Med Express v. Univ. of Colorado Denver , 2015 Ohio 144 ( 2015 )

[Cite as Med Express v. Univ. of Colorado Denver, 2015-Ohio-144.]
STATE OF OHIO ) IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
)ss: NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
COUNTY OF MEDINA )
MED EXPRESS C.A. No. 14CA0024-M
Appellee
v. APPEAL FROM JUDGMENT
ENTERED IN THE
UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER MEDINA MUNICIPAL COURT
COUNTY OF MEDINA, OHIO
Appellant CASE No. 13 CVI 00899
DECISION AND JOURNAL ENTRY
Dated: January 20, 2015
MOORE, Judge.
{¶1} Defendant, University of Colorado Denver (“the University”) appeals from the
judgment of the Medina Municipal Court. This Court vacates the decision of the trial court for
lack of personal jurisdiction over the University.
I.
{¶2} In 2013, Med Express, located in Valley City, Ohio, filed a small claims
complaint in the Medina Municipal Court against the University, located in Denver, Colorado.
In its complaint, Med Express alleged that it had sent, through insured delivery, a diagnostic unit
to the University. The unit arrived at the University in a damaged state. Med Express further
maintained that the University failed to fully notify Med Express about the extent of the
damages, and returned the unit to Med Express uninsured, making it impossible for Med Express
to make a claim for damages through the delivery company.
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{¶3} The University, through its attorney, David P. Temple, filed a motion to dismiss
for lack of personal jurisdiction. Included with the motion was an affidavit of the University’s
faculty member Michelle Kerklo. Because Mr. Temple was not admitted to practice law in the
State of Ohio, the magistrate issued an order striking the motion to dismiss. However, in the
order striking the motion to dismiss, the magistrate stated that the court would consider Ms.
Kerklo’s affidavit prior to issuing a decision.
{¶4} A trial to the magistrate was later held, at which the University did not appear.
The president of Med Express, Richard Radley, appeared at the trial and testified. Mr. Radley
maintained that the University had contacted him because it was interested in purchasing a
diagnostic unit that Med Express had listed on an internet website. The University inquired as to
condition of the unit, which Mr. Radley maintained was in good condition. The parties then
engaged in negotiations over the telephone and through email. The University agreed to
purchase the unit for $3,000, and Med Express agreed to provide free shipping. The University
agreed to charge one of its credit cards for the $3,000 purchase price. Med Express sent the unit
to the University through an insured delivery service. However, after the University received the
item, the University contacted Mr. Radley, and advised him that the unit had arrived with a
broken mounting arm and was missing a component. As a result, the University wished to return
the unit for a full refund. Mr. Radley responded that the University could contact the
manufacturer for the missing component, and Med Express would cover the cost. Also, Mr.
Radley advised the University that he had mounting arms in stock to replace the broken piece.
{¶5} Mr. Radley maintained that, thereafter, the University sent him an email advising
him that it was unable to repair the unit, and wanted to return the unit for full credit as soon as
possible. Mr. Radley, believing that the only damage to the unit was the missing component and
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broken arm, advised the University that it could sent the unit back and Med Express would give
it a full credit. The University returned the unit through uninsured delivery. When Med Express
received the unit, it had extensive damage and was completely unusable. Mr. Radley then
contacted the University and said that he was not made aware of the extent of the damage, and
offered to refund the University $2,000 and to provide it a $1,500 store credit. The University
declined and then disputed the charge with its credit card company. The University won the
dispute, and the purchase price was refunded to the University’s account. Because Med Express
could not establish when the damage occurred, and because the University had returned the item
through uninsured delivery, Med Express could not successfully make a claim through delivery
insurance for the damages to the unit.
{¶6} Following the small claims hearing, the magistrate issued a decision dismissing
Med Express’ complaint due to lack of personal jurisdiction over the University. In its decision,
the magistrate pointed to Ms. Kerklo’s affidavit, wherein she stated that the University’s only
dealings with Med Express pertained to the purchase of the unit. Med Express filed objections to
the magistrate’s decision. Mr. Temple then filed a motion to appear pro hac vice, and filed a
response to Med Express’ objections on behalf of the University, contending that the magistrate
had correctly determined that the court lacked personal jurisdiction over the University. The trial
court granted Mr. Temple’s motion to appear pro hac vice.
{¶7} Thereafter, the trial court sustained Med Express’ objections, and entered
judgment in favor of Med Express, concluding that the court could not consider the affidavit of
Ms. Kerklo because it was included with the stricken motion, and it could not sua sponte review
personal jurisdiction. Alternatively, the trial court concluded that Ms. Kerklo’s affidavit
constituted a waiver of personal jurisdiction. In addition, the trial court determined that Med
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Express had successfully proven its claim and awarded it damages in the amount of $3,000. The
University timely appealed from the trial court’s judgment, and it now raises three assignments
of error for our review.
II.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR I
THE JUDGE’S DETERMINATION THAT THE MAGISTRATE WAS NOT
PERMITTED TO CONSIDER THE COURT’S PERSONAL JURISDICTION
OVER THE UNIVERSITY SUA SPONTE WAS ERROR.
{¶8} In its first assignment of error, the University argues that the trial court erred in
concluding that the magistrate could not sua sponte raise the issue of personal jurisdiction. We
agree.
{¶9} “[I]n order to render a valid personal judgment, a court must have personal
jurisdiction over the defendant.” Maryhew v. Yova, 11 Ohio St. 3d 154, 156 (1984). “An
objection to the lack of jurisdiction over a person generally must be raised either in the
defendant’s answer or in a motion filed prior to the filing of an answer.” State ex rel. DeWine v.
9150 Group, L.P., 9th Dist. Summit No. 25939, 2012-Ohio-3339, ¶ 6, citing Franklin v.
Franklin, 5 Ohio App. 3d 74, 75-76 (7th Dist.1981). “A defense of lack of jurisdiction over the
person * * * is waived * * * if it is neither made by motion under [Civ.R. 12] nor included in a
responsive pleading or an amendment thereof permitted by Rule 15(A) to be made as a matter of
course.” Civ.R. 12(H)(1). “However, if the defendant does not appear in the action, the defense
is not waived for failing to object.” DeWine at ¶ 6, citing Maryhew at 156-159 (defendant had
not submitted to the court’s jurisdiction, where submission to jurisdiction would have waived the
issue of lack of personal jurisdiction), and Mortgage Lenders Network USA, Inc. v. Riggins, 9th
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Dist. Summit No. 22901, 2006-Ohio-3292 (trial court acquired personal jurisdiction over
appellant when she made a voluntary appearance in the matter).
{¶10} The trial court here concluded that, because the magistrate struck the motion to
dismiss, there was no assertion of lack of personal jurisdiction made on the part of the defendant
prior to the magistrate’s decision. Further, the trial court determined that the magistrate could
not consider Ms. Kerklo’s affidavit, holding that “when a pleading is stricken from a case, the
[c]ourt may not consider attachments to the pleading as if they had been filed separately[.]” The
court, relying on D’Amore v. Mathews, 193 Ohio App. 3d 575, 2011-Ohio-2853 (12th Dist.), then
determined, “Generally, because a lack of personal jurisdiction was not raised and is therefore
considered to be waived, the magistrate/trial court cannot sua sponte address the issue of
personal jurisdiction in its decision.”
{¶11} However, we conclude that D’Amore is distinguishable from this case on its facts.
In D’Amore, the defendant personally appeared in the action and failed to raise lack of personal
jurisdiction as a defense. Id. at ¶ 32-33. Therefore, the defendant waived the defense of lack of
personal jurisdiction. Id. at ¶ 33. The Twelfth District held, “once the lack of personal
jurisdiction was waived, the trial court could not sua sponte address the issue of personal
jurisdiction in its judgment entry.” (Emphasis added.) Id. at ¶ 34; see also Brislin v. Albert, 9th
Dist. Summit No. 27052, 2014-Ohio-3406, ¶ 9. Here, because the trial court struck the motion to
dismiss, there was no appearance by the University prior to the magistrate’s decision. Thus, the
University did not waive the defense of lack of personal jurisdiction because it did not appear
voluntarily in the action without raising the issue of personal jurisdiction. See Maryhew at 156-
159. Therefore, the trial court erred in determining that the University’s failure to appear
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constituted a waiver, i.e. a voluntary relinquishment of a known right, of the defense of personal
jurisdiction.
{¶12} Because the University did not appear, and did not raise the issue of personal
jurisdiction prior to trial, we next must address whether the trial court was permitted to sua
sponte review the issue of personal jurisdiction. The University argues that the trial court was
permitted to sua sponte address personal jurisdiction in this case, and cites Bradley Shoptaw v. I
& A Auto Sales, Inc., 10th Dist. Franklin No. 12AP-453, 2012-Ohio-6259 in support. In
Shoptaw, certain defendants had not appeared in the action, and the trial court sua sponte
determined that it lacked jurisdiction over non-appearing defendants. Id. at ¶ 17-18. The
plaintiff appealed, arguing in part that the trial court could not sua sponte raise the issue of
personal jurisdiction. Id. at ¶ 13. On appeal, the Tenth District affirmed, distinguishing
D’Amore because there the defendant had appeared but waived jurisdiction by failing to properly
raise the issue. Shoptaw at ¶ 19, citing D’Amore at ¶ 34. The Tenth District noted a dearth of
case law on the issue of whether the trial court could sua sponte address personal jurisdiction
where the defendant had not waived the issue. It could not locate any authority prohibiting the
trial court from doing so under the circumstances present in that case. Id. at ¶ 20.
{¶13} Here, because the trial court struck the motion to dismiss, there was no
appearance by the University prior to the magistrate’s decision. We agree with the trial court
that it could not consider the affidavit filed as an attachment to the stricken motion independently
from the motion. Therefore, the University neither effectively challenged nor waived personal
jurisdiction prior to trial. Further, the first properly filed document on behalf of the University
was a response to Med Express’ objections to the magistrate’s decision, wherein the University
argued that the magistrate properly concluded that the court had no personal jurisdiction over the
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University. Under these circumstances, we conclude that there was no waiver of personal
jurisdiction, and the trial court erred in holding otherwise. Consequently, we conclude that the
trial court further erred in its determination that the holding in D’Amore was applicable to this
case.
{¶14} Accordingly, the University’s first assignment of error is sustained.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR II
THE JUDGE INCORRECTLY CONCLUDED THAT PERSONAL
JURISDICTION OVER THE UNIVERSITY EXISTED.
{¶15} In its second assignment of error, the University argues that the trial court erred in
alternatively concluding that it had personal jurisdiction over the University. We agree.
{¶16} The determination of personal jurisdiction is a question of law and is reviewed de
novo. Eisel v. Austin, 9th Dist. Lorain No. 09CA009653, 2010-Ohio-816, ¶ 8. “In determining
whether a state court has personal jurisdiction over a non-resident defendant, courts engage in a
two-prong analysis.” Dewine, 2012-Ohio-3339, at ¶ 9, citing U.S. Sprint Communications Co.
Ltd. Partnership v. Mr. K’s Foods, Inc., 68 Ohio St. 3d 181, 183 (1994). “As to the first prong,
we must determine if Ohio’s ‘long-arm’ statute and civil rules apply to confer personal
jurisdiction.” DeWine at ¶ 9, quoting U.S. Sprint at 184. “If so, we must determine if
application of personal jurisdiction ‘would deprive the defendant of the right to due process of
law pursuant to the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.’” DeWine at ¶ 9,
quoting U.S. Sprint at 184.
{¶17} Ohio’s long-arm statute is set forth in R.C. 2307.382. The University does not
contest that the long-arm statute and related civil rules apply. However, it argues that the
exercise of jurisdiction over it does not comport with due process.
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{¶18} In order to satisfy due process requirements, a defendant must “have certain
minimum contacts with [the forum state] such that the maintenance of the suit does not offend
‘traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice.’” International Shoe Co. v. Washington,
326 U.S. 310, 316 (1945), quoting Milliken v. Meyer, 311 U.S. 457, 463 (1940). “This due
process requirement may be satisfied where the forum state has either specific or general
jurisdiction over a nonresident.” DeWine at ¶ 18, citing Helicopteros Nacionales de Colombia,
S.A. v. Hall, 466 U.S. 408, 414-415 (1984), fns. 8 and 9. Neither party argues that the trial court
had general jurisdiction over the University. Therefore, we will limit our review to the issue of
whether there was specific jurisdiction over the University so as to satisfy the due process prong
of the personal jurisdiction inquiry.
{¶19} “Three requirements must be met to establish specific jurisdiction. ‘First, the
defendant must purposely avail himself of the privilege of acting in the forum state or causing a
consequence in the forum state. Second, the cause of action must arise from the defendant’s
activities there. Finally, the acts of the defendant or consequence caused by the defendant must
have a substantial enough connection with the forum state to make the exercise of jurisdiction
over the defendant reasonable.’” DeWine at ¶ 19, quoting Southern Mach. Co. v. Mohasco
Industries, Inc., 401 F.2d 374, 381 (6th Cir.1968). See also In re Blue Flame Energy Corp., 171
Ohio App. 3d 514, 2006-Ohio-6892, ¶ 18 (10th Dist.). “The first two of these requirements
establishes a defendant’s ‘minimum contacts’ with the forum.” DeWine at ¶ 19, quoting Burger
King Corp. v. Rudzewicz, 471 U.S. 462, 477 (1985).
{¶20} As to the first requirement of “purposeful availment,” the defendant’s contacts
with the forum state must “proximately result from actions by the defendant himself that create a
‘substantial connection’ with the forum State.” (Emphasis omitted.) Kauffman Racing Equip.,
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L.L.C. v. Roberts, 126 Ohio St. 3d 81, 88-89, 2010-Ohio-2551, ¶ 51, quoting Burger King Corp.,
471 U.S. at 475, quoting McGee v. Internatl. Life Ins. Co., 355 U.S. 220, 223, (1957). “The
defendant’s conduct and connection with the forum must be such that he ‘should reasonably
anticipate being haled into court there.’” Kauffman at ¶ 51, quoting Burger King at 474, quoting
World-Wide Volkswagen, 444 U.S. 286, 295 (1980). “This ‘purposeful availment’ requirement
ensures that a defendant will not be haled into a jurisdiction solely as a result of ‘random,’
‘fortuitous,’ or ‘attenuated’ contacts[.]” Kauffman at ¶ 51, quoting Burger King at 475, citing
Keeton v. Hustler Magazine, Inc., 465 U.S. 770, 774 (1984). Moreover, this requirement ensures
that the defendant will not be subjected to another state’s jurisdiction based on the “unilateral
activity of another party or third person[.]” Id., quoting Helicopteros Nacionales, 466 U.S. at
417.
{¶21} Here, as set forth in our discussion of the University’s first assignment of error,
the trial court erroneously determined that the University had waived the issue of personal
jurisdiction and that the trial court could not sua sponte review personal jurisdiction in this case.
However, in its decision, it went on to “specifically hold[] that the decision in Malone v. Berry,
174 Ohio App. 3d 122[, 2007-Ohio-6501 (10th Dist.)], finding lack of personal jurisdiction where
a purchase was made through an on-line auction [wa]s not determinative of the issues in this
matter.” This was because “[t]he purchase of the equipment in this matter was made through an
advertising website maintained by the plaintiff for the purpose of selling its equipment and does
not constitute the type of impersonal contact between a bidder and seller such as occurs in an on-
line auction proceeding.”
{¶22} Thus, it appears that the trial court alternatively held that personal jurisdiction was
proper by finding the reasoning in Malone inapplicable to the present case. We agree that
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Malone and similar cases pertaining to internet sales in the forum state are not particularly useful
in our analysis here, but for a different reason: such cases typically pertain to whether listing the
item for sale online establishes minimum contacts of the seller to the forum state. Here, we are
concerned whether the trial court had personal jurisdiction over an out-of-state buyer.
{¶23} “Several federal courts have declined to find that a defendant’s mere purchase of
goods from another state creates minimum contacts with that state for purposes of personal
jurisdiction and have distinguished situations where the nonresident defendant is a buyer, as
opposed to a seller.” Austin Miller Am. Antiques, Inc. v. Cavallaro, 10th Dist. Franklin No.
11AP-400, 2011-Ohio-6670, ¶ 16. “The mere existence of a contract between the defendant and
a forum resident does not provide the requisite contacts and ‘use of interstate facilities
(telephone, the mail), the making of payments in the forum state, and the provision for delivery
within the forum state are secondary or ancillary factors and cannot alone provide the “minimum
contacts” required by due process.’” Id., quoting Scullin Steel Co. v. Natl. Ry. Utilization Corp.,
676 F.2d 309, 313-14 (C.A.8, 1982).
{¶24} In Cavallaro, the Tenth District addressed whether Ohio had personal jurisdiction
over the out-of-state buyer of an antique chandelier from an Ohio corporation. Id. at ¶ 2. The
Tenth District determined that, “[n]either the mere existence of [the buyer’s] contract with an
Ohio corporation nor [the buyer’s] making of payments to an Ohio corporation establish the
requisite minimum contacts for the exercise of jurisdiction by the Ohio courts.” Id. at ¶ 21. We
conclude that the present case is similar to Cavallaro, in that, although the buyer contacted an
Ohio entity, and negotiated and entered into an agreement for the purchase of a good, essentially
both Cavallaro and the present case involved isolated product purchases.
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{¶25} Based upon the record before us, we conclude that the University’s contacts with
Ohio in relation to the negotiation, purchase, and return of the diagnostic unit do not rise to the
level of a “substantial connection” with Ohio to allow the University to “reasonably anticipate
being haled into court [in Ohio.]” Burger King, 471 U.S. at 474-75. Accordingly, the trial court
lacked personal jurisdiction over the University, and we need not conduct further analysis to
determine whether asserting personal jurisdiction over the University would comport with “fair
play and substantial justice.” See Joffe v. Cable Tech, Inc., 163 Ohio App. 3d 479, 493, 2005-
Ohio-4930, ¶ 35 (10th Dist.), quoting Burger King at 477.
{¶26} We conclude that the trial court lacked personal jurisdiction over the University.
Therefore, we sustain the University’s second assignment of error.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR III
THE JUDGE’S CONCLUSION THAT MED EXPRESS HAD PROVEN ITS
CONTRACT CLAIM IS ERROR.
{¶27} In its third assignment of error, the University argues that the trial court erred in
finding in favor of Med Express on its claim. Having concluded that the trial court lacked
jurisdiction over the University, the judgment in this matter must be vacated. Accordingly, the
University’s third assignment of error, which speaks to the merits of Med Express’ claim, is
rendered moot. See App.R. 12(A)(1)(c).
III.
{¶28} The University’s first and second assignments of error are sustained. The
University’s third assignment of error is rendered moot. The judgment of trial court is vacated.
Judgment vacated.
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There were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
We order that a special mandate issue out of this Court, directing the Medina Municipal
Court, County of Medina, State of Ohio, to carry this judgment into execution. A certified copy
of this journal entry shall constitute the mandate, pursuant to App.R. 27.
Immediately upon the filing hereof, this document shall constitute the journal entry of
judgment, and it shall be file stamped by the Clerk of the Court of Appeals at which time the
period for review shall begin to run. App.R. 22(C). The Clerk of the Court of Appeals is
instructed to mail a notice of entry of this judgment to the parties and to make a notation of the
mailing in the docket, pursuant to App.R. 30.
Costs taxed to Appellee.
CARLA MOORE
FOR THE COURT
BELFANCE, P. J.
CARR, J.
CONCUR.
APPEARANCES:
DAVID P. TEMPLE, Attorney at Law, for Appellant.
RICHARD MILLER, Attorney at Law, for Appellant.
JAMES A. AMODIO and DONALD LUKE ROSS, Attorneys at Law, for Appellee.