Pietrangelo v. PolyOne Corp.

[Cite as Pietrangelo v. PolyOne Corp., 2021-Ohio-4239.]
STATE OF OHIO ) IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
)ss: NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
COUNTY OF LORAIN )
JAMES E. PIETRANGELO, II C.A. No. 21CA011734
Appellant
v. APPEAL FROM JUDGMENT
ENTERED IN THE
POLYONE CORPORATION, et al. COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
COUNTY OF LORAIN, OHIO
Appellees CASE No. 17CV192741
DECISION AND JOURNAL ENTRY
Dated: December 6, 2021
CALLAHAN, Judge.
{¶1} Appellant, James Pietrangelo, appeals orders of the Lorain County Court of
Common Pleas that granted summary judgment to appellees, The Lubrizol Corporation
(“Lubrizol”) and PolyOne Corporation (“PolyOne”), now known as Avient Corporation
(“Avient”). This Court affirms.
I.
{¶2} On June 30, 2017, Mr. Pietrangelo filed a complaint against PolyOne, alleging
that its facility in Avon Lake was “spewing non-ionizing radiation, pressure/energy waves,
vibrations, noise, and/or fumes/smells harmful to human health and home into the environment
and surrounding neighborhood, including on a nightly basis.” Mr. Pietrangelo maintained that
his residence was affected by these phenomena and that “[t]he radiation, waves, and/or
vibrations impacted * * * and vibrated * * * [his] body” in a manner that was “uncomfortable at
best to excruciating at worst.” The complaint described the physical ailments that Mr.
2
Pietrangelo alleged to have suffered as a result and alleged claims for private nuisance, public
nuisance, and negligence. Mr. Pietrangelo also sought a preliminary and permanent injunction.
The trial court denied Mr. Pietrangelo’s motion for a temporary restraining order/preliminary
injunction, noting, in part, that “[Mr.] Pietrangelo failed to offer any scientific, geological,
radiological, or atmospheric evidence to support his claims nor did he introduce any medical
testimony or evidence to verify his alleged physiological or psychological injuries.”
{¶3} On October 17, 2021, Mr. Pietrangelo amended his complaint to add “The
Lubrizol Corporation” as a defendant. With respect to Lubrizol, Mr. Pietrangelo alleged:
At all times material herein, Defendant The Lubrizol Corporation (“Lubrizol”)
was/is an Ohio Corporation, organized and operating in the State of Ohio under
and by virtue of the laws of the State of Ohio, with its principal place of business
at 29400 Lakeland Boulevard, Wickliffe, OH 44092, and with an operational
facility at 550 Moore Road, Avon Lake, OH 44012, at or in or with the above-
mentioned industrial campus.
The amended complaint alleged the same causes of action, but against both PolyOne and
Lubrizol. On November 10, 2017, two attorneys entered a notice of appearance on behalf of
Lubrizol. The same two attorneys filed an answer on November 27, 2017,1 noting that it was
filed on behalf of “Defendant, Lubrizol Advanced Materials, Inc. * * * incorrectly named as The
Lubrizol Corporation.” With respect to Lubrizol Advanced Materials, Inc. (“LAM”), the answer
denied that LAM was an Ohio corporation with its principal place of business located in
Wickliffe, Ohio; asserted that LAM was a Delaware corporation with its principal place of
business in Brecksville, Ohio; and acknowledged that LAM operated a facility on Moore Road in
Avon Lake, Ohio.
1
On January 16, 2018, those attorneys filed a notice with the clerk of courts indicating
that the answer had been filed by facsimile transmission but was not listed on the docket. With
that filing, they attached the confirmation of filing related to the answer.
3
{¶4} In the months that followed, LAM participated in discovery with the proviso that
it was incorrectly named as Lubrizol in the complaint. In 2018, the parties had a discovery
dispute related to subpoenas duces tecum issued to nonparties by LAM. The trial court granted a
motion to compel production of the documents, and Mr. Pietrangelo appealed. LAM moved to
dismiss the appeal, arguing that it was moot because the subpoenaed documents had been
produced. In response to the motion to dismiss, Mr. Pietrangelo argued—for the first time—that
LAM was not a party to the case. Noting that Mr. Pietrangelo had not raised the issue in
opposition to the subpoena in the trial court, this Court refused to consider it in the first instance
and dismissed the appeal. See Pietrangelo v. PolyOne Corp., 9th Dist. Lorain No. 18CA011356,
Journal Entry (Mar. 7, 2019).
{¶5} After this Court dismissed the appeal, Mr. Pietrangelo filed a motion for summary
judgment, arguing that Lubrizol failed to answer the complaint and, as a result, the allegations
against Lubrizol should be construed to be admitted. The attorneys who had previously
answered on behalf of LAM as an incorrectly named party then requested leave to file an
“amended answer” on behalf of Lubrizol, which the trial court granted. In the amended answer,
Lubrizol averred that it did not conduct any operations at the facility mentioned in the complaint
and that “[LAM] owns the facility and conducts operations at the facility.” Lubrizol also
asserted that Mr. Pietrangelo sued an incorrect party and failed to join an indispensable party. In
support of its motion to amend the answer, Lubrizol attached an exhibit consisting of
correspondence related to the status of the parties. That correspondence provided, in part:
Second, on appeal, you raised an issue regarding [LAM]’s involvement in this
case. With the case now returning to the trial court, the appropriate parties to the
case should be clarified and clearly identified. I believe that can be quickly and
efficiently accomplished with you filing an unopposed motion to substitute
[LAM] as the named Lubrizol entity in this case.
4
***
While it is understandable that you may not have known the proper legal entity
associated with the Avon Lake facility at the outset of your lawsuit, Lubrizol has
repeatedly made clear through its filings, discovery responses, and document
production, as well as through direct correspondence to you, that [LAM] is the
correct entity.
Mr. Pietrangelo, however, maintained that he believed Lubrizol was the correct party. On May
13, 2019, the trial court denied Mr. Pietrangelo’s motion for summary judgment against
Lubrizol.
{¶6} Lubrizol then moved for summary judgment on the grounds that it was not the
proper party, arguing that LAM, rather than Lubrizol, operated the Avon Lake facility. Mr.
Pietrangelo obtained additional time to respond to the motion for summary judgment under
Civ.R. 56(F). On September 17, 2020, the trial court granted summary judgment to Lubrizol,
concluding that Lubrizol did not own or operate the Avon Lake facility and had not waived any
defenses in that regard. The case proceeded on the claims asserted against PolyOne, by then
known as Avient.2
{¶7} On November 20, 2020, Avient moved for summary judgment on the merits of
Mr. Pietrangelo’s claims. As with Lubrizol’s motion for summary judgment, Mr. Pietrangelo
requested additional time to respond under Civ.R. 56(F). On January 8, 2021, the trial court
denied his request, noting that the parties had undertaken extensive discovery. The trial court
also noted that “even if [Mr. Pietrangelo] intends to retain experts, which he should have done
years ago, the time for delay and additional discovery is past.” In the same vein, the trial court
continued:
[Mr. Pietrangelo] has had more than three years to fully litigate this case, to seek
discovery in order to support his claims and oppose defenses, and to retain experts
2
For purposes of clarity, this opinion will refer to Avient from this point forward.
5
to bolster his allegations and rebut [Avient]’s experts. Instead, not only did he
forgo retaining any experts, he refused to provide his medical records to support
his allegations.
***
[Mr. Pietrangelo] has a right to fully litigate his case and make a complete record
of his prosecution of the case and he has been given a full opportunity to do so in
these proceedings. Similarly, this Court has a right to bring this case, and all
litigation it presides over, TO A CLOSE.
(Emphasis in original.) Mr. Pietrangelo also moved to strike or exclude an expert report upon
which Avient relied in a motion that exceeded the page limitation established by the trial court.
The trial court denied Mr. Pietrangelo leave to exceed the page limitation but permitted him to
refile a complying motion. The trial court denied that motion on January 22, 2021, noting that
“instead of relying upon his own experts to support his position or counter Avient’s, it appears
that [Mr. Pietrangelo’s] strategy is instead to ‘stave off summary judgment by striking Avient’s
experts.’”
{¶8} On February 10, 2021, the trial court granted summary judgment to Avient on
each of Mr. Pietrangelo’s claims, and Mr. Pietrangelo appealed.
II.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. 1
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED/ABUSED [ITS] DISCRETION TO THE
PREJUDICE OF PIETRANGELO IN GRANTING [LUBRIZOL] LEAVE TO
FILE AN (AMENDED) ANSWER.
{¶9} Mr. Pietrangelo’s first assignment of error argues that the trial court erred by
granting Lubrizol leave to file an amended answer following his assertion that LAM was not a
party to the action and his motion for summary judgment. This Court does not agree.
{¶10} Civ.R. 15(A) provides that “[a] party may amend its pleading once as a matter of
course within twenty-eight days after serving it * * * . In all other cases, a party may amend its
6
pleading only with the opposing party’s written consent or the court’s leave.” Leave of court
must be “freely given when justice so requires.” Id. See also State ex rel. Becker v. Eastlake, 93
Ohio St.3d 502, 504 (2001) (“The general policy of the rules favors liberal amendment of the
pleadings.”). Nonetheless, a motion to amend pleadings should be denied upon a showing of
“bad faith, undue delay, or undue prejudice to the opposing party.” Turner v. Cent. Local School
Dist., 85 Ohio St.3d 95, 99 (1999), citing Hoover v. Sumlin, 12 Ohio St.3d 1 (1984), paragraph
two of the syllabus. This Court must review an order that grants leave to amend a pleading for
an abuse of discretion. See State ex rel. Askew v. Goldhart, 75 Ohio St.3d 608, 610 (1996). An
abuse of discretion is present when a trial court’s decision “‘is contrary to law, unreasonable, not
supported by evidence, or grossly unsound.’” Menke v. Menke, 9th Dist. Summit No. 27330,
2015-Ohio-2507, ¶ 8, quoting Tretola v. Tretola, 3d Dist. Logan No. 8-14-24, 2015-Ohio-1999, ¶
25.
{¶11} Counsel for LAM—who had entered an appearance on behalf of Lubrizol and
represented both LAM and Lubrizol in the trial court—answered Mr. Pietrangelo’s amended
complaint on behalf of “Defendant, Lubrizol Advanced Materials, Inc. * * * incorrectly named
as The Lubrizol Corporation.” In so doing, counsel both answered the allegations of the
complaint and brought the identity of the proper party into issue in the case. See generally
Civ.R. 15(C) (describing the relation back of amended pleadings when the identity of a
defendant is changed and the defendant has had notice of the institution of the action such that it
will not suffer prejudice if the action is maintained against it). The record substantiates
Lubrizol’s position that until Mr. Pietrangelo raised LAM’s standing during the prior appeal to
this Court, counsel actively defended the suit on its merits under the apparent assumption that
Mr. Pietrangelo had mistakenly named Lubrizol and would ultimately correct that error. This
7
defense included participation in discovery which, in turn, included a site inspection at the
facility at issue by Mr. Pietrangelo. The trial court’s conclusion that there is no indication of bad
faith, undue delay, or undue prejudice—and the decision to permit Lubrizol to file an amended
answer—did not constitute an abuse of discretion.
{¶12} Mr. Pietrangelo, on the other hand, has framed his argument regarding the
amended answer in terms of default: by his reasoning, Lubrizol did not answer the complaint at
all until after he moved for summary judgment and, consequently, was in default and should not
have been permitted to answer at that time. In other words, he suggests that this Court should
consider Lubrizol’s motion to be a motion to permit the late filing of an answer and construe the
trial court’s order granting leave in the same vein. Even analyzing Mr. Pietrangelo’s argument
as he has framed it, however, this Court cannot find an abuse of discretion. Civ.R. 6(B) provides
that an extension of the time period in which any act under the Civil Rules must be taken may be
obtained by motion after the time period has expired “where the failure to act was the result of
excusable neglect[.]” A trial court has the discretion to permit the untimely filing of an answer
under Civ.R. 6(B). Kitson v. Gordon Food Serv., 9th Dist. Medina No. 15CA0078-M, 2016-
Ohio-7079, ¶ 14. See also Davis v. Immediate Med. Servs., Inc., 80 Ohio St.3d 10, 14 (1997).
“Neglect,” for purposes of Civ.R. 6(B), consists of “conduct that falls substantially below what is
reasonable under the circumstances.” Davis at 14. When a court determines whether neglect is
excusable, all of the surrounding facts and circumstances are considered. Id. Courts must also
give “due consideration [to] the principle that cases should be decided on their merits when
possible.” Kitson at ¶ 14.
{¶13} Even if this Court were to conclude that the actions of counsel for Lubrizol fell
substantially below that which was reasonable under the circumstances—which we cannot do—
8
the same facts identified by the trial court in support of amendment lead to the conclusion that it
was, nonetheless, excusable. As the trial court noted, Lubrizol appeared in the action and
forthrightly asserted that it had been misidentified early in the proceedings, counsel participated
in discovery, and “no prejudice of any nature [flowed] to [Mr. Pietrangelo]” because “Lubrizol
(and LAM) has cooperated fully in this litigation and there are months of discovery left in which
to conduct any additional discovery towards LAM should [Mr. Pietrangelo] so desire.”
{¶14} Mr. Pietrangelo’s first assignment of error is overruled.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. 2
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED TO THE PREJUDICE OF PIETRANGELO IN
DENYING PIETRANGELO’S MARCH 22, 2019 MOTION FOR SUMMARY
JUDGMENT AGAINST [LUBRIZOL].
{¶15} Mr. Pietrangelo’s second assignment of error argues that the trial court erred by
denying his motion for summary judgment against Lubrizol. Specifically, Mr. Pietrangelo
maintains that because Lubrizol did not answer the amended complaint, the averments against it
should have been deemed admitted and judgment entered in his favor. This Court does not
agree.
{¶16} Mr. Pietrangelo asserts that a trial court can grant what is functionally a default
judgment apart from the requirements of Civ.R. 55(A). See generally Ohio Valley Radiology
Assocs., Inc. v. Ohio Valley Hosp. Assn., 28 Ohio St.3d 118, 121 (1986) (noting that “[d]efault *
* * is a clearly defined concept” and “[a] default judgment is a judgment entered against a
defendant who has failed to timely plead in response to an affirmative pleading”). This Court
makes no determination regarding whether this assertion is correct. See generally Reese v.
Proppe, 3 Ohio App.3d 103, 105-106 (8th Dist.1981); Civ.R. 55(A). As discussed above, LAM
answered the amended complaint with the notation that it was “incorrectly named as The
9
Lubrizol Corporation[,]” and the trial court did not err by permitting Lubrizol to file an amended
answer. Lubrizol having done so, the provisions of Civ.R. 8(D) were inapplicable.
{¶17} Mr. Pietrangelo’s second assignment of error is overruled.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. 3
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED/ABUSED [ITS] DISCRETION TO THE
PREJUDICE OF PIETRANGELO IN CONSIDERING INADMISSIBLE
EVIDENCE IN GRANTING [LUBRIZOL’S] MOTION FOR (PARTIAL)
SUMMARY JUDGMENT.
{¶18} In his third assignment of error, Mr. Pietrangelo argues that the trial court abused
its discretion by considering evidence in support of Lubrizol’s motion for summary judgment
that was inadmissible. This Court does not agree.
{¶19} Civ.R. 56(E) explains that affidavits submitted in support of or in opposition to a
motion for summary judgment “shall be made on personal knowledge, shall set forth such facts
as would be admissible in evidence, and shall show affirmatively that the affiant is competent to
testify to the matters stated in the affidavit.” See also Bonacorsi v. Wheeling & Lake Erie Ry.
Co., 95 Ohio St.3d 314, 2002-Ohio-2220, ¶ 26. “Personal knowledge is knowledge of factual
truth which does not depend on outside information or hearsay.” Wall v. Firelands Radiology,
Inc., 106 Ohio App.3d 313, 335 (6th Dist.1995), citing Brannon v. Rinzler, 77 Ohio App.3d 749,
756 (2d Dist.1991). See also Stetz v. Copley Fairlawn School Dist., 9th Dist. Summit No. 27432,
2015-Ohio-4358, ¶ 17-18 (concluding that hearsay and legal conclusions do not fall within the
evidence contemplated by Civ.R. 56(E)).
{¶20} Mr. Pietrangelo’s argument is addressed solely to the affidavit of Nada Faddoul,
Esq. (“the Faddoul Affidavit”). Mr. Pietrangelo maintains that the trial court abused its
discretion by failing to strike the Faddoul Affidavit because it referenced hearsay statements in
the form of unauthenticated documents, out-of-court statements, and unauthenticated emails.
10
Mr. Pietrangelo does not challenge the other evidentiary materials filed in support of Lubrizol’s
motion for summary judgment, nor does he challenge the affidavit of Nathan Deutsch (“the
Deutsch Affidavit”), upon which the trial court specifically relied. In that respect, this Court
notes that the trial court referenced the Faddoul Affidavit only one time—in a footnote that
mentions a single document. Having confined his argument so narrowly, it is incumbent upon
Mr. Pietrangelo to demonstrate not only that the trial court erred with respect to the Civ.R. 56
evidence, but that he was prejudiced as a result. See, e.g., Messer v. Summa Health Sys., 9th
Dist. Summit No. 28470, 2018-Ohio-372, ¶ 22-23.
{¶21} We cannot reach that conclusion given the nature of the Faddoul Affidavit. While
the Deutsch Affidavit set forth the facts undergirding Lubrizol’s motion for summary judgment,
the Faddoul Affidavit was addressed almost exclusively to a different issue: the steps that
Lubrizol had taken to apprise Mr. Pietrangelo that it believed itself to be the incorrect party. To
that end, Ms. Faddoul’s affidavit set forth a timeline of her communications with Mr. Pietrangelo
and incorporated physical copies of various email messages to which she was a party. The trial
court’s decision reflects this distinction, relying on the Deutsch Affidavit for the conclusion that
Lubrizol is not the correct party and granting summary judgment to Lubrizol on that basis.
{¶22} Mr. Pietrangelo’s third assignment of error is overruled.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. 4
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED TO THE PREJUDICE OF PIETRANGELO IN
GRANTING [LUBRIZOL’S] (PARTIAL) SUMMARY JUDGMENT AGAINST
PIETRANGELO AND DISMISSING PIETRANGELO’S CLAIMS.
{¶23} In his fourth assignment of error, Mr. Pietrangelo argues that the trial court erred
by granting summary judgment to Lubrizol on the basis that it was not the correct party. This
Court does not agree.
11
{¶24} This Court reviews an order granting summary judgment de novo. Grafton v.
Ohio Edison Co., 77 Ohio St.3d 102, 105 (1996). Under Civ.R. 56(C), “[s]ummary judgment
will be granted only when there remains no genuine issue of material fact and, when construing
the evidence most strongly in favor of the nonmoving party, reasonable minds can only conclude
that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Byrd v. Smith, 110 Ohio St.3d
24, 2006-Ohio-3455, ¶ 10. The burden of demonstrating that there are no genuine issues of
material fact falls to the moving party. Byrd at ¶ 10, citing Dresher v. Burt, 75 Ohio St.3d 280,
294 (1996). “Once the movant supports his or her motion with appropriate evidentiary materials,
the nonmoving party ‘may not rest upon mere allegations or denials of the party’s pleadings, but
the party’s response, by affidavit or as otherwise provided in this rule, must set forth specific
facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial.’” Byrd at ¶ 10, quoting Civ.R. 56(E).
{¶25} Mr. Pietrangelo’s threshold argument is that because Lubrizol delayed in raising
the defense that it was not the correct party, summary judgment was inappropriate by application
of the doctrines of judicial estoppel, waiver, and laches. None of these doctrines apply in this
case, however. In order to invoke the equitable doctrine of judicial estoppel, a party must
demonstrate that the opposing party “took a contrary position under oath in a prior proceeding
and that the court accepted the prior position.” Independence v. Office of the Cuyahoga Cty.
Executive, 142 Ohio St.3d 125, 2014-Ohio-4650, ¶ 29, citing Greer-Burger v. Temesi, 116 Ohio
St.3d 324, 2007-Ohio-6442, ¶ 25. No prior proceeding is at issue in this case. Waiver is “the
intentional relinquishment or abandonment of a right[.]” State v. Payne, 114 Ohio St.3d 502,
2007-Ohio-4642, ¶ 23. Laches, on the other hand, “is an omission to assert a right for an
unreasonable and unexplained length of time, under circumstances prejudicial to the adverse
party.” Connin v. Bailey, 15 Ohio St.3d 34, 35 (1984). Laches cannot be asserted based on
12
delay alone: the person who stands to benefit from the doctrine must have suffered material
prejudice. Id. at 35-36, quoting Smith v. Smith, 168 Ohio St. 447 (1959), paragraph three of the
syllabus.
{¶26} The record in this case does not substantiate Mr. Pietrangelo’s argument that
Lubrizol waived the argument in its motion for summary judgment or that Lubrizol’s position
was barred by laches. To the contrary, Lubrizol consistently asserted that it was not the correct
party, placed Mr. Pietrangelo on notice that LAM was the correct party, and, as evidenced by the
Faddoul Affidavit, engaged with Mr. Pietrangelo to clarify the issue. With respect to the issue of
prejudice, the record also demonstrates that before Mr. Pietrangelo himself raised the issue of
LAM’s status in this Court, counsel for LAM and Lubrizol participated in discovery and fully
litigated the case. This Court cannot conclude that Mr. Pietrangelo demonstrated substantial
prejudice based on the record before us.
{¶27} Mr. Pietrangelo also argues that the trial court erred by granting summary
judgment because there are genuine issues of material fact. Specifically, he argues that
Lubrizol’s own evidentiary materials failed to demonstrate that there were no genuine issues of
material fact and, alternatively, that the evidence that he submitted in response to the motion for
summary judgment demonstrated genuine issues of material fact.
{¶28} In support of its argument that it was not the owner or operator of the property at
issue in this case, Lubrizol relied on the Deutsch Affidavit, which was sworn by Nathan Deutsch,
the Plant Manager “for the facility located at 550 Moore Road, Avon Lake, Ohio 44012[.]” Mr.
Deutsch averred that he had been an employee of LAM since 2006 and that his affidavit was
made upon personal knowledge. He averred that LAM is a Delaware Corporation; that its
headquarters are located in Brecksville, Ohio; and that the president of LAM is Mr. Rick Tolin.
13
He also noted that LAM, which was formerly known as Noveon, Inc., is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Lubrizol. Mr. Deutsch averred that the facility located at 550 Moore Road is
owned and operated by LAM and that LAM employees “are responsible for the day-to-day
operation of the Facility[]” and are responsible for conducting and directing “[a]ll of the
manufacturing activities and operations at the Facility[.]” Mr. Deutsch also noted that “[t]he
Engineered Polymers business is a business segment of [LAM].”
{¶29} Mr. Pietrangelo, in turn, relied upon the deposition of Eric Schnur, the president,
CEO, and chairman of Lubrizol. He maintained that Mr. Schnur’s deposition testimony
established that Lubrizol “owns and operates, and directs the operations of” the facility at issue.
Mr. Pietrangelo purported to file the transcript of Mr. Schnur’s deposition under seal with his
memorandum in opposition to summary judgment, but that transcript is incomplete.3 Acceptable
evidence under Civ.R. 56(C) includes the “depositions * * * timely filed in the action.” See
generally Sabol v. Richmond Hts. Gen. Hosp., 111 Ohio App.3d 598, 604 (8th Dist.1996) (noting
that a deposition that has not been filed cannot be used in conjunction with summary judgment
proceedings). See also Outzen v. Continental Gen. Tire, Inc., 9th Dist. Summit No. 19604, 2000
WL 141069, *5 (Feb. 2, 2000). In this case, however, Mr. Pietrangelo attempted to rely upon
excerpts from a deposition that was not filed in the action. See XPX Armor & Equip., Inc. v. The
SkyLIFE Co., Inc., 6th Dist. Lucas Nos. L-19-1109, L-19-1293, 2020-Ohio-4498, ¶ 86;
Greenwood Rehab., Inc. v. Boxell, 6th Dist. Lucas No. L-04-1256, 2005-Ohio-2492, ¶ 29.
{¶30} Nonetheless, because Lubrizol did not object to the use of the incomplete
deposition transcript and the trial court exercised its discretion to consider Mr. Pietrangelo’s
3
The transcript filed by Mr. Pietrangelo is missing pages 4-7, 10-12, 16, 22, 39-40, 52,
55, 60-62, 66-77, 79-86, 89-92, 95-96, and 99-106.
14
evidence, this Court does so as well. See, e.g., Cunningham v. Steubenville Orthopedics &
Sports Medicine, Inc., 175 Ohio App.3d 627, 2008-Ohio-1172, ¶ 17 (7th Dist.).
{¶31} “Summary judgment * * * is not precluded by any and all issues of fact, but only
those which are both genuine and material. ‘“Genuine” issues of fact, for purposes of Civ.R. 56,
are those which are “real, not abstract, frivolous, or merely colorable.”’” Wochna v. Mancino,
9th Dist. Medina No. 07CA0059-M, 2008-Ohio-996, ¶ 9, quoting Craddock v. The Flood Co.,
9th Dist. Summit No. 23882, 2008-Ohio-112, ¶ 18, quoting Weber v. Antioch Univ., 2d Dist.
Greene No. 94-CA-83, 1995 WL 118170, *2 (Mar. 8, 1995). As this Court recently explained,
“[T]he dispute about a material fact is ‘genuine’ * * * if the evidence is such that
a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party.” Anderson [v.
Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986)]. To determine whether a genuine
issue exists, “a court must inquire ‘whether the evidence presents a sufficient
disagreement to require submission to a jury or whether it is so one-sided that one
party must prevail as a matter of law.’” Wall v. Firelands Radiology, Inc., 106
Ohio App.3d 313, 322-323 (6th Dist.1995), quoting Anderson at 251-252, and
Turner v. Turner, 67 Ohio St.3d 337, 340 (1993). “If disputed evidence is not
‘significantly probative,’ summary judgment should be granted.” Harold v.
Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., 9th Dist. Summit No. 18915, 1998 WL 646626, *3
(Sept. 16, 1998), quoting Buckeye Union Ins. Co. v. Consol. Stores Corp., 68
Ohio App.3d 19, 22 (10th Dist.1990).
Gibbons v. Shalodi, 9th Dist. Lorain No. 19CA011586, 2021-Ohio-1910, ¶ 33. Mr. Schnur’s
testimony underscored the Deutsch Affidavit. He emphasized that LAM is a wholly owned
subsidiary of Lubrizol and that LAM operates the facility at issue. To the extent that Mr. Schnur
testified regarding the relationship between Lubrizol and its subsidiaries with respect to internal
corporate policies and public relations, this Court agrees with the trial court’s assessment that
any discrepancies between the Deutsch Affidavit and Mr. Schnur’s deposition testimony are not
genuine for purposes of Civ.R. 56.
{¶32} The trial court did not err by granting Lubrizol’s motion for summary judgment,
and Mr. Pietrangelo’s fourth assignment of error is overruled.
15
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. 5
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED/ABUSED [ITS] DISCRETION TO THE
PREJUDICE OF PIETRANGELO IN DENYING PIETRANGELO’S JANUARY
11, 2021 MOTION TO STRIKE AND THEREBY CONSIDERING IMPROPER
MATERIAL AND INADMISSIBLE EVIDENCE IN GRANTING [AVIENT’S]
MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT.
{¶33} Mr. Pietrangelo’s fifth assignment of error is that the trial court abused its
discretion by denying his motion to strike the affidavits submitted in support of Avient’s motion
for summary judgment. This Court does not agree.
{¶34} This Court reviews a trial court’s order denying a motion to strike evidence
submitted in connection with a motion for summary judgment for an abuse of discretion. See
Flower v. Brunswick City School Dist. Bd. of Edn., 9th Dist. Medina No. 14CA0021-M, 2015-
Ohio-2620, ¶ 44. An abuse of discretion is present when a trial court’s decision “‘is contrary to
law, unreasonable, not supported by evidence, or grossly unsound.’” Menke, 2015-Ohio-2507, at
¶ 8, quoting Tretola, 2015-Ohio-1999, at ¶ 25.
{¶35} Avient supported its motion for summary judgment with seven affidavits. Avient
previously disclosed the identity of Safety Controls Technology, Inc. (“SCT”) as an expert in the
litigation. Timothy Gordon, an employee of SCT, provided an affidavit as an expert witness
regarding Mr. Pietrangelo’s claims that Avient’s facility emitted non-ionizing radiation; noise;
fumes and smells; and pressure, energy, or vibration. Mr. Gordon’s expert report was previously
provided to Mr. Pietrangelo, which he does not dispute. Mr. Gordon’s affidavit incorporated and
referenced that report, and the affidavit is consistent with the report. Mr. Pietrangelo deposed
Mr. Gordon during discovery. As Mr. Gordon’s affidavit indicated, Tom Bielema and Jon
Medlock, who are also employed by SCT, conducted the data collection upon which his report
relied. Avient also attached affidavits from Mr. Bielema and Mr. Medlock to its motion for
16
summary judgment. Those affidavits described the testing that they conducted, the equipment
that they used, and the raw data that they obtained. As Mr. Bielema’s and Mr. Medlock’s
affidavits verify, that testing was done in and around Mr. Pietrangelo’s residence, with his
knowledge and participation.
{¶36} The Civil Rules permit a party to discover the opinions of expert witnesses
retained by opposing parties in order to prevent surprise and facilitate trial preparation. See
Geesaman v. St. Rita’s Med. Ctr., 183 Ohio App.3d 555, 2009-Ohio-3931, ¶ 59 (3d Dist.). Mr.
Pietrangelo was aware of each affiant’s identity. Avient’s use of their affidavits in support of the
motion for summary judgment cannot be considered a surprise in this context. To the extent that
Mr. Pietrangelo also argues that Avient had an obligation during discovery to provide him not
only with Mr. Gordon’s expert report but also with the three affidavits submitted by SCT
employees in support of the motion for summary judgment, this Court reiterates that Mr.
Gordon’s affidavit was consistent with his expert report, which also explained the sources of the
data upon which Mr. Gordon relied. Avient disclosed Mr. Gordon’s affidavit, satisfying its
obligations under Civ.R. 26(B)(5)(b) with respect to the SCT employees.
{¶37} In connection with its motion for summary judgment, Avient also provided the
affidavits of Thomas Sulzer, facilities manager at the Avient facility; James DeFeo, Esq., senior
associate counsel for Avient; Matthew Walker, a maintenance manager at the facility; and Tracy
Turnbull, Esq., counsel for Avient. Mr. Sulzer, Mr. DeFeo, and Mr. Walker described conditions
at the Avient facility and the history of complaints made regarding its operations. None of these
individuals were experts.
{¶38} Civ.R. 26(B)(3)(a)(i) was amended effective July 1, 2020, to require initial
disclosures of “the name and, if known, the address and telephone number of each individual
17
likely to have discoverable information * * * that the disclosing party may use to support its
claims or defenses, unless the use would be solely for impeachment[.]” Mr. Pietrangelo has not
argued on appeal that the recent amendments to Civ.R. 26 applied in this case. Previous
versions of Civ.R. 26 did not require initial disclosures. See generally Former Civ.R. 26.
Similarly, Loc.R. 11(B) of the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas does not require the
disclosure of witnesses until fourteen days before the final pretrial conference. In response to
Mr. Pietrangelo’s discovery requests, however, Avient identified both Mr. Walker and Mr.
Sulzer as early as July 8, 2019, as employees at the facility in question who may have had
information related to the subject matter of the suit. Mr. Pietrangelo’s own discovery responses
identified Mr. Walker as an individual with knowledge of the facts related to his complaint, as
well as Avient’s General Counsel, to whom he had previously addressed correspondence.
{¶39} The trial court did not abuse its discretion, therefore, by denying Mr.
Pietrangelo’s motion to strike on the basis that these witnesses were previously unknown to him.
Regardless, however, Mr. Pietrangelo’s recourse in that event was to move for a continuance to
permit additional discovery under Civ.R. 56(F). See Maschari v. Tone, 103 Ohio St.3d 411,
2004-Ohio-5342, ¶ 20, citing Taylor v. Franklin Blvd. Nursing Home, Inc., 112 Ohio App.3d 27,
30 (8th Dist. 1996). Mr. Pietrangelo did so, but he has not assigned error in connection with the
trial court’s decision to deny that motion. See, e.g., Fed. Natl. Mtge. Assn. v. McFerren, 9th
Dist. Summit No. 28814, 2018-Ohio-5319, ¶ 20, fn. 2.
{¶40} Mr. Pietrangelo has also argued that the trial court erred by denying his motion to
strike the expert affidavit of Timothy Gordon because it contained statements that were not based
on personal knowledge or constituted hearsay. As explained in the discussion of Mr.
Pietrangelo’s third assignment of error, affidavits submitted in support of or in opposition to a
18
motion for summary judgment must be “made on personal knowledge, shall set forth such facts
as would be admissible in evidence, and shall show affirmatively that the affiant is competent to
testify to the matters stated in the affidavit.” Civ.R. 56(E). Personal knowledge, however, “‘can
be inferred from the nature of the facts in the affidavit and the identity of the affiant.’” Salemi v.
Cleveland Metroparks, 145 Ohio St.3d 408, 2016-Ohio-1192, ¶ 18, quoting State ex rel. Lanham
v. DeWine, 135 Ohio St.3d 191, 2013-Ohio-199, ¶ 15, citing State ex rel. Corrigan v.
Seminatore, 66 Ohio St.2d 459, 467 (1981). Given the nature of the relationship between Mr.
Gordon, Mr. Bielema, Mr. Medlock, and their mutual employer—which was the entity retained
by Avient to perform the relevant testing and provide expert testimony—this Court cannot
conclude that the trial court abused its discretion in this regard. To the extent that Mr.
Pietrangelo has attempted to articulate a similar argument with respect to the other affidavits, this
Court reaches the same conclusion.
{¶41} Mr. Pietrangelo also challenged Mr. Gordon’s reliance upon data that was
collected by Mr. Bielema and Mr. Medlock. “Expert testimony offered in support of or in
opposition to summary judgment must comply with Civ.R. 56 as well as the evidence rules
governing expert-opinion testimony, Evid.R. 702-705.” Natoli v. Massilon Community Hosp.,
179 Ohio App.3d 783, 2008-Ohio-6258, ¶ 26 (5th Dist.). See also Pearson v. Alpha Phi Alpha
Homes, Inc., 9th Dist. Summit No. 29026, 2019-Ohio-960, ¶ 12, 16; White v. Vrable, 10th Dist.
Franklin No. 98AP-1351, 1999 WL 771053, *7 (Sept. 30, 1999). Under Evid.R. 703, “[t]he facts
or data in the particular case upon which an expert bases an opinion or inference may be those
perceived by the expert or admitted in evidence at the hearing.” Evid.R. 705 permits experts to
testify by opinion or inference “after disclosure of the underlying facts or data[] * * * in response
to a hypothetical question or otherwise.” Although experts are required to disclose the
19
underlying data, “[t]he rule places no restriction on how the witness learns of the facts admitted
into evidence.” 1980 Staff Note, Evid.R. 705. The affidavits of Mr. Bielema and Mr. Medlock,
which were properly admitted, described the testing that they conducted and the data that they
collected. Neither Evid.R. 703 nor Evid.R 705 required Mr. Gordon to perceive that data
himself, and the trial court did not abuse its discretion by denying the motion to strike on this
basis.
{¶42} Mr. Pietrangelo’s fifth assignment of error is overruled.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. 6
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED/ABUSED [ITS] DISCRETION TO THE
PREJUDICE OF PIETRANGELO IN EXCLUDING/NOT CONSIDERING
PIETRANGELO’S OPPOSITION EVIDENCE IN GRANTING [AVIENT’S]
MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR NO. 7
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED TO THE PREJUDICE OF PIETRANGELO IN
GRANTING [AVIENT] SUMMARY JUDGMENT, AND DISMISSING
PIETRANGELO’S CLAIMS, AND FINDING THAT PIETRANGELO “IS NOT
‘A PERSON OF ORDINARY SENSIBILITIES.’”
{¶43} Mr. Pietrangelo’s sixth assignment of error argues that the trial court erred by
failing to consider the evidentiary materials that he submitted in opposition to Avient’s motion
for summary judgment. In essence, Mr. Pietrangelo appears to argue that the trial court could
not have reached the conclusion that Avient was entitled to summary judgment had those
materials been considered. Likewise, Mr. Pietrangelo’s seventh assignment of error argues that
the trial court erred by granting summary judgment to Avient.
{¶44} The substantive law underlying the claims at issue provides the framework for
reviewing motions for summary judgment, both with respect to whether there are genuine issues
of material fact and whether the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. See
20
Anderson, 477 U.S. at 248; Burkes v. Stidham, 107 Ohio App.3d 363, 371 (8th Dist.1995). “The
material issues of each case are identified by substantive law” and “‘[o]nly disputes over facts
that might affect the outcome of the suit under the governing law will properly preclude the entry
of summary judgment.’” (Alterations in original.) Byrd, 110 Ohio St.3d 24, 2006-Ohio-3455, at
¶ 12, quoting Anderson at 248. Similarly, “in determining whether a triable issue of fact exists
so as to preclude summary judgment, a court should determine whether a reasonable jury could
find that the evidence satisfies the evidentiary standards required at trial. Only then does a
genuine issue of material fact precluding summary judgment exist.” (Emphasis in original.)
Myocare Nursing Home, Inc. v. Fifth Third Bank, 98 Ohio St.3d 545, 2003-Ohio-2287, ¶ 33.
{¶45} Mr. Pietrangelo alleged claims for private nuisance, public nuisance, and
negligence. A nuisance is “‘the wrongful invasion of a legal right or interest.’” Amore v. Ohio
Turnpike Comm., 194 Ohio App.3d 182, 2011-Ohio-1903, ¶ 10 (9th Dist.), quoting Taylor v.
Cincinnati, 143 Ohio St. 426, 431-432 (1944). A private nuisance consists of “‘a nontrespassory
invasion of another’s interest in the private use and enjoyment of land.’” Ogle v. Ohio Power
Co., 180 Ohio App.3d 44, 2008-Ohio-7042, ¶ 7 (4th Dist.), quoting Brown v. Scioto Cty. Bd. of
Commrs., 87 Ohio App.3d 704, 712 (4th Dist. 1993), citing Restatement of the Law 2d, Torts,
Section 821D, at 100 (1979). To establish a private nuisance, a plaintiff must demonstrate an
invasion that is “either (1) intentional or unreasonable or (2) unintentional but caused by
negligent, reckless, or abnormally dangerous conduct.” Ogle at ¶ 7, citing Brown at 712-713,
citing Restatement of the Law 2d, Torts, Section 822, at 113-115 (1979). A public nuisance
consists of “‘an unreasonable interference with a right common to the general public.’”
Cincinnati v. Beretta U.S.A. Corp., 95 Ohio St.3d 416, 2002-Ohio-2480, ¶ 8, quoting 4
Restatement of the Law 2d, Torts, Section 821B(1) (1965). “A public nuisance as such does not
21
afford a basis for recovery of damages in tort unless there is particular harm to the plaintiff that is
of a different kind than that suffered by the public in general.” Brown at 714, citing Restatement
of the Law 2d, Torts, Section 821C(1), at 94 (1979).
{¶46} Nuisances can be further classified as absolute or qualified. Kramer v. Angel’s
Path, L.L.C., 174 Ohio App.3d 359, 2007-Ohio-7099, ¶ 19 (6th Dist.). An absolute nuisance
consists of intentional conduct or the existence of an abnormally dangerous condition. Id. A
qualified nuisance, on the other hand, “is premised upon negligence.” Id. at ¶ 21. “A qualified
nuisance is a lawful act ‘so negligently or carelessly done as to create a potential and
unreasonable risk of harm, which in due course results in injury to another.’” Id., quoting
Metzger v. Pennsylvania, Ohio & Detroit RR. Co., 146 Ohio St. 406 (1946), paragraph two of the
syllabus. A claim alleging qualified nuisance is, in effect, a claim of negligence, and negligence
must be pleaded and proved in order for a plaintiff to recover. Allen Freight Lines, Inc. v.
Consol. Rail Corp., 64 Ohio St.3d 274, 275-276 (1992). “The allegations of nuisance and
negligence therefore merge, as the nuisance claims rely upon a finding of negligence.” Id.{¶47} Avient’s motion for summary judgment argued, in part, that Mr. Pietrangelo could
not prove the existence of the “industrial effects” that he alleged as the basis for each of his
claims. Avient supported its motion with reference to the affidavits discussed above. Mr.
Bielema, regional director and senior industrial hygienist for SCT, explained that SCT was
retained to perform industrial hygiene monitoring at Mr. Pietrangelo’s residence. The purpose of
the monitoring, he explained, “was to collect data and quantify any exposures to non-ionizing
radiation, pressure/energy waves or vibrations, noise, and fumes at various locations throughout
the Residence.” Mr. Bielema recalled that he attended a meeting with Mr. Pietrangelo on
January 4, 2018, in order for Mr. Pietrangelo to describe the exposures that he alleged to be
22
present. The following day, Mr. Bielema conducted the assessment of the residence, collecting
samples from locations identified as a result of his conversation with Mr. Pietrangelo.
{¶48} Mr. Bielema explained that the monitoring did not indicate an area of concern
with respect to non-ionizing radiation and that he “did not observe detectable levels of vibrations
* * * [or] effects of vibrations on any contents in the Residence.” He also noted that based on
Environmental Protection Agency regulations, the data collected did not indicate an area of
concern with respect to noise. He explained that noise levels in Mr. Pietrangelo’s residence were
most significantly affected by the furnace in the residence that operated during the monitoring.
Finally, Mr. Bielema explained that the monitoring did not detect any fumes or smells other than
a spray that Mr. Pietrangelo employed in the residence prior to the testing.
{¶49} John Medlock, an industrial hygienist employed by SCT, also supplied an
affidavit in support Avient’s motion for summary judgment. Mr. Medlock explained that he
conducted environmental vibration monitoring near Mr. Pietrangelo’s residence on August 29,
2019, at six different locations. Four of the locations were in the immediate proximity of the
residence; the other two were near the gated entry to the industrial park that houses Avient’s
Avon Lake facility. Mr. Medlock noted that the monitoring did not detect vibrations at any of
the locations where testing took place.
{¶50} Timothy Gordon, a senior occupational health and safety consultant and regional
manager employed by SCT, provided an expert report analyzing the data that SCT collected
when Mr. Bielema and Mr. Medlock conducted the industrial monitoring in and around Mr.
Pietrangelo’s residence and the Avient facility. Mr. Gordon explained that levels of non-ionizing
radiation were well below standards established by the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration. He noted that noise levels were “consistent with noise levels typically found in
23
a quiet residential neighborhood.” Regarding fumes and smells, Mr. Gordon explained that there
were no concerning concentrations of volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, or
hydrogen sulfide. He further noted that “oxygen levels were normal, and combustible gas/vapors
were not detected.” In summary, Mr. Gordon concluded that “no levels of potential exposure to
abnormal fumes were observed.” Mr. Gordon’s expert report, which was attached as an exhibit
to his affidavit, set forth his conclusion that “to a reasonable degree of scientific and professional
certainty, * * * the alleged exposures to non-ionizing radiation, pressure/energy/vibrations,
noise, and fumes/smells at or near the Residence were either not present or were below
acceptable exposure values on the days in which the data was collected by SCT personnel.”
{¶51} Avient also supported its motion for summary judgment with affidavits of
Thomas Sulzer, the facilities manager for the Avon Lake facility, and Matthew Walker, a
maintenance manager. Mr. Sulzer explained that the facility does not use microwave energy to
produce heat, but that industrial heat is generated through the process of pressurizing resins and
additives. To his knowledge, he explained, that process does not emit radiation to a harmful
degree, either to employees or others in the vicinity. Mr. Sulzer explained the operation of other
equipment that does use x-rays and noted that system checks had never discovered malfunctions
that could pose a hazard to those in proximity to the equipment. Mr. Sulzer noted that
employees are monitored for radiation exposure and that such exposure falls within acceptable
limits. Mr. Sulzer also summarized past complaints regarding fumes or smells at the facility and
the outcome of each.
{¶52} Mr. Walker explained that the bulk transfer lines at the facility are equipped with
“sound-deadening insulation” and as a result “therefore create very little sound even when
running.” He also noted that the same type of insulation was installed over pipes and hoses of
24
the bulk transfer system by July 2017, resulting in a significantly reduced level of noise. Mr.
Walker explained that apart from the bulk transfer system, Avient’s operations were unchanged
from prior years through the date on which Mr. Pietrangelo alleged that he began experiencing
unwanted effects at his residence.
{¶53} Two attorneys also provided affidavits in support of the motion for summary
judgment. James L. DeFeo, senior associate counsel for Avient, explained that he was aware of
Mr. Pietrangelo’s complaint in May 2017 and a subsequent Ohio Environmental Protection
Agency investigation, which determined that the complaint was unsubstantiated. He also stated
that he was not aware of any other complaints from Avon Lake residents alleging harm similar to
Mr. Pietrangelo’s allegations. Tracy Turnbull, counsel for Avient, provided an affidavit that
incorporated various documents.
{¶54} Mr. Pietrangelo’s response to Avient’s motion for summary judgment argued that
summary judgment should be denied because there were genuine issues of material fact—
namely, that there was “substantial evidence” of nuisances in the form of “noise, vibrations,
fumes/smells, and non-ionizing radiation” emitted from Avient’s facility. As support for this
assertion, Mr. Pietrangelo referenced his own prior statements as well as his own affidavit
submitted in support and accompanying exhibits, deposition statements made by Avon Lake
police officers, and documentation related to historical conditions at the industrial campus. 4
{¶55} As a threshold matter, this Court notes that Mr. Pietrangelo’s affidavit and the
exhibits that accompanied it suffer from the same evidentiary defects of which he accuses
Avient. Although the trial court noted the deficiency of Mr. Pietrangelo’s Civ.R. 56 evidence, it
4
This Court notes that Mr. Pietrangelo’s entire response to Avient’s motion for summary
judgment was filed under seal pursuant to a protective order.
25
is apparent that, contrary to Mr. Pietrangelo’s assertions in his sixth assignment of error, the trial
court considered that evidence nonetheless. Accordingly, this Court must consider it as well.
See generally Cunningham, 175 Ohio App.3d 627, 2008-Ohio-1172, at ¶ 17. Mr. Pietrangelo’s
affidavit described in detail his own observations regarding the alleged nuisance and posited
legal conclusions drawn from those observations. He noted, for example, that he “scientifically
looked at all other possible sources, and then one by one objectively excluded them[,]” then
described at length his own observations and deductions. At no point, however, did Mr.
Pietrangelo engage an expert.
{¶56} The trial court concluded that, given the nature of his claims and the injury he was
alleged to have suffered, Mr. Pietrangelo was required to submit evidence in the form of expert
testimony. Failing to do so, the trial court noted, left Mr. Pietrangelo in the position of
responding to Avient’s expert testimony with “his own anecdotal observations, opinions, and
conclusions peppered with copious amounts of hearsay and unauthenticated documents.”
Consequently, the trial court reasoned, Mr. Pietrangelo’s response, although voluminous, did not
meet his burden of demonstrating that there were genuine issues of material fact that precluded
summary judgment. This Court agrees.
{¶57} “The purpose of expert testimony is to aid and assist the trier of fact in
understanding the evidence presented and in arriving at a correct determination of the litigated
issues.” Waste Mgt. of Ohio, Inc. v. Cincinnati Bd. of Health, 159 Ohio App.3d 806, 2005-Ohio-
1153, ¶ 55, citing McKay Machine Co. v. Rodman, 11 Ohio St.2d 77, 81 (1967). Expert
testimony is necessary “[u]nless a matter is within the comprehension of a layperson[.]” Ramage
v. Cent. Ohio Emergency Servs., Inc., 64 Ohio St.3d 97, 102 (1992); Evid.R. 702(A). Compare
Schadhauser v. Ohio Dept. of Rehab. and Corr., 10th Dist. Franklin Nos. 17AP-794, 17AP-795,
26
17AP-796, 2018-Ohio-3282, ¶ 11, citing Harris v. Ohio Dept. of Rehab. and Corr., 10th Dist.
Franklin No. 13AP-466, 2013-Ohio-5714, ¶ 17 (“[T]he mechanisms for contracting specific
medical conditions typically are not within the knowledge of a layperson.”); Migliori v. Merritt,
6th Dist. Lucas No. L-11-1136, 2012-Ohio-3614, ¶ 13 (noting that the origin and cause of a fire
may be beyond the knowledge of a layperson); Salisbury v. Gordon Air Mgt. Corp., 9th Dist.
Summit No. 19085, 2000 WL 92087, *4 (Jan. 19, 2000) (concluding that the operation of an
aircraft is a matter beyond the common knowledge of a layperson).
{¶58} Mr. Pietrangelo’s complaint alleged that Avient “spew[ed] non-ionizing radiation,
pressure/energy waves, vibrations, noise, and/or fumes/smells harmful to human health and
home” into the vicinity of the Avon Lake facility and, as a result, that he sustained various
physical maladies. Neither the existence of the conditions alleged by Mr. Pietrangelo nor their
connection to his alleged physical ailments is a matter within the common knowledge or
comprehension of laypersons. The trial court did not err in this conclusion, and it is clear from
the record that Mr. Pietrangelo chose not to respond to Avient’s motion for summary judgment
with any expert affidavits supporting his claims, despite the trial court having cautioned him to
do so on more than one occasion. Having failed to do so, any possible issues of fact that he
identified are not genuine for purposes of summary judgment. See Myocare Nursing Home, Inc.,
98 Ohio St.3d 545, 2003-Ohio-2287, at ¶ 33. Further, to the extent that Mr. Pietrangelo’s
response to Avient’s motion for summary judgment relied upon historical information about
PolyOne that was not germane to his claims, any issues of fact are not material for purposes of
Civ.R. 56. See Byrd, 110 Ohio St.3d 24, 2006-Ohio-3455, ¶ 10, at ¶ 12, quoting Anderson, 477
U.S. at 248.
27
{¶59} Avient demonstrated that there were no genuine issues of material fact that would
preclude summary judgment. Avient’s motion and supporting evidentiary materials also
established that there was no wrongful invasion of a legal right on its part because the conditions
that were alleged by Mr. Pietrangelo did not exist. The trial court, therefore, did not err by
granting summary judgment to Avient on this basis. Mr. Pietrangelo also argues that the trial
court erred by concluding that he was “not ‘a person of ordinary sensibilities.’” Because this
Court has concluded that the trial court did not err in its threshold analysis, we need not address
its alternative justifications for granting summary judgment to Avient. See, e.g., Grubach v.
Univ. of Akron, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 19AP-283, 2020-Ohio-3467, ¶ 65.
{¶60} Mr. Pietrangelo’s sixth and seventh assignments of error are overruled.
III.
{¶61} Mr. Pietrangelo’s seven assignments of error are overruled. The judgment of the
Lorain County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed.
Judgment affirmed.
There were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
We order that a special mandate issue out of this Court, directing the Court of Common
Pleas, County of Lorain, State of Ohio, to carry this judgment into execution. A certified copy of
this journal entry shall constitute the mandate, pursuant to App.R. 27.
Immediately upon the filing hereof, this document shall constitute the journal entry of
judgment, and it shall be file stamped by the Clerk of the Court of Appeals at which time the
28
period for review shall begin to run. App.R. 22(C). The Clerk of the Court of Appeals is
instructed to mail a notice of entry of this judgment to the parties and to make a notation of the
mailing in the docket, pursuant to App.R. 30.
Costs taxed to Appellant.
LYNNE S. CALLAHAN
FOR THE COURT
HENSAL, P. J.
CARR, J.
CONCUR.
APPEARANCES:
JAMES E. PIETRANGELO, II, pro se, Appellant.
TRACEY TURNBULL, Attorney at Law, for Appellee.
JULIE HARRIS and NADA G. FADDOUL, Attorneys at Law, for Appellee.
L. BRADFIELD HUGHES and RYAN GRAHAM, Attorneys at Law, for Appellee.