Fowerbaugh v. Sliman

[Cite as Fowerbaugh v. Sliman, 2022-Ohio-1314.]
COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA
PAUL T. FOWERBAUGH, ET AL., :
No. 110657
Plaintiffs-Appellees, :
v. :
DAVID A. SLIMAN, JR., ET AL., :
Defendants-Appellants. :
JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION
JUDGMENT: AFFIRMED
RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: April 21, 2022
Civil Appeal from the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court
Case No. CV-18-908090
Appearances:
Jerome, Grauer and Associates, Ltd., and John D. Grauer,
for appellees.
John D. Toth, for appellant David A. Sliman, Jr.
EILEEN A. GALLAGHER, P.J.:
This case involves a dispute arising out of a residential real estate
transaction between plaintiffs-appellees Paul and Margaret Fowerbaugh
(collectively, the “buyers”) and defendant-appellant David A. Sliman, Jr. and
defendant Marin Fowler (collectively, the “sellers”). Sliman contends that (1) the
trial court erred by granting the buyers’ motion for summary judgment as to liability
on their claim for fraudulent concealment and misrepresentation (“fraud claim”)
and (2) the trial court abused its discretion by awarding the buyers $82,985.62 in
attorney fees on their fraud claim.
For the reasons that follow, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.
Procedural and Factual Background
In January 2017, Sliman purchased a single-family residence located
on Wooster Road in Rocky River, Ohio (the “residence” or the “home”) for
$225,000. Shortly thereafter, Sliman began renovating the home. Fowler is
Sliman’s wife.
Sliman worked in the construction industry as “project manager” or
“assistant project manager/superintendent” for WXZ Residential/Development, a
real estate development company. Sliman’s role at WXZ Residential/Development
involved reviewing blueprints, budgeting for framing expenses, gathering quotes for
commercial construction projects and “hands-on” carpentry and tile work. Sliman
also did construction work through a company he owned and operated, Ridge
Design, LLC.
Sliman had a set of “drawing renderings” prepared for his renovation
project (the “drawings”). The drawings stated that all electrical work, plumbing
work and HVAC work was to be “in strict conformance” with local, state and national
codes. Sliman claimed that he “didn’t pay much attention to any of that because
* * * the estimating was too much in order to do [that] specific rendering” and it was
“not a permitted plan,” but rather, was “just * * * conceptual.”
Over the next several months, Sliman (and other tradespeople at his
direction) performed renovations that involved substantial alterations to the
residence. The renovations included framing and structural support changes,
alterations to the HVAC system and plumbing and electrical work. The plumbing
and electrical work were not performed by licensed plumbers or electricians.
Dennis Austin, one of the tradespeople Sliman had hired to assist in
renovating the residence, testified that Sliman told him “we did not need to pull any
permits as trades” because Sliman, as the homeowner, was “pulling the permits.”
Sliman obtained only one permit for the renovations — a permit for exterior
windows. During his deposition, Sliman testified that he “was completely unaware
of the other [permits] that may or may not have been needed to be pulled.”
However, in June 2017, an inspector (the “building inspector”) for the Rocky River
Building and Housing Department (the “building department”) contacted Sliman
regarding the renovation work he was doing on the residence. The building
inspector indicated that, based on a drive-by inspection and what he had observed
through the home’s windows, it appeared that additional work was being done that
required permitting. The building inspector requested that Sliman obtain the
necessary permits or arrange a time when the inspector could conduct an interior
inspection of the residence. Sliman met with the building inspector at the building
department. Sliman testified that he could not recall “the full conversation” or what
specifically he said during his meeting with the building inspector other than that
he “basically” told the building inspector that the project involved “slight
alterations” and “replacing bad components in the house.” The building inspector
testified that he explained the type of work that required permits to Sliman and that
Sliman told him he was not doing any work that required permitting, i.e., that he
was not performing any electrical or plumbing work, making any changes to framing
or installing a new HVAC system. Based on Sliman’s representation that the project
involved “just dry wall and cabinets,” the building inspector did not seek to compel
an interior inspection of the residence.
On October 20, 2017, after the renovations were substantially
completed, the sellers listed the residence for sale for $499,000. The buyers visited
the home twice while it was on the market. The sellers’ real estate agent informed
the buyers that Sliman was “a finish carpenter by trade” and had made the recent
renovations to the home for his family. A “Home Updates” form, which was
provided to the buyers by Sliman’s real estate agent, described the electrical panel
as having been “updated” in 2017, the garage as having “new electrical 2017” and the
windows, bathroom, shower or tub, kitchen, flooring, cabinets, fixtures, furnace, air
conditioner and outlets as “[b]rand new 2017.”
On October 22, 2017, the sellers signed and delivered a residential
property disclosure form to the buyers (the “residential property disclosure form”).
In the residential property disclosure form, the sellers represented that they knew
of no “violations of building or housing codes * * * affecting the property,” no
“problems or defects” affecting the residence’s mechanical systems (including the
electrical and plumbing systems), no material problems affecting any structural
components and no other known material defects affecting the property. The form
did not contain the disclosures provided to Sliman when he purchased the home.
When Sliman acquired the property, the residential property disclosure form he
received from the sellers stated “floor drain in basement snaked and repaired broken
pipe in basement and front yard (2016). Repaired leak in first floor bathroom near
slider and patched ceilings. No issues since.”
After receiving the residential property disclosure form, the buyers’
real estate agent inquired whether Sliman had pulled permits for the renovation
work he had performed. She was told by Sliman (or by his real estate agent relaying
Sliman’s response) that permits “weren’t needed.” The buyers also inquired
(through their real estate agent) whether a certificate of occupancy was needed —
which would have required an inspection by the building department — in light of
the substantial renovations that had been made to the home. Sliman responded that
because he did the renovation work himself as the homeowner, none was needed.
The buyers agreed to purchase the property for $460,000, subject to
a home inspection. The buyers’ home inspection identified various potential issues
with the property.1
1 The issues identified in the home inspection report included: settling cracks in
the driveway; a trip hazard on the sidewalk; an uneven rise at the front steps; an open
junction box on the front porch; some gaps in brick and windows requiring sealing; the
lack of GCFI protection on certain electrical outlets; overhanging tree branches; a dead
tree; missing handrailings; a disconnected ground wire; minor paint flaking in certain
Following their home inspection, the buyers waived all contingencies
with the exception of a few “punch list” items that had been added as an addendum
to the sales agreement. These items included: installation of a kitchen and basement
handrailing, a tile backsplash in kitchen, a range hood and appliances supplied by
the buyers, vent covers, a bathroom cabinet door and rods in the bedroom closets;
the caulking of counters throughout the home and the repair of a leak in the ceiling
above the door in the family room.
The sale of the residence to the buyers closed on December 5, 2017.
The buyers moved into the residence on December 30, 2017.
At time of the closing, the home’s plumbing, heating and electrical
systems were functioning as expected. Several weeks after the buyers purchased the
home, but before they moved in, the buyers detected an odor of sewer gas coming
from the basement and discovered a potential sewer backup. The buyers hired
plumbers to investigate the residence’s plumbing and drain system. The plumbers
discovered that no traps were installed in multiple drains and that there was a lack
of venting in one shower.
areas; the placement of overhead electrical wires near a window; missing outlet covers,
prior repairs to settlement cracks in the garage; a cracked window; incomplete attic
insulation; certain inoperable electrical switches; issues with a couple of door latches;
missing window screens and door stoppers; ungrounded outlets in the basement,
bedrooms and living room; an “uncapped” gas line at the oven; some missing insulation
on lines to the A/C condenser and air handler and the presence of a Federal Pacific
electrical panel, which presented a fire hazard. With the exception of the installation of a
kitchen/basement handrailing, the buyers did not request that Sliman fix any of the issues
identified in the home inspection report. The buyers hired an electrician to replace the
electrical panel before they moved in.
The buyers then hired Andrew Ieropoli with Advance Home
Improvement, L.L.C. (“AHI”), a home remodeling company, to further investigate
issues with the home. Ieropoli engaged a licensed plumber, electrician and
structural engineer to assist with the investigation. During the investigation,
drywall was removed from walls and ceilings in areas of concern to examine the
plumbing, electrical and structural support systems. On September 18, 2018,
Ieropoli submitted a “summary of observations,” incorporating the reports and
comments of the plumber, electrician and structural engineer who had been
involved in the investigation. The summary identified 54 alleged “defects” and
“building and housing code violations” affecting the home’s electrical, plumbing,
framing and structural support systems that were allegedly not disclosed by Sliman
(the “defects/code violations”).2 According to Ieropoli, extensive demolition and
repairs were necessary to expose and remedy these defects/code violations. The
buyers claimed to have spent $91,569.59 to remedy the undisclosed defects/code
violations identified by Ieropoli.
Litigation Commences
On December 7, 2018, the buyers filed a complaint against the sellers
in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, asserting claims of (1) fraudulent
concealment and misrepresentation, (2) brefdach of warranty as to quality of
construction, (3) negligent construction/unworkmanlike performance and (4)
2 In June 2020, Ieropoli submitted an expert report with a revised summary of
observations that removed two previously identified defects/code violations and added
three others.
breach of the purchase agreement. The first three claims were asserted against
Sliman alone. The fourth claim was asserted against Sliman and Fowler.
The sellers filed separate motions to dismiss the complaint pursuant
to Civ.R. 12(B)(6). Sliman’s motion to dismiss was granted as to the breach of
warranty claim, but denied as to the remaining claims. Fowler’s motion to dismiss
was granted in part and denied in part as to the buyers’ claim for breach of the
purchase agreement.
In March 2019, the buyers filed a motion for leave to correct their
complaint by interlineation, which was unopposed and granted. On April 17, 2019,
the buyers filed their amended complaint. As it relates to the fraud claim against
Sliman, the complaint alleged that (1) Sliman had a duty to disclose any latent
defects/code violations affecting the residence in the residential property disclosure
form, (2) Sliman intentionally failed to obtain necessary permits and permit
inspections for the renovation work he performed and had concealed latent
defects/code violations behind drywall, (3) Sliman knowingly or recklessly made
material, false representations and failed to disclose latent defects/code violations
in the residential property disclosure form to induce the buyers to purchase the
residence, (4) the buyers justifiably relied on Sliman’s misrepresentations and
concealment of latent defects/code violations in purchasing the residence and (5)
the buyers sustained damages as a result. The buyers further alleged that Sliman’s
fraudulent acts and omissions were “willful, wanton and malicious.” The buyers
sought to recover compensatory and punitive damages and reimbursement of their
attorney fees and costs.
On May 1, 2019, the sellers filed separate answers to the buyers’
amended complaint, denying the material allegations of the complaint and asserting
various affirmative defenses. The sellers also filed (1) a five-count counterclaim
against the buyers for spoliation, frivolous conduct, abuse of process, malicious civil
prosecution and civil conspiracy and (2) a third-party complaint against Crocker
Realty Group LLC, d.b.a. Keller Williams Realty Greater Cleveland — West
(“Crocker Realty Group”) and Suzanne Edwards (the real estate company and agent
who represented the sellers in the sale of the home to the buyers) for professional
negligence and indemnification and/or contribution. The third-party complaint
and most of the sellers’ counterclaims were later dismissed.3
3 On August 1, 2019, the trial court granted the buyers’ motion to dismiss the
sellers’ counterclaims for frivolous conduct, malicious civil prosecution and civil
conspiracy. On April 28, 2020, the trial court granted the sellers’ motion to voluntarily
dismiss all claims against third-party defendants Crocker Realty Group and Edwards with
prejudice. On June 16, 2020, the sellers voluntarily dismissed their spoliation
counterclaim against the buyers with prejudice. The record indicates that, at a telephone
conference held on June 30, 2020, counsel for the sellers “indicated his intention to file a
notice of dismissal of the remaining counterclaim pursuant to Civ.R. 41(A).” The record
further reflects that, at a telephone conference held on July 13, 2020, “[t]he parties
advised the court that they have dismissed all remaining claims and counterclaims.”
However, we see nothing in the record indicating that the sellers, in fact, dismissed their
counterclaim for abuse of process. A final, appealable order, nevertheless, exists in this
case based on the trial court’s determination, as stated in its June 28, 2021 judgment
entry, that there was “no just reason for delay” under Civ.R. 54(B). See, e.g., Gen. Acc.
Ins. Co. v. Ins. Co. of N. Am, 44 Ohio St.3d 17, 20, 22-23, 540 N.E.2d 266 (1989)
Motions for Summary Judgment
In May 2020, the parties filed cross-motions for summary judgment
on the buyers’ fraud claim. In their motion, the buyers argued that (1) Sliman had a
duty, pursuant to R.C. 5302.30, to disclose material defects and building and
housing code violations that affected the residence in the residential property
disclosure form and (2) there was no genuine issue of material fact that Sliman had
breached that duty and engaged in fraud. Specifically, the buyers argued that
undisputed evidence established that Sliman knowingly failed to obtain necessary
permits for the renovation work he performed on the home and that Sliman
concealed and failed to disclose material defects and building and housing code
violations that affected the residence in the residential property disclosure form.
The buyers further argued that there was no genuine issue of material fact that
Sliman signed the residential property disclosure form with knowledge of the falsity
of its contents or, at the very least, with utter disregard and recklessness as to the
truth of the representations made therein, that Sliman did so in order to induce the
buyers to purchase the property, that the buyers justifiably relied on Sliman’s
misrepresentations and concealment in purchasing the property and that the buyers
sustained substantial damages as result. The buyers requested a bifurcated hearing
on attorney fees.
In support of their motion, the buyers submitted an affidavit they had
executed detailing (1) the circumstances surrounding their purchase of the property,
(2) their retention of Ieropoli, (3) their post-purchase discovery of “numerous latent
material defects” affecting the property and (4) the $95,127.27 in costs they claimed
to have incurred to “remedy all Defects/Violations.” They also cited Sliman’s
deposition testimony and submitted copies of (1) Sliman’s LinkedIn profile, (2)
documents relating to Sliman’s purchase of the property, (3) articles of organization
for a limited liability company Sliman had allegedly formed, (4) an affidavit from
Austin in which he described the work he performed on the residence and his
conversation with Sliman regarding “pulling the permits,” (5) the drawings for the
renovations, (6) the building permit Sliman obtained for exterior windows, (7) the
June 19, 2017 letter from the building inspector to Sliman regarding work performed
on the residence and permitting requirements, (8) an affidavit from the building
inspector detailing his observation of the residence and communications with
Sliman regarding work performed on the residence and permitting requirements,
(9) the MLS listing and “Home Updates” form for the property, (10) the residential
property disclosure form, (11) the purchase agreement and addenda relating to the
buyers’ purchase of the property from the sellers, (12) reports from AHI and others
retained by AHI regarding alleged “latent material defects” affecting the electrical,
plumbing, framing and structural support systems and “various other building and
housing code violations,” (13) photographs of issues with the residence and (14)
cancelled checks and other documentation supporting the damages claimed by the
buyers.
In his motion for summary judgment on the buyers’ fraud claim,
Sliman argued that he was entitled to summary judgment because the doctrine of
caveat emptor applied and barred the buyers’ claim due to “lack of due diligence.”
He further argued that even if caveat emptor did not apply, the buyers could not
establish the elements of their fraud claim because it was undisputed that (1) the
buyers knew that the home had recently been renovated and that the renovation
work had been performed by or at the direction of Sliman, (2) the buyers never
requested copies of any licenses held by any of the contractors who worked on the
home, (3) Sliman made no “guarantees or representations about the work
performed on the home” and, specifically, did not represent that the work had been
performed by licensed contractors, (4) the buyers had the opportunity to request
further information regarding the work performed and to investigate whether
Sliman had, in fact, obtained permits for the renovation work performed but failed
to do so and (5) the plumbing and electrical systems functioned as expected when
the buyers took possession of the house. Sliman also asserted he had “no knowledge
of the Rocky River Code,” that “any code violations were due to ignorance and not
done with intent,” that the plumbing issues identified by Ieropoli were “easily
discoverable” and, therefore, could not be “considered fraudulent” and that a
“competent inspection,” prior to the sale, “should have located the issues” identified
by Ieropoli. In support of his motion, Sliman cited to excerpts from the depositions
of Margaret Fowerbaugh and Ieropoli.
Sliman also filed an opposition to the buyers’ motion for summary
judgment on their fraud claim. With the exception of his recitation of case law
setting forth the standard on summary judgment, the sum and substance of Sliman’s
opposition was as follows:
Plaintiff’s brief for summary judgment cannot be well taken on its face,
as even when viewed in a light most favorable to the moving party,
which is not the standard, it is devoid of any and all basis for summary
judgement. Plaintiff’s motion makes several mentions of intentional
misrepresentations on the part of Defendants; yet throughout their
entire brief, they are unable to list one of these representations that was
made by either Defendant. Further, any concealment alleged by
Defendant’s [sic] as alleged by plaintiffs was done via the placement of
drywall. Plaintiffs here are attempting to use the use of drywall by
defendant Sliman as concealment, when in fact it is a necessary
material used in constructing homes.
At no p[o]int in Plaintiff’s brief are specific allegations made regarding
intentional concealment, intentional failures to disclose latent defects,
the actual existence of latent defects or Defendant Sliman’s knowledge
of said defects. All of these are elements of Plaintiff’s claim and with
out [sic] ALL of them they can not [sic] be successful. Here, they have
failed to list even one specifically, let alone all of them. Further, their
brief completely ignores their own deposition in which both plaintiffs
admit that all systems for which they bring suit, functioned as they
should. As a result, Plaintiff’s brief is devoid of any actual basis for
being well taken.
Sliman did not point to any evidence in the record in support of his opposition.4
The Trial Court’s Initial Summary Judgment Order
On June 18, 2020, the trial court entered an opinion and order
granting the buyers’ motion for summary judgment as to liability on their fraud
claim and denying Sliman’s motion for summary judgment. The trial court held that
4 The parties thereafter filed expert reports. The reports were not supported by
affidavits. Concluding that the parties’ expert reports were not proper summary
judgment evidence under Civ.R. 56(C), in its June 18, 202o opinion and order, the trial
court stated that it declined to consider them in ruling on the parties’ cross-motions for
summary judgment on the buyers’ fraud claim.
“[b]ased on the record before the Court on the parties’ cross-motions for summary
judgment” and “construing the record in the light most favorable to [Sliman],” the
buyers had “carried their burden of showing that the record supports a summary
judgment in their favor” and established that “fraud on the part of the seller
precludes application of the doctrine of caveat emptor to bar their claim.” The trial
court stated: “Where a property contains latent defects that are not easily
discoverable, the doctrine will not prevent recovery for fraud based on
misrepresentation or concealment. * * * Even the doctrine of caveat emptor
obligates a seller to disclose materials facts that are not obvious.”
The trial court further noted that “no party contests as a matter of law
that a failure to disclose work performed without proper permits constitutes a
material term of the transaction,” particularly given that the buyers had specifically
inquired about the issue. The trial court held that “[o]n this record,” a reasonable
factfinder could only conclude that Sliman had actual knowledge that the renovation
work he performed must strictly conform to code requirements, actual knowledge
of the need for permits and actual knowledge of the conditions at issue. The trial
court further held that, viewing the evidence presented in the light most favorable
to Sliman, a reasonable factfinder could only conclude that Sliman had intentionally
misrepresented — or “[a]t a minimum,” showed reckless disregard for the truth of
— the information disclosed to the buyers, that the buyers had reasonably and
justifiably relied on Sliman’s misrepresentations and omissions in the residential
property disclosure form and to the parties’ real estate agents and that the buyers
had sustained damages as a result of these misrepresentations and omissions. The
trial court entered a separate order setting a hearing to “address the parties’
respective evidence and arguments related to damages and [attorney] fees.”
The buyers dismissed their remaining claims against the sellers
without prejudice on July 13, 2020.
The parties waived their right to a jury trial on damages and the trial
court scheduled a hearing to “address the parties’ respective evidence and
arguments related to damages and fees in this matter” (the “damages hearing”). On
July 20, 2020, the parties filed a stipulated order regarding how evidence of
compensatory and punitive damages and attorney fees should be presented and
determined by the trial court. As to the determination of compensatory damages on
the buyers’ fraud claim, the parties stipulated that “the measure of compensatory
damages” was “the reasonable cost of placing the Plaintiffs’ home in the condition
contemplated at the time they entered into the purchase agreement, same being the
cost of remediating all material defects and code violations which were not disclosed
within the residential disclosure form.” The parties further agreed that they would
exchange affidavits prior to the damages hearing “addressing their respective
positions as to the compensatory damages sought by Plaintiffs.” The parties also
agreed that the expert reports the parties had previously exchanged would “not be
supplemented or altered” and that the parties could examine and cross-examine the
experts at the damages hearing regarding “the monetary amount for remediation of
the aforenoted material defects and code violations.”
With respect to punitive damages and attorney fees, the parties
further stipulated:
7. As to punitive damages under Count I, the Court shall make a
determination, during or post-Hearing, as to whether the fraudulent
actions and omissions undertaken by Defendant Sliman constituted
malice, same being a conscious disregard for the rights and safety of
other persons that has a great probability of causing substantial harm.
Should the Court find in favor of Plaintiffs, the Court shall then address
punitive damages the attorney fees and costs incurred by Plaintiffs as
may be [sic] subject to a separate, in-person hearing.
8. As to attorney fees under Count I, 14 days prior such subsequent
hearing, counsel for Plaintiff shall submit an affidavit together with a
full billing statement associated with the fees incurred by Plaintiffs.
The Court shall make a determination and the issue its ruling as to
whether the affidavit and supporting documentation presented by
Plaintiffs is sufficient, or shall be the subject of a separate hearing, at
which time such expert and lay witnesses as the Parties elect shall
testify. Alternatively, the Court may elect to rather accept affidavits and
briefs in support of the position of the Parties, the Court to unilaterally
set such schedule for briefing and presentment as it deems appropriate.
9. As to attorney fees under Count I, and in the event that the Court
determines that an in-person hearing is appropriate, Plaintiffs shall
submit their brief including expert report(s) and documents
supporting their position 28 days in advance of the in-person hearing.
Defendant shall thereafter tender its brief, rebuttal expert report(s) and
supporting documents no later than 14 days after filing by Plaintiffs.
The trial court approved the parties’ stipulated order and entered an
order stating that, in addition to the matters set forth in the parties’ stipulation, the
parties should “be prepared to argue at the hearing * * * whether the evidence in the
record meets the standard set forth in paragraph 7 for malice/punitive damages.”
On August 11, 2020, the buyers filed an affidavit in support of
damages, attaching documentation supporting the $91,569.59 in damages they were
then claiming as the cost of remediating the defects/code violations that were not
disclosed in the residential property disclosure form. Sliman did not file a counter
affidavit on damages.
Damages Hearing and Supplemental Briefing Relating to
Summary Judgment and Damages
The damages hearing was conducted on September 11, 2020, and
October 16, 2020. The transcript from the hearing was not included in the record
forwarded to this court on appeal. Accordingly, it is unknown to this court what
evidence was presented at the damages hearing. At the conclusion of the damages
hearing, the trial court ordered the parties to file supplemental briefs addressing two
issues:
(1) Whether, based on the post-trial record, the court’s summary
judgment ruling should be modified or vacated in whole or in part?
(2) With citation to specific pages of the transcript and/or places in the
record, the amount of a damages award, if damages are anything
other than zero or in the full amount plaintiff seeks.
On November 25, 2020, the parties filed supplemental briefs
addressing these issues. In their supplemental brief on summary judgment and
damages, the buyers asserted that the trial court’s June 18, 2020 order granting its
motion for summary judgment was correct, that the trial court’s decision was
supported by undisputed facts in the record and that “[t]he transcript of the
damages trial reinforces the Court’s finding relative to intent, and more fully
elucidates the egregious nature of the fraud because [of] the malicious behavior
exhibited by Defendant Sliman.” In support of their assertions, the buyers cited
testimony Sliman purportedly offered at the damages hearing and various exhibits
purportedly admitted at the damages hearing.
With respect to the amount of compensatory damages to which they
were allegedly entitled, the buyers pointed to the affidavit on damages they had
submitted prior to the hearing and to testimony purportedly offered by Paul
Fowerbaugh and Ieropoli at the damages hearing regarding the amounts the buyers
had paid to AHI and the necessity of the work performed. The buyers contended
that the amount of damages awarded, i.e., the “cost of remediating all material
defects and code violations which were not disclosed within the residential property
disclosure form,” should be the full amount the buyers paid to AHI — $91,569.59 —
for the work AHI performed to remedy issues with the residence after the sale. The
buyers argued that because Sliman (1) had stipulated to the reasonableness of the
cost of the repairs performed,5 (2) had not presented sufficient evidence to rebut
Ieropoli’s testimony that the repairs performed were necessary and (3) had not
offered any evidence “supporting a particular amount of offset which should be
applied for any ‘open and obvious’ condition which should have been (or was)
discovered upon reasonable inspection,” the buyers “must be awarded $91,569.59.”
5 In their supplemental brief filed with the trial court after the damages hearing,
the buyers asserted that Sliman, through his counsel, had stipulated to the reasonableness
of the cost of the work performed to remedy the defects/code violations. According to the
buyers, Sliman’s counsel stated: “[W]e have no issue with that figure[;] should the Court
find that all repairs are needed, that will be stipulated to.” As noted above, because the
transcript from the damages hearing was not included in the record on appeal, we are
unable to confirm this. However, Sliman has not disputed that he made such a
stipulation.
With respect to punitive damages, the buyers argued that the
evidence showed that Sliman had “exhibited a pattern of deception during every
stage of the flip” and that they had established Sliman’s conscious disregard for the
buyers’ “legal right” to receive truthful disclosures and their health and safety based
on his “disregard for the legal mandates in the blueprints,” his “disregard for the
[building] inspector” and his “disregard for the * * * line of questions concerning
permitting requirements * * * between the real estate agents.” The buyers requested
that the trial court schedule a hearing to determine the amount of punitive damages
and reasonable attorney fees to which they were entitled.
Following the damages hearing, Sliman submitted separate
supplemental briefs (1) in support of vacating summary judgment and (2) regarding
damages. Sliman did not cite to the transcript from the damages hearing and did
not otherwise reference any specific evidence presented at the damages hearing in
his supplemental briefs.
In his supplemental brief in support of vacating summary judgment,
Sliman argued that the trial court’s summary judgment order should be vacated
because it did not, “on its face,” “follow the appropriate standard,” i.e., that the trial
court “intentionally did not consider certain evidence” and did not view all evidence
in the light most favorable to Sliman. Reiterating, in large part, the arguments he
had set forth in his motion for summary judgment on the buyers’ fraud claim (and
pointing only to the same deposition testimony from Margaret Fowerbaugh and
Ieropoli he had cited in his motion for summary judgment), Sliman claimed that the
evidence showed that “multiple conditions” the buyers claimed were “latent defects”
should have been found in a reasonable inspection. He also asserted, without any
citation to the record, that Ieropoli had testified that he “did not consider himself to
be an expert in ANY of the fields for which he was offering testimony” and that this
“leaves a substantial issue of credibility regarding the expertise of Mr. Ieropoli that
must be decided by a trier [of] fact at trial, rather than via summary judgment.”
Sliman further asserted, again, without any citation to the record, that his expert,
Richard Kraly, had “raised a very key argument” at the damages hearing that “the
majority of the houses built at the same time as the house in question, do not
conform to modern codes * * * due to the evolving nature of building codes” and that
the trier of fact should have, therefore, been permitted to decide whether “strict code
conformity is the equivalent of a latent defect and therefore [m]aterial to the
matter.” He also argued that the housing inspector had an independent duty to
perform an interior inspection of the residence based on his own observations,
regardless of whether Sliman had lied to the inspector regarding the nature and
extent of the renovations.
In his supplemental brief regarding damages, Sliman “addresse[d]
each area of repair as it is presented in [Kraly’s] [e]xpert [r]eport,” a copy of which
was attached to the supplemental brief. Sliman argued that, based on the opinions
Kraly expressed in his expert report, various items identified by Ieropoli should be
“deducted from the award of damages” because they were “open and obvious,” had
been “marked as being satisfactory,” referenced the “wrong code,” were functionally
equivalent to proper repairs, were “minor” and “did not require the extent of
intrusive repairs” performed by Ieropoli or existed, not because of work performed
by Sliman, but because the house was nearly 90 years old. Claiming that it was
“difficult to make line item deductions” for repairs that were made to the residence
for which he contended he should not be liable, Sliman requested that the trial court
“apply proportional offsets” to the buyers’ cost of repairs and that “any line items
found to be improper by the court * * * be deducted at a proportional rate.” Sliman
did not, however, identify the dollar amount of any “proportional offsets” he
believed the trial court should apply.
The Trial Court’s Further Orders on Summary Judgment and
Damages
On March 19, 2021, the trial court issued a further order on summary
judgment and damages. The trial court stated that it had “considered all
arguments,” determined that “the court’s ruling on summary judgment shall not be
modified or vacated in whole or in part” and awarded the buyers $91,569.59 in
compensatory damages. The trial court indicated that it would address the issue of
punitive damages and the buyers’ request for attorney fees at a telephone conference
scheduled for April 6, 2021. The court indicated that it would “not require expert
testimony” but that “either side may choose to call an expert witness.” The
telephone conference was later cancelled.6
6 In its June 23, 2021 opinion and order, the trial court stated that the telephone
conference was cancelled at the request of the parties.
On April 2, 2021, the buyers filed a brief addressing punitive damages
and attorney fees. The buyers argued that the evidence set forth in their
November 25, 2020 supplemental brief and presented at the damages hearing
established that Sliman had consciously disregarded the buyers’ rights and their
health and safety when he failed to disclose the defects/code violations in the
residential property disclosure form. They further argued that evidence established
that these “hidden conditions” posed a great probability of substantial harm because
“there were so many,” they were not just “cosmetic elements” but affected the
home’s electrical, plumbing and framing and structural support systems and it cost
the buyers $91,569.59 to remedy them. The buyers requested that the trial court
award them “no less than a nominal judgment in the amount of $1.00 * * * for
punitive damages” to “trigger reimbursement” of their reasonable attorney fees.
They also attached an affidavit from their counsel, detailing the work performed on
the case and the attorney fees incurred, along with copies of counsel’s full
transactional billing statements related to the matter. The buyers requested that
they be awarded $82,985.62 in attorney fees “charged and paid” relating to the
matter and $2,760.50 in costs. Sliman did not file an opposition.
On June 23, 2021, the trial court issued an opinion and order
awarding the buyers $1.00 in punitive damages, $82,985.62 in attorney fees and
$2,760.50 in costs. The trial court stated, in relevant part:
The court, after due consideration, finds that defendants exhibited
actual malice through a conscious disregard for the rights and safety of
plaintiffs that had a great probability of causing substantial harm. * * *
Defendants had actual knowledge of at least some of the defects, local
code requirements and need for permits, yet fraudulently failed to
disclose such defects, and their failure to obtain necessary permits, to
plaintiffs. The nature and amount of such defects had a great
probability of causing substantial harm, both physically and
financially, to plaintiffs. In fact, plaintiffs incurred compensatory
damages of $91,569.56 to repair the defects. * * *
Accordingly, for the foregoing reasons, and the court’s previous
orders granting summary judgment in favor of plaintiffs and awarding
compensatory damages, the court hereby awards plaintiffs $1.00 in
punitive damages, reasonable attorney fees of $82,985.62 and costs of
$2,760.50.
On June 28, 2021, the trial court issued an order “nunc pro tunc
entry”7 “as of and for” its June 23, 2021 order, indicating that “[t]he court
inadvertently left out the final and appealable language from its initial entry” and
further stating: “Opinion and order osj. Final and appealable. There is no just
reason for delay.”
Sliman appealed, raising the following two assignments of error for
review:
Assignment of Error No. 1
The trial court erred when ordering summary judgment for the
Appellee[s].
Assignment of Error No. 2
The trial court abused its discretion when awarding attorney fees in this
matter.
7 Because the parties have not raised the issue and because it does not affect our
resolution of this appeal, we do not address whether the trial court’s June 28, 2021 order
was properly characterized as a “nunc pro tunc entry.”
Law and Analysis
Summary Judgment as to Liability on Fraud Claim
In his first assignment of error, Sliman argues that the trial court
erred in granting summary judgment in favor of the buyers as to liability on their
fraud claim because the “order was made prematurely, and without consider[ation]
of all facts and inferences drawn in a light most favorable to [Sliman].”
Standard of Review
We review summary judgment rulings de novo, applying the same
standard as the trial court. Grafton v. Ohio Edison Co., 77 Ohio St.3d 102, 105, 671
N.E.2d 241 (1996). We accord no deference to the trial court’s decision and conduct
an independent review of the record to determine whether summary judgment is
appropriate.
Under Civ.R. 56, summary judgment is appropriate when no genuine
issue exists as to any material fact and, viewing the evidence most strongly in favor
of the nonmoving party, reasonable minds can reach only one conclusion that is
adverse to the nonmoving party, entitling the moving party to judgment as a matter
of law.
On a motion for summary judgment, the moving party carries an
initial burden of identifying specific facts in the record that demonstrate his or her
entitlement to summary judgment. Dresher v. Burt, 75 Ohio St.3d 280, 292-293,
662 N.E.2d 264 (1996). If the moving party fails to meet this burden, summary
judgment is not appropriate; if the moving party meets this burden, the nonmoving
party has the reciprocal burden to point to evidence of specific facts in the record
demonstrating the existence of a genuine issue of material fact for trial. Id. at 293.
Summary judgment is appropriate if the nonmoving party fails to meet this burden.
Id.
Liability on the Buyers’ Fraud Claim
As a general rule, Ohio follows the doctrine of caveat emptor in real
estate transactions. Caveat emptor precludes a purchaser from recovering for a
structural defect if “(1) the condition complained of is open to observation or
discoverable upon reasonable inspection, (2) the purchaser had the unimpeded
opportunity to examine the premises, and (3) there is no fraud on the part of the
vendor.” Layman v. Binns, 35 Ohio St.3d 176, 519 N.E.2d 642 (1988), syllabus. The
doctrine of caveat emptor ‘“is designed to finalize real estate transactions by
preventing disappointed real estate buyers from litigating every imperfection
existing in residential property.’” Nieberding v. Barrante, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No.
110103, 2021-Ohio-2593, ¶ 30, quoting Thaler v. Zovko, 11th Dist. Lake No. 2008-
L-091, 2008-Ohio-6881, ¶ 31. However, a seller may still be liable to a buyer if the
seller fails to disclose known latent conditions or otherwise engages in fraud. See,
e.g., Morgan v. Cohen, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 107955, 2019-Ohio-3662, ¶ 35; see
also Binns at 178 (“a vendor has a duty to disclose material facts which are latent,
not readily observable or discoverable through a purchaser’s reasonable
inspection”).
To prevail on their fraud claim, the buyers needed to establish the
following elements: (1) a representation of fact (or concealment of a fact where there
is a duty to disclose); (2) that is material to the transaction at issue; (3) made falsely,
with knowledge of its falsity or with utter disregard and recklessness as to whether
it is true or false; (4) with the intent of misleading another into relying upon it; (5)
justifiable reliance upon the misrepresentation (or concealment) and (6) resulting
injury proximately caused by the reliance. Cohen v. Lamko, Inc., 10 Ohio St.3d 167,
169, 462 N.E.2d 407 (1984).
R.C. 5302.30(C) and (D) require that a seller of residential real estate
complete and deliver to a prospective purchaser a residential property disclosure
form disclosing “material matters relating to the physical condition of the property”
and “any material defects in the property” that are “within the actual knowledge” of
the seller. See also Hendry v. Lupica, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 105839, 2018-Ohio-
291, ¶ 7 (‘“R.C. 5302.30 requires sellers of real estate to disclose patent or latent
defects that are within their actual knowledge on a residential property disclosure
form.’”), quoting Wallington v. Hageman, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 94763, 2010-
Ohio-6181, ¶ 17. R.C. 5302.30(E)(1) states that “[e]ach disclosure of an item of
information that is required to be made in the property disclosure form * * * and
each act that may be performed in making any disclosure of an item of information
shall be made or performed in good faith.” “Good faith” means “honesty in fact.”
R.C. 5302.30(A)(1).
If a seller fails to disclose a material fact on the residential property
disclosure form with the intent to mislead a buyer and the buyer relies on the
residential property disclosure form, the seller may be liable for any resulting injury.
Morgan at ¶ 38; Wallington, 2010-Ohio-6181, at ¶ 18; Pedone v. Demarchi, 8th
Dist. Cuyahoga No. 88667, 2007-Ohio-6809, ¶ 31. Where, however, a party ‘“has
had the opportunity to inspect the property, he is charged with knowledge of the
conditions that a reasonable inspection would have disclosed.’” Pedone at ¶ 33,
quoting Nunez v. J.L. Sims Co., Inc., 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C-020599, 2003-Ohio-
3386, ¶ 17. “[T]he duty to conduct a full inspection falls on the purchasers and the
disclosure form does not function as a substitute for such careful inspection.”
Roberts v. McCoy, 2017-Ohio-1329, 88 N.E.3d 422, ¶ 17 (12th Dist.).
As detailed above, the buyers based their fraud claim on over 50
alleged defects/code violations Ieropoli identified in the home’s plumbing,
electrical, framing and structural support systems that were not disclosed in the
residential property disclosure form. There is no dispute that Sliman represented,
in the residential property disclosure form, that he knew of no “violations of building
or housing codes * * * affecting the property,” no “problems or defects” affecting the
residence’s mechanical systems (including the electrical and plumbing systems), no
material problems affecting any structural components and no other known
material defects affecting the property.
In his appellate brief, Sliman admits that he “made serious errors
when renovating the * * * home.” He also acknowledges that there is no genuine
issue of material fact that — aside for the permit he obtained for the replacement of
the exterior windows — he did not obtain building permits for his renovation work
and he did not tell the building inspector that he was altering framing, HVAC,
electrical or plumbing in the home — work that required permits — when they met
in June 2017. Although Sliman expressly “concedes” on appeal that he “did not
complete his renovations with building permits or disclose defects,” he asserts that
his “misdeeds” do not bar the application of the doctrine of caveat emptor “on the
patent defects observed by the home inspector.” He contends that because fifteen
of the defects/code violations at issue were “explicitly identified” in the home
inspection report and because “additional ones” (when viewed in the light most
favorable to Sliman) were “easily identifiable” or “easily observable,” the trial court
erred in granting summary judgment in favor of the buyers as to liability on their
fraud claim.
Even assuming that certain of the defects/code violations Ieropoli
identified were patent defects that were observed (or should have been observed) by
the buyers or their home inspector before the buyers purchased the home, that
would not preclude Sliman from liability for, or for the buyers to recover damages
resulting from, Sliman’s fraudulent concealment of and misrepresentations relating
to any material, latent defects/code violations. Although Sliman contends that
certain of the defects/code violations identified by Ieropoli were patent defects,
Sliman does not dispute that there were other material, latent defects/code
violations — of which Sliman was aware — that were not reasonably observable by
the buyers or the home inspector during their inspections of the home and that were
not disclosed to the buyers prior to their purchase of the home. See appellant’s brief
at 19-20 (“Here, caveat emptor should bar the majority of the [a]ppellee[s’] claims.
* * * [M]any of the defects claimed as fraudulent were patently observed.”)
(Emphasis added.) Sliman does not dispute that, as to those material, latent
defects/code violations, he breached a duty of disclosure owed to the buyers under
R.C. 5302.30 based on his misrepresentations in the residential property disclosure
form.
Sliman’s argument that certain of the defects/code violations were
patent defects goes to the amount of compensatory damages the buyers were
entitled to recover on their fraud claim, not to whether the trial court properly found
Sliman liable on the buyers’ fraud claim. If, in fact, certain of the defects/code
violations were “open and obvious,” the cost of remedying such defects/code
violations should have been excluded from the damages awarded to the buyers.
Sliman, however, has not challenged the trial court’s determination that the buyers
were entitled to $91,569.59 in compensatory damages for remediation of the
defects/code violations that were not disclosed in the residential property disclosure
form in this appeal. Nor did Sliman meaningfully challenge the amount of the
buyers’ claimed damages below. Although the trial court specifically directed the
parties (in its October 16, 2020 order requesting supplemental briefing after the
damages hearing) to file briefs identifying “the amount of a damages award, if
damages are anything other than zero or in the full amount plaintiff seeks,” Sliman
failed to do so. Sliman never identified any amount by which he claimed the buyers’
alleged damages should have been reduced to account for the fact that certain of the
defects/code violations identified by Ieropoli had been allegedly identified by the
buyers’ home inspector or were otherwise “open and obvious” and readily
observable upon a reasonable inspection.
Based on Sliman’s concessions on appeal and the evidence presented
below, we find no error by trial court in granting summary judgment in favor of the
buyers as to liability on their fraud claim. As the trial court found and as detailed
above, the buyers met their initial burden on summary judgment, pointing to
evidence of specific facts in the record establishing each essential element of their
fraud claim. Sliman, however, failed to meet his reciprocal burden to present
evidence of specific facts demonstrating a genuine issue of fact for trial.8
Sliman’s first assignment of error is overruled.
Attorney-Fees Award
In his second assignment of error, Sliman contends that the trial court
abused its discretion in awarding the buyers $82,985.62 in attorney fees on their
fraud claim. Sliman does not challenge the reasonableness of the attorney-fees
8 On appeal, Sliman also argues that Ieropoli’s “structural opinions” must be
viewed “with skepticism” because he was an “interested witness,” he was not a licensed
structural engineer and he did not submit a notarized copy of the structural engineer’s
report. Based on the record before us, it does not appear that Sliman raised these
arguments below. Accordingly, we will not consider them for the first time on appeal.
See, e.g., Scott Fetzer Co. v. Miley, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 108090 2019-Ohio-4578, ¶ 41
(noting that arguments raised for the first time on appeal are generally barred and that a
reviewing court need not consider issues that the appellant failed to raise in the trial
court).
award. He challenges only the trial court’s determination that the buyers were
entitled to any award of attorney fees based on the trial court’s findings and the
evidence presented below.
Citing the “American Rule” and this court’s decision in O’Brien v.
Shorey, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 110000, 2021-Ohio-2519, Sliman argues that the
trial court was required to find “bad faith” — i.e., “conduct amounting to ‘dishonest
purpose,’ ‘moral obliquity,’ ‘a breach of a known duty through some motive of
interest or ill will,’ or ‘partakes of the nature of fraud with an actual intent to mislead
or deceive another,’” In re Estate of Abraitis, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 104816, 2017-
Ohio-5577, ¶ 14, quoting State ex rel. Bardwell v. Cuyahoga Cty. Bd. of Commrs.,
127 Ohio St.3d 202, 2010-Ohio-5073, 937 N.E.2d 1274, ¶ 8 — in order to award
attorney fees in this case, and that the trial court’s attorney-fees award was
unreasonable, arbitrary and unconscionable because he did not act in bad faith.
Sliman contends that, although “he made substantial errors in judgment in some
aspects of the renovation,” he did not act in bad faith because his conduct “was not
deceptive in nature,” he was “not motivated by dishonesty” and “[t]he errors were
largely observable to the parties” and the home inspector.
In support of his contention that he did not act in bad faith, Sliman
points only to certain evidence presented by the parties on summary judgment, i.e.,
deposition testimony by the buyers describing the home as “beautiful” and Sliman
as a “good finish carpenter,” deposition testimony by Ieropoli regarding the sanitary
tee that had been installed at the residence (i.e., that it worked in some applications
but was not approved by code and was “relatively the same price”), the permit
Sliman obtained for replacement of exterior windows and the home inspection
report. Sliman does not point to any evidence in the record regarding his knowledge
(or lack of knowledge) of the matters at issue, his representations to the buyers or
his intentions in making those representations. Sliman, likewise, does not point to
any evidence presented by the parties at the damages hearing.
Under the “American Rule,” each party is generally responsible for his
or her own attorney fees. Phoenix Lighting Group, L.L.C. v. Genlyte Thomas Group,
L.L.C., 160 Ohio St.3d 32, 2020-Ohio-1056, 153 N.E.3d 30, ¶ 9, citing Wilborn v.
Bank One Corp., 121 Ohio St.3d 546, 2009-Ohio-306, 906 N.E.2d 396, ¶ 7.
However, there are certain exceptions to the American Rule.
One such “exception” “allows an award of attorney fees to the
prevailing party as an element of compensatory damages when the jury finds that
punitive damages are warranted.” Phoenix Lighting at ¶ 9, citing Zoppo v.
Homestead Ins. Co., 71 Ohio St.3d 552, 558, 644 N.E.2d 397 (1994), and New York,
Chicago & St. Louis RR. Co. v. Grodek, 127 Ohio St. 22, 24-25, 186 N.E. 733 (1933)
(“facts which justify the infliction of exemplary damages will also justify the jury in
adding the amount of counsel fees to the verdict, not as a part of exemplary damages,
but as compensatory damages”); see also Galmish v. Cicchini, 90 Ohio St.3d 22, 35,
734 N.E.2d 782 (2000) (‘“If punitive damages are proper, the aggrieved party may
also recover reasonable attorney fees.’ * * * In other words, ‘attorney fees may be
awarded as an element of compensatory damages where the jury finds that punitive
damages are warranted.’”), quoting Columbus Fin., Inc. v. Howard, 42 Ohio St.2d
178, 183, 327 N.E.2d 654 (1975), and Zoppo at 558.
Pursuant to R.C. 2315.21(C), punitive damages are recoverable from
a defendant in a tort action where both of the following apply:
(1) The actions or omissions of that defendant demonstrate malice or
aggravated or egregious fraud, or that defendant as principal or master
knowingly authorized, participated in, or ratified actions or omissions
of an agent or servant that so demonstrate.
(2) The trier of fact has returned a verdict or has made a determination
* * * of the total compensatory damages recoverable by the plaintiff
from that defendant.
R.C. 2315.21(C).
The “actual malice” necessary for an award of punitive damages has
been defined as (1) that state of mind under which a person’s conduct is
characterized by hatred, ill will or a spirit of revenge or (2) a conscious disregard for
the rights and safety of other persons that has a great probability of causing
substantial harm. Sivit v. Village Green of Beachwood, L.P., 143 Ohio St.3d 168,
2015-Ohio-1193, 35 N.E.3d 508, ¶ 7; Preston v. Murty, 32 Ohio St.3d 334, 512
N.E.2d 1174 (1987), syllabus; Leeds v. Weltman, Weinberg & Reis Co., L.P.A., 8th
Dist. Cuyahoga No. 110348, 2021-Ohio-4123, ¶ 60.
In this case, the parties stipulated in their July 20, 2020 stipulated
order on damages that, as to punitive damages, “the Court shall make a
determination, during or post-Hearing, as to whether the fraudulent actions and
omissions undertaken by Defendant Sliman constituted malice, same being a
conscious disregard for the rights and safety of other persons that has a great
probability of causing substantial harm.”
Whether malice exists is a question for the trier of fact. See, e.g., Al-
Aroud v. McCoy, 5th Dist. Stark No. 2021 CA 00003, 2021-Ohio-3832, ¶ 35; Spires
v. Oxford Mining Co., LLC, 2018-Ohio-2769, 116 N.E.3d 717, ¶ 32 (7th Dist.); R.C.
2315.21(D)(1). ‘“The same standard of review is employed to assess the weight of
evidence whether the finding is for compensatory damages or the elements
necessary to justify an award of punitive damages.’” Al-Aroud at ¶ 35, quoting
Spires at ¶ 32. Factual determinations will not be overturned if they are supported
by some competent, credible evidence going to all the essential elements of the case.
Al-Aroud at ¶ 35.
In this case, the trial court awarded the buyers attorney fees after
finding that they were entitled to recover punitive damages and awarding them
nominal punitive damages. The trial court considered the evidence presented by the
parties on the issue of punitive damages and found that Sliman “exhibited actual
malice through a conscious disregard for the rights and safety of plaintiffs that had
a great probability of causing substantial harm.” The trial court further found that
Sliman had “actual knowledge of at least some of the defects, local code requirement
and need for permits, yet fraudulently failed to disclose such defects, and [his]
failure to obtain necessary permits” to the buyers and that “[t]he nature and amount
of such defects had a great probability of causing substantial harm, both physically
and financially, to plaintiffs.” It was based on those findings that the trial court
awarded the buyers punitive damages and attorney fees. The trial court’s findings
were sufficient to support an award of punitive damages and reasonable attorney
fees to the buyers under Ohio law. See Phoenix Lighting, 160 Ohio St.3d 32, 2020-
Ohio-1056, 153 N.E.3d 30, at ¶ 9; Galmish, 90 Ohio St.3d at 35, 734 N.E.2d 782.
Sliman has not challenged the trial court’s punitive damages award
or its determination that the buyers were entitled to recover punitive damages on
appeal, and he has not pointed to anything in the record that shows that the trial
court’s finding that Sliman exhibited a conscious disregard for the rights and safety
of the buyers that had a great probability of causing substantial harm was not
supported by competent, credible evidence. 9 Accordingly, Sliman has not shown
9 As noted above, the transcript of the damages hearing was not included in the
record forwarded to this court on appeal. It is the appellant’s duty to ensure the
completeness of the record on appeal. See, e.g., O’Donnell v. Northeast Ohio
Neighborhood Health Servs., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 198541, 2020-Ohio-1609, ¶ 75, fn.
6 (“The appellant has a duty to ensure that the record relating to his or her assignments
of error is complete.”); Pietrangelo v. Hudson, 2019-Ohio-1988, 136 N.E.3d 867, ¶ 22
(8th Dist.) (“It is the appellant’s duty to ensure that this court is provided with all of the
information needed to decide an assignment of error.”). Accordingly, as to any findings
made based on evidence presented at that hearing, we “must ‘presume that the trial court
considered all the evidence and arguments raised’ and that sufficient evidence was
presented to support the trial court’s decision.” V.C. v. O.C., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No.
109988, 2021-Ohio-1491, ¶ 65, quoting Miranda v. Saratoga Diagnostics, 2012-Ohio-
2633, 972 N.E.2d 145, ¶ 26 (8th Dist.); Knapp v. Edwards Laboratories, 61 Ohio St.2d
197, 199, 400 N.E.2d 384 (1980) (“When portions of the transcript necessary for
resolution of assigned errors are omitted from the record, the reviewing court has nothing
to pass upon and, thus, as to those assigned errors, the court has no choice but to presume
the validity of the lower court’s proceedings, and affirm.”).
In any event, because Sliman has not cited to any evidence allegedly presented at
the damages hearing in support of his assignments of error, we need not further consider
the issue. See Mathews v. Cooper, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 109974, 2021-Ohio-2768, ¶ 82,
fn. 10 (“If an argument exists that can support an assignment of error, “‘it is not this
court’s duty to root it out.’””), quoting Strauss v. Strauss, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 95377,
2011-Ohio-3831, ¶ 72, quoting Cardone v. Cardone, 9th Dist. Summit Nos. 18349 and
18673, 1998 Ohio App. LEXIS 2028, 22 (May 6, 1998); see also App.R. 16(A)(7) (An
that the trial court erred or abused its discretion in awarding the buyers their
reasonable attorney fees.
Sliman’s second assignment of error is overruled.
Judgment affirmed.
It is ordered that appellees recover from appellant the costs herein taxed.
It is ordered that a special mandate be sent to the Cuyahoga County Court of
Common Pleas to carry this judgment into execution.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27
of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
EILEEN A. GALLAGHER, PRESIDING JUDGE
MICHELLE J. SHEEHAN, J., and
JAMES A. BROGAN, J.,* CONCUR
*(Sitting by assignment: James A. Brogan, J., retired, of the Second District Court
of Appeals.)
appellant’s brief must include “[a]n argument containing the contentions of the appellant
with respect to each assignment of error presented for review and the reasons in support
of the contentions, with citations to the * * * parts of the record on which appellant
relies.”); Story v. Story, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 109850, 2021-Ohio-2439, ¶ 29 (“An
appellate court may disregard an assignment of error presented for review if the appellant
fails to identify in the record the error on which the assignment of error is based.”), citing
App.R. 12(A)(2).