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Rathburn v. Knight Transportation, Inc., 3:17-cv-00172-LRH-WGC. (2018)

Court: District Court, D. Nevada Number: infdco20181121e87 Visitors: 12
Filed: Nov. 20, 2018
Latest Update: Nov. 20, 2018
Summary: ORDER LARRY R. HICKS , District Judge . Before the court is plaintiffs Don Rathburn and Teresa Rathburn's Motion to Consolidate these two cases (ECF No. 26). Defendants Knight Transportation, Inc.; Knight Refrigerated, LLC; Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings, Inc.; and Carol Walker ("defendants") have opposed the Motion (ECF No. 29). Both cases arise from a single tractor trailer collision with two motorcyclists, Joseph Knaack and plaintiff Don Rathburn. Knaack died at the scene and Rathb
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ORDER

Before the court is plaintiffs Don Rathburn and Teresa Rathburn's Motion to Consolidate these two cases (ECF No. 26). Defendants Knight Transportation, Inc.; Knight Refrigerated, LLC; Knight-Swift Transportation Holdings, Inc.; and Carol Walker ("defendants") have opposed the Motion (ECF No. 29). Both cases arise from a single tractor trailer collision with two motorcyclists, Joseph Knaack and plaintiff Don Rathburn. Knaack died at the scene and Rathburn, although seriously injured, recovered. The Knaack action is therefore a wrongful death action and the Rathburn action is a personal injury action.

While this motion has been pending, defendants have stipulated to liability arising from the underlying collision in both cases, and the stipulations have been approved by order of the court (Rathburn ECF No. 42 and Knaack ECF No. 60). Although the two actions arise under similar facts related to liability, the fact is that the nature of the wrongful death action and the nature of the personal injury action are significantly different and there is a risk of prejudice arising from consolidating the two cases for trial. Additionally, the two cases are on different time tracks: discovery and all pending motions having been completed in Knaack, a pretrial order has been entered, and jury trial has been set for January 8, 2019. Conversely, discovery in the Rathburn action will not be completed until December 14, 2018, and motion and pretrial order deadlines have not yet expired.

Good cause appearing, plaintiffs' Motion to Consolidate ECF No. 26 is DENIED.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Source:  Leagle

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