McFarren v. Canton , 2016 Ohio 484 ( 2016 )

[Cite as McFarren v. Canton, 2016-Ohio-484.]
COURT OF APPEALS
STARK COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
WANDA L. McFARREN, Individually JUDGES:
and as Administratrix for the ESTATE of Hon. John W. Wise, P. J.
ANGELINE B. RINKER, Deceased Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, J.
Hon. Craig R. Baldwin, J.
Plaintiff-Appellant
-vs- Case No. 2015 CA 00052
EMERITUS AT CANTON, et al.
Defendants-Appellees OPINION
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Civil Appeal from the Court of Common
Pleas, Case No. 2012 CV 02236
JUDGMENT: Affirmed in Part; Reversed in Part and
Remanded
DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: February 9, 2016
APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellant For Defendants-Appellees
LEE E. PLAKAS KEITH HANSBROUGH
MEGAN J. FRANTZ OLDHAM KENNETH W. MCCAIN
COLLIN S. WISE MARSHALL, DENNEHEY, WARNER,
TZANGAS PLAKAS MANNOS LTD COLEMAN & GOGGIN
220 Market Avenue South, Eighth Floor 127 Public Square, Suite 3510
Canton, Ohio 44702 Cleveland, Ohio 44114-1291
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 2
Wise, P. J.
{¶1} Plaintiff-Appellant Wanda L. McFarren, individually and as Administratrix for
the Estate of Angeline B. Rinker, deceased, appeals the March 3, 2015, judgment entry
of the Stark County Court of Common Pleas.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
{¶2} In July 2010, 91-year old Angeline B. Rinker and her family sought a
temporary care provider for Mrs. Rinker. It was decided that Mrs. Rinker should stay at
The Landing of Canton for a short-term period from July 8, 2010 to July 15, 2010.
{¶3} Defendant-Appellee The Landing of Canton is a licensed residential care
facility which provides assisted living, memory care, and respite/short-term stay care.
Defendant-Appellee Emeritus of Canton operates The Landing of Canton. Defendant-
Appellee Wegman Family (Canton) LLC VI is the property owner of the building where
The Landing of Canton is housed. For ease of discussion, The Landing of Canton and
Emeritus of Canton will be referred to as “Emeritus.”
{¶4} On July 8, 2010, Rinker and a family member signed a Respite/Short Term
Stay Addendum to Resident Agreement with Emeritus. The Respite/Short Term Stay
Addendum stated in Paragraph 4, “[p]rovided that we agree and have space available at
the Community, you may extend this Respite Period by executing a new Respite
Addendum or you may convert to a regular residency by executing a standard Resident
Agreement.” Defendant-Appellee Diane Willis signed the Respite/Short Term Stay
Addendum as the Community Representative. Willis is the Business Officer Director with
Emeritus. Willis has no medical training.
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 3
{¶5} Mrs. Rinker’s original short-term stay agreement terminated on July 15,
2010. Mrs. Rinker’s family determined they needed more time for Mrs. Rinker’s care. On
July 14, 2010, Plaintiff-Appellant Wanda L. McFarren signed a Resident Agreement with
Emeritus to convert Mrs. Rinker’s short-term stay to a regular residency. Mrs. Rinker’s
term of residency was month-to-month. Willis signed the Resident Agreement on behalf
of Emeritus.
{¶6} The introduction of the Resident Agreement states the purpose of the
Agreement “is to provide a statement of the services that will be furnished to you, and
other legal obligations that we will assume. This Agreement also sets forth your legal
obligations, both financial and non-financial.” The introduction of the Agreement further
states:
Please note that as a residential care facility, we encourage our residents
to exercise independence and to participate in physical activities to the
extent of their capabilities. Because of this, there are risks inherent to living
in our Community that are similar to the risks associated with independent
living, since our Community does not provide one-on-one, 24 hour nursing
care. This includes the risk that falls and other personal injuries may occur
from time to time.
{¶7} The Resident Agreement outlines the level of Personal Care Services the
resident will be provided, depending on the resident’s needs. The Agreement states that
prior to admission to the Community, the staff performed a comprehensive Resident
Evaluation of the resident’s needs. The Resident Evaluation is titled, “Emeritus Resident
Baseline & Data Set.” Based on the Emeritus Resident Baseline & Data Set, Emeritus
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 4
ranks the resident’s needs by different levels of care. The Resident Evaluation of Mrs.
Rinker was completed by Emeritus on July 9, 2010. Relevant to this appeal, the Emeritus
Resident Baseline & Data Set describes Mrs. Rinker’s level of care:
***
1c. Mental Behavioral Status
***
Resident has periods of confusion/forgetfulness. Landing of Canton will be
responsible.
Resident requires safety check every shift. This applies, but not limited to a
resident at risk for wandering. Landing of Canton will be responsible.
Requires daily safety checks (not related to fall history) Landing of Canton
will be responsible.
2a. Mobility/Ambulation/Modes of Locomotion
Requires assistance for mobility to and from meals, activities, beauty shop,
and/or common areas. Landing of Canton will be responsible.
***
2b. Gait/Balance
Resident has been identified to have an unsteady gait, monitor for safety,
Ambulation and Mobility Evaluation completed. Landing of Canton will be
responsible.
***
Requires safety checks every shift for fall prevention. Landing of Canton will
be responsible.
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 5
2c. Transfer
Requires standby assistance with transfers. Landing of Canton will be
responsible.
Acknowledgement and Acceptance Agreement
This document reflects the agreement of the parties regarding the needs of
the Resident, regarding who will be responsible for providing the services
to fill those needs, and regarding payment for services to be provided by
Facility. The parties enter into this agreement for services to be provided to
Resident by Facility or to be provided by Resident for himself or herself. ***
Resident understands and acknowledges that independently providing for
services can entail risks, including, without limitation, serious health risks.
Resident agrees to release and hold Facility harmless against any claims,
demands, damages, liability or obligation of whatsoever nature arising out
of or relating in any way to injuries, damages or harm suffered by reason of
Resident’s decision to provide for the identified needs either by Resident or
indirectly by arrangements with anyone other than Facility. THIS IS A
RELEASE! READ AND UNDERSTAND BEFORE SIGNING.
***
The Emeritus Resident Baseline & Data Set stated Mrs. Rinker’s level of care was 37.50
total points. The different levels of care are listed in Appendix B of the Resident
Agreement. The Fee Summary, Appendix C of the Resident Agreement, stated that Mrs.
Rinker was to receive Personal Care Services at Level 3 for a monthly fee of $1,240.00.
{¶8} The Resident Agreement states the limits of its services:
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 6
Transfer for more Appropriate Care
The Community is licensed as a residential care facility, and is not designed
to provide higher levels of care, such as 24 hour skilled nursing or care for
mental or emotional disorders. You may remain in your Apartment as long
as doing so is conducive to your safety and well-being, the safety and well-
being of the other residents at the Community, and applicable legal
requirements. If we determine, in consultation with you, your family and/or
your physician, that you are unable to remain in your Apartment consistent
with these requirements, you will be asked to move from the Community
and this Agreement will terminate. If you do not move out under these
circumstances, and we determine that it is necessary to provide you with
one-on-one care in order to protect your health or safety or the health or
safety of others, we will provide such care and you will be charged for it in
accordance with Appendix B.
{¶9} On July 8, 2010, at the request of Emeritus, Mrs. Rinker’s personal
physician, Dr. Thomas, completed a health assessment of Mrs. Rinker. The health
assessment form asked for Mrs. Rinker’s health history and physical. As to “Ambulatory
Status,” Dr. Thomas wrote in “re-evaluate.” Dr. Thomas checked the box for “Assist with
transfer: One person.” The health assessment form also asked for the “Type of Care or
Services Resident Requires.” Dr. Thomas wrote in “Nursing Home” for “Type.” He also
wrote, “Duration: Indefinite.”
{¶10} On July 15, 2010 at approximately 6:40 p.m., a Resident Assistant found
Mrs. Rinker lying beside her bed on the floor of her room. The Resident Assistant notified
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 7
the LPN, Shawn Meek. A portable x-ray company was called and it was determined at
11:45 p.m. that Mrs. Rinker fractured her left hip. Mrs. Rinker was transported to Mercy
Medical Center.
{¶11} In support of McFarren’s response to Emeritus’s motion for summary
judgment, McFarren provided the affidavit of Douglas Gerber. Douglas Gerber is the
grandson of Mrs. Rinker. He stated in his affidavit:
After my grandmother fell on July 15, 2010 while at Emeritus at Canton, she
told me that she had been calling out for someone to assist her move from
her wheelchair to her bed. When no one came, she attempted to transfer
herself from her wheelchair to the bed at which point she fell.
{¶12} Mrs. Rinker stayed at Mercy Medical Center until July 21, 2010. She was
then transferred to the Canton Regency. That evening, Mrs. Rinker passed away.
{¶13} The death certificate certified by the Stark County Coroner stated the
immediate cause of death was complications of a left hip fracture. The coroner listed the
condition leading to the immediate cause of death as, “Fall.”
{¶14} On July 13, 2012, Plaintiff-Appellant Wanda L. McFarren, Individually and
as Administratrix for the Estate of Angeline B. Rinker, Deceased, filed a complaint in the
Stark County Court of Common Pleas. In the complaint, she named Emeritus of Canton,
Emeritus Corporation, The Landing of Canton, Wegman Family Canton LLC VI, and
Diane Willis as defendants. McFarren filed an amended complaint on March 10, 2014
asserting six causes of action.
{¶15} In Count One, McFarren set forth a claim for negligence. McFarren alleges
the defendants were negligent in admitting and retaining Mrs. Rinker as a resident based
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 8
upon the argument that Mrs. Rinker required a higher level of care than the defendants
could provide.
{¶16} In Count Two, McFarren claimed the defendants violated the Ohio Patients’
Bill of Rights under R.C. 3721.13(A)(30).
{¶17} In Counts Three and Four, McFarren argued the defendants breached the
terms of the Resident Agreement.
{¶18} In Count Five, McFarren claimed the defendants caused the wrongful death
of Mrs. Rinker by their failure to meet the standard of care in failing to properly supervise,
attend, and assist Mrs. Rinker and failing to implement fall risk interventions.
{¶19} In Count Six, McFarren set forth a claim for punitive damages.
{¶20} On October 27, 2014, Appellees Emeritus and Diane Willis filed motions for
summary judgment. On the same date, McFarren filed a motion for summary judgment
as to cause of death.
{¶21} In conjunction with its motions for summary judgment, Emeritus filed a
Motion to Strike the Affidavit of Douglas Gerber.
{¶22} On March 3, 2015, the trial court ruled on the pending motions for summary
judgment and the motion to strike.
{¶23} The trial court first granted Emeritus’s motion to strike the affidavit of
Douglas Gerber. The trial court determined the testimony of Gerber was hearsay and did
not fall under any exception to the hearsay rule.
{¶24} The trial court next granted the motions for summary judgment of Emeritus
and Willis. The trial court determined the claims raised by McFarren were medical claims,
and therefore time-barred by the one-year statute of limitations under R.C. 2305.113. As
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 9
to McFarren’s wrongful death claim, the trial court found that McFarren failed to establish
there were genuine issues of material fact through expert testimony that Emeritus
deviated from the standard of care and that deviation proximately caused Mrs. Rinker’s
fall on July 15, 2010. Finally, the trial court also denied McFarren’s claim for punitive
damages.
{¶25} It is from this decision McFarren now appeals, raising the following errors
for review:
ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
{¶26} “I. THERE IS A GENUINE ISSUE OF MATERIAL FACT AS TO
CAUSATION WHEN THE PLAINTIFF HAS INTRODUCED EVIDENCE FROM WHICH
REASONABLE PERSONS MAY CONCLUDE THAT IT IS MORE PROBABLE THAN
NOT THAT THE EVENT WAS CAUSED BY THE DEFENDANT’S BREACH OF THE
STANDARD OF CARE.
{¶27} “II. A PLAINTIFF’S CLAIMS OF NEGLIGENCE, VIOLATION OF OHIO’S
PATIENTS’ BILL OF RIGHTS, AND BREACH OF CONTRACT FOR PERSONAL
INJURY ARE NOT A ‘MEDICAL CLAIM’ WHEN THE NEGLIGENCE ACTORS DID NOT
PROVIDE ANY AMOUNT OF PROFESSIONAL SKILL TO THE PLAINTIFF.
{¶28} “III. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED HOLDING SUMMARY JUDGMENT ON
PUNITIVE DAMAGES WAS PROPER WHEN THE EVIDENCE IS THAT EMERITUS
HAD ACTUAL KNOWLEDGE THAT MRS. RINKER REQUIRED A HIGHER LEVEL OF
CARE THAN IT PROVIDED, AND DESPITE SUCH KNOWLEDGE, ADMITTED,
RETAINED, AND READMITTED HER AS A RESIDENT.
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 10
{¶29} “IV. MR. GERBER’S STATEMENT THAT HIS GRANDMOTHER FELL
WHILE TRANSFERRING HERSELF AFTER CALLING FOR HELP AND NO ONE CAME
SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN STRICKEN BECAUSE SUCH TESTIMONY DIRECTLY
REBUTS EMERITUS EXPERT’S TESTIMONY; FURTHER IT TENDS TO REBUT
OTHER STATEMENTS BY EMERITUS’S EMPLOYEES.
{¶30} “V. MCFARREN’S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT ON
CAUSATION SHOULD HAVE BEEN GRANTED AS THERE IS NO GENUINE DISPUTE
THAT MRS. RINKER’S FALL CAUSED HER DEATH.”
Summary Judgment Standard of Review
{¶31} The trial court resolved the claims raised in McFarren’s complaint by
summary judgment. Four of Appellant’s five Assignments of Error on appeal argue the
trial court erred in granting summary judgment in favor of Emeritus. (McFarren’s fourth
Assignment of Error argues the trial court abused its discretion when it granted Emeritus’s
motion to strike the affidavit of Douglas Gerber.) We refer to Civ.R. 56(C) in reviewing a
motion for summary judgment which provides, in pertinent part:
Summary judgment shall be rendered forthwith if the pleading, depositions,
answers to interrogatories, written admissions, affidavits, transcripts of
evidence in the pending case and written stipulations of fact, if any, timely
filed in the action, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material
fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.***
A summary judgment shall not be rendered unless it appears from such
evidence or stipulation and only from the evidence or stipulation, that
reasonable minds can come to but one conclusion and that conclusion is
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 11
adverse to the party against whom the motion for summary judgment is
made, such party being entitled to have the evidence or stipulation
construed most strongly in the party's favor.
{¶32} The moving party bears the initial responsibility of informing the trial court
of the basis for the motion, and identifying those portions of the record before the trial
court, which demonstrate the absence of a genuine issue of fact on a material element of
the nonmoving party's claim. Dresher v. Burt, 75 Ohio St. 3d 280, 292, 662 N.E.2d 264
(1996). The nonmoving party then has a reciprocal burden of specificity and cannot rest
on the allegations or denials in the pleadings, but must set forth “specific facts” by the
means listed in Civ.R. 56(C) showing that a “triable issue of fact” exists. Mitseff v.
Wheeler, 38 Ohio St. 3d 112, 115, 526 N.E.2d 798, 801 (1988).
{¶33} Pursuant to the above rule, a trial court may not enter summary judgment if
it appears a material fact is genuinely disputed. Vahila v. Hall, 77 Ohio St. 3d 421, 429,
674 N.E.2d 1164 (1997), citing Dresher v. Burt, 75 Ohio St. 3d 280, 662 N.E.2d 264
(1996).
{¶34} For ease of discussion, we will address Appellant’s assignments of error out
of order.
II.
{¶35} In its motion for summary judgment, Emeritus moved the trial court to
dismiss McFarren’s claims for negligence, violation of Ohio’s Patient’s Bill of Rights, and
breach of contract arguing that such claims were medical negligence claims and therefore
barred by the one-year statute of limitations. The trial court found McFarren’s claims were
based upon medical care and treatment provided to Mrs. Rinker. Based on the date of
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 12
the incident and the date the complaint was filed, the trial court found McFarren’s claims
were outside the statute of limitations.
{¶36} McFarren argues in her second Assignment of Error that her claims for
negligence, violation of the Ohio Patient’s Bill of Rights, and breach of contract are not
“medical claims” pursuant to R.C. 2305.113. She states her claims are based on the
argument that Mrs. Rinker was retained and readmitted at Emeritus against the direction
of her personal physician and Mrs. Rinker’s fall was caused by the lack of assistance to
be provided by nonmedical providers. She states these claims are based on common law
negligence, rather than arising “out of the medical diagnosis, care, or treatment of” of Mrs.
Rinker.
Medical Claims
{¶37} According to Emeritus, McFarren’s claims indicate that R.C. §2305.113(A),
with its one-year statute of limitations, applies to this case. R.C. §2305.113(A) states:
“Except as otherwise provided in this section, an action upon a medical, dental,
optometric, or chiropractic claim shall be commenced within one year after the cause of
action accrued.” In this case, Mrs. Rinker fell on July 15, 2010 and died on July 20, 2010.
The original complaint was filed on July 13, 2012.
{¶38} “Medical claim” is defined in R.C. §2305.113(E)(3):
“Medical claim” means any claim that is asserted in any civil action against
a physician, podiatrist, hospital, home, or residential facility, against any
employee or agent of a physician, podiatrist, hospital, home, or residential
facility, or against a licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, advanced
practice nurse, physical therapist, physician assistant, emergency medical
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 13
technician-basic, emergency medical technician-intermediate, or
emergency medical technician-paramedic, and that arises out of the
medical diagnosis, care, or treatment of any person. “Medical claim”
includes the following:
(a) Derivative claims for relief that arise from the medical diagnosis, care,
or treatment of a person;
(b) Claims that arise out of the medical diagnosis, care, or treatment of any
person and to which either of the following applies:
(i) The claim results from the acts or omissions in providing medical care.
(ii) The claim results from the hiring, training, supervision, retention, or
termination of caregivers providing medical diagnosis, care, or treatment.
Emeritus designates itself as a licensed residential care facility.
{¶39} The issue in this case is whether the claims involve “medical care” as
defined under R.C. §2305.113(E)(3). There are two leading cases interpreting the phrase
“medical care” in reference to R.C. §2305.113. In Browning v. Burt, 66 Ohio St. 3d 544,
613 N.E.2d 993 (1993), the Ohio Supreme Court held that “care,” as used in the prior
version of R.C. §2305.113(E)(3), referred to the “prevention or alleviation of a physical or
mental defect or illness.” Id. at 557. Browning held the term “care” should not be
interpreted any more broadly than the context of R.C. §2305.113 allows. Id. The complaint
in Browning was for negligent credentialing of physicians, and the court held that this type
of claim does not directly involve medical care and is not subject to the one-year statute
of limitations. Haskins v. 7112 Columbia, Inc., 2014-Ohio-4154, 20 N.E.3d 287, ¶ 12 (7th
Dist.) citing Browning at 557.
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 14
{¶40} The other leading Supreme Court case on the issue is Rome v. Flower
Mem. Hosp., 70 Ohio St. 3d 14, 635 N.E.2d 1239 (1994). The Court considered two cases
in which the injuries arose from the use of an x-ray table in the first case and a wheelchair
in the second. In the first case, the plaintiff was injured when she was incorrectly secured
to an x-ray table by a hospital intern. The plaintiff fell off the table. The Court found the x-
ray was ordered to determine and alleviate a medical condition. The court noted there
was a certain amount of professional expertise that was needed to prepare a patient for
x-rays. Haskins, 2014-Ohio-4154, ¶13 citing Rome at 16. In the second case, plaintiff
sustained an injury when his wheelchair collapsed as he was being taken to physical
therapy ordered by a doctor. In holding that the complaint alleged a medical claim, the
court stated “the transport of [the patient] from physical therapy was ancillary to and an
inherently necessary part of his physical therapy treatment.” Haskins, 2014-Ohio-4154, ¶
14 citing Rome at 16.
{¶41} Subsequent to the opinion of the Supreme Court of Ohio in Rome, several
courts of appeals have considered the question whether a complaint alleges a “medical
claim.” In Balascoe v. St. Elizabeth Hosp. Med. Ctr., 110 Ohio App. 3d 83, 85, 673 N.E.2d
651 (7th Dist.1996), a patient fell after stepping on a piece of plastic on her way from the
hospital bed to the bathroom. The Seventh District Court of Appeals determined when the
patient fell on the way to the bathroom, the fall did not arise directly from medical
diagnosis, care or treatment, even though the patient had called for a nurse to assist her
in walking to the bathroom. Id. at 86.
{¶42} In Conkin v. CHS–Ohio Valley, Inc., 1st Dist. No. C–110660, 2012-Ohio-
2816, a nursing home resident sustained injuries while being moved from a wheelchair to
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 15
a device known as a Hoyer lift. The trial court dismissed the action because plaintiff did
not file the complaint within the one-year statute of limitations pertaining to medical claims.
The First District Court of Appeals determined the complaint did not allege a “medical
claim” because there was no indication that the use of the lift was an inherent part of a
medical procedure, that the use of the lift arose out of physician-ordered treatment, or
that professional expertise or professional skill was required to transfer a patient to the
lift.
{¶43} In Hill v. Wadsworth–Rittman Area Hosp., 185 Ohio App. 3d 788, 2009-Ohio-
5421, 925 N.E.2d 1012 (9th Dist.), a patient filed an action against a hospital and a nurse
after she sustained injuries while being helped out of a wheelchair during her discharge
from a hospital. The trial court determined that the complaint alleged a “medical claim”
and granted summary judgment in favor of the nurse. The Ninth District Court of Appeals
held the complaint did not allege a “medical claim” because the conduct of hospital staff
in escorting a patient in a wheelchair was not inherently necessary for any medical test
or treatment.1
1 See also Haskins v. 7112 Columbia Inc., 2014-Ohio-4154, 20 N.E.3d 287, (7th Dist.)
(Action against nursing home and its employees for breaking patient's leg while moving
her in the course of changing her bed linens was not a “medical claim” where there is no
indication that changing patient's bed linens “was part of some type of medical test or
procedure, was ordered by a doctor, or that it required any medical expertise or
professional skill.”); McDill v. Sunbridge Care Ents., Inc., 4th Dist. Pickaway No. 04–11–
2013, 2013-Ohio-1618, (Plaintiff was allegedly injured when two employees of a
rehabilitation facility failed to keep her from falling backwards as she stood to wash her
hands. The court of appeals held that plaintiff's injury did not arise out of medical
diagnosis, care, or treatment, and was not a “medical claim,” even though plaintiff's
physician had ordered her not to leave her bed unassisted); Carte v. The Manor at
Whitehall, 10th Dist. No. 14AP-568, 2014-Ohio-5670 (Plaintiff fell using the bathroom
while attended by only one staff person. The court of appeals held the action against the
nursing home was not a “medical claim” as the injury arose because the patient had to
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 16
{¶44} Not all care that occurs in a hospital or nursing home involves “medical care”
within the meaning of R.C. §2305.113. Carte v. The Manor at Whitehall, 10th Dist. No.
14AP-568, 2014-Ohio-5670, ¶ 29. Based on Browning and Rome, in order to determine
whether a caim is a “medical claim” pursuant to R.C. 2305.113, the court must examine
whether the action or inaction was part of some type of medical test or procedure, was
ordered by a doctor, or that it required any medical expertise or professional skill.
Negligence Claims
{¶45} The trial court in this case relied on our decision in Pocci v. Aultman
Hospital, 5th Dist. Stark No. 2008-CA-00101, 2008-Ohio-5961 to find that McFarren’s
claims were “medical claims.” In Pocci, the plaintiff was admitted to Aultman Woodlawn
for rehabilitation following surgery. The plaintiff suffered a fall after a nurse’s aide allegedly
left him unattended in the shower. Plaintiff filed an action against Aultman Hospital. The
plaintiff also alleged numerous violations of R.C. §3721.13, including failure to give
plaintiff adequate personal attention to address his needs, failure to respond to his calls,
and failure to properly dispense his medication. Id. at ¶4. The hospital filed a motion for
summary judgment, arguing the plaintiff’s claims were medical claims and were filed
beyond the one-year statute of limitations. The trial court granted summary judgment in
favor of defendant and plaintiff appealed. On appeal, plaintiff argued the issue of whether
his claim was a medical claim tuned on the professional designation of the employee
responsible for his injury. We disagreed, finding that the facility in which the alleged
injuries occurred was an entity covered under R.C. §2305.113. Id. at ¶ 21.
use the bathroom, not because he was in the process of receiving medical diagnosis,
care, or treatment.)
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 17
{¶46} In Pocci, it does not appear that the plaintiff or the defendant raised the
issue of whether the action that caused the injury was part of some type of medical test
or procedure, was ordered by a doctor, or that it required any medical expertise or
professional skill to determine whether the claim was a medical claim. The plaintiff merely
argued to the court that the employee whom caused the alleged injury was not covered
by R.C. §2305.113, therefore it was not a medical claim. Pocci answered the question
that the defendant facility was covered by R.C. §2305.113.
{¶47} In this case, McFarren claims that Mrs. Rinker fell and broke her hip
because Emeritus and its staff deviated from the standard of care. Based on the line of
cases examining injuries within residential facilities, nursing homes, and hospitals, the
issue to analyze is whether the injury occurred as part of some type of medical test or
procedure, was ordered by a doctor, or that it required any medical expertise or
professional skill. We review the facts in a light most favorable to the non-moving party.
The Emeritus staff found Mrs. Rinker laying prostrate on the floor of her room. There is
no Civ.R. 56 evidence that she was receiving medical care at the time of her fall. Simply
because Mrs. Rinker was a resident of Emeritus at the time of the fall does not render her
claim for negligence a medical claim. In this case, McFarren’s claim for negligence states
a claim for common law negligence, not a medical claim. McFarren’s claim for negligence
was filed within the statute of limitations.
Breach of Contract Claims
{¶48} McFarren claimed in her complaint that Emeritus breached the terms of the
Resident Agreement when it retained Mrs. Rinker and when it failed to prevent Mrs.
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 18
Rinker from falling. The trial court found that the breach of contract claims were also
medical claims and therefore outside the statute of limitations.
{¶49} In Conkin v. CHS-Ohio Valley, Inc., 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C110660, 2012-
Ohio-2816, the court of appeals examined a case where a nursing home resident was
injured while being transferred into a Hoyer lift so the resident could shower. The guardian
of the nursing home resident brought claims for negligence, negligent training, violation
of resident’s rights under R.C. §3721.13, respondeat superior and breach of contract. The
First District Court of Appeals found the guardian’s claims as pled were not medical
claims. Id. at ¶11.
{¶50} Upon our de novo review and the prevailing case law with these similar
facts, we find the breach of contract claims based on Mrs. Rinker’s fall are not medical
claims.
{¶51} The trial court did not address McFarren’s breach of contract claims
because it found them to be outside the statute of limitations. We reverse the trial court’s
judgment as to the breach of contract claims and remand these claims to the trial court
for further proceedings based on this opinion and law.
Patient’s Bill of Rights
{¶52} McFarren also argues Emeritus violated the Patient’s Bill of Rights when it
allowed Mrs. Rinker to stay at Emeritus rather than transferring her to a facility that
provided a higher level of care. R.C. §3721.13 delineates a lengthy list of residents' rights
and the right of a resident's sponsor or representative to act on behalf of the resident to
ensure the resident's rights. R.C. §3721.13(A) sets forth various rights afforded residents
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 19
of a nursing home. In her complaint, McFarren alleges a violation of R.C.
§3721.13(A)(30), which states:
(A) The rights of residents of a home shall include, but are not limited to,
the following:
***
(30) The right not to be transferred or discharged from the home unless the
transfer is necessary because of one of the following:
(a) The welfare and needs of the resident cannot be met in the home.
(b) The resident's health has improved sufficiently so that the resident no
longer needs the services provided by the home.
(c) The safety of individuals in the home is endangered.
(d) The health of individuals in the home would otherwise be endangered.
(e) The resident has failed, after reasonable and appropriate notice, to pay
or to have the medicare or medicaid program pay on the resident's behalf,
for the care provided by the home. A resident shall not be considered to
have failed to have the resident's care paid for if the resident has applied
for medicaid, unless both of the following are the case:
***
(f) The home's license has been revoked, the home is being closed * * * or
the home otherwise ceases to operate.
(g) The resident is a recipient of medicaid, and the home's participation in
the medicaid program is involuntarily terminated or denied.
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 20
(h) The resident is a beneficiary under the medicare program, and the
home's participation in the medicare program is involuntarily terminated or
denied.
{¶53} Upon our de novo review of the motion for summary judgment, we find R.C.
§3721.13(A)(30) to be inapplicable to the facts of the present case. The unambiguous
language of R.C. §3721.13(A)(30) states that a resident of a home shall have the right
not to be transferred or discharged from the home unless the transfer is necessary. The
terms of R.C. §3721.13(A)(30) and the related hearing requirements found in R.C.
§3721.16 that must be followed prior to a transfer or discharge demonstrate the purpose
of R.C. §3721.13(A)(30) is to protect a resident of a home from arbitrary discharge or
transfer, not to encourage it.
{¶54} McFarren’s second Assignment of Error is sustained in part and overruled
in part.
I., IV.
{¶55} McFarren argues in her first Assignment of Error that the trial court erred
when it found there was no genuine issue of material fact that Mrs. Rinker’s fall was
caused by Emeritus’s breach of the standard of care.
{¶56} McFarren argues in her fourth Assignment of Error that the trial court
abused its discretion when it excluded the Gerber affidavit.
Negligence Claims
{¶57} McFarren brings a negligence claim and a wrongful death action on a theory
of negligence. In a negligence action, it is fundamental that the plaintiff in such a case
must show (1) the existence of a duty, (2) a breach of duty, and (3) an injury proximately
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 21
resulting therefrom. Scharver v. Am. Plastics Products, LLC, 5th Dist. Stark No. 2009 CA
00087, 2010-Ohio-230, ¶ 12 citing Menifee v. Ohio Welding Prod., Inc., 15 Ohio St. 3d 75,
77, 472 N.E.2d 707 (1984). To prevail on a wrongful death claim based upon a theory of
negligence, a plaintiff must show “(1) the existence of a duty owing to plaintiff's decedent,
i.e., the duty to exercise ordinary care, (2) a breach of that duty, and (3) proximate
causation between the breach of duty and the death.” Bennison v. Stillpass Transit Co.,
5 Ohio St. 2d 122, 214 N.E.2d 213 (1966), paragraph one of the syllabus.
Proximate Cause of Mrs. Rinker’s Fall
{¶58} The parties in this case do not dispute there was an existence of a duty.
The issues to be resolved are whether Emeritus breached its duty and if there is proximate
causation between the breach of duty and the death. McFarren argues Emeritus
committed numerous breaches of the standard of care and the breaches of the standard
of care proximately caused Mrs. Rinker’s fall. In support of her argument, McFarren
provided the expert opinion of Jill Cox, RN LNC.
Admission or Retention of Mrs. Rinker
{¶59} McFarren argues that Emeritus breached the standard of care when it
admitted and retained Mrs. Rinker against the direction of Mrs. Rinker’s personal
physician, Dr. Thomas. On July 8, 2010, Mrs. Rinker’s personal physician, Dr. Thomas,
completed a health assessment of Mrs. Rinker. The health assessment was done at the
request of Emeritus.
{¶60} The health assessment form asked for Mrs. Rinker’s health history and
physical. As to “Ambulatory Status,” Dr. Thomas wrote in “re-evaluate.” Dr. Thomas
checked the box for “Assist with transfer: One person.” The health assessment form also
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 22
asked for the “Type of Care or Services Resident Requires.” Dr. Thomas wrote in “Nursing
Home” for “Type.” He also wrote, “Duration: Indefinite.”
{¶61} McFarren argues Dr. Thomas stated that Mrs. Rinker should be placed in a
nursing home for the type of care or services the resident required. Emeritus knew this,
but admitted and retained Mrs. Rinker. The evidence in this case is that it was the decision
of Mrs. Rinker and her family to reside at Emeritus. There is no Civ.R. 56 evidence that
Mrs. Rinker or her family consulted with Dr. Thomas before her admission or after her
admission. Further, McFarren did not provide the deposition or affidavit of Dr. Thomas to
discern what he meant by “nursing home.” The term “nursing home” has a statutory
definition, but it can be generally used to describe different levels of care. Emeritus is a
residential facility that provides assisted living. An assisted living facility is not the same
as a skilled nursing facility. A memory care unit is not the same as an assisted living
facility or a skilled nursing facility. McFarren heavily relies upon the “nursing home”
statement by Dr. Thomas on the health assessment form, but without a deposition or
affidavit from Dr. Thomas as to his statement as to the level of care he felt Mrs. Rinker
needed, the expert’s interpretation of Dr. Thomas’s statement is pure speculation.
{¶62} Reasonable minds could conclude there was no breach of the standard of
care to admit and retain Mrs. Rinker at Emeritus based on the health assessment by Dr.
Thomas.
Fall Prevention
{¶63} McFarren’s expert states that Emeritus fell below the standard of care
because it did not have fall interventions in place to prevent Mrs. Rinker from falling.
(Affidavit of Douglas Gerber)
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 23
{¶64} In their motion for summary judgment, Appellees argued, and the trial court
found, there was no evidence in the case as to how or why Mrs. Rinker fell.
{¶65} In support of her response to the motion for summary judgment, McFarren
provided the affidavit of Douglas Gerber, the grandson of Mrs. Rinker. He stated in his
affidavit:
After my grandmother fell on July 15, 2010 while at Emeritus at Canton, she
told me that she had been calling out for someone to assist her move from
her wheelchair to her bed. When no one came, she attempted to transfer
herself from her wheelchair to the bed at which point she fell.
{¶66} Emeritus moved to strike the Gerber affidavit as hearsay. It argued there
was no exception to the hearsay rule to allow the admission of the statement. The trial
court agreed.
{¶67} The admission or exclusion of evidence rests with the sound discretion of
the trial court. State v. Sage, 31 Ohio St. 3d 173, 510 N.E.2d 343 (1987). To find an abuse
of that discretion, we must find that the trial court's decision was unreasonable, arbitrary
or unconscionable and not merely an error of law or judgment. Blakemore v. Blakemore,
5 Ohio St. 3d 217, 450 N.E.2d 1140 (1983)..
{¶68} “Hearsay” is defined in Evid.R. 801(C) as “a statement, other than one made
by the declarant while testifying at the trial or hearing, offered in evidence to prove the
truth of the matter asserted.” The evidence rules specifically exclude hearsay testimony
from admission into evidence by Evid.R. 802, which provides as follows:
Hearsay is not admissible except as otherwise provided by the Constitution
of the United States, by the Constitution of the State of Ohio, by statute
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 24
enacted by the General Assembly not in conflict with a rule of the Supreme
Court of Ohio, by these rules, or by other rules prescribed by the Supreme
Court of Ohio.
{¶69} Plaintiffs contend that this evidence is admissible as an exception to the
hearsay rule as set forth in Evid.R. 804(B)(5), which provides as follows:
(B) Hearsay Exceptions. The following are not excluded by the hearsay rule
if the declarant is unavailable as a witness:
***
(5) Statement by a deceased or incompetent person. The statement was
made by a decedent or a mentally incompetent person, where all of the
following apply:
(a) the estate or personal representative of the decedent's estate or the
guardian or trustee of the incompetent person is a party;
(b) the statement was made before the death or the development of the
incompetency;
(c) the statement is offered to rebut testimony by an adverse party on a
matter within the knowledge of the decedent or incompetent person.
{¶70} The trial court found McFarren could not meet the third requirement
because there was no testimony by an adverse party that Mrs. Rinker called out for help
to assist her before she fell or adverse testimony as to how Mrs. Rinker fell.
{¶71} The Supreme Court of Ohio discussed Evid.R. 804(B)(5) at length in
Johnson v. Porter (1984), 14 Ohio St. 3d 58, 14 OBR 451, 471 N.E.2d 484. That court
recognized that Evid.R. 601 abrogated R.C. 2317.03, the “dead man's” statute, which
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 25
disqualified the testimony of an adverse party in a suit involving the executor of a
decedent's estate. Thus, an adverse party may not testify **973 against a decedent who
is a party to the action through representation. Evid.R. 804(B)(5) makes an exception to
the hearsay rule for statements made by a decedent when the statements meet the
requirements set forth in the rule. See, also, Testa v. Roberts (1988), 44 Ohio App. 3d
161, 542 N.E.2d 654.
{¶72} “* * * Evid.R. 804(B)(5) compensates the parties substituted for the
decedent by making a hearsay exception for declarations by the decedent which rebut
testimony by an adverse party on a matter within the knowledge of the decedent. This
allows the decedent to ‘speak from the grave.’ ” Bilikam v. Bilikam (1982), 2 Ohio App. 3d
300, 305, 2 OBR 332, 337, 441 N.E.2d 845, 851
{¶73} Appellants argue that the affidavit should be allowed in to rebut the
deposition testimony of Nurse Shawn Meeks, an employee of Emeritus on duty the
evening Mrs. Rinker fell. Nurse Meeks was asked:
Q: Do you know how the fall happened?
A: No, I’m not. I don’t know.
Q: Are you aware as to where Mrs. Rinker was trying to go?
Objection.
A. I don’t even remember. I don’t even remember if she could tell me. (Meeks
Depo. at 79).
{¶74} Nurse Meeks was also asked if Mrs. Rinker had a walker or wheelchair
anywhere in the vicinity or within range of her reach at the time she fell. Nurse Meeks
answered: “I don’t recall. I don’t recall if there was anything.” (Meeks Depo. at 76).
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 26
{¶75} With regard to Mrs. Rinker calling out prior to her fall, Nurse Meeks was
asked:
Q: “Had she screamed at all, to your knowledge, prior to her being discovered at
6:40 p.m.?”
A: “No.” (Meeks Depo., 80).
{¶76} Britney Gordon and Ruby Wright, Resident Assistants on staff the night Mrs.
Rinker fell, also testified that they had no recollection of the events surrounding Mrs.
Rinker’s fall. (Gordon Depo at 55; Wright Depo. at 42).
{¶77} Initially, we do not find Mrs. Rinker’s statement that she was calling out for
assistance and her explanation as to how she fell, as contained in the Gerber Affidavit,
rebuts the statements of Nurse Meeks, Gordon and Wright, who all state that they have
no recollection of the events surrounding Mrs. Rinker’s fall. We do not find Mrs. Rinkers’
statements that she called out and no one came rebuts the statements by the staff that
they do not know, recall or remember if Mrs. Rinker called out or screamed prior to being
discovered on the floor. They are not affirmatively stating that Mrs. Rinker did not call
out, only that they do not know if she did.
{¶78} However, more importantly, Evid.R. 804(B)(5) only permits hearsay offered
to rebut testimony by an adverse party.” In the case sub judice, when Appellant submitted
the affidavit of Douglas Gerber, there had been no testimony by an adverse party put
forth. We find that Appellant was actually submitting the affidavit as part of its case in chief
to prove the element of proximate cause, not in rebuttal to a claim made by an adverse
party.
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 27
{¶79} Usually Evid.R. 804(B)(5) statements are not used during a plaintiff's case
in chief. The statements can be offered to rebut adverse parties' testimony when the
adverse parties are testifying as if on cross-examination in the case in chief. See Bobko
v. Sagen (1989), 61 Ohio App. 3d 397, 409–410, 572 N.E.2d 823, 830–832. Evid.R.
804(B)(5) exists to benefit a representative of a decedent to allow the decedent to “speak
from the grave” to rebut testimony of an adverse party. Bilikam v. Bilikam (1982), 2 Ohio
App.3d 300, 305, 2 OBR 332, 336–338, 441 N.E.2d 845, 850–851.
{¶80} Evid.R. 804(B)(5), therefore, does not apply.
{¶81} We therefore overrule McFarren’s fourth Assignment of Error.
No Genuine Issue of Fact as to Mrs. Rinker’s Fall
{¶82} Even assuming that the statements contained in the Gerber Affidavit were
admissible. Such finding does not dispel the question of how Mrs. Rinker fell in her room.
There is no evidence in the record to establish a genuine issue of material fact as to how
Mrs. Rinker fell. The Civ.R. 56 evidence shows that no one on staff at Emeritus recalls
Mrs. Rinker in her room before the fall. There is no evidence whether Mrs. Rinker was in
her bed or in her wheelchair before she was discovered on the floor of her room at 6:40
p.m. There is no Civ.R. 56 evidence whether Mrs. Rinker wore an emergency pendant to
alert someone if she fell or even if she was wearing the pendant, or that Mrs. Rinker knew
to use the device. McFarren’s expert opines different fall preventions that Emeritus should
have had in place to prevent Mrs. Rinker’s fall, but in this case, there is no knowledge as
to how Mrs. Rinker fell. As the trial court determined, it is speculation on part of McFarren’s
expert to state that if Emeritus had more precautions been in place, Mrs. Rinker would
not have fallen.
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 28
{¶83} The moving party carries the initial burden of affirmatively demonstrating
that no genuine issue of material fact remains to be litigated. Mitseff v. Wheeler, 38 Ohio
St.3d 112, 115, 526 N.E.2d 798 (1988). To this end, the movant must be able to point to
evidentiary materials of the type listed in Civ.R. 56(C) that a court is to consider in
rendering summary judgment. Dresher v. Burt, 75 Ohio St. 3d 280, 292–293, 662 N.E.2d
264 (1996). Those materials include “the pleadings, depositions, answers to
interrogatories, written admissions, affidavits, transcripts of evidence, and written
stipulations of fact, if any, filed in the action.” Id. at 293, 662 N.E.2d 264; Civ.R. 56(C).
{¶84} Once the moving party satisfies its burden, the nonmoving party may not
rest upon the mere allegations or denials of the party's pleadings. Dresher at 293, 662
N.E.2d 264; Civ.R. 56(E). Rather, the burden then shifts to the nonmoving party to
respond, with affidavits or as otherwise permitted by Civ.R. 56, setting forth specific facts
that show that there is a genuine issue of material fact for trial. Id. Throughout, the
evidence must be construed in favor of the nonmoving party. Id.
{¶85} Here, even assuming that Mrs. Rinker did call for assistance prior to her fall,
there is no evidence in the record, hearsay or otherwise, to establish how long or how
many times Mrs. Rinker called out to determine if any alleged delay in responding
constituted proximate cause for purposes of establishing negligence. Without evidence
as to how long she called out prior to deciding to attempt the transfer on her own, there
is not sufficient evidence to meet the proximate cause standard.
{¶86} In this case, McFarren has failed to meet her burden to respond, with
affidavits or other Civ.R. 56 evidence, setting forth specific facts to show there are genuine
issue of material facts for trial.
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 29
{¶87} There is much speculation as to how Mrs. Rinker fell, but McFarren has not
provided Civ.R. 56 evidence to create a genuine issue of material fact that it was
Emeritus’s deviation from the standard of care that proximately caused Mrs. Rinker’s fall.
{¶88} McFarren’s first Assignment of Error is overruled.
III.
{¶89} McFarren argues in her third Assignment of Error that the trial court erred
when it found that reasonable minds could only conclude that McFarren was not entitled
to punitive damages. We disagree.
{¶90} Here, the trial court determined that even if it found McFarrren’s claims for
negligence and wrongful death were viable, McFarren would not be entitled to punitive
damages. “The purpose of punitive damages is not to compensate the plaintiff, but to
punish and deter the defendant's conduct.” Burns v. Adams, 4th Dist. Scioto No.
12CA3508, 2014-Ohio-1917, ¶79. “Punitive damages may be awarded as a punishment
to discourage others from committing similar wrongful acts if a plaintiff proves by clear
and convincing evidence that a defendant acted with malice.” Colegrove v. Fred A.
Nemann Co., 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C–140171, 2015-Ohio-533, ¶ 28.
{¶91} Malice is “that state of mind under which a person's conduct is characterized
by hatred, ill will, or spirit of revenge, or a conscious disregard for the rights and safety of
other persons that had a great probability of causing substantial harm.” Preston v. Murty,
32 Ohio St. 3d 334, 335, 512 N.E.2d 1174 (1987). The trial court found no Civ.R. 56
evidence rising to the level of malice.
{¶92} While we found that the negligence and breach of contract claims were not
barred by the statute of limitations, we determined the negligence and wrongful death
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 30
claims failed for lack of causation. All that remains for the trial court’s disposition are
McFarren’s breach of contract claims. The Ohio Supreme Court has held that “[b]ecause
the sole purpose of contract damages is to compensate the nonbreaching party for losses
suffered as a result of a breach, ‘[p]unitive damages are not recoverable for a breach of
contract unless the conduct constituting the breach is also a tort for which punitive
damages are recoverable.’ 3 Restatement of the Law 2d, Contracts (1981) 154, Section
355.” Lake Ridge Academy v. Carney, 66 Ohio St. 3d 376, 381, 613 N.E.2d 183 (1993).
{¶93} McFarren’s third Assignment of Error is overruled.
V.
{¶94} On October 27, 2014, McFarren filed a motion for summary judgment on
the issue of cause of Mrs. Rinker’s death. McFarren presented Mrs. Rinker’s death
certificate certified by the Stark County Coroner that stated the immediate cause of death
was complications of a left hip fracture. The coroner listed the condition leading to the
immediate cause of death as, “Fall.”2
{¶95} In the trial court’s March 3, 2015, judgment entry granting summary
judgment in favor of Emeritus, the trial court found the motion for summary judgment as
to causation (cause of death) to be moot.
{¶96} R.C. §313.19 sets forth the presumptive value of a coroner’s determination
as evidence in civil and criminal cases in which the cause, manner, and mode of death
are at issue. Mohn v. Ashland Cty. Chief Med. Examiner, 2015-Ohio-1985, 34 N.E.3d
2 Emeritus argues in its appellate brief that the death certificate attached to the record
shows that it is “void,” but the “void” wording on the death certificate is simply a watermark
that appears on a photocopy of the document to prevent forgery.
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 31
137, 147, ¶¶ 39-40 (5th Dist.) citing TASER Int’l Inc. v. Chief Medical Examiner of Summit
Co., 9th Dist. Summit No. 24233, 2009-Ohio-1519.
{¶97} According to R.C. §313.19:
The cause of death and the manner and mode in which the death occurred,
as delivered by the coroner and incorporated in the coroner's verdict and in
the death certificate filed with the division of vital statistics, shall be the
legally accepted manner and mode in which such death occurred, and the
legally accepted cause of death, unless the court of common pleas of the
county in which the death occurred, after a hearing, directs the coroner to
change his decision as to such cause and manner and mode of death.
{¶98} As stated by the Ohio Supreme Court, “the coroner's factual determination
concerning the manner, mode, and cause of decedent's death, as expressed in the
coroner's report and death certificate, create a nonbinding, rebuttable presumption
concerning such facts in the absence of competent, credible evidence to the contrary.”
Vargo v. Travelers Ins. Co., 34 Ohio St. 3d 27, 516 N.E.2d 226 (1987). This presumption
exists because the coroner is a medical expert rendering an expert opinion on a medical
question. Id. This evidentiary presumption affords “much weight” to the coroner's factual
determinations. Id. However, the statute does not compel the fact-finder to accept, as a
matter of law, the coroner's factual findings concerning the manner, mode, and cause of
decedent's death. Id.
{¶99} As to the substance of the parties’ arguments, the trial court has not reached
these issues because it found the matter was moot. Based on our decision to remand the
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 32
breach of contract claims to the trial court for further consideration, we remand the matter
of cause of death for the trial court’s decision.
{¶100} We sustain McFarren’s fifth Assignment of Error, not to reverse the trial
court’s decision, but to remand the decision to the trial court for resolution.
CONCLUSION
{¶101} Accordingly, we find the following:
A. We reverse the trial court’s judgment as to its decision that McFarren’s
breach of contract claims were time-barred by the statute of limitations. We remand the
breach of contract claims to the trial court for further proceedings consistent with this
opinion and law.
B. We affirm the trial court’s decision that Emeritus is entitled to judgment
as a matter of law on McFarren’s claims for negligence and wrongful death as both
claims involve the same analysis.
C. We affirm the trial court’s decision that Emeritus is entitled to judgment
as a matter of law on McFarren’s claim for punitive damages.
D. We remand the issue of the cause of Mrs. Rinker’s death to the trial court
for further proceedings consistent with this opinion and law.
By: Wise, P. J.
Baldwin, J., concurs.
Delaney, J., concurs in part and dissents in part.
___________________________________
HON. JOHN W. WISE
___________________________________
HON. PATRICIA A. DELANEY
___________________________________
HON. CRAIG R. BALDWIN
JWW/d 0125
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 33
Delaney, J., concurs in part and dissents in part,
{¶102} I concur in the majority’s analysis and conclusion that McFarren’s claims
are not medical negligence claims, subject to a one-year statute of limitations, and that
R.C. 3721.13(A)(30) is inapplicable to the facts of the present case. Thus, I agree in the
majority’s disposition of the second Assignment. Further, I concur in the majority’s
disposition of the fifth Assignment of Error but for the reason that there is no evidence to
support a claim for punitive damages.
{¶103} However, I respectfully dissent as to the majority’s conclusion to sustain the
first, third and fourth Assignments of Error relating to causation.
{¶104} The trial court found there was no evidence in the case as to how or why
Mrs. Rinker fell. In opposition to the motion for summary judgment, McFarren provided
the affidavit of Douglas Gerber, the grandson of Mrs. Rinker. He stated in his affidavit:
After my grandmother fell on July 15, 2010 while at Emeritus at
Canton, she told me that she had been calling out for someone to assist her
move from her wheelchair to her bed. When no one came, she attempted
to transfer herself from her wheelchair to the bed at which point she fell.
{¶105} Emeritus moved to strike the Gerber affidavit as hearsay. It argued there
was no exception to the hearsay rule to allow the admission of the statement. The trial
court agreed. McFarren argues in her fourth Assignment of Error that the trial court
abused its discretion when it excluded the Gerber affidavit.
{¶106} The admission or exclusion of evidence rests with the sound discretion of
the trial court. State v. Sage, 31 Ohio St. 3d 173, 510 N.E.2d 343 (1987). To find an abuse
of that discretion, we must find that the trial court's decision was unreasonable, arbitrary
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 34
or unconscionable and not merely an error of law or judgment. Blakemore v. Blakemore,
5 Ohio St. 3d 217, 450 N.E.2d 1140 (1983). Hearsay is not admissible unless otherwise
provided by law. Evid.R. 802. McFarren argues that the Gerber affidavit is admissible
under the exception to hearsay set forth in Evid.R. 804(B)(5). Evidence Rule 804(B)(5)
states the following:
(5) Statement by a deceased or incompetent person. The statement
was made by a decedent or a mentally incompetent person, where all of the
following apply:
(a) the estate or personal representative of the decedent's estate or
the guardian or trustee of the incompetent person is a party;
(b) the statement was made before the death or the development of
the incompetency;
(c) the statement is offered to rebut testimony by an adverse party on
a matter within the knowledge of the decedent or incompetent person.
{¶107} The trial court found McFarren could not meet the third requirement
because there was no testimony by an adverse party that Mrs. Rinker called out for help
to assist her before she fell or adverse testimony as to how Mrs. Rinker fell. I disagree. A
review of the deposition testimony shows there is testimony by an adverse party as to
whether Mrs. Rinker called out for assistance before she fell. Mrs. Rinker’s statement to
her grandson was that she was calling out for someone to assist her move from her
wheelchair to her bed. There is no dispute that Mrs. Rinker was found by the Emeritus
staff at 6:40 p.m. Nurse Shawn Meeks, employee of Emeritus on duty the evening Mrs.
Rinker fell, was asked, “Had she screamed at all, to your knowledge, prior to her being
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 35
discovered at 6:40 p.m.?” (Meeks Depo., p. 80). Nurse Meeks answered, “No.” (Meeks
Depo., 80). We find the testimony as to whether Mrs. Rinker was calling out for assistance
before she found at 6:40 p.m. falls within the hearsay exception of Evid.R. 804(B)(5).
{¶108} The trial court also determined that because there was no testimony from
an adverse party as to how Mrs. Rinker fell, Mrs. Rinker’s statement explaining how she
fell did not rebut the testimony and was therefore inadmissible hearsay. I disagree with
the trial court’s interpretation of the absence of testimony. Nurse Meeks testified:
Q: Do you know how the fall happened?
A: No, I’m not. I don’t know.
Q. Are you aware as to where Mrs. Rinker was trying to go?
(Objection)
A. I don’t even remember. I don’t even remember if she could tell me.
(Meeks Depo., p. 79). Mrs. Rinker was found parallel to the bed. Mrs. Rinker stated
that she was attempting to move from her wheelchair to her bed before she fell. Nurse
Meeks was asked if Mrs. Rinker had a walker or wheelchair anywhere within her vicinity
or reaching range. Nurse Meeks answered, “I don’t recall. I don’t recall if there was
anything.” (Meeks Depo., p. 76).
{¶109} Britney Gordon and Ruby Wright were the Resident Assistants on staff the
night Mrs. Rinker fell and they saw Mrs. Rinker on the floor of her room. Both Gordon and
Wright testified that they had no recollection of the events surrounding Mrs. Rinker’s fall.
(Gordon Depo., p. 55; Wright Depo., p. 42).
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 36
{¶110} I would find Mrs. Rinker’s explanation of how she fell rebuts the statements
of Nurse Meeks, Gordon, and Wright who state they have no recollection of the events
surrounding Mrs. Rinker’s fall.
{¶111} On summary judgment, we must review the evidence in a light most
favorable to the non-moving party. The Civ.R. 56 evidence shows that no one on staff at
Emeritus that evening recalls Mrs. Rinker in her room before the fall. Mrs. Rinker stated
that she was calling out for assistance, but she fell when she attempted to transfer herself
from her wheelchair to her bed. McFarren’s expert opines different fall preventions that
Emeritus should have had in place to prevent Mrs. Rinker’s fall. The trial court found that
because there was no evidence as to how Mrs. Rinker fell, the expert’s opinion as to the
deviations of the standard of care were mere speculation.
{¶112} In support of her argument that the lack of evidence as to the proximate
cause of the fall does not bar her claim, McFarren cites to Daley v. Univ. Hosps. of
Cleveland, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 73108, 1998 WL 196113 (Apr. 23, 1998). In that case,
a patient with Alzheimer’s disease was admitted to the hospital. The patient was found
lying on the floor of her hospital room with a broken hip. The Alzheimer’s disease
prevented the patient from communicating the cause of the fall. Id. at *1. The family of the
patient sued, alleging the hospital failed to take steps necessary to prevent the patient
from falling. The hospital argued the family failed to establish proximate causation
because the family’s expert could not establish the patient’s fall occurred as a result of an
act of omission on the hospital’s part. Id.
{¶113} The Eighth District Court of Appeals reversed the trial court’s decision to
grant summary judgment. The court held:
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 37
A plaintiff in this type of case is not required to eliminate all possibilities
in order to establish proximate cause. Defendant's argument would have
the effect of forcing plaintiff to establish causation beyond a reasonable
doubt, and that standard is not applicable to civil suits. As a matter of
ultimate proof, a plaintiff need only introduce evidence from which
reasonable persons may conclude that it is more probable than not that the
event was caused by the defendant. Cooper v. Sisters of Charity (1971), 27
Ohio St. 2d 242, 252, 272 N.E.2d 97; Shumaker v. Oliver B. Cannon & Sons,
Inc. (1986), 28 Ohio St. 3d 367, 504 N.E.2d 44.
Daley v. Univ. Hosps. of Cleveland, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 73108, 1998 WL
196113, *2 (Apr. 23, 1998).
{¶114} The expert in the Daley case stated that the patient’s fall was more likely
to occur because the hospital failed to take measures to prevent the fall. McFarren’s
expert similarly stated Emeritus’s care, or lack thereof, fell below the standard of care and
ultimately lead to Mrs. Rinker’s fall and death.
{¶115} As in the present case, the victim in the Daley case could not communicate
the reason for the fall. The court noted:
It would be a virtual impossibility in a case like this to show causation
where the only person who knows the reason for the fall is incapable of
communicating that fact. This is the obvious distinction from slip and fall
cases where the victim, although capable of describing a fall, cannot identify
the substance causing the fall. Failure to identify the source of the fall is
generally not related to proximate cause, but to the duty placed upon the
Stark County, Case No. 2015 CA 00052 38
premises owner under the circumstances. When the slip and fall victim
cannot identify the source of the fall, it generally follows that, absent a more
particularized duty, a premises owner cannot be expected to warn its
patrons against the possible threat because it, too, could not be expected
to know of the harm.
Daley v. Univ. Hosps. of Cleveland, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 73108, 1998 WL
196113, *3 (Apr. 23, 1998).
{¶116} In this case, there is no question as to duty. The issues are whether there
was a breach of the duty of care and if the breach of the duty of care was the proximate
cause of Mrs. Rinker’s injury. Reviewing the evidence (including the records of Dr.
Thomas) in a light most favorable to McFarren, I would find that McFarren met her burden
to state a genuine issue of material fact for trial.
{¶117} For these reasons, I would sustain the first, third and fourth Assignments of
Error.