ÿWPC‹ “Öñ ’L„RG„C[û4ôòªðЧóíÝ1H¤èÈ¢sO$e9ö}¶Ò·À2)éó«J I7ÞLçQîúR'wÄðk`|úžÿ{I‡Üc}~P¤K[ ëËl˜ õMí]é‘A¨mŽëÙWÛ/G*Ã^Ä`¬U(¼uvoÙ ó#SðÏp¥ÂÄ—ä ³×BDCRÉïxä–á—,ExwgE8V£Ž¢½±Ÿ¸¦¹.ŸUû³þ_èÛ½£CeÙæ‘w¾s.ï6æ¯bE‘mº´xfÿk„÷P§Í>p-W¸iÔ”,É©3Þëµã@ûR¾EL÷0àŠb %\^ b 0ˆnUNöwD4H\ zkÒå· m¹ #ÉÐ 2™ ÆË Æ‘ÆWÆSãN6 0D88E||||||||||||||||||||||||b~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 0놆†† Bqq 0¤Ž D52 D-g 0K”” AS߯2 0¤ø 0Dœ A«à» xt/Ï (`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular=ƒ.ê:i¢×+003|x ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ˜\\IB01S08\KNOXCLERK4ÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0  M.J.PellissippiPSTCC i]t CBLCowdenSovranDownenMcCarley OmerCarvell Regs CRPT.C.A. TRCPmisdiagnosedCavnarLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 IÝ ƒRƒb$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôæEò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ô€While€this€case€was€on€appeal,€Plaintiff€filed€a€Motion€for€Consideration€of€Post„Judgment€Facts.€€In€light€ofÐ ° Ðour€resolution€of€this€appeal,€Plaintiffððs€motion€is€denied€as€moot.(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  Úóó- ù-(|G2ƒb$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Gm»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôæEò»»Ô d(|3y$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Gm»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV)ÿÿ!dxdx)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3y$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Gm»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€Gm»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼Gm»»»ÔÑ8€¡XXdì»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡î@<GmÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@WW$ìàAT€KNOXVILLEÔ#†¼Gm»îî@< #ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓOctober€17,€2003€SessionÐ üL ÐÔ‡X¡X»¼GmÔÌò òÔ#†¼Gm»XX¡õ#ÔMYRA€PATE€v.€STATE€OF€TENNESSEEÔ‡X¡X»¼GmÔó óÐ úJ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òÔ#†¼Gm»XX¡Z#ÔÔ€X¡X»¼GmÔAppeal€from€the€Claims€Commission€of€the€State€of€TennesseeÐ ú J Ðà@@øøìàNo.€20101368€€€€€€Vance€W.€Cheek,€Jr.,€CommissionerÐ æ 6 ÐÌFILED€NOVEMBER€20,€Ô_Ô2003Ô_ÔÐ ¾   Ðà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<©` AßÐ ªú  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€E2003„00297„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CVÐ ¥õ  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<|` Aßó óÐ }Í  ÐÓ  ÓÌÌMyra€Pate€(ð ðPlaintiffðð)€filed€a€claim€with€the€Tennessee€Division€of€Claims€Administration€after€sheÐ d´ Ðslipped€and€fell€on€her€way€to€class€at€Pellissippi€State€Technical€Community€College€(ð ðPSTCCðð).€Ð P  ÐWhen€her€claim€was€denied,€Plaintiff€filed€a€complaint€in€the€Tennessee€Claims€CommissionÐ <Œ Ð(ð ðCommissionðð)€against€the€State€of€Tennessee€(ð ðthe€Stateðð).€€The€State€filed€a€motion€for€summaryÐ (x Ðjudgment€claiming€Plaintiff€had€filed€for€Chapter€13€bankruptcy€and€failed€to€disclose€the€existenceÐ d Ðof€her€claim€against€the€State.€€The€State€argued€Plaintiff€was€judicially€Ô_ÔestoppedÔ_Ô€from€pursuing€thisÐ P Ðlawsuit€and€also€that€she€lacked€standing.€€When€Plaintiff€failed€to€file€a€timely€response€to€theÐ ì< Ðmotion€for€summary€judgment,€the€Commission€granted€the€motion€solely€because€no€response€hadÐ Ø( Ðbeen€filed.€€Plaintiff€appeals.€€We€vacate€the€grant€of€summary€judgment€and€remand€for€furtherÐ Ä Ðproceedings.Ð ° ЀÌÌà@œ œ ìàò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€ˆÐ tÄ Ðà@  ìàClaims€Commission€Vacated;€Case€Remanded.€ˆÐ `° Ðó óÌòòÌD.€Michael€Ô_ÔSwineyÔ_Ô,€J.,€óódelivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòHerschel€P.€Franks,€J.,óó€andÐ $"t! ÐòòCharles€D.€Susano,€Jr.,€J.óó,€joined.Ð #`" ÐÌÌM.J.€Hoover,€III,€Knoxville,€Tennessee,€for€the€Appellant€Myra€Pate.Ð Ô%$!% ÐÌÌPaul€G.€Summers,€Attorney€General€and€Reporter,€Michael€E.€Moore,€Solicitor€General,€and€HeatherÐ ˜(è#( ÐC.€Ross,€Senior€Counsel,€Nashville,€Tennessee,€for€the€Appellee€State€of€Tennessee.Ð „)Ô$) ÐÌÐ  \+¬&+ý ÐÔ_Ôà@66'ìàò òOPINIONˆÐ ° ÐÌà@ÛÛ%ìàòòBackgroundó óóóˆÐ ˆØ ÐÌà  àà ` àThis€is€a€slip€and€fall€case€brought€by€Plaintiff€who€alleges€that€on€April€4,€2000,€sheÐ `° Ðwas€on€her€way€to€class€at€PSTCC€when€she€tripped€and€fell€on€the€pavement.€€According€toÐ L œ ÐPlaintiff,€there€was€a€gap€in€the€pavement€measuring€1€to€1€ðð€inches€as€well€as€a€metal€bar€ð ðwhichÐ 8 ˆ Ðstuck€out€above€the€pavementðð€causing€her€to€fall,€resulting€in€a€three€part€proximal€humerus€fractureÐ $ t Ðto€her€left€shoulder.€€Plaintiff€claims€the€State€was€negligent€by€not€correcting€the€defective€pavementÐ  ` Ðand€in€allowing€such€a€hazardous€condition€to€exist.€€Plaintiff€sought€$300,000€in€damages€for€herÐ ü L  Ðphysical€injuries€and€lost€wages.€Ð è 8  ÐÌà  àà ` àIn€its€answer€to€the€complaint,€the€State€generally€denied€any€liability€to€Plaintiff€andÐ À  Ðfurther€denied€any€hazardous€condition€existed.€€The€State€also€denied€the€existence€of€any€act€orÐ ¬ü  Ðomission€on€the€part€of€a€State€employee€which€resulted€in€Plaintiffððs€injuries.€€The€State€also€allegedÐ ˜è  ÐPlaintiffððs€claim€was€barred€under€comparative€fault€principles€because€Plaintiffððs€negligence€in€notÐ „Ô  Ðwatching€where€she€was€walking€was€greater€than€any€claimed€negligence€by€the€State.€Ð pÀ ÐÌà  àà ` àOn€October€31,€2002,€the€State€filed€a€motion€for€summary€judgment€claimingÐ H˜ ÐPlaintiff€was€judicially€estopped€from€maintaining€this€lawsuit€because€she€failed€to€disclose€theÐ 4„ Ðexistence€of€this€claim€in€her€petition€for€Chapter€13€bankruptcy.€€The€State€also€claimed€thatÐ  p ÐPlaintiff€was€no€longer€the€real€party€in€interest€and€lacked€standing€to€proceed€with€the€present€caseÐ  \ Ðbecause€she€had€filed€for€Chapter€13€bankruptcy.€€In€support€of€its€motion,€the€State€attachedÐ øH Ðportions€of€Plaintiffððs€deposition€wherein€she€admitted€contemplating€legal€action€against€the€StateÐ ä4 Ðwithin€one€week€of€the€accident.€€Plaintiff€filled€out€a€ð ðClaim€for€Damagesðð€on€December€6,€2000,Ð Ð  Ðand€filed€this€claim€with€the€Division€of€Claims€Administration€on€March€13,€2001.€€Plaintiff€alsoÐ ¼  Ðacknowledged€in€her€deposition€that€she€made€a€demand€upon€the€State€to€settle€the€claim€in€MarchÐ ¨ø Ðof€2001.€€On€May€3,€2001,€Plaintiff€filed€for€Chapter€13€bankruptcy.€€When€her€personal€injury€claimÐ ”ä Ðwas€denied€by€the€Division€of€Claims€Administration,€Plaintiff€filed€the€present€complaint€with€theÐ €Ð ÐClaims€Commission€on€November€19,€2001.€€Plaintiff€admitted€in€her€deposition€that€she€did€notÐ l¼ Ðdisclose€the€present€lawsuit€or€claim€as€an€asset€in€her€bankruptcy€petition€and€she€did€not€informÐ X ¨ Ðher€bankruptcy€attorney€or€the€United€States€Bankruptcy€Court€about€this€lawsuit.€€Plaintiff€claimedÐ D!” Ðshe€did€not€disclose€the€present€lawsuit€because€the€complaint€was€not€filed€until€after€she€hadÐ 0"€  Ðalready€filed€for€bankruptcy.€€She€did€not€consider€the€present€claim€an€ð ðassetðð€because€she€had€notÐ #l! Ðyet€received€any€money.€€According€to€Plaintiff,€ð ð[i]t€doesnððt€become€an€asset€to€me€until€you€getÐ $X" Ðsome€money.€€Money€is€an€asset€and€nothing€is€nothing.ðð€€Ð ô$D # ÐÌà  àà ` àOn€December€16,€2002,€the€Commission€entered€an€Order€of€Dismissal.€€In€pertinentÐ Ì&"% Ðpart,€the€Order€of€Dismissal€provides:Ð ¸'#& ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThis€claim€was€appealed€to€the€Tennessee€ClaimsÐ )à$( ÐCommission€from€denial€of€the€Division€of€Claims€Administration€onÐ |*Ì%) ÐSeptember€10,€2001.€€By€letter€dated€September€21,€2001,€theÐ h+¸&* ÐCommission€advised€counsel€for€the€Claimant€that€the€ò òòòRules€of€CivilÐ ° ÐProcedureó óóó€and€the€ò òòòRules€of€Evidenceó óóó€of€the€State€of€Tennessee€wereÐ  ð Ðapplicable€to€Claims€Commission€procedure€and€that€the€ò òòòTennesseeÐ à ÐClaims€Commission€Rulesó óóó€complemented€the€ò òòòRules€of€CivilÐ €Ð ÐProcedureóóó ó.€€Counsel€for€the€Claimant€filed€a€formal€Complaint€onÐ pÀ ÐNovember€19,€2001.€€The€State€filed€its€Answer€on€February€14,Ð ` ° Ð2002,€following€an€extension€of€time€granted€by€the€CommissionÐ L œ Ðwithin€which€to€do€so.€€Ð8 ˆ` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àOn€October€31,€2002,€the€State€filed€a€Motion€for€SummaryÐ  `  ÐJudgment,€Memorandum€in€Support€of€Motion,€and€Statement€ofÐ ü L  ÐUndisputed€Facts€on€Behalf€of€the€State€of€Tennessee.€€A€response€toÐ è8  Ðthe€Stateððs€Motion€was€due€no€later€than€December€2,€2002.€€AÐ Ô$  Ðresponse€to€the€Stateððs€Motion€has€not€been€filed€as€of€the€date€of€thisÐ À  ÐOrder.Ьü ` x` x ÐÌà@ÙÙ'ìà*€*€*€*ˆÐ „Ô ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThe€issue€before€the€Commission€is€whether€the€Defendant€isÐ \¬ Ðentitled€to€dismissal€of€this€claim€for€failure€to€respond€to€the€StateððsÐ H˜ ÐMotion€for€Summary€Judgment?Ð4„` x` x ÐÌÌThe€Commission€concluded€that€the€State€was€entitled€to€dismissal€of€the€claim€because€no€responseÐ øH Ðto€the€motion€for€summary€judgment€had€been€filed.€€In€reaching€its€conclusion,€the€CommissionÐ ä4 Ðrelied€on€Tennessee€Claims€Commission€Rule€No.€0310„1„1„.05(5)(c)€which€provides,€among€otherÐ Ð  Ðthings,€that€the€failure€to€file€a€response€to€a€motion€shall€indicate€that€there€is€no€opposition€to€theÐ ¼  Ðmotion.Ð ¨ø ÐÌà  àà ` àAfter€her€claim€was€dismissed,€Plaintiff€filed€a€motion€to€reconsider€and€laterÐ €Ð Ðinformed€the€Commission€that€she€would€be€filing€a€response€to€the€motion€for€summary€judgmentÐ l ¼ Ðby€January€10,€2003.€€The€Commission€denied€the€motion€to€reconsider€and€entered€an€OrderÐ X!¨ Ðreaffirming€its€dismissal€of€the€claim.€€The€Commission€noted€in€this€Order€that€Plaintiff€stated€sheÐ D"”  Ðwould€be€filing€a€response€to€the€Stateððs€motion€for€summary€judgment€no€later€than€January€10,Ð 0#€! Ð2003.€€The€Commission€then€observed€that€as€of€January€22,€2003,€the€date€on€which€theÐ $l" ÐCommission€reaffirmed€its€dismissal,€Plaintiff€still€had€filed€no€response.€€Ð %X # ÐÌà  àà ` àPlaintiff€appeals€raising€several€issues.€€First,€Plaintiff€claims€the€Stateððs€motion€forÐ à&0"% Ðsummary€judgment€did€not€meet€the€ð ðstringent€standardsðð€of€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€56€and,€therefore,Ð Ì'#& Ðshould€not€have€been€granted.€€Plaintiff€also€claims€she€is€not€judicially€estopped€from€pursuing€theÐ ¸($' Ðpresent€claim€even€though€she€did€not€disclose€the€claim€in€her€Chapter€13€bankruptcy.€€In€her€thirdÐ ¤)ô$( Ðissue,€Plaintiff€claims€she€is€the€ð ðreal€party€in€interestðð€and€has€standing€to€pursue€this€claim.€Ð *à%) ÐFinally,€Plaintiff€claims€the€Commission€erred€in€denying€her€motion€to€reconsider.€€The€State,Ð |+Ì&* Ðobviously,€contends€the€grant€of€summary€judgment€was€appropriate,€as€was€the€denial€of€PlaintiffððsÐ ° Ðmotion€to€reconsider.€€Ð œì ÐÌà@))%ìàò òòòDiscussionó óóóˆÐ tÄ ÐÌà  àà ` àInitially,€we€will€discuss€whether€the€Commission€erred€when€it€granted€the€StateððsÐ L œ Ðmotion€for€summary€judgment€solely€because€Plaintiff€failed€to€file€a€timely€response.€€The€standardÐ 8 ˆ Ðfor€review€of€a€motion€for€summary€judgment€is€set€forth€in€òòStaples€v.€CBL€&€Associates,€Inc.óó,€15Ð $ t ÐS.W.3d€83€(Tenn.€2000):Ð  ` ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThe€standards€governing€an€appellate€courtððs€review€of€aÐ è 8  Ðmotion€for€summary€judgment€are€well€settled.€€Since€our€inquiryÐ Ô$  Ðinvolves€purely€a€question€of€law,€no€presumption€of€correctnessÐ À  Ðattaches€to€the€lower€courtððs€judgment,€and€our€task€is€confined€toÐ ¬ü  Ðreviewing€the€record€to€determine€whether€the€requirements€of€Tenn.Ð ˜è  ÐR.€Civ.€P.€56€have€been€met.€€òòSee€Hunter€v.€Brownóó,€955€S.W.2d€49,Ð „Ô  Ð50„51€(Tenn.€1997);€òòCowden€v.€Sovran€Bank/Central€Southóó,€816Ð pÀ ÐS.W.2d€741,€744€(Tenn.€1991).€€Tennessee€Rule€of€Civil€ProcedureÐ \¬ Ð56.04€provides€that€summary€judgment€is€appropriate€where:€(1)€thereÐ H˜ Ðis€no€genuine€issue€with€regard€to€the€material€facts€relevant€to€theÐ 4„ Ðclaim€or€defense€contained€in€the€motion,€òòsee€Byrd€v.€Hallóó,€847Ð  p ÐS.W.2d€208,€210€(Tenn.€1993);€and€(2)€the€moving€party€is€entitledÐ  \ Ðto€a€judgment€as€a€matter€of€law€on€the€undisputed€facts.€€òòSeeÐ øH ÐAnderson€v.€Standard€Register€Co.óó,€857€S.W.2d€555,€559€(Tenn.Ð ä4 Ð1993).€€The€moving€party€has€the€burden€of€proving€that€its€motionÐ Ð  Ðsatisfies€these€requirements.€€òòSee€Downen€v.€Allstate€Ins.€Co.óó,€811Ð ¼  ÐS.W.2d€523,€524€(Tenn.€1991).€€When€the€party€seeking€summaryÐ ¨ø Ðjudgment€makes€a€properly€supported€motion,€the€burden€shifts€to€theÐ ”ä Ðnonmoving€party€to€set€forth€specific€facts€establishing€the€existenceÐ €Ð Ðof€disputed,€material€facts€which€must€be€resolved€by€the€trier€of€fact.€Ð l¼ ÐòòSee€Byrd€v.€Hallóó,€847€S.W.2d€at€215.ÐX ¨` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àTo€properly€support€its€motion,€the€moving€party€must€eitherÐ 0"€  Ðaffirmatively€negate€an€essential€element€of€the€non„moving€partyððsÐ #l! Ðclaim€or€conclusively€establish€an€affirmative€defense.€€òòSee€McCarleyÐ $X" Ðv.€West€Quality€Food€Serv.óó,€960€S.W.2d€585,€588€(Tenn.€1998);Ð ô$D # ÐòòRobinson€v.€Omeróó,€952€S.W.2d€423,€426€(Tenn.€1997).€€If€the€movingÐ à%0!$ Ðparty€fails€to€negate€a€claimed€basis€for€the€suit,€the€non„movingÐ Ì&"% Ðpartyððs€burden€to€produce€evidence€establishing€the€existence€of€aÐ ¸'#& Ðgenuine€issue€for€trial€is€not€triggered€and€the€motion€for€summaryÐ ¤(ô#' Ðjudgment€must€fail.€€òòSee€McCarley€v.€West€Quality€Food€Serv.óó,€960Ð )à$( ÐS.W.2d€at€588;€òòRobinson€v.€Omeróó,€952€S.W.2d€at€426.€€If€the€movingÐ |*Ì%) Ðparty€successfully€negates€a€claimed€basis€for€the€action,€the€non„Ð h+¸&* Ðmoving€party€may€not€simply€rest€upon€the€pleadings,€but€must€offerÐ ° Ðproof€to€establish€the€existence€of€the€essential€elements€of€the€claim.Мì` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThe€standards€governing€the€assessment€of€evidence€in€theÐ tÄ Ðsummary€judgment€context€are€also€well€established.€€Courts€mustÐ `° Ðview€the€evidence€in€the€light€most€favorable€to€the€nonmoving€partyÐ L œ Ðand€must€also€draw€all€reasonable€inferences€in€the€nonmovingÐ 8 ˆ Ðpartyððs€favor.€€òòSee€Robinson€v.€Omeróó,€952€S.W.2d€at€426;€òòByrd€v.Ð $ t ÐHallóó,€847€S.W.2d€at€210„11.€€Courts€should€grant€a€summaryÐ  ` Ðjudgment€only€when€both€the€facts€and€the€inferences€to€be€drawnÐ ü L  Ðfrom€the€facts€permit€a€reasonable€person€to€reach€only€oneÐ è 8  Ðconclusion.€€òòSee€McCall€v.€Wilderóó,€913€S.W.2d€150,€153€(Tenn.Ð Ô$  Ð1995);€òòCarvell€v.€Bottomsóó,€900€S.W.2d€23,€26€(Tenn.€1995).ÐÀ ` x` x ÐÌòòStaplesóó,€15€S.W.3d€at€88„89.€A€fact€is€ð ðmaterialðð€for€summary€judgment€purposes,€if€it€ð ðmust€beÐ ˜è  Ðdecided€in€order€to€resolve€the€substantive€claim€or€defense€at€which€the€motion€is€directed.ðð€€òòLutherÐ „Ô  Ðv.€Comptonóó,€5€S.W.3d€635,€639€(Tenn.€1999)(quoting€òòByrd€v.€Hallóó,€847€S.W.2d€at€211).Ð pÀ ÐÌà  àà ` àAs€relevant€to€this€appeal,€Tenn.€Code.€Ann.€ðð€9„8„403(a)(1)€provides€thatÐ H˜ Ðproceedings€in€the€Commission€ð ðshall€be€conducted€pursuant€to€rules€of€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€CivilÐ 4„ ÐProcedure€where€applicable€and€otherwise€pursuant€to€rules€and€regulations€promulgated€by€theÐ  p Ðcommission.ðð€€In€accordance€with€this€statutory€provision,€the€Commission€has€developed€Rules€ofÐ  \ ÐProcedure€found€at€Tenn.€Comp.€R.€&€Regs.€0310„1„1.€€The€Commissionððs€Rules€of€ProcedureÐ øH Ð(hereafter€ð ðCommission€Rulesðð)€begin€as€follows:Ð ä4 ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àò ò0310„1„1„.01€APPLICABILITY€OF€TENNESSEE€RULES€OFÐ ¼  ÐCIVIL€PROCEDURE€AND€CORRELATION€WITHòò€T.C.A.Ð ¨ø Ððð9-8-403(a)(1)óó.ó ó€€Proceedings€before€the€Tennessee€ClaimsÐ ”ä ÐCommission€shall€be€conducted€pursuant€to€the€Tennessee€Rules€ofÐ „Ô ÐCivil€Procedure€(TRCP)€and€subsequent€amendments€andÐ pÀ Ðinterpretations€where€applicable€except€where€specifically€modifiedÐ \ ¬ Ðby€these€rules.ð8ðÐH!˜` x` x ÐÌThe€Commission€Rules€then€modify€several€of€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Civil€Procedure,€although€theÐ  #p! Ðmajority€of€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Civil€Procedure€remain€intact.€€It€is€important€that€theÐ  $\" ÐCommission€Rules€do€not€modify€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€56€and,€therefore,€Rule€56€applies€to€claimsÐ ø$H # Ðbefore€the€Commission€in€the€same€manner€as€it€would€to€a€claim€brought€in€a€chancery€or€circuitÐ ä%4!$ Ðcourt.€Ð Ð& "% ÐÌà  àà ` àIn€the€present€case,€the€language€relied€upon€by€the€Commission€when€granting€theÐ ¨(ø#' ÐStateððs€motion€for€summary€judgment€solely€because€Plaintiff€did€not€file€a€response€is€found€inÐ ”)ä$( ÐCommission€Rule€0310„1„1„.01(5)(c).€€In€relevant€part,€this€Commission€Rule€modifies€Tenn.€R.Ð €*Ð%) ÐCiv.€P.€7.02€as€follows:€€Ð l+¼&* Їà8  àà8` Ð Ð àTRCP€Rule€7.02€is€followed€in€its€entirety€and€the€following€languageÐ ° Ðis€also€added:Мì` x` x ÐÌà@ÙÙ'ìà*€*€*€*ˆÐ tÄ ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð à(c)à0¸ ` x` xàEach€party€opposing€a€motion€shall€serve€and€file€a€responseÐ L œ Ðno€later€than€fifteen€(15)€days€after€service€of€the€motion,Ð 8 ˆ Ðexcept€that€in€case€of€motions€for€summary€judgment€the€timeÐ $ t Ðshall€be€thirty€(30)€days€after€service€of€the€motion.€€FailureÐ  ` Ðto€file€a€response€shall€indicate€that€there€is€no€opposition€toÐ ü L  Ðthe€motion.€€Provided,€however,€the€Commission€may€act€onÐ è 8  Ðthe€motion€prior€to€the€times€set€forth.ð8ðÐÔ$ ¸ x¸ x ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€State€argues€that€the€Commission€acted€properly€by€granting€the€motion€forÐ ¬ü  Ðsummary€judgment€solely€because€Plaintiff€failed€to€respond.€€The€State€relies€heavily€on€òòCavnarÐ ˜è  Ðv.€Stateóó,€No.€M2002„00609„COA„R3„CV,€2003€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€151€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Feb.€26,Ð „Ô  Ð2003),€òòno€appl.€perm€appeal€filedóó.€€In€òòCavnaróó,€the€plaintiff€filed€his€claim€against€the€State€allegingÐ pÀ Ðhe€was€misdiagnosed€at€Middle€Tennessee€Mental€Health€Institute€and€the€staff€at€that€facility€hadÐ \¬ Ðsubjected€him€to€mental€abuse€and€torture.€€The€State€filed€a€motion€to€dismiss€claiming€theÐ H˜ ÐCommission€lacked€subject€matter€jurisdiction€and€that€the€plaintiff€failed€to€state€a€claim€uponÐ 4„ Ðwhich€relief€could€be€granted.€€òòIdóó.€at€*€3.€€The€Commission€dismissed€the€complaint€because€theÐ  p Ðplaintiff€failed€to€file€a€timely€response€to€the€motion€to€dismiss€and€because€it€lacked€jurisdictionÐ  \ Ðover€some€of€the€claims.€€òòIdóó.€at€**€4„6.€€As€pertinent€to€this€appeal,€the€òòCavnaróó€Court€stated:Ð øH ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€9-8-403(a)(1)(Supp.€2002)€provides€thatÐ Ð  Ðmatters€such€as€Mr.€Cavnar's€suit€shall€be€conducted€under€theÐ ¼  ÐTennessee€Rules€of€Civil€Procedure€where€applicable,€and€otherwiseÐ ¨ø Ðthey€shall€be€conducted€in€accordance€with€the€Commission's€rulesÐ ”ä Ðand€regulations.€€Tenn.€Comp.€R.€&€Regs.€0310-1-1-.01(5)(c)€(2001)Ð €Ð Ðrequires€parties€opposing€a€motion€before€the€Commission,€other€thanÐ l¼ Ða€summary€judgment€motion,€to€file€and€serve€a€response€to€theÐ X ¨ Ðmotion€no€later€than€fifteen€days€from€service€of€the€motion.€€UnderÐ D!” Ðthe€Commission's€rule,€"failure€to€file€a€response€shall€indicate€thatÐ 0"€  Ðthere€is€no€opposition€to€the€motion."€€Where€an€opponent€to€a€motionÐ #l! Ðfails€to€respond,€the€Commission€may€permissibly€grant€the€motionÐ $X" Ðon€its€merits,€if€to€do€so€appears€otherwise€appropriate.€€This€courtÐ ô$D # Ðreviews€the€Commission's€decision€to€dismiss€a€claim€using€the€abuseÐ à%0!$ Ðof€discretion€standard.€€òòTuck€v.€Stateóó,€1996€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€354,Ð Ì&"% ÐNo.€03€A01-9510-BC-00355,€1996€WL€310012€at€*3-4€(Tenn.€Ct.Ð ¸'#& ÐApp.€June€11,€1996)€(No€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed).Ф(ô#'` x` x ÐÌà8  àà8` Ð Ð àà ¸ àThe€Commission€dismissed€Mr.€Cavnar's€claim,€in€part,Ð |*Ì%) Ðbecause€he€did€not€file€a€timely€response€to€the€State's€motion€toÐ h+¸&* Ðdismiss.€€While€pro€se€litigants€are€entitled€to€fair€and€equal€treatmentÐ ° Ðas€they€pursue€litigation,€they€are€not€excused€from€complying€withÐ œì Ðapplicable€substantive€and€procedural€law.€€òòWhitaker€v.€WhirlpoolÐ ˆØ ÐCorp.óó,€32€S.W.3d€222,€227€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€2000);€òòIrvin€v.€City€ofÐ tÄ ÐClarksvilleóó,€767€S.W.2d€649,€652€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1988).€€TheÐ `° ÐCommission€allowed€Mr.€Cavnar€thirty€days€to€respond€to€the€State'sÐ L œ Ðmotion€-€fifteen€days€more€than€its€rule€required.€€To€the€extent€thatÐ 8 ˆ Ðthe€Commission€took€Mr.€Cavnar's€silence€as€indicating€that€he€didÐ $ t Ðnot€oppose€the€State's€motion€for€dismissal,€it€was€simply€applyingÐ  ` ÐTenn.€Comp.€R.€&€Regs.€0310-1-1-.01(5)(c)€according€to€its€expressÐ ü L  Ðlanguage.€€We€find€no€abuse€of€discretion€in€the€Commission'sÐ è 8  Ðenforcement€of€its€own€rule.ÐÔ$ ` x` x ÐÌòòCavnaróó,€2003€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€151,€at€**€4„6.€€The€Court€in€òòCavnaróó€then€specifically€noted€thatÐ ¬ü  Ðthe€plaintiffððs€failure€to€file€a€response€was€òònotóó€the€sole€basis€upon€which€the€complaint€wasÐ ˜è  Ðdismissed.€€òòIdóó.€at€*€6.€€The€Court€then€discussed€each€of€the€plaintiffððs€various€claims€and€concludedÐ „Ô  Ðdismissal€was€proper€either€because€the€Commission€lacked€subject€matter€jurisdiction€or€becauseÐ pÀ Ðthe€plaintiff€failed€to€state€a€claim€upon€which€relief€could€be€granted.€€In€other€words,€the€motionÐ \¬ Ðto€dismiss€would€have€been€proper€even€if€the€plaintiff€had€filed€a€timely€response,€and,€therefore,Ð H˜ Ðit€was€ð ðotherwise€appropriateðð€to€grant€the€motion€on€its€merits.€€òòIdóó€at€*5.Ð 4„ ÐÌà  àà ` àPursuant€to€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€56,€the€non„moving€partyððs€burden€to€produce€evidenceÐ  \ Ðestablishing€the€existence€of€a€genuine€issue€for€trial€is€not€triggered€unless€and€until€the€movingÐ øH Ðparty€either€affirmatively€negates€an€essential€element€of€the€non„moving€partyððs€claim€orÐ ä4 Ðconclusively€establishes€an€affirmative€defense.€€òòStaplesóó,€15€S.W.3d€at€88.€€In€other€words,€until€theÐ Ð  Ðmoving€party€affirmatively€negates€an€essential€element€of€the€non„moving€partyððs€claim€orÐ ¼  Ðconclusively€establishes€an€affirmative€defense,€the€non„moving€party€has€no€duty€to€respond.€€ItÐ ¨ø Ðnecessarily€follows€that€a€motion€for€summary€judgment€should€not€be€granted€solely€because€theÐ ”ä Ðnon„moving€party€failed€to€respond.€€This€is€so€because€there€first€must€be€a€determination€that€theÐ €Ð Ðmoving€party€met€her€burden€either€by€affirmatively€negating€an€essential€element€of€the€non„movingÐ l¼ Ðpartyððs€claim€or€conclusively€establishing€an€affirmative€defense€before€the€motion€can€be€granted.€Ð X ¨ ÐIf€the€moving€party€has€met€her€burden,€and€assuming€no€timely€response€has€been€filed€by€the€non„Ð D!” Ðmoving€party,€then€the€proper€manner€for€the€Commission€to€dispose€of€the€motion€for€summaryÐ 0"€  Ðjudgment€would€be€to€grant€the€motion€because€the€non„moving€party€failed€to€respond€and€it€isÐ #l! Ðotherwise€appropriate€under€Rule€56€to€grant€the€motion.€€€€Ð $X" ÐÌà  àà ` àTo€the€extent€Commission€Rule€0310„1„1„.01(5)(c)€authorizes€the€Commission€toÐ à%0!$ Ðgrant€a€motion€simply€because€the€other€side€has€not€responded€and€is€deemed€to€have€ð ðnoÐ Ì&"% Ðopposition€to€the€motion,ðð€this€Rule€is€not€dispositive€or€the€sole€consideration€as€to€a€motion€forÐ ¸'#& Ðsummary€judgment€under€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€56.€€As€noted€earlier,€the€Commission€Rules€do€notÐ ¤(ô#' Ðmodify€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€56,€and,€therefore,€all€the€elements€of€Rule€56€are€just€as€applicable€€beforeÐ )à$( Ðthe€Commission€as€before€a€trial€court.€€A€rule€that€a€motion€for€summary€judgment€can€be€grantedÐ |*Ì%) Ðsolely€because€the€non„moving€party€failed€to€respond€would€eviscerate€the€standards€set€forth€inÐ h+¸&* ÐòòStaplesóó,€òòsupraóó.€€For€example,€assume€the€State,€due€to€a€glaring€mathematical€error,€filed€a€motionÐ ° Ðfor€summary€judgment€believing€the€statute€of€limitations€had€expired€when€it€clearly€had€not.€Ð œì ÐFurther€assume€the€non„moving€party,€relying€on€the€holding€of€òòStaples,óó€did€not€respond€to€theÐ ˆØ Ðmotion€because€her€burden€to€produce€evidence€establishing€the€existence€of€a€genuine€issue€for€trialÐ tÄ Ðhad€not€been€triggered€because€the€State€had€failed€either€to€negate€an€essential€element€of€her€claimÐ `° Ðor€to€conclusively€establish€an€affirmative€defense.€€Under€the€Stateððs€interpretation€of€Rule€0310„1„Ð L œ Ð1„.01(5)(c),€the€claimantððs€lawsuit€would€be€dismissed€even€though€a€cursory€examination€of€theÐ 8 ˆ Ðmotion€by€the€Commission€would€show€the€State€was€not€ð ðentitled€to€a€judgment€as€a€matter€of€lawÐ $ t Ðon€the€undisputed€facts.ðð€€òòStaples,óó€15€S.W.3d€at€88.€€This€does€not€mean€that€failing€to€respond€toÐ  ` Ða€motion€for€summary€judgment€has€no€consequences.€€To€be€sure,€failing€to€respond€to€a€motionÐ ü L  Ðfor€summary€judgment€is€risky.€€If€the€moving€party€is€successful€in€affirmatively€negating€anÐ è 8  Ðessential€element€of€the€non„moving€partyððs€claim€or€conclusively€establishing€an€affirmativeÐ Ô$  Ðdefense,€the€non„moving€party€by€not€responding€misses€her€only€opportunity€to€establish€theÐ À  Ðexistence€of€a€genuine€issue€for€trial.€€Ð ¬ü  ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€result€we€reach€today€is€not€inconsistent€with€òòCavnaróó.€€In€òòCavnaróó,€because€theÐ „Ô  Ðdefendant€filed€a€motion€to€dismiss€and€not€a€motion€for€summary€judgment,€the€requirements€ofÐ pÀ ÐTenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€56€never€came€into€play.€€Furthermore,€the€Commission€in€that€case€did€not€dismissÐ \¬ Ðthe€complaint€solely€because€the€plaintiff€failed€to€respond€to€the€motion€to€dismiss.€€It€also€isÐ H˜ Ðimportant€that€the€òòCavnaróó€Court€held€that€when€ð ðan€opponent€to€a€motion€fails€to€respond,€theÐ 4„ ÐCommission€may€permissibly€grant€the€motion€on€its€merits,€òòif€to€do€so€appears€otherwiseÐ  p Ðappropriateóó.ðð€€òòCavnaróó,€2003€Tenn.€App.€LEXIS€151,€at€*€5€(emphasis€added).€€In€our€opinion,€underÐ  \ ÐTenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€56,€ð ðotherwise€appropriateðð€requires€more€than€just€that€the€non„moving€party€failedÐ øH Ðto€respond.€€The€Commission€still€must€determine€whether€or€not€it€is€ð ðotherwise€appropriateðð€byÐ ä4 Ðdeciding€whether€the€moving€party€met€the€necessary€elements€of€Rule€56€before€granting€summaryÐ Ð  Ðjudgment.€€Put€simply,€here€the€Commission€ignored€the€holding€of€òòCavnaróó€and€failed€to€considerÐ ¼  Ðwhether€it€was€or€was€not€ð ðotherwise€appropriateðð€to€grant€this€Rule€56€motion.€€Therefore,€we€holdÐ ¨ø Ðthe€Commission€erred€by€granting€the€State€summary€judgment€solely€because€Plaintiff€failed€to€fileÐ ”ä Ða€timely€response€to€the€motion€for€summary€judgment.€€Ð €Ð ÐÌà  àà ` àIn€the€present€case,€the€basis€for€the€Stateððs€motion€for€summary€judgment€is€twofold.€Ð X ¨ ÐFirst,€the€State€claims€that€because€Plaintiff€failed€to€inform€the€Bankruptcy€Court€of€the€existenceÐ D!” Ðof€the€present€claim,€she€is€judicially€estopped€from€pursuing€same.€€Second,€the€State€claims€thatÐ 0"€  Ðbecause€Plaintiff€has€filed€for€Chapter€13€bankruptcy,€she€no€longer€is€the€real€party€in€interest€andÐ #l! Ðlacks€standing.€€According€to€the€State,€the€Chapter€13€Trustee€alone€has€standing€to€prosecute€thisÐ $X" Ðcase€for€the€benefit€of€the€bankruptcy€estate.€€Prior€to€granting€the€Stateððs€motion€for€summaryÐ ô$D # Ðjudgment,€the€Commission€never€made€the€necessary€determination€as€to€whether€there€is€anyÐ à%0!$ Ðgenuine€issue€of€material€fact€and€whether€the€State€is€entitled€to€judgment€as€a€matter€of€law€on€theÐ Ì&"% Ðundisputed€facts.€€The€Commission€never€addressed€whether€the€State€was€entitled€to€summaryÐ ¸'#& Ðjudgment€on€either€or€both€of€these€grounds.€€This€is€a€determination€best€made€initially€by€theÐ ¤(ô#' Ðâ âCommission€rather€than€this€Court.€€We,€therefore,€vacate€the€grant€of€summary€judgment€andÐ )à$( Ðremand€this€case€to€the€Commission€to€make€this€required€determination.€€The€remaining€issues€areÐ ° Ðpretermitted.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ׀Рœì Ðâ âÌà@  %ìàò òòòConclusionó óóóˆÐ tÄ ÐÌà  àà ` àThe€judgment€of€the€Claims€Commission€is€vacated,€and€this€cause€is€remanded€toÐ L œ Ðthe€Commission€for€further€proceedings€as€are€necessary€consistent€with€this€Opinion.€€The€costs€onÐ 8 ˆ Ðappeal€are€assessed€against€the€Appellee€State€of€Tennessee.Ð $ t ÐÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à___________________________________€Ð pÀ Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àD.€MICHAEL€SWINEY,€JUDGEÐ \¬ Ð