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359 So. 2d 1070

Young v. Clement

Louisiana Court of Appeal

Decided May 24, 1978

Louisiana Court of Appeal · decided 1978-05-24

Cited by 3 later decisions — most recently October 1986

3 state decisions

Key passage — most relied on by later courts

“"The prescription issue was resolved on the basis of factual determinations by the trial court against the plaintiffs. There is a reasonable evidentiary basis in the record for the findings of the trial court and, therefore, there is no manifest error." 359 So.2d at 1071 .”

quoted by 1 later decision, including Young v. Clement

Relies on 28 So. 2d 469 - Martin v. Authement

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1978-05-24

View the full empirical analysis of this case →

WATSON, Judge.

¶1In this malpractice action, the dispositive issues are: (1) whether plaintiffs’ claims have prescribed; and (2) whether the trial judge erred in failing to grant a new trial.

¶2The prescription issue was resolved on the basis of factual determinations by the trial court against the plaintiffs. There is a reasonable evidentiary basis in the record for the findings of the trial court and, therefore, there is no manifest error.

¶3As to the denial of the motion for new trial, plaintiffs contend that the trial judge erred in failing to grant a new trial on the basis of three affidavits from persons who would give testimony tending to impeach the testimony of Dr. Richard J. Clement, one of the defendants. The trial judge in his reasons for denying the motion noted that not only did he entertain doubt that the evidence could not have been discovered either before or during trial, but also he thought that the “newly discovered” testimony was not relevant or material.

¶4The rule is that a new trial will not be granted for newly discovered evidence which is not material to the issues of the case and only has a tendency to discredit or impeach a witness. Martin v. Authement, 28 So.2d 469 (La.App. 1 Cir. 1947). The trial court did not err in denying the motion for new trial.

¶5For the reasons assigned, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed. Costs on appeal are taxed against plaintiffs.

¶6AFFIRMED.

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