STATE EX REL. AUDRAIN HEALTHCARE, INC. v. Sutherland

Relators in these cases are defendants in tort lawsuits originally filed in Audrain County. The plaintiffs in those suits sought a change of venue of right under Rule 51.03 because Audrain County has a population of fewer than 75,000 inhabitants. 1 The relators contend that section 508.011 2 prohibits application of Rule 51.03. Under the facts of these cases, chapter 508 does not contradict Rule 51.03. The preliminary writs are quashed.

FACTS

In the Audrain Healthcare case, suit was filed alleging wrongful death from medical negligence. The parties agree that negligence, if any, first occurred…