Bruntjen v. Bethalto Pizza, LLC

Illinois Official Reports
Appellate Court
Bruntjen v. Bethalto Pizza, LLC, 2014 IL App (5th) 120245Appellate Court MATTHEW BRUNTJEN, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. BETHALTO
Caption PIZZA, LLC, d/b/a Imo’s Pizza; and IMO’S FRANCHISING, INC.,
Defendants-Appellants (Kenneth Lyerla; Lisa Lyerla; Jeremiah
Greene; Jason Yelton; Metro East Distributing, Inc.; Leonard
Cummings, Jr.; and Tresorella’s, Inc., Defendants).
District & No. Fifth District
Docket No. 5-12-0245
Filed September 15, 2014
Held In an action for the severe brain injuries plaintiff suffered when
(Note: This syllabus defendants’ pizza delivery vehicle crossed a center line and crashed
constitutes no part of the into a van in which plaintiff was a passenger, the verdict for plaintiff
opinion of the court but was affirmed where the trial court did not abuse its discretion in
has been prepared by the denying defendants’ motion for a mistrial based on the claim that they
Reporter of Decisions were deprived of their statutory allocation of peremptory challenges
for the convenience of when certain codefendants used their challenges for plaintiff’s benefit
the reader.) and were dismissed pursuant to a settlement before the trial started, the
pizza shop’s franchisor was properly found liable due to its own
negligence as well as under a theory of vicarious liability, the jury’s
awards for past and future medical expenses and past and future lost
wages were affirmed, and the denial of defendants’ request for
remittitur or a new trial on damages was not an abuse of discretion.
Decision Under Appeal from the Circuit Court of Madison County, No. 10-L-577; the
Review Hon. A.A. Matoesian, Judge, presiding.
Judgment Affirmed.
Counsel on Gordon R. Broom, Theodore J. MacDonald, Jr., and Michael L.
Appeal Young, all of HeplerBroom, LLC, of Edwardsville, and Roderick T.
Dunne and Linda J. Carwile, both of Karbal, Cohen, Economou, Silk
& Dunne, LLC, of Chicago, for appellant Bethalto Pizza, LLC.
Russell K. Scott, of Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C., of Belleville,
for appellant Imo’s Franchising, Inc.
Roy C. Dripps, Charles W. Armbruster III, and Michael T.
Blotevogel, all of Armbruster, Dripps, Winterscheidt & Blotevogel, of
Alton, for appellee.
Panel JUSTICE CHAPMAN delivered the judgment of the court, with
opinion.
Justice Stewart concurred in the judgment and opinion.
Justice Spomer dissented, with opinion.
OPINION
¶1 The defendants, Bethalto Pizza, LLC, doing business as Imo’s Pizza (Bethalto), and
Imo’s Franchising, Inc. (Imo’s), appeal the December 13, 2011, judgment entered by the
circuit court of Madison County after a jury verdict in favor of the plaintiff, Matthew
Bruntjen, in the amount of $2,284,500.68, for damages he sustained in an automobile
accident. The defendants’ posttrial motions were denied on May 18, 2012. The defendants
raise a number of issues on appeal. We affirm.
¶2 I. FACTS
¶3 On March 31, 2011, Matthew Bruntjen filed an amended complaint against, inter alios,
Kenneth Lyerla, Bethalto, and Imo’s. According to the amended complaint, on August 17,
2009, Kenneth Lyerla was delivering a pizza when he crossed the center line and hit the van
in which the plaintiff was a passenger, causing a severe brain injury. The amended complaint
alleged that Lyerla was an employee of Bethalto and that Imo’s was the franchising
corporation that established policies and procedures for all Imo’s franchisees, including
Bethalto. The amended complaint included a count alleging vicarious liability against Imo’s
as well as a count alleging direct negligence against Imo’s. In the direct negligence count, the
plaintiff alleged that Imo’s created an environment with its franchisees that put timely
delivery of food products ahead of public safety and allowed Lyerla to operate a motor
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vehicle to deliver pizzas on its behalf without first ascertaining that he was capable of safely
operating a motor vehicle.
¶4 Lyerla conceded that his negligence caused the automobile accident at issue, and Bethalto
admitted that it was responsible for the acts of Lyerla as his employer. However, Imo’s, as a
franchisor, contested its duty to the plaintiff via a motion to dismiss, a motion for summary
judgment, and a motion for a directed verdict, all of which were denied. Subsequently,
defendants filed motions for a mistrial, judgment notwithstanding the verdict, remittitur or a
new trial on the issue of damages, and a new trial on all issues. The court’s denial of these
motions forms the basis of many of the issues raised in this appeal. As defendants’ claims of
error are numerous, we will further develop the facts necessary for disposition as we address
each issue on appeal.
¶5 Imo’s and Bethalto shared the same counsel at trial, but are represented by separate
counsel on appeal. Imo’s has expressly adopted and incorporated all arguments and points of
error raised by Bethalto in this appeal, in addition to the arguments and points raised in its
own brief.
¶6 II. ANALYSIS
¶7 A. Peremptory Challenges
¶8 The plaintiff named several additional defendants in the amended complaint: (1) Lisa
Lyerla, the owner of the vehicle Kenneth Lyerla was driving at the time of the accident; (2)
Jeremiah Greene, the driver of the van in which the plaintiff was a passenger; (3) Jason
Yelton, the owner of the van; and (4) Metro East Distributing, Inc. (Metro East), the
plaintiff’s employer. When jury selection commenced, four defense attorneys participated.
Lisa and Kenneth Lyerla were represented by one attorney; Jeremiah Greene and Jason
Yelton were represented by a second attorney; Metro East was represented by a third
attorney; and Bethalto and Imo’s were represented by a fourth attorney. The trial court
awarded eight peremptory challenges to the plaintiff and distributed eight peremptory
challenges among the defendants by awarding two challenges to each of the four attorneys
representing the defendants.
¶9 Before jury selection began, counsel for defendant Metro East stated as follows:
“I do want to state for the record–this is John Wendler. I represent Metro East
Distributing. My understanding is that Metro East has two strikes, and I’m going to
use them to the best advantage to get my client out of this case, which may–it could
or might end up me striking people that I normally wouldn’t strike as defendant. And
even if I, to get a dismissal for my case, I need to work in concord with the plaintiff if
I had to. So, I want to put it out in the open so anyone can make an objection.”
¶ 10 Counsel for Bethalto and Imo’s then stated:
“I’m going to object if any of the parties who are named as a defendant are dismissed
immediately after jury selection. I think that that would demonstrate gamesmanship
and it would influence the jury selection process. So, I just want to make that clear. I
think that by now the plaintiff should know who they’re going to leave in the case or
take out of the case.”
¶ 11 During the empanelment of the first four members of the jury, counsel for Bethalto and
Imo’s objected and moved for a mistrial, stating that plaintiff’s counsel had just instructed
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Metro East on how to exercise its challenge. Counsel then went on to state that he believed
that there had been some kind of deal struck where some of the defendants were going to use
their challenges for the benefit of plaintiff in order to gain dismissals. The court denied
counsel’s motion for mistrial. Shortly thereafter, the court empanelled the first four jurors.
This panel was accepted by counsel for Bethalto and Imo’s. At that point, counsel still had an
additional peremptory challenge. Jury selection concluded without any further objections.
¶ 12 The next morning, Metro East, Yelton, and Greene filed a joint motion for a good-faith
finding of settlement, informing the court that the plaintiff had agreed to their dismissal in
exchange for $20,000. Counsel for Bethalto and Imo’s then stated that he was renewing his
motion for mistrial. He also stated that he was objecting to the settlement as not being made
in good faith because of how the challenges were exercised. Counsel for plaintiff stated that
the settlement was in good faith and that the settlement amount was all the insurance
coverage available. Plaintiff’s counsel went on to state that none of the remaining defendants
(Bethalto, Imo’s, or Kenneth Lyerla) had identified any juror who was objectionable or how
their rights were violated. Counsel for Bethalto and Imo’s was then asked by the judge, “Is it
your position that they should be kept in this trial throughout the whole thing, even though
they have settled?” Counsel answered, “I am objecting to the good[-]faith finding.”
¶ 13 Counsel for Metro East responded:
“Everything done here was for the purpose of defending our client. They can no more
claim that we can’t take any and every avenue to defend our clients, than we can
claim they did. Everything has been in the open. They had every opportunity to object
to any jurors that were on the panel; they didn’t do it.”
The judge then asked Bethalto and Imo’s counsel, “So what do you suggest?” Counsel
responded, “I suggest keeping them in.” The judge approved the settlement. Lisa Lyerla was
subsequently dismissed from the suit. The case proceeded to trial against Kenneth Lyerla,
Bethalto, and Imo’s. Kenneth Lyerla was dismissed sometime prior to verdict.
¶ 14 Bethalto and Imo’s contend that a new trial is warranted because they were deprived of
their statutory allocation of peremptory challenges when two of the codefendant groups used
their peremptory challenges for the benefit of plaintiff. Plaintiff responds that defendants
were not deprived of their statutory allocations, because each side agreed to the allocation of
peremptory challenges among themselves in compliance with the plain language of the
statute.
¶ 15 Defendants based their motion for new trial, in part, on the trial court’s denial of their
motion for a mistrial. “ ‘Generally, a mistrial should be granted where an error of such
gravity has occurred that it has infected the fundamental fairness of the trial, such that
continuation of the proceeding would defeat the ends of justice.’ ” Lovell v. Sarah Bush
Lincoln Health Center, 397 Ill. App. 3d 890, 899 (2010) (quoting People v. Bishop, 218 Ill.
2d 232, 251 (2006)). A trial court’s denial of a motion for a mistrial will not be disturbed
unless there has been a clear abuse of discretion. Id.¶ 16 Section 2-1106 of the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure provides, in relevant part:
“Each side shall be entitled to 5 peremptory challenges. If there is more than one
party on any side, the court may allow each side additional peremptory challenges,
not to exceed 3, on account of each additional party on the side having the greatest
number of parties. Each side shall be allowed an equal number of peremptory
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challenges. If the parties on a side are unable to agree upon the allocation of
peremptory challenges among themselves, the allocation shall be determined by the
court.” 735 ILCS 5/2-1106(a) (West 2010).
While defendants couch their argument in terms of not receiving their statutory allocation,
we agree with plaintiff that the plain language of the statute was adhered to because each side
was given the same number of challenges and the defendants agreed to the allocation among
themselves.
¶ 17 Defendants essentially concede this point when they state in their brief that “the trial
court correctly allocated eight peremptory challenges to each side, eight challenges to
plaintiff and eight challenges to split among the four defendants.” What counsel meant was
that the defendants’ maximum allocation of eight peremptory challenges was divided evenly
among the four groups of defendants, represented by four different attorneys. As both Imo’s
and Bethalto were represented by one attorney, they received two challenges.
¶ 18 We note that many of the cases cited by defendants are ones where the court assigned an
unequal number of challenges to each side. To the extent that they rely on that issue, we find
those cases of little value in our analysis. Most notably, defendants cite to Schultz v. Gilbert,
where the trial court incorrectly interpreted the statute to allow extra peremptory challenges
to additional parties on a plaintiff’s side without affording the same ratio to defendants.
Schultz v. Gilbert, 300 Ill. App. 417, 420-21 (1939). We also note that defendants cite to a
number of cases from foreign jurisdictions, which we decline to discuss as we believe Illinois
case law adequately addresses and controls the issues before us.
¶ 19 We believe defendants’ real point of contention is how the allocated challenges were
utilized by the settling codefendants–that they were utilized for the benefit of plaintiff rather
than the benefit of defendants, Bethalto and Imo’s. In defendants’ words, “In essence, the
co-defendants were actually in plaintiff’s camp, which destroyed the adversary nature of the
proceeding and promoted fundamental unfairness.” It is this argument that we will address.
¶ 20 At trial, Bethalto and Imo’s counsel moved for a mistrial and, in the alternative, for a
denial of a good-faith settlement of the codefendants. However, at no time did counsel
request that the court reallocate the peremptory challenges, as provided for by statute in the
event parties on a side are unable to agree on the allocation. Even after the court asked
defendants’ counsel what he suggested doing, counsel opted to keep the panel intact, instead
repeatedly moving for a mistrial and urging the court not to approve the settlement. Bethalto
and Imo’s cannot now claim that they were denied equal allocation of peremptory challenges
based on an alleged de facto realignment of the sides when they did not request that relief
below. A court properly denies the request for a mistrial when less drastic remedies are not
pursued. People v. Hood, 213 Ill. 2d 244, 262-63 (2004). Also of note, Bethalto and Imo’s do
not claim error on appeal as to the good-faith settlement finding–the other form of relief
sought in the trial court.
¶ 21 In O’Donnell v. Holy Family Hospital, a similar claim was made. O’Donnell v. Holy
Family Hospital, 289 Ill. App. 3d 634, 649 (1997). There, the trial court refused to dismiss
for cause two persons who indicated that they could not award millions of dollars in
damages. Plaintiffs claimed on appeal that they were forced to exhaust all their peremptory
challenges and forced to accept the objectionable jurors. Id. In rejecting this claim, the court
stated:
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“We need not decide whether refusal to dismiss the two jurors for cause was
error. Plaintiffs’ counsel never requested additional peremptories or informed the
court that plaintiffs were being forced to accept objectionable jurors. Nor do plaintiffs
attempt to explain why the jurors they were forced to accept were objectionable.
Plaintiffs’ simple assertion of prejudice is insufficient grounds for finding reversible
error.” Id.¶ 22 Similarly, in Lange v. Freund, the court refused to review a claim that plaintiffs were
denied a fair and impartial jury where the trial court had announced before jury selection
began that if a four-member panel had not been completed and sworn by the end of the day,
all jurors in that panel would be dismissed and they would begin anew the next day. Lange v.
Freund, 367 Ill. App. 3d 641, 648 (2006). Neither party objected to this rule. Id. The
four-member panel was not sworn by the end of the day, and the panel members were
dismissed. Id. Neither party objected at that time or when jury selection resumed the next day
and the remainder of the jury was empanelled. Id. The appellate court stated, “Since the
Langes did not object to the court’s announcement of its rule, to its application of the rule at
the time the three jurors from the incomplete second panel were dismissed, or to its
assessment of the parties’ remaining number of peremptory challenges, they have waived the
issue.” Id. at 648-49.
¶ 23 Here, Bethalto and Imo’s not only failed to ask for the relief afforded by statute–a
reallocation of challenges–they also failed to object to any jurors they now claim were
objectionable. Relief not requested in the trial court may not be considered on appeal. Powell
v. Dean Foods Co., 2012 IL 111714, ¶ 41. Because defendants’ counsel did not identify any
objectionable jurors at trial, we do not know whether they had any challenges left when the
objectionable jurors were seated. However, a review of the record does reveal that Bethalto
and Imo’s had one challenge left at the point in time when the first four members of the jury
were empanelled and the defendants moved for a mistrial. The failure to use a peremptory
challenge on an objectionable juror waives the issue on appeal. People v. Bowens, 407 Ill.
App. 3d 1094, 1100 (2011). We find that the claimed error, if in fact it was an error, has been
forfeited.
¶ 24 Forfeiture notwithstanding, the erroneous denial of a peremptory challenge does not
require reversal unless the defendant can show that a biased or otherwise unqualified juror
rendered a verdict against him. Jimenez v. City of Chicago, 732 F.3d 710, 714 (7th Cir.
2013). “Prejudice in the jury selection process is not shown by the mere assertion that a party
would have preferred different members of the jury; Illinois courts have instead required a
showing that a party was forced to accept a juror that was objectionable and was unable to
excuse that juror due to the lack of peremptory challenges.” Lange, 367 Ill. App. 3d at 649
(citing O’Donnell, 289 Ill. App. 3d at 649, and Snyder v. Poplett, 98 Ill. App. 3d 359, 365
(1981)). Even a Batson challenge (Batson v. Kentucky, 476 U.S. 79 (1986)) is subject to a
harmless error analysis without a showing that a biased juror was seated. Jimenez, 732 F.3d
at 714. Bethalto and Imo’s argue, however, that “[t]he issue is not that objectionable jurors
were empanelled,” but that through plaintiff’s manipulation with the jury selection process
potentially “pro-defense” jurors were removed, resulting in a “pro-plaintiff” jury. This
position is untenable and not supported by case law. “Generally, the nature of a peremptory
challenge suggests it may be used for any reason.” Tucker v. Illinois Power Co., 217 Ill. App.
3d 748, 751 (1991). “The right of peremptory challenge is a right to exclude jurors, not to
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select them. It enables a party to say who shall not try his case, but it does not enable him to
select the particular jurors by whom he wishes his case tried.” Schultz, 300 Ill. App. at 422.
Bethalto and Imo’s were given the right to exclude the jurors that they did not want to try
their case through their allotment of challenges. Defendants’ argument assumes that they also
have the right to control how other parties on the same side choose to use their challenges.
Defendants have not cited a case that supports this proposition. Defendants’ presumption of a
unified defense may be an expectation, but does not equate to an entitlement. Simpson v.
Matthews, 339 Ill. App. 3d 322, 332 (2003).
¶ 25 Furthermore, the record reveals that Bethalto and Imo’s had filed cross-claims against the
settling defendants, which contributed to an adversarial environment. There is no
requirement that once the parties on a side “agree upon the allocation of peremptory
challenges among themselves” (735 ILCS 5/2-1106(a) (West 2010)), the parties must also
agree on how the allocated challenges shall be used. “[T]he right to a fair trial does not mean
an ideal trial or a trial under circumstances most advantageous to either party.” Simpson, 339
Ill. App. 3d at 332.
¶ 26 Moreover, unless shown otherwise, we must presume that the jurors were impartial.
Apart from defendants’ nebulous claim that a “pro-plaintiff” jury was empanelled, they have
made no showing that anything but a fair and impartial jury decided the case to conclusion.
To find otherwise would open up any verdict adverse to the party in question.
¶ 27 We are equally unpersuaded by defendants’ analogy to a “Mary Carter agreement.” As
counsel concedes, the settlements at issue here were not “technically” Mary Carter
agreements, and thus we need not analyze them as such. See Simpson, 339 Ill. App. 3d at
328-29. We believe, however, that defendants’ claim that the settlements were akin to a Mary
Carter agreement also lacks merit. The settling defendants were forthright about not aligning
with Bethalto and Imo’s, and they used their challenges as they saw fit.
¶ 28 Finally, we find no basis for defendants’ accusation that a fraud was committed on the
trial court or that plaintiff’s counsel violated the rules of professional conduct.
¶ 29 We believe that the transparency of the jury selection proceedings adequately protected
Bethalto’s and Imo’s right to a fair trial, while at the same time promoting the court’s policy
to encourage settlements. We find that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying
defendants’ motion for a mistrial.
¶ 30 B. Imo’s Liability
¶ 31 Imo’s contends that the trial court erred in denying its section 2-619 (735 ILCS 5/2-619
(West 2010)) motion to dismiss plaintiff’s amended complaint, its motion for summary
judgment, and its motions for directed verdict because plaintiff failed to plead and prove, as a
matter of law, that Imo’s owed him a duty of care or that the breach of any duty was a
proximate cause of his alleged injury. Imo’s also contends that plaintiff failed to prove that it
was liable under a theory of respondeat superior. Imo’s therefore contends that it was
entitled to a judgment notwithstanding the verdict. In the alternative, Imo’s asks for a new
trial.
¶ 32 We apply a de novo standard of review to a trial court’s denial of a motion for summary
judgment, motion for directed verdict, and motion for judgment n.o.v. Lawlor v. North
American Corp. of Illinois, 2012 IL 112530, ¶ 37; McClure v. Owens Corning Fiberglas
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Corp., 188 Ill. 2d 102, 132 (1999). “[V]erdicts ought to be directed and judgments n.o.v.
entered only in those cases in which all of the evidence, when viewed in its aspect most
favorable to the opponent, so overwhelmingly favors movant that no contrary verdict based
on that evidence could ever stand.” Pedrick v. Peoria & Eastern R.R. Co., 37 Ill. 2d 494, 510
(1967). We apply an abuse of discretion standard to a motion for new trial. Maple v.
Gustafson, 151 Ill. 2d 445, 455 (1992). A trial court has abused its discretion when the
verdict is against the manifest weight of the evidence. Id. A verdict is against the manifest
weight of the evidence where the opposite result is clearly evident or the jury’s findings are
unreasonable, arbitrary, and not based upon the evidence. Id. at 454.
¶ 33 As previously discussed, plaintiff’s complaint contained counts alleging that Imo’s was
liable due to its own negligence as well as on a theory of vicarious liability. The jury found
Imo’s liable on both counts.
¶ 34 1. Direct Negligence
¶ 35 As a threshold matter, notwithstanding Imo’s contention that plaintiff failed to plead and
prove that Imo’s owed him a duty of care, we do not address the sufficiency of the complaint,
as Imo’s attacks on plaintiff’s pleadings were by a section 2-619 petition, thereby admitting
the legal sufficiency of the complaint. Reynolds v. Jimmy John’s Enterprises, LLC, 2013 IL
App (4th) 120139, ¶ 31.
¶ 36 Imo’s argues that plaintiff failed to plead and prove that Imo’s owed a duty to plaintiff.
Imo’s general contention is that, as a matter of law, it owed no duty of care to plaintiff
because there was no relationship between plaintiff and Imo’s giving rise to a direct duty to
protect plaintiff from the conduct of a third person. Plaintiff contends that every person owes
a duty of ordinary care to guard against injuries that are the foreseeable risk of a defendant’s
conduct. He argues that he pled and proved that Imo’s created a foreseeable risk of injury.
Plaintiff also argues that he demonstrated that Imo’s assumed the risk of protecting him
against harm caused by Lyerla. Imo’s contends that plaintiff failed to establish a duty under
either theory. Imo’s further argues that if there was a duty, plaintiff failed to show that the
breach of a duty was the proximate cause of his alleged injury.
¶ 37 a. Duty of Care
¶ 38 It is well settled Illinois law that “ ‘every person owes a duty of ordinary care to all others
to guard against injuries which naturally flow as a reasonably probable and foreseeable
consequence of an act, and such a duty does not depend upon contract, privity of interest or
the proximity of relationship, but extends to remote and unknown persons.’ ” Simpkins v.
CSX Transportation, Inc., 2012 IL 110662, ¶ 19 (quoting Widlowski v. Durkee Foods, 138
Ill. 2d 369, 373 (1990)). “Thus, where a defendant’s course of action creates a foreseeable
risk of injury, the defendant has a duty to protect others from such injury.” Doe-3 v. McLean
County Unit District No. 5 Board of Directors, 2012 IL 112479, ¶ 21; Simpkins, 2012 IL
110662, ¶ 19.
¶ 39 The criterion in a duty analysis is whether a plaintiff and a defendant stood in such a
relationship to each other that the law imposed an obligation upon the defendant to act for the
protection of the plaintiff. Simpkins, 2012 IL 110662, ¶ 18; Marshall v. Burger King Corp.,
222 Ill. 2d 422, 436 (2006). However, there is no requirement that the relationship between
the parties be a direct one. Doe-3, 2012 IL 112479, ¶ 22. The relationship test is answered
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through the analysis of four factors: (1) the reasonable foreseeability of the injury, (2) the
likelihood of the injury, (3) the magnitude of the burden of guarding against the injury, and
(4) the consequences of placing that burden on the defendant. Id. The analysis of these
factors depends on policies inherent in the factors, and the weight given to each factor
depends on the circumstances of the particular case. Id.¶ 40 The duty analysis begins with the question of whether the defendant by act or omission
created or contributed to a risk of harm to the plaintiff. Simpkins, 2012 IL 110662, ¶ 21. If the
answer to that question is yes, then we proceed to analyze the four relationship factors stated
above. If the answer is no, then we address whether there were any special relationships that
establish duty between the defendant and the plaintiff, i.e., common carrier/passenger,
innkeeper/guest, custodian/ward, and possessor of land who holds it open to the
public/member of the public who enters in response to the possessor’s invitation. Id. ¶ 20
(citing Marshall, 222 Ill. 2d at 438).
¶ 41 Where the act or omission of the defendant did not contribute to a risk of harm to the
plaintiff, the absence of a special relationship negates any duty to take affirmative action to
protect the plaintiff. Generally, there is no duty to control the conduct of a third person to
prevent him from causing physical harm to another. Hollywood Trucking, Inc. v. Watters,
385 Ill. App. 3d 237, 242 (2008); see also Restatement (Second) of Torts § 314 (1965).
However, this rule does not apply where an act or omission of the defendant does contribute
to the risk of harm. “Restatement Third of Torts (Liability for Physical and Emotional Harm)
§ 37 (2010) now covers this ground and clarifies the Second Restatement’s rule by making it
clear that the defendant does not escape liability if he has himself created a risk of physical
harm.” 2 Dan B. Dobbs, The Law of Torts § 405, at 652 n.3 (2d ed. 2011). “[T]he
no-duty-to-control rule has no logical application when the defendant is affirmatively
negligent in creating a risk of harm to the plaintiff through the instrumentality of another or
otherwise.” Id. § 414, at 700.
¶ 42 Turning to the instant case, we ask the threshold question whether Imo’s conduct by act
or omission created or contributed to a risk of harm to plaintiff. Plaintiff alleges that Imo’s
actively contributed to a risk of harm to the plaintiff by (a) establishing an unusually large
delivery area for the Bethalto store; (b) requiring “timely” delivery; (c) requiring Bethalto to
have Lyerla sign a contract stating he could be terminated for failing to deliver pizzas
expeditiously; and (d) creating a financial incentive to young drivers to drive at unsafe
speeds. He alleges that this conduct created or contributed to a condition of unsafe driving
that put plaintiff traveling on the same roads as Lyerla at risk of harm. Because plaintiff
alleges that Imo’s conduct contributed to the risk of harm, we look to the four relationship
factors to determine whether this conduct gave rise to a legally cognizant duty.
¶ 43 The first factor we consider is the reasonable foreseeability of the injury. Imo’s argues
that it “merely created a scenario under which Bethalto would place its employees upon the
roadways to deliver pizzas.” As such, Imo’s contends, there would be no reason for it to
expect that an employee of its franchisee would operate a vehicle in a negligent manner.
Furthermore, Imo’s argues that it placed an emphasis on safety in its franchise agreement,
manual, and driver contract.
¶ 44 “Foreseeability of harm, in connection with a duty, is not a magical concept that ignores
common sense.” St. Paul Insurance Co. of Illinois v. Estate of Venute, 275 Ill. App. 3d 432,
436 (1995). A person has a greater reason to anticipate negligence than criminal conduct.
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Marshall, 222 Ill. 2d at 440 (citing Restatement (Second) of Torts § 302B cmt. d (1965)). It
is unrealistic to posit that Imo’s had no reason to expect that a franchisee’s employee would
operate a vehicle negligently. Imo’s knew or should have known that from time to time
vehicle-related accidents would occur involving its franchisee’s delivery drivers and that
some of those accidents would be attributable to the fault of the delivery driver. We may
assume the general foreseeability of occasional accidents involving pizza delivery drivers,
who will be at fault some of the time. See Marshall, 222 Ill. 2d at 442 (recognizing the
reasonable foreseeability of harm caused by automobile accidents given the pervasiveness of
automobiles, roadways, and parking lots). The relevant query then becomes whether it was
reasonably foreseeable that Imo’s actions would or could affect the conduct of Lyerla,
thereby contributing to the risk of harm to plaintiff.
¶ 45 Restatement (Second) of Torts section 303 states, “An act is negligent if the actor intends
it to affect, or realizes or should realize that it is likely to affect, the conduct of another, a
third person, or an animal in such a manner as to create an unreasonable risk of harm to the
other.” Restatement (Second) of Torts § 303 (1965). Imo’s argues that because it emphasizes
driver safety, the expectation by Imo’s was that “a franchisee’s delivery personnel will act in
a reasonably safe manner and never sacrifice safety for speedy delivery.”
¶ 46 Nineteen-year-old Kenneth Lyerla crossed the center line and hit the vehicle in which
plaintiff was a passenger head-on. An eyewitness testified that Lyerla was speeding–“flying
down the road”–when he swerved to avoid a stopped vehicle. The witness testified that
Lyerla did not appear to reduce his speed before impact. At the time, he was in the process of
a pizza delivery for his employer, Bethalto Pizza.
¶ 47 Imo’s operating manual, franchise agreement, and driver contract were admitted into
evidence. Imo’s policies emphasized speed of delivery– “as soon as possible.” Imo’s required
a driver contract that allowed for termination for failure to make “timely” deliveries or with
“expedition.” Imo’s compensation scheme did not require drivers to be paid an hourly rate,
but did require that they make minimum wage. Drivers could make more than minimum
wage only by delivering as many pizzas an hour as possible, because they could keep
delivery fees and tips. Imo’s benefited by drivers making as many deliveries as fast as
possible because its franchisees paid it a monthly continuing fee license equal to 4% of their
sales. There was no bonus for safe driving or any safe driving training or program.
¶ 48 Imo’s required its franchisees to provide pizza deliveries, and it allowed the franchisee to
determine the size of the delivery area beyond a three-quarter-mile radius from each
restaurant. The delivery range for the Bethalto franchise was up to 10 miles. The further
away the delivery, the less money drivers could potentially make, as drivers could drive as
long as 15 minutes in one direction. Consequently, drivers could deliver as few as two pizzas
an hour and make less than minimum wage on delivery fees and tips.
¶ 49 Imo’s had a written policy that drivers must have fewer than three moving violations in
the three preceding years. Imo’s retained the right to monitor and enforce compliance with its
policies, but did not have anyone assigned to check on driver’s records. Lyerla had three
moving violations in less than the three years preceding the accident. According to Imo’s
own mandatory written policy, Lyerla should not have been delivering pizzas.
¶ 50 We cannot say as a matter of law that it was unforeseeable that delivery drivers would
sacrifice safety for speedy deliveries given the large size of the delivery area; the financial
incentive to maximize deliveries; the young age and inexperience of some of its drivers; the
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requirement that deliveries were to be “timely,” “efficient,” and made “as soon as possible”;
and the fact that the driver contract allowed Imo’s to terminate a driver for not delivering
pizzas quickly enough. The fact that Imo’s required delivery drivers have fewer than three
moving violations also evidenced knowledge that unsafe driving could contribute to
accidents.
¶ 51 We next consider the likelihood of the injury. The injuries suffered by plaintiff were not
remote or unlikely under the circumstances as a matter of law. Imo’s requirement of pizza
deliveries placed its franchise drivers on the road with other vehicles. Defendant Bethalto has
admitted that Lyerla’s negligent driving was the cause of the accident whereby plaintiff was
injured. Had Imo’s enforced its own policy, it would have discovered Lyerla’s history of
moving violations and not placed him on the road delivering pizzas. Having determined that
the risk of harm was foreseeable as a matter of law, we likewise find that the plaintiff’s injury
was reasonably likely to arise from a pizza delivery driver with past moving violations who
was speeding to deliver a pizza. See Doe-3, 2012 IL 112479, ¶ 33.
¶ 52 The next factor we address is the magnitude of the burden of guarding against the injury.
Imo’s argues that the burden of guarding against the injury here would be great, requiring
that it either cease deliveries or control the manner and method of delivery in all of its 94
franchise locations. Plaintiff counters with the argument that the magnitude of the harm of
speeding delivery drivers is great, including death and serious injury, while the burden of
guarding against such injuries would not be great.
¶ 53 We agree with plaintiff that the burden of guarding against the injury would not be great
when balanced with the seriousness of auto-related injuries caused by speeding delivery
drivers. We believe that the precautionary measures that Imo’s could undertake are not so
onerous as to cause defendant to cease pizza deliveries or require it to micromanage its 94
franchise locations. Imo’s could remove the financial incentive that encourages drivers to
maximize the number of deliveries in an hour; remove language from the driver contract that
would allow Imo’s to terminate drivers who do not deliver pizzas with “expedition”; remove
language from the franchise agreement, manual, and driver contract that emphasizes and
requires deliveries be made quickly; reduce the size of the delivery area; allow the franchisee
to determine whether or not to provide deliveries; incentivize safe deliveries; provide safe
driving training; and enforce its own safety polices. Most notably in this instance,
enforcement of its own policy–that a driver could not have three or more moving violations
and deliver pizzas–would have precluded Lyerla from delivering pizzas. None of these
alternatives would impose an undue burden on Imo’s.
¶ 54 The final relationship factor is the consequences of placing the burden on the defendant.
Imo’s arguments that it would be forced out of business if it stopped pizza deliveries and had
to micromanage its 94 franchises are speculative at best. This is particularly true since the
precautionary measures proposed to reduce the risk of harm to plaintiff would not require
drastic measures. We adhere to the language in Marshall wherein the court cautioned against
conflating duty and breach, recognizing a duty of care does not equate with a finding of
breach or proximate cause: “In short, merely concluding that the duty applies does not
constitute an automatic, broad-based declaration of negligence liability.” Marshall, 222 Ill.
2d at 443. We find that plaintiff proved circumstances that gave rise to a duty owed by Imo’s
to plaintiff in this case.
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¶ 55 b. Assumption of Duty
¶ 56 Imo’s argues additionally that plaintiff failed to prove that it voluntarily assumed a duty
of care toward plaintiff. As we have just discussed, if a defendant has created or contributed
to the risk of harm to a plaintiff, there is no additional requirement that an independent or
direct relationship be shown to establish a duty. Simpkins, 2012 IL 110662, ¶ 19. Imo’s
argues, however, that to impose duty in a franchisor-franchisee case, there must be one of the
four recognized special relationships or a voluntary undertaking. Imo’s relies extensively on
Castro v. Brown’s Chicken & Pasta, Inc., 314 Ill. App. 3d 542 (2000), for this argument. We
disagree and find Imo’s reliance on Castro misplaced.
¶ 57 Castro involved the murder of several restaurant patrons at a Brown’s Chicken & Pasta
franchise. Castro, an administrator of one of the decedents’ estates, brought suit against the
franchisor, claiming that it owed a duty toward the plaintiff because it “exercised control
over the franchisee by virtue of the franchise agreement and by recommending safety rules
for the employees.” Id. at 544. The trial court dismissed the complaint because it did not
plead a voluntary undertaking. Id. The court subsequently dismissed plaintiff’s amended
complaint on a motion for summary judgment as to proximate cause, but not as to the
amended voluntary undertaking count. Id. at 546.
¶ 58 On cross-appeals, the appellate court affirmed the dismissal as to proximate cause and
reversed and dismissed the voluntary undertaking count. The court found that the franchisee
had retained total control over the day-to-day operations of the restaurant. Id. at 552. The
court held that the franchisor did not voluntarily undertake to provide security at the
restaurant. Id. In making this determination, the court noted: “Clearly, there is no legal duty
on the part of Brown’s because no special relationship exists between it and plaintiff.
Therefore, the issue becomes whether Brown’s was negligent in voluntarily undertaking to
provide security for the plaintiffs.” Id. at 547.
¶ 59 The most notable distinction between Castro and the instant case is that Castro involved
a criminal act. In general, there is no affirmative duty to protect a third party from a criminal
act. Hills v. Bridgeview Little League Ass’n, 195 Ill. 2d 210, 228 (2000). To the extent that
this language is read to make a finding of a special relationship or a voluntary undertaking an
absolute prerequisite as a matter of law to the recognition of a duty in a franchisor-franchisee
case, we believe this interpretation conflicts with the principles our supreme court set down
in Marshall and Simpkins. Simpkins instructs that if a course of action creates or contributes
to a foreseeable risk of injury, that individual has a duty to protect others from such injury.
Simpkins, 2012 IL 110662, ¶ 19. Consequently, duty does not necessarily hinge on a special
relationship or a voluntary undertaking, even though such relationships may help establish
the foreseeability of the injury. Id.; see also Marshall, 222 Ill. 2d at 436-37 (emphasizing the
four factors that give rise to a duty and the policy considerations inherent in those factors).
While we do not believe that a finding of a voluntary undertaking is a necessary prerequisite
to the recognition of a franchisor’s duty, we determine whether Imo’s voluntarily assumed a
duty.
¶ 60 Under the voluntary undertaking doctrine of liability, “ ‘[o]ne who voluntarily undertakes
to render services to another is liable for bodily harm caused by his failure to perform such
services with due care or with such competence and skill as he possesses.’ ” Decker v.
Domino’s Pizza, Inc., 268 Ill. App. 3d 521, 526 (1994) (quoting Siklas v. Ecker Center for
Mental Health, Inc., 248 Ill. App. 3d 124, 131 (1993)). A defendant is subject to liability if
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the defendant voluntarily undertakes a duty and performs that duty negligently and the
negligence is the proximate cause of the injury to plaintiff. Phillips v. Chicago Housing
Authority, 89 Ill. 2d 122, 126 (1982). Where a duty of care is imposed, it is limited to the
extent of the undertaking. Frye v. Medicare-Glaser Corp., 153 Ill. 2d 26, 32 (1992).
¶ 61 Illinois courts have adopted section 324A of the Restatement (Second) of Torts,
“Liability to Third Person for Negligent Performance of Undertaking,” which provides:
“One who undertakes, gratuitously or for consideration, to render services to
another which he should recognize as necessary for the protection of a third person or
his things, is subject to liability to the third person for physical harm resulting from
his failure to exercise reasonable care to protect his undertaking, if
(a) his failure to exercise reasonable care increases the risk of such harm, or
(b) he has undertaken to perform a duty owed by the other to the third person,
or
(c) the harm is suffered because of reliance of the other or the third person
upon the undertaking.” Restatement (Second) of Torts § 324A (1965).
¶ 62 Imo’s maintains that any imposition of liability based on a voluntary undertaking should
be based on misfeasance, not nonfeasance, and generally must involve an affirmative act. We
have already determined Imo’s actions were affirmative, particularly in regard to the drivers’
requirements. Furthermore, our supreme court has held that a voluntarily assumed duty is not
limited to misfeasance or reliance. Phillips, 89 Ill. 2d at 127-28. “The failure to properly
complete or to carry out an assumed duty imposes liability in the same manner as for dangers
affirmatively created during the course of the assumed undertaking.” Martin v. McDonald’s
Corp., 213 Ill. App. 3d 487, 491 (1991) (citing Phillips, 89 Ill. 2d at 127-29).
¶ 63 Imo’s next contends that Bethalto retained total control over all the day-to-day operations
of the franchise and therefore under the law it has not undertaken a duty to protect against the
acts of its franchisee. In several cases cited by Imo’s and plaintiff, courts have considered
whether franchisors may be held liable for the criminal acts of third persons to employees
and patrons of restaurants based on assuming a voluntary duty to protect the plaintiff. The
issue of control is one of the determinative factors.
¶ 64 In Castro, discussed earlier, and Chelkova v. Southland Corp., 331 Ill. App. 3d 716(2002), two cases decided by summary judgment, the courts held that the franchisors did not
undertake voluntary duties to protect their franchisees’ employees from criminal attacks. In
both cases, the franchisors had made suggestions or recommendations regarding security, but
did not mandate security measures be followed by the franchisees. Chelkova, 331 Ill. App. 3d
at 724; Castro, 314 Ill. App. 3d at 551. Both courts found that all security decisions were left
up to the franchisees’ discretion and that the franchisees were permitted to run the businesses
as they saw fit. Chelkova, 331 Ill. App. 3d at 724; Castro, 314 Ill. App. 3d at 552.
¶ 65 In contrast, in Martin v. McDonald’s and Decker v. Domino’s Pizza, two cases tried to
verdict, the courts held that the franchisors did undertake voluntary duties to establish
security policies to protect their franchisees’ employees from criminal harm. Decker, 268 Ill.
App. 3d at 527; Martin, 213 Ill. App. 3d at 493. In Martin, the court found that “McDonald’s
clearly established a security policy which unquestionably included a follow-up.
Nevertheless, its key security people *** admittedly failed to follow up.” Martin, 213 Ill.
App. 3d at 493. In Decker, the court found that once Domino’s Pizza undertook to establish a
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security program whose goal was to deter robberies and protect employees from harm, it had
a duty to act with reasonable care. Defendant could be found liable for the negligent
performance of the duty it undertook. Decker, 268 Ill. App. 3d at 527.
¶ 66 In a more recent case, Lawson v. Schmitt Boulder Hill, Inc., on appeal from a section
2-619 dismissal, the court reversed the dismissal, holding that the franchisor failed to meet its
burden of showing that it owed no duty to its franchisee’s employee who had been criminally
attacked. Lawson v. Schmitt Boulder Hill, Inc., 398 Ill. App. 3d 127, 134 (2010). The court
discussed at some length Castro, Chelkova, Martin, and Decker, and in summary stated that
these cases “illustrate that whether a franchisor maintains mandatory security procedures is a
crucial factor in determining whether the franchisor has voluntarily undertaken a duty of care
toward a franchisee’s employees.” Id. at 133. Taking the allegations of the complaint as true,
the court further found that, unlike the defendants in Castro and Chelkova, McDonald’s, the
franchisor, had mandated compliance with security procedures. Id. The Lawson court
commented on McDonald’s affidavit, in which McDonald’s averred that it lacked authority
to control the day-to-day operations of the franchisee or to hire, discharge, or discipline the
franchisee’s employees. The court stated, “none of the pertinent cases suggest that such
authority is a prerequisite to the recognition of a duty.” Id. The court went on to state that
other averments in the affidavit–such as claims that McDonald’s does not supply any
products to the franchisee and does not file a tax return for the franchisee–were even less
relevant. The court emphasized that “[n]otably absent” from McDonald’s affidavit were any
averments discussing its policies regarding security at franchisee restaurants, the very factors
that were found to be relevant in Martin and Decker. Id. at 133-34.
¶ 67 Apart from the fact that the instant case does not involve criminal conduct, we believe
that our case is more similar to Martin and Decker than Castro and Chelkova. Here, the
factors that are relevant to whether Imo’s actions amounted to a voluntary undertaking are
those having to do with its driver safety policies. The safety policies Imo’s set for drivers
were self-imposed standards that mandated compliance.
¶ 68 Critically here, Imo’s required a good driving record. The manual provided that a “Good
Driving Record” “means the person does not have *** 3 or more moving citations and/or
accidents in the most recent 3 years.” (Emphasis in original.) The manual further provided:
“[A motor vehicle report (MVR)] must be checked before someone is hired and at least every
6 months while an individual who is working for you has any driving responsibilities. If a
driver’s MVR changes so that they no longer have a Good Driving Record, they must be
prohibited from performing further driving for you.” (Emphasis in original.) The franchisee
was required to adhere to all standards that were italicized in the manual. The manual also
required that each store “must keep every MVR you obtain on an employee in that employee’s
file.” (Emphasis in original.)
¶ 69 Importantly, the manual further reserved to Imo’s the right to monitor the stores’
adherence to the policies and force compliance. Imo’s assumed a duty to protect third
persons from accidents involving Imo’s delivery drivers when it initiated a safe driving
policy; required its stores to obtain, update, and retain MVRs; and then reserved the right to
inspect for and enforce compliance. Yet, Imo’s did nothing to monitor or enforce its own
safety policy.
¶ 70 Imo’s also contends that the voluntary undertaking doctrine should be narrowly construed
and confined to the contractual obligation. Defendant cites the rule of law that the duty of
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care is limited to the extent of the undertaking. Castro, 314 Ill. App. 3d at 547; Decker, 268
Ill. App. 3d at 526. Here, the scope of the undertaking is defined by the standards that Imo’s
set out in its agreement, manual, and driver contract mandating certain requirements be met.
See Decker, 268 Ill. App. 3d at 526. The fact that Imo’s undertook to monitor Lyerla’s
driving record and failed to do so is within the scope of its assumed duty. See Coty v. U.S.
Slicing Machine Co., 58 Ill. App. 3d 237, 242 (1978).
¶ 71 In Martin, the defendant franchisor urged the court to consider the separate and distinct
nature of the corporate relationship with its licensee. The court stated, “No matter what legal
relationships existed, it was McDonald’s Corporation which undertook to provide security
and protection to plaintiffs.” Martin, 213 Ill. App. 3d at 491. Restatement (Second) of Torts
section 324A comment b states, “This Section applies to any undertaking to render services
to another, where the actor’s negligent conduct in the manner of performance of his
undertaking, or his failure to exercise reasonable care to complete it, or to protect the third
person when he discontinues it, results in physical harm to the third person or his things.”
Restatement (Second) of Torts § 324A cmt. b (1965). Comment c states, “Clause (b) finds
common application in cases of the negligent performance of their duties by employees or
independent contractors, which creates or increases a risk of harm to third persons.”
Restatement (Second) of Torts § 324A cmt. c (1965). Thus, any concurrent negligence of
Bethalto or Lylera does not absolve Imo’s of its duty once undertaken.
¶ 72 Regardless of whether Imo’s had an affirmative duty to protect plaintiff from the
negligent acts of third persons, Imo’s voluntarily undertook a duty when it set a mandatory
safety policy for driver’s qualifications and then failed to monitor Bethalto for compliance
with its own policy.
¶ 73 c. Breach and Proximate Cause
¶ 74 Imo’s contends that even if it owed plaintiff a duty, he has not proven a breach of that
duty or that the breach was the proximate cause of his injuries. In order to constitute
proximate cause, “[t]he injury must be the natural and probable result of the negligent act or
omission and be of such a character as an ordinarily prudent person ought to have foreseen as
likely to occur as a result of the negligence, although it is not essential that the person
charged with negligence should have foreseen the precise injury which resulted from his act.”
Neering v. Illinois Central R.R. Co., 383 Ill. 366, 380 (1943). “Questions concerning breach
of a duty and proximate cause are factual matters for the jury to decide. [Citations.] A jury’s
determination will not be set aside unless, clearly, it is not supported by the evidence.” Lee v.
Chicago Transit Authority, 152 Ill. 2d 432, 454 (1992).
¶ 75 When all the evidence is considered along with all reasonable inferences in the light most
favorable to plaintiff, it was not unreasonable for the jury to conclude that Imo’s was
negligent by virtue of its various operating policies and procedures that put speed of delivery
ahead of safe driving in delivering pizzas; that Imo’s negligence played a substantial part in
Lyerla’s admittedly negligent driving; and that the resulting accident and injury to plaintiff
was a reasonably probable consequence of Imo’s conduct. In addition, it was not
unreasonable for the jury to conclude that Imo’s had failed in its assumed duty to monitor the
driving record of Lyerla to ensure that he was in compliance with Imo’s requirement that no
driver have three or more moving violations and deliver pizzas; that Imo’s failure to monitor
allowed Lyerla to deliver pizzas when he was in violation of Imo’s own mandatory policy;
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and that the resulting accident and injury to plaintiff was a reasonably probable consequence
of Imo’s conduct.
¶ 76 2. Vicarious Liability and Agency Relationship
¶ 77 Imo’s contends that plaintiff failed to prove that it was liable for the actions of Bethalto
Pizza and its driver Lyerla under a theory of respondeat superior because the evidence did
not support the jury’s finding that a principal-agent relationship existed between Imo’s and
Bethalto. Imo’s maintains that the agreement and manual expressly stated Bethalto was an
independent contractor and the evidence showed that Bethalto retained total control over its
day-to-day operations.
¶ 78 “Agency is the fiduciary relation which results from the manifestation of consent by one
person to another that the other shall act on his behalf and subject to his control, and consent
by the other so to act.” Restatement (Second) of Agency § 1(1) (1958).
¶ 79 The principal-agent relationship is an exception to the general rule that a person injured
by the negligence of another must seek his remedy from the one who caused the injury. Sperl
v. C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc., 408 Ill. App. 3d 1051, 1057 (2011). Under traditional
respondeat superior analysis, a principal can be found vicariously liable for the torts of his
agent committed within the scope of the agency or employment. Hills v. Bridgeview Little
League Ass’n, 195 Ill. 2d 210, 231 (2000); Wright v. City of Danville, 174 Ill. 2d 391, 405
(1996). A principal is generally not responsible for the conduct of an independent contractor.
Sperl, 408 Ill. App. 3d at 1057. “An independent contractor has been repeatedly defined as
one who renders service in the course of the occupation, and represents the will of the person
for whom the work is done only with respect to the result, and not the means by which it is
accomplished.” Dean v. Ketter, 328 Ill. App. 206, 211 (1946).
¶ 80 A written contract is not conclusive of the nature of the relationship between the parties.
Despite an agreement labeling the relationship as that of an independent contractor, the facts
of the case can demonstrate an agency status. Sperl, 408 Ill. App. 3d at 1057. The nature of
the relationship depends on the actual practice between the parties and, as a general rule, is a
mixed question of law and fact to be submitted to the jury. Davila v. Yellow Cab Co., 333 Ill.
App. 3d 592, 595-96 (2002) (citing Tansey v. Robinson, 24 Ill. App. 2d 227, 234 (1960)). “In
determining whether a person is an agent or an independent contractor, the court’s cardinal
consideration is the right to control the manner of work performance, regardless of whether
that right was actually exercised.” Sperl, 408 Ill. App. 3d at 1057; see also Illinois Pattern
Jury Instructions, Civil, No. 50.05 (1995).
¶ 81 Determination of whether a relationship of employer and employee, principal and agent,
or owner and independent contractor exists depends upon such facts as the manner of hiring,
the right to discharge, the manner and direction of servants, the right to terminate the
relationship, and the character of the supervision of the work done. Lawlor v. North
American Corp. of Illinois, 2012 IL 112530, ¶ 44.
¶ 82 Additionally, liability can arise from negligence in training or supervising under both an
agency and direct negligence theory. See Reynolds v. Jimmy John’s Enterprises, LLC, 2013
IL App (4th) 120139, ¶ 27 (citing Restatement (Second) of Agency § 213(a) (1958), and
Restatement (Third) of Agency § 7.05(1) (2006)).
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¶ 83 Restatement (Third) of Agency section 7.05(1) states, “A principal who conducts an
activity through an agent is subject to liability for harm to a third party caused by the agent’s
conduct if the harm was caused by the principal’s negligence in selecting, training, retaining,
supervising, or otherwise controlling the agent.” Restatement (Third) of Agency § 7.05(1)
(2006). Comment b states, “The rules stated in this section stem from general doctrines of
tort law not limited in their applicability to relationships of agency as defined in § 1.01.”
Restatement (Third) of Agency § 7.05 cmt. b (2006). Comment b further provides, “It is not a
defense to liability under this rule that the actor whose conduct harms a third party does not
have a relationship of agency as defined in § 1.01 with the person who conducted an activity
through the actor.” Restatement (Third) of Agency § 7.05 cmt. b (2006). The reporter’s notes
state that this section is the counterpart to Restatement (Second) of Agency section 213. “The
formulation in this section, as in § 213, is not limited to situations in which an actor is
characterized as the agent or employee of the person who conducts an activity through the
actor.” Restatement (Third) of Agency § 7.05, Reporter’s Notes (2006).
¶ 84 After a careful review of the record, we find that the agreement, the confidential
operating manual, and the driver contract provided ample evidence along with trial testimony
that Imo’s had the right to control many aspects of Bethalto’s daily operations. These
documents allowed Imo’s to control employment decisions, training, safety, daily
maintenance, wage and hour requirements, record-keeping, supervision and discipline of
employees, and hiring and firing, as well as the right to terminate the franchise relationship
with Bethalto. The agreement required the franchisee “to operate the Store and provide
delivery service *** in accordance with the operational standards as may be established by
Franchisor from time to time.” While Imo’s characterizes many of these directives as
suggestions or recommendations that were left up to the franchisee’s discretion, the frequent
use of terminology such as “must,” “require,” and “mandatory” belies that characterization.
The manual expressly indicated that its numerous italicized provisions were mandatory. In
addition, some of the provisions that were not italicized expressly mandated compliance. One
such nonitalicized provision in the manual stated: “You must be open on New Year’s Eve.
We suggest you stay open until 2:00 a.m.” The jury could have reasonably inferred that the
use of compulsory language evidenced Imo’s right to operational control and that provisions
like “You must be open on New Year’s Eve” were not mere suggestions or
recommendations. Margaret Imo’s testimony admitted that there were requirements in the
manual that were not italicized.
¶ 85 The agreement required Bethalto to “conform with standards relating to signage, color
scheme, appearance, hours of operation, cleanliness, sanitation, size of food item portions,
menus, methods of preparation, employee uniforms, type of equipment and décor as
designated by Franchisor.”
¶ 86 There was evidence that Imo’s control extended specifically to the pizza delivery drivers.
Pizza delivery was required under the agreement. Imo’s prescribed the minimum delivery
area. Imo’s required Bethalto to name Imo’s Franchising, Inc., as an additional insured on all
general liability and nonowned auto insurance policies. Imo’s required the stores to pay a fee
equal to 4% of their sales. The manual required Bethalto to adhere to guidelines in hiring,
supervising, and terminating the drivers. The manual included eight pages of detailed
requirements entitled “Hiring and Supervising Drivers.” Imo’s required that drivers “have a
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Good Driving Record as established by a motor vehicle report (MVR).” (Emphasis in
original.) The manual further provided:
“This means the MVR must be checked before someone is hired and at least every 6
months while an individual who is working for you has any driving responsibilities. If
a driver’s MVR changes so they no longer have a Good Driving Record, they must be
prohibited from performing further driving for you.” (Emphasis in original.)
Bethalto was required to keep every MVR it obtained in the employee’s file. A full page was
devoted to what defined a good driving record. One requirement was that a driver have fewer
than three moving violations in the preceding three years.
¶ 87 The manual contained an appendix A with forms. The following forms were mandatory
as indicated: “Procedure for New Driver’s MVR Report–This form is mandatory”; “Driver
Eligibility Guidelines–These guidelines are mandatory”; “Driver Contract–This form is
mandatory”; and “Safe Work Practices for Drivers–These practices are mandatory.” The
procedure for new driver’s MVR report and driver eligibility guidelines contained numerous
specific requirements for hiring. Imo’s required that Bethalto calculate the hourly rate of
drivers to ensure that they receive minimum wage; if they did not, Bethalto was required to
make up the difference. The driver contract stated that a driver could be terminated for not
“performing the work with safety and expedition.”
¶ 88 Imo’s reserved the right to enforce the standards to ensure compliance. The manual
provided:
“We have the right to make inspections and inquiries of your store during normal
business hours without notice. If we find areas that need improvement, we have the
right to make certain recommendations and suggestions to you, and in some cases, we
may require you to make certain changes or improvements. You agree to make those
changes and improvements that we may require of you.”
Under the agreement, Imo’s reserved the right to terminate the franchise if Bethalto did not
perform the mandatory obligations under the confidential operating manual.
¶ 89 Imo’s contends that Bethalto conducted business without interference from Imo’s in its
operations or procedures. Assuming this to be true, it is not determinative of the agency
status. It is the right to control rather than the fact of control that is determinative of agency.
See Sperl, 408 Ill. App. 3d at 1057. Likewise, the fact that the agreement expressly stated
that Bethalto was an independent contractor is also not determinative of the relationship. See
id.
¶ 90 Applying these rules of law and factors to this case, we find that the evidence adduced at
trial was sufficient to support the jury’s finding on agency. The existence of an agency
relationship was genuinely disputed and properly a question to be decided by the jury and not
prior to trial. We also note that neither scope of agency nor apparent agency was at issue. In
considering all the evidence, along with reasonable inferences in the light most favorable to
the plaintiff, we cannot say that there was a total lack of evidence to support the jury’s
determination that Bethalto was the agent of Imo’s. Further, we find that the jury’s
determination of agency was not against the manifest weight of the evidence.
¶ 91 For these reasons we find that the trial court did not err in denying Imo’s motion to
dismiss plaintiff’s amended complaint, its motion for summary judgment, and its motions for
directed verdict.
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¶ 92 C. Denial of the Motion for Remittitur or a
New Trial on the Issue of Damages
¶ 93 Defendants next argue that the trial court erred in denying their request for remittitur or in
the alternative a new trial on damages for future medical expenses and future lost earnings.
They argue that the jury’s award of $657,000.68 for past and future medical expenses and
$607,500 for past and future lost earnings is against the manifest weight of the evidence.
¶ 94 The standard of review for a trial court’s ruling on a motion for new trial on the issue of
compensatory damages is whether the verdict is against the manifest weight of the evidence.
Maple v. Gustafson, 151 Ill. 2d 445, 454 (1992); Blackburn v. Illinois Central R.R. Co., 379
Ill. App. 3d 426, 430 (2008). “A verdict is against the manifest weight when it is arbitrary,
unreasonable, or not based upon any evidence.” Hollowell v. Wilder Corp. of Delaware, 318
Ill. App. 3d 984, 990 (2001) (citing Maple, 151 Ill. 2d at 454). When determining whether a
verdict is against the manifest weight of the evidence, the appellate court should only
consider the evidence in the light most favorable to the party who prevailed at trial. Wallace
v. Radovick, 55 Ill. App. 2d 264, 266 (1965). The standard of review for a trial court’s ruling
on remittitur is abuse of discretion. Hollowell, 318 Ill. App. 3d at 991.
¶ 95 1. Future Medical Expenses
¶ 96 We cannot say that the award for future medical expenses was against the manifest
weight of the evidence or that the trial court abused its discretion in denying the motion for
remittitur or new trial on damages. Plaintiff suffered a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) as
a result of the collision. At the time of trial, plaintiff’s related past medical expenses totaled
$196,315.68.
¶ 97 The jury heard testimony from three board-certified surgeons from Barnes-Jewish
Hospital regarding three surgeries they performed on plaintiff in the days following the
collision. Plaintiff was hospitalized at Barnes-Jewish for over two weeks and then transferred
to a rehabilitation facility for approximately another two-week period before being released
to outpatient therapy.
¶ 98 The jury also heard from Dr. Sindhu Jacob, a rehabilitation specialist who is board
certified in physical medicine. Dr. Jacob works with brain injury patients. She provided
inpatient physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy to plaintiff following the
accident. Dr. Jacob testified that plaintiff sustained skull fractures and suffered from a seizure
disorder, migraine headaches, deficits in attention, and memory impairment symptoms, all of
which were caused by the accident. She last saw plaintiff two weeks before trial, in
November 2011. She reported that he had been hospitalized at Alton Memorial Hospital for a
grand mal seizure in February of 2011. Dr. Jacob testified that the seizure disorder and
migraine headaches were ongoing complications from the head injury. She had prescribed
two antiseizure medications and a migraine prevention medication. She explained that if
plaintiff had additional seizures, he could require antiseizure medication for life. She stated
that a brain injury increases the risk of developing further seizures even if one had seizures
before.
¶ 99 Dr. Jacob also testified that plaintiff was still experiencing developmental complications
after his brain injuries and that he was at risk for future complications, including headaches,
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seizure disorders, behavioral problems, attention deficits, memory issues, cognitive deficits,
endocrine disorders, and hydrocephalus–an increase in the pressure or build-up of the fluid in
the ventricle system of the brain, which can cause confusion, lethargy, sleepiness, and trouble
with bladder control.
¶ 100 Dr. Fucetola, a neuropsychologist who first treated plaintiff in September 2009 during his
rehabilitation, also testified on plaintiff’s behalf. He characterized plaintiff’s brain injury as
severe because testing done one hour postinjury scored plaintiff’s brain injury in the severe
traumatic brain injury range and because a CT scan showed structural brain damage. He
testified that a six-millimeter midline shift of the plaintiff’s brain due to the subdural
hematoma was “actually quite grave in terms of the brain.” Dr. Fucetola explained that
because the brunt of the brain injury was to the left side, which controls language and verbal
abilities, difficulty with verbal memory and language would be normal. He further testified
that once a patient suffers a seizure after a severe TBI like plaintiff did, the patient is at high
risk for other seizures.
¶ 101 Dr. Fucetola testified that when he last saw plaintiff in August of 2011, plaintiff
essentially had the same issues he had when he saw him in August 2010. Dr. Fucetola
testified that plaintiff’s condition was permanent and that he was in the plateau phase where
he would not expect further recovery. He testified that plaintiff’s defects included short-term
memory, verbal fluency, and mental speed. He noted that plaintiff’s mental speed defect was
probably aggravated by the seizures caused by the TBI and the antiseizure medication.
Plaintiff’s symptom validity tests showed that plaintiff put forth his best effort. Dr. Fucetola
testified that there were no treatments that could restore plaintiff’s functioning, but he could
benefit from using pagers or devices that help keep him reminded of things.
¶ 102 Dr. Raymond Cohen, a board-certified neurologist who examined plaintiff and his
medical records, testified on behalf of plaintiff that as a result of the accident, plaintiff
suffered a moderate traumatic brain injury, which required him to undergo a craniotomy for a
depressed skull fracture, including fixation with a plate and screws. In addition, plaintiff
suffered extensive skull fractures, including temporal bones, and left orbit of the brain injury,
a left frontal lobe contusion, and a small left-sided subdural hematoma with midline shift of
the brain six millimeters. Dr. Cohen further testified that plaintiff suffered a bilateral
pulmonary contusion requiring bilateral chest tubes, underwent surgery for a cricothyrotomy
with subsequent revision tracheostomy or tracheotomy, sustained a larynx fracture requiring
repair, and experienced posttraumatic seizures. The seizures appeared to have stabilized by
the time Dr. Cohen examined plaintiff. Dr. Cohen saw plaintiff seven months after the
accident but before he had his more recent seizure in February 2011. Dr. Cohen testified that
plaintiff also suffered from posttraumatic sleep disorder, keloid scarring, intractable itching
of the neck, and cervical and lumbar strain/sprain. Dr. Cohen testified that it was extremely
unlikely that plaintiff would have a full recovery.
¶ 103 Dr. Zipfel, who performed plaintiff’s craniotomy, testified that as a result of the
craniotomy, plaintiff is restricted from contact sports that might lead to a direct blow and that
he is at risk for reinjuring the area from motor vehicle accidents or falls. He is also at risk for
increased seizure activity over time.
¶ 104 Multiple witnesses testified that plaintiff cannot live on his own and needs a caretaker to
protect himself and anyone else living with him from accidents. There was testimony that
plaintiff’s memory deficit was severe enough to create hazards. For example, plaintiff forgets
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food on the stove and in the oven and forgets to take his medication. Plaintiff’s father had
arranged for someone to live with plaintiff and help care for him in exchange for free
housing. However, that person has no training and is not a licensed caregiver. The testimony
characterized the situation as a somewhat temporary arrangement.
¶ 105 Defendants’ argument that the future award was excessive rests upon a contention that
there was no evidence that plaintiff needed future medical care. We first note that defendants
acknowledge that plaintiff incurred $196,315.68 in medical expenses at the time of trial,
which they concede was properly included in the damage award. Defendants assert that
plaintiff’s future medical expenses should be limited to the cost of $140 per month for his
medication. According to defendants, the evidence supported a verdict of no more than
$24,371.02 for future medical expenses. Defendants arrive at this amount by multiplying
$140 per month over a life span of 51 years and reducing that sum to present cash value.
¶ 106 “ ‘The determination of damages is a question reserved to the trier of fact, and a
reviewing court will not lightly substitute its opinion for the judgment rendered in the trial
court.’ ” Blackburn, 379 Ill. App. 3d at 430 (quoting Richardson v. Chapman, 175 Ill. 2d 98,
113 (1997)). Future damages by their nature are always subject to some uncertainties.
Because of the finality of a verdict, courts allow the trier of fact a degree of latitude in
awards for medical expenses shown by the evidence to likely arise in the future but that are
not itemized by testimony. Richardson, 175 Ill. 2d at 112.
¶ 107 At the time of trial, plaintiff was in ongoing treatment for seizure disorder and
debilitating headaches stemming from the brain injury. None of plaintiff’s physicians
believed that he would fully recover. His doctors agreed that his condition–which included
severe short-term memory problems, decreased mental speed, and problems with
concentration and verbal fluency–was permanent. Plaintiff’s doctors testified regarding a
number of complications and conditions that plaintiff was at risk for or could likely develop
as time passed. There was also testimony that the jury could have believed regarding the need
for an ongoing trained caretaker, particularly after plaintiff’s parents were no longer able to
assist with his care. We find that the medical testimony justified an inference that there
would be future medical expenses. Levin v. Welsh Brothers Motor Service, Inc., 164 Ill. App.
3d 640, 659 (1987); see also Scheibel v. Groeteka, 183 Ill. App. 3d 120, 138 (1989) (future
medical expenses could reasonably be inferred given the evidence on the nature of the
plaintiff’s disability, despite lack of medical testimony on amount of expenses).
¶ 108 This court has also held that the absence of direct testimony as to a particular amount of
damages is not sufficient reason alone to attack a jury verdict. Rainey v. City of Salem, 209
Ill. App. 3d 898, 907 (1991). “If the elements of damage presented for the jury’s
consideration are proper under the facts of the case, then the assessment of damages is
preeminently for the jury, even though reasonable persons could differ as to the amount.” Id.¶ 109 We cannot say that this amount exceeds the range of fair and reasonable compensation;
nor can we say that the verdict is based on passion or prejudice or is so large as to shock the
judicial conscience. See Blackburn, 379 Ill. App. 3d at 433. Accordingly, we will not
substitute our judgment for that of the jury. We find that the trial court did not err in allowing
the amount of future medical damages to stand.
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¶ 110 2. Future Lost Earnings
¶ 111 The jury awarded plaintiff $607,500 for past and future lost wages. Defendants argue that
the future earnings award was based on speculative evidence and further that the jury did not
follow the court’s instructions on calculating future earnings. We cannot say that this award
was against the manifest weight of the evidence or that the trial court abused its discretion in
denying the motion for remittitur or a new trial on damages.
¶ 112 Defendants first contend that the jury did not reduce future earnings to present cash value
as instructed by the court. This contention is based on their argument that there was no
evidence to support a finding that the plaintiff would have earned more than $12,000 per year
over his life expectancy of 51 years. Based on this assumption, defendants calculate a present
value of future lost earnings of between $135,507 and $222,921.
¶ 113 The jury’s present cash value calculations are not part of the record. Because we do not
know the amount of future lost wages the jury awarded to plaintiff before reducing that sum
to present cash value, there is no way to determine whether the jury’s calculation was
incorrect. Defendants concede that a salary of $50,000 to $60,000 per year would yield a
present cash value of $607,000, but they argue that such an award is not supported by the
evidence.
¶ 114 “ ‘Where the right of recovery exists the defendant cannot escape liability because the
damages are difficult of exact ascertainment. *** The rule is, that while the law will not
permit witnesses to speculate or conjecture as to possible or probable damages, still the best
evidence which the subject will admit is receivable, and this evidence is often nothing better
than the opinions of persons well informed upon the subject under investigation.’ ” Levin v.
Welsh Brothers Motor Service, Inc., 164 Ill. App. 3d 640, 655 (1987) (quoting Johnston v.
City of Galva, 316 Ill. 598, 603-04 (1925)).
¶ 115 Defendants cite to Christou v. Arlington Park-Washington Park Race Tracks Corp., 104
Ill. App. 3d 257 (1982), for the proposition that it is reversible error to allow testimony that is
too speculative to be competent evidence of lost earnings. Id. at 260. The plaintiff in Christou
was unemployed at the time of injury but training to become a bartender and had hopes to
one day own a restaurant. The trial court allowed in testimony related to what a restaurant
owner would earn. The court reversed, holding that plaintiff’s mere ambition to own a
restaurant was too remote and speculative to be the basis for lost earnings damages. Id.
¶ 116 Similarly, in Carlson v. City Construction Co., 239 Ill. App. 3d 211 (1992), the trial court
allowed damage testimony that decedent plaintiff had an ambition to become an engineer.
The court found the testimony impermissible because there were too many speculative
contingencies. The court noted that although plaintiff had obtained his GED, he had not yet
attended, been accepted, or even applied to a college, all prerequisites to becoming an
engineer. Id. at 231-32. Defendants also cite Morris v. Milby for the proposition that
admissible damage evidence must be based on an attainable goal. Morris v. Milby, 301 Ill.
App. 3d 224, 229 (1998).
¶ 117 Here, the jury heard testimony from several witnesses regarding plaintiff’s wage loss
damages. The jury heard from plaintiff’s father that plaintiff had worked for him in the past
in a position similar to a millwright. Plaintiff’s father was an automation engineer whose
business was building conveyor systems for bottling works. He testified that he is familiar
with the work of millwrights because he runs construction crews with millwrights in factory
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settings. Plaintiff had worked with him in these settings. In his opinion, plaintiff had the
qualifications and the ability to be a millwright and had done comparable work.
¶ 118 In addition, the jury heard testimony that at the time of the accident, plaintiff had been
working for several months as a salesman for defendant Metro East selling Kirby Vacuums.
The jury heard from a coworker that plaintiff was one of Kirby’s top salesmen. The coworker
testified that employees were told that they could earn up to six figures selling vacuums.
¶ 119 Defendants argue that plaintiff’s vocational expert, Stephen Dolan, was impermissibly
allowed to testify to what plaintiff could have earned as an electrical engineer or a
millwright. We believe it was unlikely that plaintiff would have become an engineer. He had
not completed his GED at the time of the accident and had a poor academic record in high
school. In applying the foregoing cases, we agree that it would have been error for the jury to
consider damages based on plaintiff’s becoming an engineer. However, this argument
mischaracterizes the record. Although there was a passing reference to plaintiff’s interest in
becoming an engineer, the jury did not hear any testimony regarding his potential earnings as
an engineer.
¶ 120 Moreover, plaintiff’s counsel did not mention or elicit any testimony regarding
engineering on direct examination of Dolan. It was defense counsel who brought the issue
before the jury on cross-examination by asking Dolan if plaintiff had told him that he had
wanted to be an engineer when he interviewed him, to which Dolan responded that plaintiff
did tell him that. However, Dolan did not testify to what plaintiff could have earned as an
engineer, or even if he thought it was likely that plaintiff could have become an engineer.
¶ 121 Dolan reviewed plaintiff’s medical records and high school transcripts, spoke with family
members, and interviewed and tested plaintiff. Dolan testified that plaintiff had a life
expectancy of 51 years. It was his opinion that after the accident, plaintiff was not capable of
holding down a full-time job, and he was pessimistic about part-time employment. Dolan
testified that plaintiff had been doing the equivalent of a millwright’s job when he worked for
his father. Dolan characterized plaintiff’s work as training to assemble and fabricate
production machinery, which is what a millwright does. He testified that according to the
United States Department of Labor, the average salary for a millwright was approximately
$50,000.
¶ 122 Dolan also gave the opinion that a salesman job, such as the one plaintiff held selling
Kirby Vacuums at the time of his accident, had been suitable for plaintiff and did not require
a high school degree. Dolan stated that even without a high school degree, salespeople can
make a great deal of money. Dolan was asked to address evidence that plaintiff had a
sporadic work history prior to working with his father or for Metro East. Dolan testified that
this was typical for someone in his teens and early twenties and did not change his opinion.
Dolan testified that if plaintiff had not pursued a sales or a millwright job, at a minimum, he
would have had preinjury earnings of approximately $15,000 per year.
¶ 123 Unlike the cases cited by defendants, the estimates of plaintiff’s earning capacity
preinjury were not too remote or speculative. These estimates did not assume he would be
working in a new profession or need to obtain additional education. Both the sales and
millwright careers were ones that plaintiff had already demonstrated aptitude in. As such,
they were attainable goals. We believe that plaintiff’s evidence was sufficient to support the
jury’s award. Accordingly, we find the trial court did not err in allowing the amount of lost
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wage damage award to stand.
¶ 124 D. Additional Allegations of Errors Requiring a New Trial
¶ 125 Imo’s and Bethalto next contend several additional errors warranted a new trial. We
consider each claimed error in turn.
¶ 126 Defendants argue that the court erred in not granting a mistrial after interjecting itself into
the examination of two of defendants’ witnesses and voicing its opinion regarding the
evidence and the competency of counsel.
¶ 127 “Wide latitude must be allowed a trial judge in conducting a trial, and only where his
conduct or remarks are of the sort that would ordinarily create prejudice in the minds of the
jurors is reversible error present.” Vinke v. Artim Transportation System, Inc., 87 Ill. App. 3d
400, 412 (1980). The court is permitted to question a witness to clarify and elicit the truth, if
done in a fair and impartial manner. Lopez v. Northwestern Memorial Hospital, 375 Ill. App.
3d 637, 651-52 (2007). “ ‘The propriety of judicial examination of a witness is determined by
the circumstances in each case and rests largely in the discretion of the trial court.’ ” Comito
v. Police Board, 317 Ill. App. 3d 677, 687 (2000) (quoting People v. Brown, 200 Ill. App. 3d
566, 576 (1990)).
¶ 128 The first interchange that defendants take issue with occurred during defense counsel’s
questioning of Mrs. Wilson, one of the owners of Bethalto Pizza. After a somewhat lengthy
exam of Mrs. Wilson regarding the relationship between Imo’s and Bethalto, Mrs. Wilson
testified that there was no involvement by Imo’s in the operation of her store. At this point,
the court stated, “You really just rented the Imo’s name, have you not?” The remaining
interchange between the judge and the witness and counsel evinced the court’s growing
frustration with the repetition and the pace of the questioning. At one point, the court stated:
“Come on. Let’s get to the meat of this case.” Imo’s counsel responded, “I’ll move on.”
Later, the court stated: “And it’s getting to the point where this trial–I do have a
responsibility as a judge to keep this case going. There’s been a lot of wasted time, and
there’s been a lot of denying. Let’s get to the point. Go ahead.” Counsel asked the witness
several more questions and then announced, “That’s all the questions I have.” At this point,
the judge stated, “You’re lucky.”
¶ 129 The second interchange defendants complain of occurred during defense counsel’s
questioning of psychologist Dr. Oliveri, a defense expert. Defendants take issue with the
following:
“THE COURT: What is your final upshot? What is your final question?
MR. CRANEY: My final question.
THE COURT: Why is he here?
MR. CRANEY: The final question are [sic] going to be are all of the–did he on
his tests to show unreliable reporting. *** Judge, I am trying to hurry.
THE COURT: I still want to know what he’s on the stand for. What is he here to
say?
MR. CRANEY: I think he’s just given his primary opinions.
THE COURT: I don’t know if he–do you have a solid opinion on this?
THE WITNESS: Yes.
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THE COURT: Which is what?”
¶ 130 In Vinke v. Artim Transportation System, Inc., the appellate court rejected the contention
of error regarding the judge’s recap of repetitious and immaterial testimony, which
concluded with the judge’s statement, “ ‘so let’s go on to something else.’ ” Vinke, 87 Ill.
App. 3d at 412. Similarly, in Mattice v. Goodman, the appellate court found no error in the
judge’s comment during an examination of a witness that the testimony was “ ‘tiring.’ ”
Mattice v. Goodman, 173 Ill. App. 3d 236, 244 (1988). The appeals court noted that the
comment described the presentation of the testimony rather than its meaning. Id. Likewise, in
Foerster v. Illinois Bell Telephone Co., the appeals court rejected the contention of error in
the judge’s characterization of a witness’s testimony as “ ‘loose.’ ” Foerster v. Illinois Bell
Telephone Co., 20 Ill. App. 3d 656, 663 (1974).
¶ 131 By contrast, in Pavilon v. Kaferly, a case cited by defendants, the judge misconstrued
testimony and made numerous statements reflecting a bias against the plaintiff. Pavilon v.
Kaferly, 204 Ill. App. 3d 235, 250-56 (1990). The judge stated that the plaintiff had
attempted to rape the defendant when such was not the case. Id. at 255-56. The judge also
made frequent sua sponte objections to the pro se plaintiff’s questions of witnesses and
numerous disparaging remarks about the plaintiff. For example, the judge stated that plaintiff
was trying to fool the court and jury; plaintiff was trying to sneak things in; plaintiff’s
apologies were insincere; and plaintiff gave the judge nothing but problems since the trial
started. Id. at 251-53. Further, the judge conveyed an opinion regarding the credibility of a
witness, telling that witness: “ ‘We know where your sentiments lie. *** I don’t care to have
you add things that are not asked of you because you think they may help your friend.’ ” Id.
at 256. The appellate court found that the cumulative effect of the conduct and remarks of the
judge prejudiced plaintiff and required reversal. Id.
¶ 132 Likewise, in Holton v. Memorial Hospital, the supreme court found a new trial warranted
when the judge admonished the jury that one of defendant’s witnesses gave inaccurate
testimony on a collateral issue and was led to do so by defendant’s attorneys and plaintiff’s
counsel made repeated claims of defendant’s fraudulent misconduct. Holton v. Memorial
Hospital, 176 Ill. 2d 95 (1997). There, the court found that these errors had a strong
probability of prejudicing the jury. Id. at 120.
¶ 133 We believe that the court’s conduct in both interchanges in this case was more similar to
that in Vinke, Mattice, and Foerster, rather than Pavilon and Holton. In the context of a
lengthy trial, the judge’s remarks were not excessive and of the nature that would ordinarily
cause prejudice. The record on appeal does not indicate an angry, sarcastic, or demeaning
tone.
¶ 134 While it may have been preferable if the judge had not made the remarks “You really just
rented the Imo’s name” and “You’re lucky,” both could have just as easily been said in jest
and are ambiguous in meaning. The remarks could also be viewed as a summation of Mrs.
Wilson’s testimony and position that Imo’s had little to no control over the operation of
Bethalto’s franchise operation. Even defendants hesitate to go so far as to say that the judge’s
comments were a deliberate attempt to show advocacy, as Imo’s characterizes the effect of
the court’s behavior as “inadvertent.”
¶ 135 It is important to view the interactions in the context of the witnesses’ entire testimony.
Just prior to the challenged interchange involving Dr. Oliveri, he had been testifying at length
regarding the validity of the results of a battery of psychological tests given by plaintiff’s
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treating psychologist, Dr. Fucetola, and comparing those with the results of testing he
conducted. Following the conclusion of this testimony, plaintiff’s counsel asked: “I guess I
just want to make sure I understand what you’ve told us after an hour plus of this. Based on
your testing, Matt may or may not have a brain injury that has permanent impairment?” Dr.
Oliveri replied: “Based on my testing, his current presentation, the current test results and his
current behavior can’t all be attributed to the residual after effect of brain dysfunction. If he’s
got brain dysfunction, it’s at the mild end of the continuum.” Plaintiff’s counsel then asked:
“So we are not talking about the same thing, I don’t think. Didn’t you just tell the jury that
after all of your testing that there were enough invalid results that you can’t say for sure
whether or not he has any permanent impairment?” The witness responded, “That’s correct.”
¶ 136 In the context of Dr. Oliveri’s lengthy and layered testimony, it was within the court’s
discretion to request defense counsel to move testimony along and clarify testimony that was
obscure. In addition, we do not believe that the court’s remarks disparaged counsel or
precluded him in any way from developing his line of questioning. Following the interchange
at issue, Dr. Oliveri continued testifying to his opinions to conclusion.
¶ 137 Likewise, we find no merit in Imo’s argument that the court shifted the burden of proof
as there was adequate evidence to support direct negligence and respondeat superior
theories.
¶ 138 Finally, we note that the jury was instructed as follows:
“It is your duty to resolve this case by determining the facts based on the evidence
and following the law given you in the instructions. Your verdict must not be based
upon speculation, prejudice or sympathy. My rulings, remarks or instructions do not
indicate any opinion as to the facts.”
We believe that this admonition to the jury was adequate to remove any prejudicial
impressions.
¶ 139 We next consider Imo’s contention that the court erred in allowing inquiry regarding the
insurance and indemnity agreement between Bethalto and Imo’s. “The admission of evidence
is within the sound discretion of the trial court and a reviewing court will not reverse the trial
court unless that discretion was clearly abused.” Snelson v. Kamm, 204 Ill. 2d 1, 33 (2003).
¶ 140 Citing to Oliveira-Brooks v. Re/Max, Imo’s argues that evidence of insurance may be
relevant in connection with an agency issue, but only if other evidence exists of a right to
control. Oliveira-Brooks v. Re/Max International, Inc., 372 Ill. App. 3d 127, 136 (2007).
Imo’s position is that there was no other evidence to establish an agency relationship.
Plaintiff responds that Imo’s forfeited this issue when plaintiff offered into evidence both the
manual and the agreement without objection. Regardless of whether Imo’s forfeited this
issue, we find no error. Because we have already determined that there was additional
evidence other than the existence of insurance to establish an agency relationship, we find
that the court properly ruled on this issue. “While not admissible to show fault, the existence
of insurance may be shown in connection with issues such as agency, ownership, control,
bias, or prejudice of a witness.” Boettcher v. Fournie Farms, Inc., 243 Ill. App. 3d 940, 945
(1993).
¶ 141 Imo’s also contends that the court erred in allowing inquiry regarding defendants’ use of
shared counsel. This court does not reach the merits of this argument, as that contention has
not been properly presented on appeal. There is no citation to any authority that supports
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Imo’s argument that referencing shared counsel was improper or prejudicial. Statements
unsupported by argument or by citation of relevant authority need not be considered.
Holmstrom v. Kunis, 221 Ill. App. 3d 317, 325 (1991); see also Ill. S. Ct. R. 341(h)(7) (eff.
July 1, 2008) (providing that arguments must be supported by citations to authority and that
arguments not properly presented in an appellant’s brief are forfeited).
¶ 142 Next, we address both defendants’ argument that it was error for the trial court to exclude
evidence of plaintiff’s drug and alcohol use. Defendants claim that plaintiff’s drug and
alcohol use was relevant to mitigation of damages and for impeachment purposes.
¶ 143 We agree with plaintiff that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in excluding
evidence of plaintiff’s use of alcohol or marijuana. We find that plaintiff’s treatment for
alcohol and marijuana abuse eight years prior to the accident would have had no probative
value and could have had a prejudicial impact on the jury. Fultz v. Peart, 144 Ill. App. 3d
364, 378 (1986). Medical records related to the seizure plaintiff had on the day of the
accident and the seizure he had in 2011, some 18 months after the accident, did not show any
evidence of marijuana or alcohol use. No doctor testified that drug or alcohol use before or
after the accident in fact impacted his recovery, only that it might or could impact a patient’s
recovery. After listening to argument and defendants’ offer of proof, and considering the
matter overnight, the trial judge stated:
“I’m trying to avoid a trial within a trial. From his injuries, I mean, severe injuries,
this is not consequential in my opinion. I’ve been reading cases from early this
morning, and I believe to allow it in, the prejudicial effect would overcome any
reasonable inferences. And I think it would be too prejudicial. The cases seem to say
that, and I’m not going to allow it in.”
¶ 144 The trial judge gave the ruling careful consideration. There is substantial case law to
support limiting references to alcohol or other drugs due to the potential for prejudice far
outweighing any probative value. See Bielaga v. Mozdzeniak, 328 Ill. App. 3d 291, 296
(2002) (“Evidence of drinking is so prejudicial that more than mere drinking must be shown;
actual intoxication with impairment of physical or mental capabilities is required.”); Roberts
v. Norfolk & Western Ry. Co., 229 Ill. App. 3d 706, 716-17 (1992) (court affirmed exclusion
of evidence of alcohol and marijuana treatment, where there was no evidence that plaintiff
was using either at the time of the accident); Fultz, 144 Ill. App. 3d at 378 (evidence of
plaintiff’s alcohol consumption barred despite claim that it was relevant to life expectancy);
Reeves v. Brno, Inc., 138 Ill. App. 3d 861, 870 (1985) (error to permit references into
evidence of plaintiff’s marijuana use “because they were introduced to persuade the jury that
drug abuse rather than plaintiff’s head injury caused his mental deterioration”).
¶ 145 Furthermore, defendants were permitted to ask plaintiff’s treating doctor whether he
believed “that the plaintiff after the accident took some steps that reasonably would be
expected to have lowered his seizure threshold.” Dr. Fucetola replied, “there are things he
may have done that could have affected that threshold.” Defense counsel also elicited the
opinion that plaintiff disregarded his medical advice, which could have made it more likely
that he would have seizures later on. Plaintiff admitted this during his own testimony.
¶ 146 Additionally, defendants were permitted an instruction on mitigation of damages. The
jury was instructed that it could find “the plaintiff failed to mitigate[d] [sic] his alleged
damages by taking actions that reasonably increased the risk of a seizure and delayed his
recovery, against medical advice,” and “the plaintiff failed to exercise ordinary care in
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obtaining medical treatment.” Moreover, the verdict form reveals that the jury awarded the
plaintiff zero damages for “the increased risk of future seizures resulting from the injury.”
We find that there was no need to inject inflammatory evidence of drugs or alcohol into the
case where the defendants effectively presented other evidence regarding this ultimate issue.
¶ 147 Next, defendants claim it was error for the trial court to allow plaintiff to testify that he
was unable to pay for his medical care. Plaintiff states that this testimony was offered to
rebut defendants’ argument that plaintiff was refusing to take medication to treat his medical
conditions. First we note that defendants did not provide any details about the testimony.
When we reviewed defendants’ citation to the record, we found that the testimony in
question was not elicited by plaintiff, but rather by defense counsel on cross-examination of
plaintiff’s father. We set forth that testimony in full:
“Q. Okay. Now, there’s been testimony in this case, again, I’m jumping ahead,
that after the accident there was certain medicines that he couldn’t afford to take, at
least that’s what the allegation is. Has he approached you after the accident and asked
you and told you he didn’t have the cash to pay for any drugs?
A. Well, he doesn’t have any cash. You know, if Matt needed money for drugs he
would have to ask me for it.”
Defendants cannot now complain of error that they invited. Oldenstedt v. Marshall Erdman
& Associates, Inc., 381 Ill. App. 3d 1, 14 (2008).
¶ 148 Notwithstanding, we agree with plaintiff that this testimony was proper rebuttal. Plaintiff
cites two cases precisely on point: Vanoosting v. Sellars, 2012 IL App (5th) 110365,
¶¶ 23-24 (reversible error not to allow relevant testimony on lack of health insurance to rebut
defendant’s claim that plaintiff did not seek treatment because condition had resolved); and
Klingelhoets v. Charlton-Perrin, 2013 IL App (1st) 112412 (affirming admission of evidence
that plaintiff stopped physical therapy because it was too costly in response to defendant’s
suggestion that she stopped because she did not need additional treatment). It is clear there is
no error here.
¶ 149 Next, defendants claim it was error for the court to allow in a “Day in the Life” video of
plaintiff. Defendants state that they objected to the video as being untimely produced and
therefore it was improperly admitted, requiring a new trial. They cite to Carlson v. General
Motors Corp., 9 Ill. App. 3d 606 (1972), in support of their claim of error. In Carlson, the
court held that the admission of a test involving complex engineering principles that was not
timely disclosed in a faulty seat belt case against GM required a new trial. Id. at 620. The
court set forth the factors the trial court should address when considering sanctions: surprise
of the testimony to the opposing party, the prejudicial effect of the testimony, the diligence of
the opposing party in seeking discovery, timely objection to the testimony, and the good faith
of the party calling the witness. Id. at 619-20. Defendants have wholly failed to develop their
argument in regard to these factors. Defendants offer no details of the discovery violation.
They fail to state if they were prejudiced, and if so, how they were prejudiced by this video.
Again, we have reviewed the record citations provided by defendants. While we note that
defense counsel did place an objection on record, there are no specifics as to the basis for the
objection. We are entitled to have cohesive arguments presented and not be burdened with
argument and research. Velocity Investments, LLC v. Alston, 397 Ill. App. 3d 296, 297
(2010). Defendants have given us no basis to find an abuse of discretion in the trial court’s
decision to allow the video.
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¶ 150 Bethalto also contends that a new trial is warranted because the cumulative effect of these
errors deprived defendants of a fair trial. Because we have found no error, we need not
consider this argument.
¶ 151 E. Jury Instructions
¶ 152 We next turn to jury instructions that the defendants contend were submitted in error. It is
within the trial court’s discretion to determine which instructions will be given, and its
decision will not be disturbed absent an abuse of discretion. Colella v. JMS Trucking Co. of
Illinois, Inc., 403 Ill. App. 3d 82, 95 (2010) (citing Schultz v. Northeast Illinois Regional
Commuter R.R. Corp., 201 Ill. 2d 260, 273 (2002)). Abuse of discretion is dependent upon
whether, taken as a whole, the instructions fairly, fully, and comprehensively inform the jury
of the relevant legal principles. Id. (citing Schultz, 201 Ill. 2d at 273-74). If a party “fails to
make a specific objection during the jury instruction conference,” the party forfeits the right
to challenge that instruction on appeal. Id. “Timely objection assists the trial court in
correcting any problem and prohibits the challenging party from gaining an advantage by
obtaining reversal based on the party’s own failure to act.” Id. “Furthermore, the doctrine of
invited error prohibits a party from complaining of an error on appeal ‘ “which that party
induced the court to make or to which that party consented.” ’ ” Id. (quoting Oldenstedt v.
Marshall Erdman & Associates, Inc., 381 Ill. App. 3d 1, 14 (2008), quoting In re Detention
of Swope, 213 Ill. 2d 210, 217 (2004)).
¶ 153 Imo’s argues that the trial court erred in giving three of plaintiff’s instructions over Imo’s
objection and refusing several of Imo’s instructions. Imo’s complains of plaintiff’s
instructions No. 5A, No. 6, and No. 7. In order to better understand both Imo’s and plaintiff’s
arguments, we thoroughly reviewed the transcript of the jury instruction conference
contained in the record.
¶ 154 We first turn to plaintiff’s agency instruction No. 5A, based on Illinois Pattern Jury
Instructions, Civil, No. 50.10 (2006) (hereinafter, IPI Civil (2006)). We need not discuss the
specifics of this instruction because the record clearly supports plaintiff’s claim that Imo’s
did not object to the instruction as given. When asked by the court if there was any objection,
counsel stated, “No objection judge.” Furthermore, the very modification that Imo’s now
complains of on appeal–that plaintiff left out the last three paragraphs of IPI Civil (2006)
No. 50.10–was endorsed by Imo’s counsel. Plaintiff had earlier submitted a version
containing the three paragraphs at issue, but withdrew that one and submitted a revised
instruction upon Imo’s counsel’s suggestion: “Hey judge, on this one, we submitted a similar
instruction. We left out the last three paragraphs about independent contractor *** I think
bringing in the independent contractor language kind of muddies up the issues because I
really–I think the issue is just, you know, whether there is an agency relationship or not.”
Here, not only did Imo’s fail to object to the instruction as given, but invited the error of
which it now complains. Imo’s is prohibited from complaining of an error which it both
induced and consented to. See Oldenstedt, 381 Ill. App. 3d at 14; see also McMahon v.
Sankey, 35 Ill. App. 341, 343 (1890). Imo’s forfeited its right to complain of error.
¶ 155 Second, we turn to plaintiff’s burden of proof instruction, No. 6, based on IPI Civil
(2006) No. 21.02. When Imo’s counsel was asked if he objected to instruction No. 6, he
stated: “Yes. I think it’s overly complicated for the jury.” The court stated: “I don’t think so.
I’ll give it over objection.” There was no further statement made by Imo’s counsel regarding
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the nature of his objection to this instruction. Imo’s now contends that the instruction was
erroneous because it did not include the second element of its burden of proof on count
VI–that plaintiff had to prove that he was injured, and that it did it not include a statement
that plaintiff had to prove the existence of an agency relationship. We agree with plaintiff
that Imo’s failure to articulate in any way what “overly complicated” meant made the
objection so vague as to be meaningless and did not preserve the claim of error for appeal.
Colella, 403 Ill. App. 3d at 95. In order to preserve an objection to an instruction, the
objection must be set forth with specificity so that the trial court knows the specific nature of
the objection before ruling. Auton v. Logan Landfill, Inc., 105 Ill. 2d 537, 550 (1984). Imo’s
has forfeited its right to complain of error.
¶ 156 Third, we turn to plaintiff’s issues instruction No. 7, based on IPI Civil (2006) No. 20.01.
Imo’s stated objection at trial, as it is on appeal, was that there was insufficient evidence
adduced at trial regarding the existence of an agency relationship between Imo’s and
Bethalto to support the giving of this instruction. The trial court, in the exercise of its
discretion, must instruct the jury on all issues it finds supported by the evidence. Flynn v.
Golden Grain Co., 269 Ill. App. 3d 871, 880 (1995). This court has already determined that
there was sufficient evidence to support a jury’s verdict based on an agency theory. We thus
find that no error was committed in giving an instruction based on this theory.
¶ 157 Next, Bethalto and Imo’s both argue that the trial court erred in giving several
instructions to the jury related to certain elements of plaintiff’s claim for damages, including
Nos. 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, and 27. Defendants contend that these instructions were given over
objection and not supported by sufficient evidence. We address each instruction in turn.
¶ 158 Instruction No. 17 was plaintiff’s damage instruction, based on IPI Civil (2006)
No. 30.01, “Measure of Damages,” and further instructing on the various elements of
damages. Defendants objected to inclusion of the phrase “aggravation of any pre-existing
ailment or condition” in the main body of the measure of damage instruction. Defendants
further objected to the inclusion of the following elements of damages: (1) disability
experienced and reasonably certain to be experienced in the future (IPI Civil (2006)
No. 30.04.01); (2) expenses for medical care, treatment, and services reasonably certain to be
received in the future (IPI Civil (2006) No. 30.07); (3) the value of earnings lost and the
present cash value of the earnings reasonably certain to be lost in the future (IPI Civil (2006)
No. 30.07); and (4) increased risk of future seizures resulting from the injury (IPI Civil
(2006) No. 30.04.03).
¶ 159 We have addressed in detail the sufficiency of evidence as to the factor of “aggravation
of any pre-existing ailment or condition” and each of the above elements of damages in our
earlier discussion of the defendants’ motion for remittitur or a new trial on the issue of
damages. We need not revisit this question. A party is entitled to instructions on any theory
of the case that is supported by the evidence. Mikolajczyk v. Ford Motor Co., 231 Ill. 2d 516,
549 (2008); Dillon v. Evanston Hospital, 199 Ill. 2d 483, 505 (2002). All that is required in
giving an instruction is some evidence to justify the theory, and the evidence need not be
substantial. Dillon, 199 Ill. 2d at 505; Heastie v. Roberts, 226 Ill. 2d 515, 543 (2007). Suffice
it to say that we find that plaintiff presented sufficient evidence on these issues to justify a
corresponding jury instruction.
¶ 160 Instruction No. 18, based on IPI Civil (2006) No. 30.21, states: “You may not deny or
limit the plaintiff’s right to damages resulting from this occurrence because any injury
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resulted from an aggravation of a preexisting condition or a preexisting condition which
rendered the plaintiff more susceptible to injury.” As we have already stated in discussing
instruction No. 17 that there was sufficient evidence on the factor of a preexisting condition,
we need not address this issue again.
¶ 161 Instruction No. 21 addresses future damages for plaintiff’s injuries, medical, or
caretaking expenses. The sufficiency of evidence on these damages has already been
addressed in our discussion of instruction No. 17.
¶ 162 Instruction No. 22 addresses loss of plaintiff’s future earnings damages. The sufficiency
of evidence on these damages has already been addressed in our discussion of instruction No.
17.
¶ 163 Defendants next challenge plaintiff’s instruction No. 23. We set out the totality of the
jury instruction conference regarding that instruction:
“THE COURT: We’re now ready for 23.
MR. CRANEY: I’m not sure there’s been sufficient evidence in the case to talk
about discount rates and present values, and I’m not sure that the foundation has been
laid to give this kind of instruction.
MR. DRIPPS: Well, are you withdrawing a claim that future earnings should be
reduced to present value?
MR. CRANEY: No.
MR. DRIPPS: Because the instruction–I mean they need to be told how to do it.
THE COURT: I’m going to give 23. It looks okay. Given over objection.”
¶ 164 The defendants have complained of numerous errors in the submission of this instruction,
but have not set out or stated what the instruction was. They complain that there was
insufficient evidence adduced at trial regarding damages for future earnings, that it was a
nonpattern instruction that did not correctly state the law, and that it should not have been
given because there was a pattern instruction on point which should have been given instead.
We are unable to decipher the points and arguments from the little information that we are
given, which hinders our consideration of this issue. Velocity Investments, LLC, 397 Ill. App.
3d at 297.
¶ 165 We note, however, that Mr. Craney’s only objection to the instruction at trial related to
the sufficiency of the evidence to support an instruction on discount rates and present values.
Defendants have forfeited the right to further complain by not making these additional
objections at the jury instruction conference. See Schultz, 201 Ill. 2d at 273. We find no error,
as we have already ruled on the sufficiency of the future earnings damages evidence. We
further note as a point of interest that the very instruction defendants claim should have been
given instead, IPI Civil (2006) No. 34.02, was in fact given by plaintiff, as pointed out in his
citation to the record.
¶ 166 Finally, defendants complain of instruction No. 27, plaintiff’s verdict form A, on the
basis that it contained the same elements of damage in plaintiff’s No. 17, which defendants
claim were not supported by the evidence. As we have already determined that there was no
error in plaintiff’s No. 17, we find no error in plaintiff’s No. 27 for the same reasons.
¶ 167 For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
¶ 168 Affirmed.
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¶ 169 JUSTICE SPOMER, dissenting.
¶ 170 I respectfully dissent. I see three major problems in this case. First, in my opinion, the
record reflects that the defendants were deprived of the fundamental right to a fair trial
despite the fact that the circuit court was made aware of collusion occurring during voir dire
between the plaintiff and nominal defendants in the case whom the plaintiff planned to
voluntarily dismiss from the case after the jury was selected. I do not believe the circuit court
could in good conscience and in accordance with fundamental principles of justice condone
such behavior nor should this court affirm a verdict rendered by a jury that was selected in
such a manner. Second, I believe that Imo’s was deprived of a fair trial when the circuit court
questioned Bethalto’s owner in a manner that indicated its bias on the issue of Imo’s liability.
Finally, I believe Illinois law provides no basis for a finding that Imo’s, as franchisor, had a
duty to protect the plaintiff from an accident caused by a driver employed by its franchisee.
Accordingly, for the specific reasons that follow, I would vacate the judgment against Imo’s
and remand with directions that judgment be entered in its favor. Furthermore, I would
reverse the judgment against Bethalto for want of a fair trial and remand for a new trial on
damages, as Bethalto has admitted its vicarious liability for Lyerla’s admitted negligence.
¶ 171 1. Conduct of Voir Dire
¶ 172 I believe it is important to set forth in detail the colloquy between the circuit court and
counsel during voir dire so it is clear that the circuit court had specific information that
would lead any reasonable judge to understand that collusion was occurring in jury selection
between the plaintiff and nominal defendants who were voluntarily dismissed from the case
by settlement the following day. The record clearly reflects that the plaintiff’s counsel
instructed counsel for Metro East Distributing to exercise one of its peremptory strikes on
juror No. 9, and Metro East did so. Counsel for Greene and Yelton previously exercised their
two strikes on two jurors that the plaintiff unsuccessfully moved to strike for cause. Counsel
for Bethalto and Imo’s stated on the record as follows:
“Counsel for Metro East and Counsel for Jeremiah Green and Jason Yelton have met
with Plaintiff’s Counsel in the back room for some period of time before this started.
Plaintiff’s Counsel just instructed Counsel for Metro East as to how to exercise their
strike. It’s clear to me that what’s happened is there’s going to be a deal cut here
where they are either going to be dismissed, even though one doesn’t have insurance
and probably shouldn’t have been in the case to start with and one has tendered
witness[1] before today, there’s been some sort of deal struck where they are going to
basically use their strikes for the plaintiff, which puts a distinct disadvantage on the
Defense in this case. I’m moving for a mistrial. I’ve never seen any kind of
gamesmanship like this. And that’s my record.”
1
I believe that this is a transcription error and that counsel stated that “one has tendered limits
before today,” indicating that one of the nominal defendants had already tendered its policy limits
before voir dire began.
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¶ 173 The circuit court responded, “Okay. The motion is denied,” and continued with the voir
dire. Counsel for Bethalto and Imo’s then stated, “Let the record reflect that I’m going to
give time for[2] the plaintiff to continue to pass instructions to the other defendants.” The
court stated, “It’s been done before,” and continued with voir dire.
¶ 174 The next day, during the hearing on the joint motion for a good-faith finding of
settlement, counsel for the defendants renewed their objections to the collusion during
voir dire by stating as follows:
“I think it’s all but been admitted here that there was an agreement that was entered
into whereby the policy limits, which were tendered weeks ago, would be accepted
after we had already started selecting a jury, in exchange for some sort of agreement
whereby the Defense would throw their strikes the way of the plaintiff. *** This
effectively made a situation where the remaining Defendants who will be in the case,
ended up with four strikes, four peremptory strikes, and the Plaintiffs had at their
disposal 12 peremptory strikes. That violates due process. I made a Motion for
Mistrial, I am renewing our Motion for Mistrial. That can’t be the purpose of the rule.
Essentially the Plaintiffs were allowed to, at will, choose the jury they selected. ***
This motion for Good Faith Finding basically says that the release is, the
consideration is for collective payment of $20,000. Well, that’s not in fact true. It
appears to me that the consideration that is being paid here today was $20,000 plus an
agreement to stay in the case long enough to throw the strikes, these additional four
strikes, to the Plaintiff, to give them an unfair advantage in this case.”
¶ 175 Following this colloquy, the circuit court indicated, “I’m not concerned about the
strikes.”
¶ 176 I cannot concur with the majority’s finding of forfeiture under the egregious
circumstances of this voir dire. Although the defendants, in hindsight, perhaps should have
couched their objections to what was transpiring in the form of a request for a reallocation of
the challenges, it is not surprising that it was difficult for counsel to discern the proper
motion to make in the wake of, in my opinion, previously unheard of and mortifying conduct
on the part of the plaintiff’s counsel and the nominal defendants. It is clear from the record
that the defendants brought to the circuit court’s attention the fact that the nominal
defendants were no longer on the “same side” as contemplated by section 2-1106 of the Code
of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/2-1106 (West 2010)) and that, accordingly, the allocation of
the peremptory challenges among the defendants was no longer equal. In essence, the
defendants who were left to try the case had 4 peremptory challenges, and the plaintiff had
12. I believe these circumstances distinguish this case from those cited by the majority for the
proposition that the defendants must show that a biased or unqualified juror was empanelled.
The issue at hand involves the equal apportionment of peremptory challenges between the
plaintiff and the defendants, not whether a particular juror was objectionable. The record
reflected a clear violation of section 2-1106, the circuit court was made aware of it, and I
would find that the circuit court’s failure to ensure that the voir dire was conducted in
accordance with law requires a new trial.
2
I believe that this a transcription error and that counsel for Bethalto and Imo’s was indicating that
the plaintiff was continuing to pass instructions to the nominal defendants on how to exercise their
peremptory challenges and that time was being given for them to do so.
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¶ 177 2. Imo’s Liability
¶ 178 I also disagree with the majority’s analysis that Imo’s motion for a summary judgment,
motion for a directed verdict, and motion for a judgment notwithstanding the verdict were
properly denied. I believe the record is clear that Lyerla was not an employee or agent of
Imo’s, actual or apparent, did not owe a general duty to protect the plaintiff, and did not
voluntarily assume such a duty. I will address each theory of liability in turn.
¶ 179 a. Respondeat Superior–Actual Agency
¶ 180 “The doctrine of respondeat superior allows an injured party to hold a principal
vicariously liable for the conduct of his or her agent.” O’Banner v. McDonald’s Corp., 273
Ill. App. 3d 588, 592 (1995) (citing Moy v. County of Cook, 159 Ill. 2d 519, 523 (1994)),
rev’d on other grounds, 173 Ill. 2d 208 (1996). “An agency relationship is a consensual one
between two legal entities whereby: (1) the principal has the right to control the conduct of
the agent, and (2) the agent has the power to affect the legal relations of the principal.” Id.“Whether an actual agency has in fact been created is determined by the relations of the
parties as they exist under their agreements or acts, with the question being ultimately one of
intention.” Id. (citing 3 Am. Jur. 2d Agency § 21 (1986)). “While the existence of any agency
relationship is usually a question of fact, it becomes a question of law when the facts
regarding the relationship are undisputed or no liability exists as a matter of law.”
Oliveira-Brooks v. Re/Max International, Inc., 372 Ill. App. 3d 127, 134 (2007). Here, I
would find that, as a matter of law, Lyerla was not an actual agent of Imo’s. Lyerla testified
that he worked for Bethalto, that his paychecks came from Bethalto, and that Annette Wilson
of Bethalto screened and hired him and was his supervisor. He never had contact with anyone
from Imo’s. There is no dispute that Lyerla and Imo’s had no contractual relationship, and
based on the various written agreements between Imo’s and Lyerla’s employer, Bethalto, it is
clear that those entities intended to exclude any possibility of an agency relationship. See id.The franchising agreement specified that Imo’s and Bethalto are independent contractors and
required Bethalto to conspicuously identify itself at the premises of the store and in all
dealings with the public as an independently owned business. In addition, the operating
manual stated that Bethalto was responsible for its own day-to-day operations and the hiring,
training, and supervision of its employees. It also contained an indemnification clause
requiring Bethalto to indemnify Imo’s from any and all liability arising out of the acts or
omissions of Bethalto’s employees, and a mandatory insurance provision requiring Bethalto
to maintain insurance, with Imo’s named as an additional insured, for its drivers’ liability as
well as workers’ compensation.
¶ 181 Moreover, I find no evidence in this record to support a finding that the conduct of Imo’s
and Lyerla, or Lyerla’s employer, Bethalto, demonstrated Imo’s actual control over Lyerla or
the day-to-day operations of Bethalto sufficient to negate the intent of the franchise
agreement not to create a principal-agent relationship. See id.; see also Salisbury v. Chapman
Realty, 124 Ill. App. 3d 1057, 1061 (1984). While the manual provided general system
standards for Bethalto to follow, it has been recognized that inherent in any franchise
agreement is the need to protect the name, goodwill, reputation, and the trademarks and
service marks it creates, and the mere protection of a trade name does not create an agency
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relationship. Oliveira-Brooks, 372 Ill. App. 3d at 135. An actual agency relationship did not
exist as a matter of law, and I believe the majority’s analysis to the contrary improperly
focuses on Imo’s right to make recommendations and impose requirements on Bethalto as a
franchisee, rather than its relationship with the negligent party, Lyerla. For these reasons, I
would find that the circuit court erred in denying Imo’s motion for a summary judgment,
directed verdict, and judgment notwithstanding the verdict as to the issue of respondeat
superior based on actual agency.
¶ 182 b. Respondeat Superior–Apparent Agency
¶ 183 I next consider whether Imo’s was entitled to a summary judgment, a directed verdict,
and a judgment notwithstanding the verdict on the issue of its vicarious liability for Lyerla’s
conduct based on the doctrine of apparent agency. Apparent agency is based on principles of
estoppel. O’Banner v. McDonald’s Corp., 173 Ill. 2d 208, 213 (1996). “The idea is that if a
principal creates the appearance that someone is his agent, he should not then be permitted to
deny the agency if an innocent third party reasonably relies on the apparent agency and is
harmed as a result.” Id. Accordingly, a principal can be held vicariously liable in tort for
injury caused by the negligent acts of his apparent agent if the injury would not have
occurred but for the injured party’s justifiable reliance on the apparent agency. Id. It is clear
from the record before us that the plaintiff’s injury is in no way related to his reliance on
Lyerla being an apparent agent of Imo’s. The plaintiff was injured in an automobile accident
that occurred randomly on a public roadway. The doctrine of apparent agency is, as a matter
of law, inapplicable to the case at bar, and Imo’s was entitled to a summary judgment,
directed verdict, and judgment notwithstanding the verdict on the theory that Lyerla was an
apparent agent of Imo’s.
¶ 184 c. Direct Negligence
¶ 185 Having found no basis for vicarious liability on the part of Imo’s for the acts of Lyerla, I
also believe Imo’s was entitled to a summary judgment, directed verdict, and judgment
notwithstanding the verdict on the issue of its direct liability to the plaintiff for the injuries he
sustained in this automobile accident because Imo’s owed no duty to protect the plaintiff
from the injuries he sustained in this accident. I respectfully submit that the majority does not
follow the analysis of duty required by the Illinois Supreme Court in Simpkins v. CSX
Transportation, Inc., 2012 IL 110662, ¶ 21, because the majority does not make a legal
determination of the threshold question as to whether Imo’s committed an act or omission
that contributed to a risk of harm to the plaintiff prior to weighing the factors of
foreseeability, likelihood of injury, and the burden on the defendant. Instead, the majority
accepts the plaintiff’s allegations as true and moves directly into an analysis of the four
factors. These allegations are that Imo’s contributed to a risk of harm to the plaintiff by: (1)
requiring Bethalto to engage in pizza delivery; (2) establishing an unusually large delivery
area for the Bethalto store; (3) requiring “timely” delivery; (4) requiring Bethalto to have
Lyerla sign a contract stating that he could be terminated for failing to deliver pizzas
expeditiously; and (5) creating a financial incentive for drivers to drive at unsafe speeds.
Having considered the entire record, I believe that these alleged actions on the part of Imo’s
are insufficient, in law and in fact, to support a finding that Imo’s contributed to a risk of
harm to the plaintiff, and I consider them each in turn.
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¶ 186 I begin with the contention that Imo’s requirement that its franchisees engage in pizza
delivery constitutes an act that contributed to a risk of harm to the plaintiff. I would decline
to so hold. All of the cases cited by the plaintiff in support of its contention that Imo’s
requirement that franchisees engage in pizza delivery contributed to a risk of harm to the
plaintiff involved entities that directly created a uniquely dangerous situation. See, e.g.,
Michel v. O’Connor, 26 Ill. App. 2d 255 (1960) (motorcycle club racing event on a frozen
lake). In this case, requiring franchisees to deliver is tantamount to a requirement that the
franchisees engage in an everyday activity: operating a vehicle on a public roadway. I cannot
support a holding that any franchisor who proposes a business model involving delivery of
food assumes a duty to all motorists who come into contact with its franchisees’ employees.
¶ 187 Next I consider the plaintiff’s contention that because Imo’s created a large delivery area
for the Bethalto store, it contributed to a risk of harm to the plaintiff. I find this contention to
be belied by the record. Imo’s assigned a protected delivery territory of a three-quarter-mile
radius from each franchise in which that store is guaranteed to operate without the
competition of other Imo’s restaurants. Individual franchisees were allowed to operate
outside of the assigned delivery territory at their discretion as long as they did not operate
within the protected territory of another Imo’s franchise. Bethalto’s owner, Mrs. Wilson,
testified at trial that she chose to deliver to a larger area than that assigned by Imo’s at her
own discretion. Accordingly, I find no act on the part of Imo’s in relation to the delivery area
that would have contributed to any risk of harm to the plaintiff.
¶ 188 I now turn to the plaintiff’s contention that Imo’s required “timely delivery” on the part
of franchisees, which contributed to a risk of harm to the plaintiff. My examination of the
record also belies this assertion. The manual is replete with references to the quality of the
product and the safety of delivery above all else. The manual states: “When a customer calls,
it is important they get a made-to-order pizza as soon as possible. But we would never
sacrifice quality for speed.” In addition, the manual explicitly states, “You must never
advertise or stipulate to drivers that a delivery must be accomplished within a specified time
of when an order is received.” Finally, all references to “timely” or “efficient” delivery in the
driver contract form in the manual equally emphasize safety. I would decline to impose a
duty based on the language of the manual, which does not require franchisees to deliver
within any specific time frame.
¶ 189 For the same reasons, I do not find that Imo’s created a risk of harm to the plaintiff by
requiring Bethalto to utilize a driver contract stating that a driver could be terminated for
failing to deliver pizzas expeditiously. Imo’s had no authority to terminate Lyerla’s
employment with Bethalto for any reason. The manual stated that each franchisee was solely
responsible for establishing its own employment practices and guidelines for hiring drivers,
and Imo’s had no right to control the franchisee’s employees. Bethalto’s owner, Mrs. Wilson,
testified that she was responsible for hiring, supervising, and disciplining Bethalto’s
employees without any involvement from Imo’s. Again, any requirement that a delivery be
made “timely” was qualified by the requirement that the delivery also be made safely. The
driver contract stated:
“Should Driver at any time, refuse, neglect, or fail in any respect to perform the
work with safety and expedition, or default in the performance of this Agreement,
then Company, without prejudice to any other right or remedy, may terminate
Driver’s services under this agreement or oral or written notice to Driver.”
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¶ 190 The driver contract consistently emphasized safety above all, stating that:
“Driver acknowledges Company’s policy that the safety of the Driver and others is of
primary concern and that Driver will not jeopardize his or her safety of others for any
reason.”
¶ 191 The safe work practices for drivers states in capitalized text:
“KEEP IN MIND THAT YOUR PRIMARY OBJECTIVE IS YOUR SAFETY AND
THE SAFETY OF OTHERS. DON’T EVER PUT ANYTHING AHEAD OF
SAFETY. Driver agrees to use his or her best efforts to deliver the pizzas and other
menu items in a good workmanlike manner in a timely fashion, taking all safety
precautions and obeying all laws. *** Driver acknowledges Company’s policy that
the safety of Driver and others is of primary concern and that Driver will not
jeopardize his or her safety or the safety of others for any reason. Driver will at all
times wear a seat belt and operate his or her motor vehicle in a safe manner, in
accordance will all laws and rules of the road. *** Driver acknowledges that
Company is a franchisee of Imo’s Franchising Inc. and that his/her employment is
only with Company, and not Imo’s Franchising, Inc.”
¶ 192 I would find that the driver contract required by Imo’s did not contribute to a risk of harm
to the plaintiff.
¶ 193 Finally, I consider whether Imo’s suggestions for methods its franchisees could use to
compensate their drivers created a risk of harm to the plaintiff. These suggestions included
allowing the drivers to keep all or part of the delivery fee charged for each delivery, allowing
the drivers to keep all or part of any tips that were given, paying the drivers an hourly wage,
and compensating drivers with a gas or mileage allowance, or any combination of those
methods. Franchisees such as Bethalto could choose to adopt any or all of these methods of
compensation for its drivers or pay its drivers according to its own policies. The only
requirement that Imo’s imposed is that drivers make at least minimum wage. This
requirement was imposed on Bethalto and not the drivers. I find nothing in Imo’s suggestions
for compensating drivers that increased the risk of harm to the plaintiff.
¶ 194 Generally, businesses do not owe an affirmative duty to protect or rescue a stranger, but
must guard against injuries which naturally flow as a reasonably probable and foreseeable
consequence of an act. Simpkins, 2012 IL 110662, ¶ 19. Here, I have examined all of the
plaintiff’s contentions in this regard and have found no act or omission on the part of Imo’s
that contributed to a risk of harm to the plaintiff. Because Imo’s has not created a risk of
harm to the plaintiff, a duty on the part of Imo’s to guard against the plaintiff’s injuries arises
only if a legally recognized “special relationship” existed between them. See id. ¶ 21. No
such relationship exists in this case.
¶ 195 The remaining theory of direct liability that I must address is the majority’s finding that
Imo’s voluntarily assumed a duty to protect the plaintiff when it imposed qualifications for
drivers on Bethalto and then reserved the right to make inspections and inquiries and to
enforce compliance with suggestions or requirements set forth in the manual. I find no
support for this assertion under existing case law. The manual made clear that its minimum
driver’s qualifications were imposed by insurance. It is also important to note that the
statements in the manual regarding the right to make inspections made no specific mention of
the driver’s qualifications, and I believe it is important to set forth this language in detail:
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“In order to maintain the public image and reputation of the Imo’s Pizza System, and
to maintain standards of quality, appearance and service of Imo’s franchises, we may
use various methods to monitor each franchisee’s compliance with the high Imo’s
Pizza System standards. Such methods include, but are not limited to: Store
inspections/Inquiries–We have the right to make inspections and inquiries of your
store during normal business hours without notice. If we find areas that need
improvement, we have the right to make certain recommendations and suggestions to
you, and in some cases, we may require you to make certain changes or
improvements. You agree to make those changes and improvements that we may
require of you. *** You and your employees must cooperate with us and provide us
with any requested information in connection with such inspections and inquiries.
Any suggestions, recommendations, or requirements we may impose as a result of our
inspections is not a substitute for your responsibility, as the franchisee, for the
manner and means by which the day-to-day operations of your Imo’s pizza parlor is
conducted. Furthermore, we do not warrant the appropriateness of any such
suggestions, recommendations, or requirements.” (Emphasis in original.)
¶ 196 Although Imo’s made its driver qualifications mandatory due to the imposition of these
requirements by insurance, and Imo’s reserved a right to inspect and monitor Bethalto’s
compliance with the manual in general, Imo’s did not specifically reserve the right to
micromanage Bethalto’s employment records and did not take any affirmative action to
ensure compliance with the standards for drivers. See Chelkova v. Southland Corp., 331 Ill.
App. 3d 716, 724 (2002) (franchisor did not exercise control over franchisee day-to-day
operations and did nothing to enforce its security recommendations); accord Decker v.
Domino’s Pizza, Inc., 268 Ill. App. 3d 521, 528 (1994) (franchisor created a franchise
consultant to ensure compliance with its security standards), and Martin v. McDonald’s
Corp., 213 Ill. App. 3d 487, 491 (1991) (franchisor checked for security problems at
franchisee stores through a regional security manager who would follow up on whether
recommended security procedures had been followed). The record reflects that Imo’s never
undertook to inspect Bethalto’s records for compliance with the insurance requirements
regarding drivers’ qualifications or to monitor Bethalto in any fashion. With regard to hiring
and managing employees, the manual provided:
“[S]ince you control day to day operations of your business, you are responsible for
the acts of your employees ***. You are solely responsible for all employment
decisions and functions of your store, including hiring, firing, training, wage and hour
requirements, recordkeeping, supervising and disciplining of your employees. ***
We do not have any responsibility or duty to implement a training program for your
employees and we do not have a responsibility or duty to instruct your employees
about matters of safety and security in your Store or in your delivery area. You are
solely responsible for recruiting, hiring, training, scheduling for work, supervising
and paying those who work in your Store, and they shall for all purposes be
considered your employees, and not our agents or employees. We expressly disclaim
any right to control your employees, and again reiterate that the control of your
employees rests solely with you as the franchisee and owner and operator of your
Store. We neither have the right nor will ever be in a position to control the manner
and method of hiring or supervising your employees. By providing advice or
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suggestions with respect to your employees, or by providing any advice or
suggestions with respect to other matters affecting the operations of your Store, or by
providing you forms that we have developed, we do not assume any of your
responsibilities or duties.”
¶ 197 I would decline to hold that the reservation of a right to monitor a franchisee is
tantamount to a voluntary undertaking to do so. I also note that a failure to inspect Bethalto’s
records or negligent inspection of Bethalto’s records was not pled in the complaint as a basis
for Imo’s alleged negligence. For all of these reasons, I would find that, as a matter of law,
Imo’s did not owe a duty to the plaintiff in this case, and was entitled to a summary
judgment, directed verdict, and judgment notwithstanding the verdict on the plaintiff’s direct
negligence claim against it.
¶ 198 3. Questioning by the Circuit Court on Issue of Imo’s Liability
¶ 199 Finally, although I would find that Imo’s is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law in its
favor because it had no duty to protect the plaintiff from the conduct of Bethalto’s employee,
I also believe that the circuit court’s questioning of one of the owners of Bethalto Pizza,
Annette Wilson, during defense counsel’s examination of her indicated bias on its part
regarding the issue of Imo’s liability and constitutes reversible error. Mrs. Wilson testified
that she made the decisions to hire drivers for Bethalto Pizza and sat in on interviews and that
no representative of Imo’s participated. As far as operations of Bethalto Pizza, Mrs. Wilson
testified that Imo’s had no involvement. At this point, the circuit court had the following
colloquy with Mrs. Wilson during counsel for Imo’s examination:
“THE COURT: You really just rented the Imo name, have you not?
THE WITNESS: Pretty much.
THE COURT: Without Imo there couldn’t be you; without you there couldn’t be
a driver, so no one is responsible?
THE WITNESS: Well, I have taken the responsibility.
THE COURT: How about Imo?
THE WITNESS: I don’t–I don’t see how they could possibly be responsible.
THE COURT: Have you discussed this with Imo?
THE WITNESS: Have I discussed what with Imo?
THE COURT: This case. You are–I know you are going to object, and the
objection is overruled. But ask your next question.
COUNSEL: I was not going to object, Your Honor.
THE COURT: Come on. Let’s get to the meat of this case.
COUNSEL: I’ll move on.
THE COURT: Is there an agency relationship?
WITNESS: Is there what?
THE COURT: An agency relationship?
COUNSEL: Between Bethalto Pizza and the driver?
THE COURT: I just asked the general question. Is there an agency relationship?
THE WITNESS: Between the store and Imo?
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THE COURT: You can’t answer that, right?
THE WITNESS: I don’t–I don’t understand the question.
THE COURT: Yes. You don’t–
THE COURT: There’s been a lot I don’t understand. You get a pack of material
an inch thick?
THE WITNESS: Right. Right.
THE COURT: It seems like no one has read it.
THE WITNESS: I have read it, but I did not memorize it.
THE COURT: And Mrs. Imo, she doesn’t know anything about it either. And it’s
getting to the point where this trial I do have a responsibility as a judge to keep this
case going. There’s been a lot of wasted time, and there’s been a lot of denying. Let’s
get to the point. Go ahead.
COUNSEL: Okay. And your Bethalto Pizza is not denying that Ken worked for
them at the time of the accident, correct?
THE WITNESS: That’s correct.
COUNSEL: Okay. He was–to your understanding he was driving pizzas in the
course of his employment at the time of the accident?
THE WITNESS: That’s correct.
COUNSEL: And as far as the relationship with Imo they don’t have any direct
control over day-to-day operations?
THE WITNESS: No. I own the franchise.
COUNSEL: Okay. All right. That’s all the questions I have.
THE COURT: You’re lucky.”
¶ 200 I respectfully dissent from the majority’s characterization of this line of questioning on
the part of the circuit court. I do not believe that the circuit court’s remarks “could have been
just as easily said in jest” or that they are ambiguous in meaning. Nor do I believe that the
remarks could also be viewed as a summation of Mrs. Wilson’s testimony. Instead, I believe
the questioning indicated bias on the part of the circuit court regarding Imo’s liability for the
plaintiff’s injuries, and deprived Imo’s of a fair trial.
¶ 201 In conclusion, and for all of the foregoing reasons, I would vacate the judgment against
Imo’s and remand with directions that judgment be entered in its favor. Furthermore, I would
reverse the judgment against Bethalto and remand for a new trial on damages, as Bethalto has
admitted its vicarious liability for Lyerla’s admitted negligence.
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