Estes v. Millea, 464 N.W.2d 616 While collateral estoppel does not bar a cause of action, it does bar relitigation of an essential fact or issue involved in the earlier suit. This court has adopted a four-part test which must be met before the doctrine can be applied: (1) Was the issue decided in the prior adjudication identical with the one presented in the action in question? (2) Was there a final judgment on the merits? (3) Was the party against whom the plea is asserted a party or in privity with a party to the prior adjudication? (4) Did the party against whom the plea is asserted have a full and fair opportunity to litigate the issue in the prior adjudication