Question

While traveling on a commercial bus line, a passenger was injured when some luggage fell on him. As required by applicable state law, the bus company's in-house attorney conducted an investigation and filed the required report with the state transportation department. The passenger subsequently filed a civil action against the bus company in federal district court, seeking compensatory damages for the injuries he suffered. During discovery, the passenger's lawyer served on the bus company a request for production of documents, including a request for the report that the bus company filed with the state. The bus company objected to the request for the report and refused to produce it on the grounds that the report was privileged and protected from discovery under the work product doctrine. It did, however, produce other documents that were requested. The passenger then filed a motion to compel production of the report. If the court finds that the bus company's claims of privilege and work product were not substantially justified, what orders must the court make relating to the passenger's request for production of the report

Answer 1

Answer: See explanation

Explanation:

In a situation whereby the attorney of the passenger tried resolving the dispute in good faith, then the bus company must be ordered by the court to produce the report as well as the payment of reasonable cost that was incurred in making the motion.

It should however be noted that such cost may not be awarded when the movant had filed the motion before obtaining the disclosure in good faith. Also, the cost with be given when the nondisclosure response of the opposing party was justified.