion to reconsider the 2007 judgment and finding the motion to intervene to be moot; and the March 2007 default judgment.
In his first assignment of error, Mr. Eikert argues that the trial court erred in denying his exception of no cause of action. He contends that neither Ms. Beebe nor Mr. Larche has a cause of action against him under the lease between himself and Mr. Larche because the indemnity provision is unenforceable. He states that no agreement may be interpreted to require indemnification for the contracting party's own negligence unless the agreement specifically provides for indemnification for negligence. He also states that the indemnity provision does not specifically require him to indemnify Mr. Larche for losses incurred due to Mr. Larche's own negligence. Mr. Eikert further contends that Ms. Beebe and Mr. Larche seek to use the indemnity provision to circumvent the Louisiana Workers' Compensation Act. He argues that workers' compensation provides an employer with a full defense against any tort claim asserted by the employee for an injury sustained in the course and scope of employment and that it provides Ms. Beebe with the exclusive remedy available for her injuries.
Mr. Larche and Ms. Beebe argue that prescription has run on Mr. Eikert's attempt to attack the 2007 judgment. Mr. Larche states that workers' compensation is not an issue in a third-party tort action and that there is no jurisdictional conflict in this case. He alleges that the consent judgment does not address the course and scope of employment and that it merely requires Mr. Eikert to honor the terms of the lease and hold him harmless for any alleged defects on the premises up to $40,000. Ms. Beebe argues that there is no Louisiana statute that prohibits the indemnification agreement between Mr. Eikert and Mr. Larche. She contends that Mr. Eikert voluntarily entered into the agreement and is, therefore, bound to honor his commitment.
La. R.S. 23:1032 provides employers immunity from civil suits brought by their employees and states, in part:
In his exception of no cause or right of action, Mr. Eikert argued that Mr. Larche's third-party demand and Ms. Beebe's motion for entry of consent judgment should be dismissed for failure to set forth a cause or right of action. In the third-party demand, Mr. Larche asserted his claim as lessor, not Ms. Beebe's claim as employee, against Mr. Eikert as lessee. The exclusive-remedy provision of La. R.S. 23:1032 does not strip Mr. Larche, a stranger to the employment relationship of Ms. Beebe and Mr. Eikert, of his contracted-for right to indemnity and, therefore, is not applicable to the third-party demand. See Brown v. Connecticut Gen. Life Ins. Co., 00-0229 (La.App. 4th Cir.3/7/01), 793 So.2d 211, writ denied, 01-2857 (La. 1/11/02), 807 So.2d 238, and Norfleet v. Jackson Brewing Mkt., Inc., 99-1949 (La. App. 4th Cir. 11/17/99), 748 So.2d 525. Mr. Larche and Ms. Beebe both had causes of action in this case; and, therefore, the trial court properly dismissed Mr. Eikert's exception of no cause or right of action.
Accordingly, this assignment of error lacks merit.
In his second assignment of error, Mr. Eikert argues that the trial court erred in entering the March 27, 2007 judgment, i.e., the default judgment. He asserts that the default judgment is an interlocutory judgment that is properly before this court on appeal. He contends that the judgment only addresses whether Mr. Larche has a right to enforce the indemnity agreement and that it does not address whether Ms. Beebe can enforce the agreement to recover her alleged losses. He notes that it also does not resolve the remaining issues of fault, causation, damages and the amount to be paid as indemnity.
Mr. Larche and Ms. Beebe argue that the 2007 judgment is a final, unappealable judgment. Mr. Larche contends that it did not dispose of preliminary matters, but, rather, concluded the entire case insofar as Mr. Larche's third-party demand against Mr. Eikert. Ms. Beebe argues that the judgment clearly recognized the validity of the indemnification lease, exonerated Mr. Larche from claims by Ms. Beebe and directed that Mr. Eikert bear any such damages that might be owed to her. She contends that Mr. Eikert failed to respond to any petitions, the third-party demand, discovery and notice of judgment, which effectively removed him from the lawsuit. She also argues that, as a final judgment, it can only be attacked for vices of form or substance.
La. C.C.P. art. 1841 states:
La. C.C.P. art. 1038 states:
The default judgment is a final judgment. The judgment cast Mr. Eikert for any and all damages and court costs that Mr. Larche may incur or sustain in this action by Ms. Beebe and also ordered Mr. Eikert to hold Mr. Larche harmless for any alleged defects or damages occasioned thereby.
As a final judgment, the default judgment can only be attacked collaterally by the grounds enumerated in La. C.C.P. arts. 2001, et seq. The nullity of a final judgment may be demanded for vices of either form or substance. La. C.C.P. art. 2001. La. C.C.P. art. 2002(A) states:
A final judgment shall be annulled if it is rendered:
La. C.C.P. art. 2003 adds:
A final judgment obtained by fraud or ill practices may be annulled, and an action to annul the judgment on these grounds must be brought within one year of the discovery by the plaintiff in the nullity action of the fraud or ill practices. La. C.C.P. art. 2004.
A review of the record demonstrates that Mr. Eikert was served with pleadings and judgments in this case, including personal service of the notice of judgment of the default in March 2007. Mr. Eikert chose not to participate in this case until August 2014. His acquiescence precludes him from any relief based on arguments of deficiencies of service. Mr. Eikert has not demonstrated that the 2007 judgment was obtained by fraud or ill practice. Further, any arguments of fraud or ill practice are untimely, as La. C.C.P. art. 2004 sets forth a one-year time period to bring such an action. Mr. Eikert was served in 2007 with notice of judgment, but did not file his motion to reconsider the judgment until 2014, which is not within the one-year time period.
Accordingly, this assignment of error lacks merit.
In his third assignment of error, Mr. Eikert argues that the trial court erred in entering the August 22, 2014 judgment, i.e., the consent judgment. He contends that the trial court attempted to adjudicate a matter that was within the exclusive jurisdiction of the workers' compensation court. He argues that, assuming the indemnity agreement is enforceable, there was not sufficient evidence to support a judgment against him under the indemnity agreement because there is no evidence that Mr. Larche incurred any loss. Mr. Eikert also alleges that the consent judgment is an invalid judgment due to procedural deficiencies, noting that the judgment was entered in chambers and ex
Mr. Larche and Ms. Beebe argue that the indemnification issue is in no way affected by Ms. Beebe's workers' compensation claim. They contend that an employee may seek workers' compensation and a civil tort suit. They argue that evidence was presented to support the judgment. Mr. Larche argues that the consent judgment does precisely what it purported to do, i.e., acknowledge the previous judgment's enforcement of the indemnity lease and set a cap on the amount Ms. Beebe could recover from Mr. Larche. Mr. Larche argues that, because Mr. Eikert judicially confessed that his motion to intervene was moot, he has no standing to attack any of the judgments. Both Mr. Larche and Ms. Beebe note that Mr. Eikert was personally served with a third-party demand and with the notice of judgment and that he failed to respond to these notices. Ms. Beebe argues that Mr. Eikert's attempt to link his attack on the default judgment to the consent judgment is precluded by prescription, peremption and acquiescence.
As discussed, supra, the indemnity provision is enforceable. The trial court had jurisdiction to adjudicate this matter because it does not fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the worker's compensation court.
In Martin Forest Products v. Grantadams, 616 So.2d 251 (La.App.2d Cir. 3/31/93), writ denied, 619 So.2d 580 (La.1993), this court discussed consent judgments and stated:
The consent judgment is a valid judgment. It does not suffer procedural deficiencies and is not void for lack of definiteness or internal contradictions. Mr. Eikert does not present any arguments that the consent judgment should be invalidated for unilateral error as to a fact.
Mr. Eikert's additional arguments regarding the consent judgment are attempts
Accordingly, this assignment of error lacks merit.
In his fourth assignment of error, Mr. Eikert argues that the trial court erred or abused its discretion in denying his motion for new trial. He contends that the trial court should have considered his attorney's affidavit or testimony in support of his motion.
Mr. Larche argues that this affidavit is inadmissible hearsay and is also prohibited by the Rules of Professionalism regarding an attorney acting as a material witness. Ms. Beebe argues that the affidavit was a self-serving affidavit by his attorney; and, therefore, it was properly excluded. She alleges that the affidavit contains hearsay and double hearsay and notes that the affiant was an officer of the court and made his argument.
La. C.C.P. art.1972 sets forth the peremptory grounds for granting a motion for new trial and states:
La. C.C.P. art. 1973 sets forth the discretionary grounds for granting a motion for new trial: "A new trial may be granted in any case if there is good ground therefor, except as otherwise provided by law." Although a trial judge has much discretion in determining if a new trial is warranted, an appellate court may set aside the ruling of the trial judge in a case of manifest abuse of that discretion. Johnson v. European Motors-Ali, 48,513 (La.App.2d Cir. 11/20/13), 129 So.3d 697, writ denied sub nom., Johnson v. European Motors-Ali, 13-2964 (La. 2/28/14), 134 So.3d 1178.
Mr. Eikert did not meet the peremptory or discretionary grounds for a new trial. The judgment does not appear clearly contrary to the law or evidence. The trial court did not abuse its discretion when refusing to consider Mr. Eikert's attorney's affidavit or testimony in support of his motion for new trial. The affidavit was inadmissible hearsay in that it was an out-of-court statement offered in evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted. La. C.E. art. 801(C); La. C.E. art. 802.
Accordingly, this assignment of error lacks merit.
For the foregoing reasons, the trial court's rulings in favor of Plaintiff Deborah Beebe and Defendant Hollis Charles Larche and against Third-Party Defendant Paul Eikert are affirmed. Costs of this appeal are assessed to Paul Eikert.
APPLICATION FOR REHEARING Before CARAWAY, DREW, LOLLEY, PITMAN, and CALLOWAY, JJ.
Rehearing denied.
CARAWAY, J., would grant rehearing.