Sonnier v. Liberty Mutual Insurance

Supervisory writs were granted to review the narrow question: May a trial court deny ex parte a motion for new trial ? We find that it can.

After a five-day trial of this personal injury suit, the jury rendered a verdict against plaintiff. Pursuant thereto, the trial court signed final judgment dismissing plaintiff’s claim.

Plaintiff timely filed the motion for a new trial alleging as errors the jury’s failure to carry out instructions as to the law given by the court and also the failure of some jurors to make fair and full disclosure upon voir dire examination.

The trial court summarily denied…