Cent. Ohio Med. Textiles v. PSC Metal, Inc. ( 2020 )

[Cite as Cent. Ohio Med. Textiles v. PSC Metal, Inc., 2020-Ohio-591.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
TENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
Central Ohio Medical Textiles, et al., :
Plaintiffs-Appellees/ :
Cross-Appellants, No. 19AP-167
v. : (C.P.C. No. 15CV-8940)
PSC Metals, Inc., et al., : (REGULAR CALENDAR)
Defendants-Appellants/ :
Cross-Appellees.
:
D E C I S I O N
Rendered on February 20, 2020
On brief: Roberts Matejzyk & Ita, Glenna M. Roberts, and
Dustin N. Smith, for appellees/cross-appellants. Argued:
Glenna M. Roberts.
On brief: Sutter O'Connell, Matthew C. O'Connell, and
Ashley C. Wakefield, for appellant/cross-appellee, PSC
Metals, Inc. Argued: Matthew C. O'Connell.
APPEAL from the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas
BRUNNER, J.
{¶ 1} Defendant-appellant, PSC Metals, Inc. ("PSC"), appeals from two judgments
of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas as set forth in the final judgment entry
entered on March 11, 2019. First, PSC appeals a judgment entered in favor of plaintiffs-
appellees/cross-appellants, Central Ohio Medical Textiles ("Comtex") and Philadelphia
Indemnity Insurance Company ("PIIC"), as set forth in a June 26, 2018 judgment entry
following a jury verdict that found PSC liable for money damages to Comtex and PIIC in
the amount $651,355 on a conversion claim. Second, PSC appeals the February 25, 2019
decision denying its motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict or, in the alternative,
No. 19AP-167 2
a new trial ("motion for JNOV/new trial"). PSC seeks to have the jury verdict nullified or,
alternatively, to have a new trial on the issue of damages.
{¶ 2} Additionally, Comtex and PIIC cross-appeal from the February 25, 2019
decision denying their motion to strike PSC's motion for JNOV/new trial ("motion to
strike"), as set forth in the final judgment entry entered on March 11, 2019.
{¶ 3} For the following reasons, we affirm the judgments of the trial court as to both
the appeal and the cross-appeal.
I. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
{¶ 4} The underlying case arose from an action for conversion and other claims
Comtex and its insurer, PIIC, brought against a former Comtex employee, James Turner,
and PSC, a scrap yard operator, for the loss of 485 custom-made metal laundry carts ("the
carts") that were an integral part of Comtex's operation. Comtex alleged that Turner, who
was employed to deliver Comtex's carts to local hospitals, stole the carts over a six-week
period in August and September 2014 and sold them to PSC as scrap metal. After
discovering the theft, Comtex tried to recover the carts from PSC, but PSC had already
shredded them.
{¶ 5} On October 7, 2015, Comtex and PIIC filed suit against Turner and PSC
asserting claims of conversion, unjust enrichment, willful damage or theft, negligence (with
respect to Turner), and negligence (with respect to PSC). Just over one year later, Comtex
and PIIC filed a motion for default judgment only as to Turner, on the ground that he had
been served but had failed to enter an appearance.1 The trial court granted the motion for
default judgment against Turner on November 10, 2016.
{¶ 6} The case against PSC proceeded to a four-day jury trial presided over by a
visiting judge. Both sides presented testimonial and documentary evidence at trial. PSC
filed proposed jury interrogatories, verdict forms, and jury instructions. PSC requested,
among other things, that the visiting judge instruct the jury as to Comtex and PIIC's duty
to mitigate their damages, as follows:
DUTY TO MITIGATE
PSC Metals claims that the plaintiffs failed to mitigate their
damages. If the defendant proves by a greater weight of the
1The complaint indicates that, at the time it was filed, Turner was an inmate of the Noble Correctional
Institution in Caldwell, Ohio.
No. 19AP-167 3
evidence that the plaintiffs did not use reasonable efforts under
the facts and circumstances in evidence to lessen damages
caused by the defendant's alleged negligence, you should not
allow damages that could have been avoided by reasonable
efforts to avoid loss. The plaintiffs, however, are not required
to take measures that would involve undue risk, burden, or
humiliation.
Authority:
OJI – CV 315.51.
(Emphasis sic.) (PSC's Proposed Jury Instructions at 34.)
{¶ 7} The visiting judge instructed the jury in open court before the jurors retired
to deliberate. With respect to determining if Comtex and PIIC were entitled to damages on
the conversion claim and, if so, in what amount, the visiting judge instructed the jury in
part as follows:
[T]he allegation in this case by the Plaintiffs is that the
Defendant in this case converted their property, and as a result
of their conversion of their property, they have been damaged.
Now, any time an individual in a civil case makes an allegation,
that individual carries the burden of proof with respect to all of
the matters that have been alleged in the – in the case. Now,
that includes the burden of proving that a conversion took
place, that there was proximate cause with respect to the
conversion, and burden of proof by a preponderance of the
evidence of what, in fact, damages were proximately caused by
that.
***
Now, conversion, conversion is the exercise of dominion and
control wrongfully exerted over the personal property of
another. Now, it is agreed by the parties in this case that the
carts in question at the time they were received by the
Defendant PSC were the property of COMTEX. It if further
agreed that the property was stolen by Mr. James Turner from
COMTEX and Mr. Turner had no authority to sell the property
to PSC. It is further agreed by the parties that PSC exerted
dominion and control over COMTEX's property by shredding
the property and selling it to outside buyers; thus, the only
issue you are to decide is whether the exercise of dominion and
control by PSC over the property was wrongful, and if wrongful,
what was the damage to COMTEX as a proximate result of
wrongful exercise of dominion and control. Remember,
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conversion is the exercise of dominion and control wrongfully
exerted over the personal property of another.
***
So in this case the Plaintiffs have alleged there was a conversion
and as a proximate result of that conversion, they have been
damaged.
Now, Plaintiff has the burden of proof by a preponderance of
the evidence with respect to their damages. Now, you are not to
speculate in reaching a value of the damages.
Now, Defendant denies the conversion but it believes that if
there was a conversion, the maximum amount of damages is
the fair market value of the property converted. Now, the fair
market value of personal property is the price it would bring if
offered for sale in the open market by an owner who desires to
sell it, but was under no necessity or compulsion to do so. And
when purchased by a buyer who desires to buy it, but was under
no necessity or compulsion to do so, both parties being aware
of the pertinent facts concerning the property.
Now, the Plaintiffs assert that the fair market value is not an
appropriate valuation because the property converted is
unique to its business, and there is no appropriate market value
which would compensate it for its loss. If you find that the
Plaintiff has proved that the fair market value is not a proper
method of commuting its loss and you find that the original
price and/or replacement cost minus depreciation, if any, is the
appropriate valuation, you may consider that evidence in
computing the damages owed to Plaintiff. As I previously
stated, you are not to speculate. You're only permitted to award
an amount that has been proven by a preponderance of the
evidence to have proximately resulted from the conversion that
you have found.
(Trial Tr. at 702-04, 707-08.)
{¶ 8} After the visiting judge had charged the jury, PSC renewed its request for an
instruction that Comtex and PIIC had a duty to mitigate their damages. The visiting judge
denied PSC's request, having determined "there wasn't sufficient evidence to show that
there was a way for [Comtex and PIIC] to mitigate." (Trial Tr. at 717.)
No. 19AP-167 5
{¶ 9} Prior to the jury's verdict, the visiting judge entered a verdict against Turner
and assessed damages against him in the amount of $651,355, the full replacement value of
the carts.
{¶ 10} On September 14, 2017, the jury found PSC liable for conversion and returned
a verdict in favor of Comtex and PIIC, also in the amount of $651,355, the full replacement
value of the carts. On September 20, 2017, Comtex and PIIC filed a motion for prejudgment
interest. On September 22, 2017, the visiting judge entered judgment in favor of Comtex
and PIIC as against PSC and Turner, severally, in the amount of $651,355, plus court costs
and interest at 4 percent per annum. The visiting judge did not address Comtex and PIIC's
September 20, 2017 motion for prejudgment interest, which therefore remained pending.
{¶ 11} On September 29, 2017, PSC filed a motion to stay execution of judgment.
PSC filed a memorandum contra the motion for prejudgment interest on October 2, 2017,
to which Comtex and PIIC replied on October 9, 2017. The parties' motions filed after the
trial were handled by the originally assigned trial court judge. On October 31, 2017, the trial
court entered decisions granting in part and denying in part PSC's September 29, 2017
motion to stay execution of judgment and granting in part and denying in part Comtex's
and PIIC's October 13, 2017 motion for an order to post bond. The trial court ruled that
execution of the judgment would be stayed during the pendency of the proceedings if PSC
posted a bond in the amount of $651,355 within 30 days. PSC posted the requisite bond on
November 29, 2017.
{¶ 12} On October 23, 2017, the trial court referred Comtex and PIIC's
September 20, 2017 motion for prejudgment interest to a magistrate for an evidentiary
hearing and ruling. The magistrate conducted the hearing on December 11, 2017 and, on
June 7, 2017, filed a decision denying Comtex and PIIC's motion for prejudgment interest.
No objection was filed to the magistrate's decision. On June 26, 2018, the trial court
accepted and adopted the magistrate's decision denying the motion for prejudgment
interest and entered final judgment in the underlying matter.
{¶ 13} On July 23, 2018, PSC filed a motion for JNOV/new trial. Comtex and PIIC
filed a brief opposing the motion for JNOV/new trial on August 14, 2018, to which PSC
replied on August 21, 2018. Also, on August 14, 2018, Comtex and PIIC filed a motion to
No. 19AP-167 6
strike PSC's motion for JNOV/new trial, to which PSC responded on August 17, 2018, and
Comtex and PIIC replied on August 24, 2018.
{¶ 14} On February 25, 2019, the trial court entered a decision denying both Comtex
and PIIC's August 14, 2018 motion to strike PSC's motion for JNOV/new trial and PSC's
motion for JNOV/new trial. In denying the motion to strike, the trial court agreed with
PSC that a judgment is not an "entry of judgment" as that term is used in Civ.R. 50(B) and
59 unless it is also a final appealable order. The trial court concluded that the
September 22, 2017 judgment entry on the verdict and default "was not an 'entry of
judgment' as that term is used for purposes of filing a motion JNOV and/or a motion for a
new trial" because Comtex and PIIC's September 20, 2017 motion for prejudgment interest
was still pending. (Feb. 25, 2019 Decision at 2-3.) The trial court found that PSC's motion
for JNOV/new trial was timely filed and, consequently, denied the motion to strike.
{¶ 15} The trial court denied PSC's motion for JNOV/new trial, finding that the
evidence presented at trial was more than sufficient to justify the jury's conclusion that
Comtex and PIIC were entitled to damages based on the "value to owner" standard, without
any diminution in value for depreciation. In reviewing PSC's motion for JNOV filed
pursuant to Civ.R. 50(B), the trial court applied this Court's holding in Harper v. Lefkowitz,
10th Distr. No. 09AP-1090, 2010-Ohio-6527, ¶ 8, that a motion for JNOV may be granted
only where "the evidence is totally insufficient to support the verdict." The trial court found
as a matter of law that the jury's verdict on the issue of damages was not contrary to law
and, therefore, PSC was not entitled to a new trial under Civ.R. 59(A)(7). The trial court
stated further that it "decline[d] to exercise its discretion to order such new trial on damages
as such would be inappropriate based on the evidence adduced at trial." (Feb. 25, 2019
Decision at 5.)
{¶ 16} On March 11, 2019, the trial court entered final judgment (1) denying Comtex
and PIIC's August 14, 2018 motion to strike PSC's motion for JNOV/new trial, and
(2) denying PSC's July 23, 2018 motion for JNOV/new trial.
{¶ 17} PSC timely appealed the trial court's rulings.
{¶ 18} Comtex and PIIC timely filed a cross-appeal as to the trial court's denial of
their motion to strike PSC's motion for JNOV/new trial.
No. 19AP-167 7
II. ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
{¶ 19} For its appeal, PSC presents three assignments of error for our review:
1. The trial court abused its discretion in refusing to instruct the
jury on Plaintiff-Appellee's duty to mitigate its damages.
2. The trial court erred in denying Defendant-Appellant PSC
Metals, Inc.'s Motion Notwithstanding the Verdict.
3. The trial court erred in denying Defendant-Appellant PSC
Metals, Inc.'s Motion for New Trial.
III. CROSS-APPEAL
{¶ 20} Comtex and PIIC have filed a cross-appeal that presents one assignment of
error for our review:
The trial court erred in denying Plaintiffs-Cross-Appellants'
Motion to Strike Defendant PSC Metal's [sic] Motion for
Judgment Notwithstanding the Verdict and Motion for a New
Trial because Defendant-Appellant PSC failed to timely file the
motions and, therefore, the trial court lacked jurisdiction to
rule on the motions.
IV. LAW AND DISCUSSION: PSC'S APPEAL
A. First Assignment of Error
1. Standard of Review
{¶ 21} PSC contends the visiting judge abused his discretion in refusing to instruct
the jury on Comtex and PIIC's duty to mitigate their damages. An appellate court reviews
a trial court's refusal to give a requested jury instruction using an abuse of discretion
standard. Miller v. Lindsay-Green, 10th Dist. No. 04AP-848, 2005-Ohio-6366, ¶ 91. An
abuse of discretion occurs when a trial court's discretionary judgment is unreasonable,
arbitrary, or unconscionable. State ex rel. McCann v. Delaware Cty. Bd. of Elections, 155
Ohio St. 3d 14, 2018-Ohio-3342, ¶ 12; State v. Meek, 10th Dist. No. 16AP-549, 2017-Ohio-
9258, ¶ 23. Even under an abuse of discretion standard, however, "no court has the
authority, within its discretion, to commit an error of law." (Quotations and citations
omitted.) Shaw v. Underwood, 10th Dist. No. 16AP-605, 2017-Ohio-845, ¶ 25; State v.
Akbari, 10th Dist. No. 13AP-319, 2013-Ohio-5709, ¶ 7. As Justice O'Donnell of the modern
Supreme Court of Ohio has opined, " '[a] court abuses its discretion when its ruling is
founded on an error of law or a misapplication of law to the facts.' " Independence v. Office
No. 19AP-167 8
of the Cuyahoga Cty. Executive, 142 Ohio St. 3d 125, 2014-Ohio-4650, ¶ 49 (O'Donnell, J.,
dissenting), quoting Doe v. Natl. Bd. of Med. Examiners, 199 F.3d 146, 154 (3d Cir.1999).
Absent an abuse of discretion on the part of the common pleas court, this Court may not
substitute its judgment for that of the common pleas court. Pons v. Ohio State Medical Bd.,
66 Ohio St. 3d 619, 621 (1993), citing Lorain City School Dist. Bd. of Edn. v. State Emp.
Relations Bd., 40 Ohio St. 3d 257, 260-61 (1988).
2. Discussion
{¶ 22} The visiting judge declined PSC's request to give the jury a "duty to mitigate"
instruction, having determined that Comtex had no duty to mitigate under the facts of this
matter. (Tr. Vol. III at 643-44.) The trial court further found there was insufficient
evidence to show that there had been a way by which Comtex could have mitigated its loss
until such time as it became aware of Turner's theft. PSC asserts the visiting judge's refusal
constituted an abuse of discretion given that Comtex's witnesses had testified that Comtex
knew carts were missing but did not take actions that would have limited Comtex's loss.
Comtex counters that PSC's argument attempts to place comparative fault on Comtex.
Based on our review of the record, we find that the visiting judge did not abuse his
discretion in refusing to give a duty to mitigate instruction.
{¶ 23} The duty to mitigate arises only where the injured party has knowledge that
it has sustained damages. Baird v. Crop Prod. Servs., Inc., 12th Dist. No. CA2011-03-003,
2012-Ohio-4022, ¶ 37. The Baird decision quotes the decision in Blumenthal Kahn Elec.
Ltd. Partnership v. Bethlehem Steel Corp., 120 Md.App. 630, 644, 708 A.2d 1 (1998):
It is axiomatic that, before the doctrine of mitigation of
damages or avoidable consequences will operate to impose a
duty upon a plaintiff to minimize a loss that he has incurred by
virtue of the defendant's breach of contract, the plaintiff must
be aware that he has sustained a loss; to require a plaintiff to
mitigate damages that he does not know he has suffered would
be patently unreasonable.
{¶ 24} The evidence adduced at trial clearly demonstrated that Comtex was unaware
it had sustained a loss until the theft came to light in mid-September 2014. Before the theft
was discovered, Comtex had no suspicion that carts were being stolen or that its employee,
Turner, was stealing the carts. To the contrary, Comtex viewed Turner as a trusted
employee, pleasant and hard-working. Comtex knew only that it was experiencing a cart
No. 19AP-167 9
shortage, which it put down to carts being used inefficiently by its customers. There also
was testimony that Comtex had taken on a major new customer in July 2014, which also
could have explained why more carts were out. The evidence shows that Comtex began
investigating the shortage in mid-August. The investigation included searching the
facilities of Comtex's customers in an attempt to locate carts. The search was still being
conducted when the theft was discovered in mid-September. Comtex's duty to mitigate did
not exist until it knew that the loss had occurred and damages had been sustained. The
record indicates that Comtex attempted to recover the carts immediately after becoming
aware of the theft but was unable to do so because PSC had already shredded the carts and
sold the scrap metal.
{¶ 25} There appears to be an attempt, from our review of the record and PSC's
briefs, to place comparative fault on Comtex. However, the underlying action involves a
claim for conversion, which is an intentional tort. DSS Servs., LLC v. Eitel's Towing, LLC,
10th Dist. No. 18AP-567, 2019-Ohio-3158, ¶ 32, citing Estate of Barney v. Manning, 8th
Dist. No. 94947, 2011-Ohio-480, ¶ 12; Erie Ins. Exchange v. Lansberry, 7th Dist. No. 07
CP 6, 2008-Ohio-1553, ¶ 65. While conversion does not require a showing of wrongful
intent to interfere with the owner's property rights, a plaintiff must demonstrate that the
defendant intentionally exercised dominion or control over the property. DSS Servs. at
¶ 33, citing Vienna Beauty Prods. Co. v. Cook, 2d Dist. No. 2015-CA-1, 2015-Ohio-5017,
¶ 12; Lansberry at ¶ 67. Under Ohio law, contributory fault is not available as an affirmative
defense to an intentional tort claim. R.C. 2315.32.
{¶ 26} Having independently reviewed the record, we find the trial court did not
abuse its discretion in refusing PSC's request to instruct the jury that Comtex had a duty to
mitigate its losses. We thus overrule PSC's first assignment of error.
B. Second Assignment of Error
1. Standard of Review
{¶ 27} PSC next contends the trial court erred in denying its motion for JNOV
because the evidence presented at trial was insufficient to establish the measure of damages
awarded by the jury.
{¶ 28} A motion for JNOV is governed by Civ.R. 50(B), which states in part:
(1) Whether or not a motion to direct a verdict has been made
or overruled, a party may serve a motion to have the verdict and
No. 19AP-167 10
any judgment entered thereon set aside and to have judgment
entered in accordance with the party's motion. Such a motion
shall be served within twenty-eight days of the entry of
judgment or, if the clerk has not completed service of the notice
of judgment within the three-day period described in Civ.R. 58
(B), within twenty-eight days of the date when the clerk actually
completes service. * * * A motion for a new trial may be joined
with either motion, or a new trial may be requested in the
alternative.
***
(3) If a verdict was returned, the court may allow the judgment
to stand or may reopen the judgment. If the judgment is
reopened, the court shall either order a new trial or direct the
entry of judgment, but no judgment shall be rendered by the
court on the ground that the verdict is against the weight of the
evidence. If no verdict was returned the court may direct the
entry of judgment or may order a new trial.
{¶ 29} A motion for JNOV presents a question of law because a court must examine
the sufficiency of the evidence, not weigh the evidence or try the credibility of the witnesses.
Wagner v. Roche Laboratories, 77 Ohio St. 3d 116, 119 (1996). See also Malone v.
Courtyard by Marriott L.P., 74 Ohio St. 3d 440, 445 (1996) ("The court is confronted solely
with a question of law: Was there sufficient material evidence presented at trial on this issue
to create a factual question for the jury?"). Therefore, an appellate court applies the de novo
standard of review. Harper, 2010-Ohio-6527, at ¶ 8, citing Kanjuka v. MetroHealth Med.
Ctr., 151 Ohio App. 3d 183, 2002-Ohio-6803, ¶ 14 (8th Dist.); Miller, 2005-Ohio-6366, at
¶ 52, citing Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. v. Aetna Cas. & Sur. Co., 95 Ohio St. 3d 512, 2002-
Ohio-2842, ¶ 3.
2. Discussion
{¶ 30} This Court has held that a motion for JNOV may be granted only where "the
evidence is totally insufficient to support the verdict." Harper at ¶ 8. The Harper court
stated:
A motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict is used to
determine only one issue: whether the evidence is totally
insufficient to support the verdict. McLeod v. Mt. Sinai Med.
Ctr., 166 Ohio App. 3d 647, 2006 Ohio 2206, 852 N.E.2d 1235,
reversed on other grounds, 116 Ohio St. 3d 139, 2007 Ohio
5587, 876 N.E.2d 1201. Neither the weight of the evidence nor
No. 19AP-167 11
the credibility of the witnesses is a proper consideration for the
court. Posin v. A.B.C. Motor Court Hotel, Inc. (1976), 45 Ohio
St.2d 271, 275, 344 N.E.2d 334; Osler at 347. In other words, if
there is evidence to support the non-moving party's side so that
reasonable minds could reach different conclusions, the court
may not usurp the jury's function and the motion must be
denied. Osler.
Harper at ¶ 8.
{¶ 31} The trial court's decision denying PSC's motion for JNOV states in part:
In reviewing a motion for judgment notwithstanding the
verdict filed pursuant to Civ.R. 50(B), a trial court is to use the
same test as that applied on a motion for a directed verdict. The
evidence presented at trial and the facts established in the
record "must be construed most strongly in favor of the party
against whom the motion is made, and, where there is
substantial evidence to support his side of the case, upon which
reasonable minds may reach different conclusions, the motion
must be denied. Neither the weight of the evidence nor the
credibility of the witnesses is for the court's determination in
ruling upon either of the above motions. Posin v. A.B.C. Motor
Court Hotel, 45 Ohio St. 2d 271, 275 (1976). A motion for JNOV
may be granted only where "the evidence is totally insufficient
to support the verdict." Harper v. Lefkowitz, 10th Dist. Nos.
09AP-1090, 09AP-1116, 2010-Ohio-6527.
In applying the "reasonable minds test," and construing the
evidence most strongly in favor of [Comtex and PIIC], the
Court finds sufficient – and indeed, substantial – evidence was
presented to support [Comtex and PIIC's] request for "value to
owner" damages, without any discount for depreciation. Based
on the evidence adduced at trial, the Court finds that the jury
could conclude that [Comtex and PIIC] were entitled to receive
$651,355.00 as damages for the conversion of the metal carts.
Accordingly, the Court finds that PSC is not entitled to
judgment notwithstanding the verdict under the test set forth
above.
(Feb. 25, 2018 Decision at 3-4.)
{¶ 32} Based on our independent review of the record, we agree with the trial court's
assessment.
{¶ 33} In conversion claims, the general rule for the measure of damages is the
market value of the property at the time of conversion. Erie RR. Co. v. Steinberg, 94 Ohio
St. 189 (1916), syllabus, ¶ 2. "Market value" or "fair value" is generally defined as " 'the price
No. 19AP-167 12
that seller is willing to accept and buyer is willing to pay on the open market and in an arm's
length transaction.' " Perez Bar & Grill v. Schneider, 9th Dist. No. 11CA10076, 2012-Ohio-
5820, ¶ 35, quoting Black's Law Dictionary 1587 (8th Ed.2004).
{¶ 34} An alternative to "value to owner" is the "market value" rule. If the property
converted consists of articles for personal use, which have been used by the owner and
therefore have little or no market value, the measure of damages is the reasonable value to
the owner at the time of conversion. Erie RR. Co. at syllabus, ¶ 3. This doctrine recognizes
that property may have value to the owner in exceptional circumstances, which is the basis
of a better standard than what the article would bring on the open market. Bishop v. E.
Ohio Gas, 143 Ohio St. 541, 546 (1944). "[T]o confine the proof of damage to market value
only, in cases involving the worth of personal property which is specially adapted to the use
of the owner, would in many cases deprive the owner of his right to have a jury assess his
actual damage." Groves v. Gray, 74 Ohio App. 384, 386 (9th Dist.1942). The "value to
owner" is determined by considering various factors, including original cost, value to
owner, replacement cost, salvage value, if any, and fair market value at time of loss. Cooper
v. Feeney, 34 Ohio App. 3d 282, 284 (12th Dist.1986).
{¶ 35} Ohio courts have recognized that in tort actions, including conversions, the
appropriate measure of damages is that which will compensate to make the injured party
whole. Pryor v. Webber, 23 Ohio St. 2d 104, 107 (1970). The rule that the market value is
the measure of damages for the wrongful conversion of personal property is subordinate to
the fundamental rule that the owner must be fully compensated. Bishop at 546; see also
Rogers v. Standard Steel Casting Co., 16 Ohio App. 474, 480 (1922). Market value
determination, where it is available, is a standard for measuring direct property loss;
however, it "is a standard, not a shackle." Bishop at 546.
{¶ 36} Based on our independent review of the record, we find substantial evidence
that Comtex and PIIC are entitled to "value to owner" damages, without any discount for
depreciation, in the amount of $651,355 for the conversion. The carts were custom made
for Comtex's integrated operation, and there were no reasonably similar carts available on
the open market. Comtex would be able to replace the destroyed carts only by ordering new
carts from its manufacturer. Thus, Comtex could not make itself whole on the open market
because no other cart would work with Comtrex's custom-designed operation. Also, with
No. 19AP-167 13
one exception not material to this matter, the carts were not bought and sold after their
original purchase. The carts were not bought or sold within the healthcare laundry
industry, and there was no possible market for the carts as designed by Comtex. The
evidence established that the carts had more value to Comtex because they were configured
specifically for Comtex's custom-designed, integrated plant, machinery, and delivery
trucks. While others might find the carts "useful," the carts were most valuable to Comtex.
Thus, the carts had a value to Comtex that no potential buyer could match.
{¶ 37} It was within the jury's purview to decide whether to depreciate the value of
the carts. The jury was presented with evidence from Comtex as to the carts' value to
Comtex, the original costs, the replacement costs, the carts' durability and lifespan to
support full replacement value without depreciation, and the ability to repair the carts such
that their value was maintained. The jury also was presented with evidence from PSC's
expert regarding the estimated fair market value of the carts, including deduction for
depreciation. It then was up to the jury to decide the weight to afford the evidence
presented and the credibility of the witnesses.
{¶ 38} Construing the evidence presented at trial and the facts established in the
record "most strongly in favor of the party against the motion is made, and, when there is
substantial evidence to support his side of the case, upon which reasonable minds may
reach different conclusions," PSC's motion for JNOV must be denied. (Internal quotation
and citation omitted.) (Feb. 25, 2019 Decision at 4.) As noted previously, a motion for JNOV
may be granted only where "the evidence is totally insufficient to support the verdict."
Harper at ¶ 8. We find that Comtex offered some credible evidence to support the jury's
damage calculation and that calculation should not be disturbed. Sullivan v. Morgan, 10th
Dist. No. 93AP-747 (Mar. 24, 1994).
{¶ 39} PSC's second assignment of error is overruled.
C. Third Assignment of Error
1. Standard of Review
{¶ 40} Finally, PSC contends the trial court erred in denying its alternative motion
for a new trial where the judgment was contrary to law and that PSC is entitled to a new
trial. Civ.R. 59(A) provides in relevant part:
Grounds for new trial.
No. 19AP-167 14
A new trial may be granted to all or any of the parties and on all
or part of the issues upon any of the following grounds:
***
(7) the judgment is contrary to law.
{¶ 41} The Harper court addressed the standard for appellate review of a motion for
a new trial under Civ.R. 57(A) as follows:
Because a trial court has broad discretion in determining
whether a jury verdict is against the manifest weight of the
evidence, Osler v. Lorain (1986), 28 Ohio St. 3d 345, 351, 28
Ohio B. 410, 504 N.E.2d 19, a trial court's ruling on a motion
for a new trial based upon the weight of the evidence will not
be reversed absent an abuse of discretion. Antal v. Olde Worlde
Products, Inc. (1984), 9 Ohio St. 3d 144, 145, 9 Ohio B. 392, 459
N.E.2d 223. Moreover, when a jury's award is supported by
some competent, credible evidence going to the essential
elements of the case, that award will not be reversed by a
reviewing court as being against the manifest weight of the
evidence. C.E. Morris Co. v. Foley Constr. Co. (1978), 54 Ohio
St.2d 279, 280, 376 N.E.2d 578. In the area of damages in a
personal injury case, neither a reviewing court nor a trial court
can substitute its judgment for that of the jury. Litchfield v.
Morris (1985), 25 Ohio App. 3d 42, 44, 25 Ohio B. 115, 495
N.E.2d 462. A trial court's ruling on a motion for a new trial
premised upon Civ.R. 59(A)(7), however, presents questions of
law reviewed de novo. O'Day v. Webb (1972), 29 Ohio St. 2d
215, 280 N.E.2d 896; Ferguson v. Dyer, 149 Ohio App. 3d 380,
2002 Ohio 1442, P10, 777 N.E.2d 850, citing Rohde v. Farmer
(1970), 23 Ohio St. 2d 82, 262 N.E.2d 685, paragraph two of the
syllabus.
Harper at ¶ 6.
2. Discussion
{¶ 42} PSC argues the trial court abused its discretion when it denied its motion for
a new trial. The trial court's decision stated in relevant part as follows:
Here, the Court finds as a matter of law that the jury's verdict
on the issue of damages was not contrary to law. As discussed
above, [Comtex and PIIC] presented more than sufficient
evidence to justify the jury's conclusion that [Comtex and PIIC]
were entitled to damages based on the "value to owner"
standard, without any diminution in value for depreciation.
The verdict was not contrary to law and PSC is not entitled to a
new trial pursuant to Civ.R. 59(A)(7). Furthermore, the Court
No. 19AP-167 15
declines to exercise its discretion to order such a new trial on
damages as such would be inappropriate based on the evidence
adduced at trial.
(Feb. 25, 2019 Decision at 5.)
{¶ 43} Having independently reviewed the record and briefs and listened to oral
arguments, we find that the trial court did not err in denying PSC's motion for a new trial.
{¶ 44} PSC's third assignment of error is overruled.
V. LAW AND DISCUSSION: CROSS-APPEAL OF COMTEX AND PIIC
{¶ 45} In their sole assignment of error, Comtex and PIIC argue that PSC's motion
for JNOV/new trial was untimely filed under Civ.R. 50(B) and 59, and the trial court was
without jurisdiction to consider either setting aside the verdict in favor of PSC or granting
PSC a new trial. Because we already have determined that PSC was not entitled to either
judgment notwithstanding the verdict or a new trial, we decline to consider Comtex's and
PIIC's assignment of error, and we moot their cross-appeal.
VI. CONCLUSION
{¶ 46} Based on our independent review of the record, we hold that the trial court
did not err in denying PSC's motion for JNOV/new trial. We overrule PSC's three
assignments of error and affirm the judgments of the Franklin County Court of Common
Pleas.
{¶ 47} Additionally, we decline to consider Comtex's and PIIC's sole assignment of
error on cross-appeal, finding it to be moot.
Judgments affirmed.
BEATTY BLUNT and NELSON, JJ., concur.