A physician brought suit against a hospital for breach of contract, defamation and tortious interference with contractual relations. The suit was dismissed. The appellate court reinstated the tortious interference with contractual relations claim, and remanded that claim to the trial court. The Discovery took place over several years, and the return dates for motions were in November 2001, and the oral arguments were scheduled for December 2001. Following the events of September 11, 2001, the physician's counsel asked for an extension. The court denied the extension and granted the hospital's motion to dismiss. The appellate court found that the denial of an extension was an abuse of discretion, and denied the hospital's motion to dismiss.