Evans v. Akron Gen. Med. Ctr.

[Cite as Evans v. Akron Gen. Med. Ctr., 2018-Ohio-3031.]
STATE OF OHIO ) IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
)ss: NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
COUNTY OF SUMMIT )
MALIEKA EVANS C.A. No. 28340
Appellant
v. APPEAL FROM JUDGMENT
ENTERED IN THE
AKRON GENERAL MEDICAL CENTER, COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
et al. COUNTY OF SUMMIT, OHIO
CASE No. CV 2014-11-5041
Appellees
DECISION AND JOURNAL ENTRY
Dated: August 1, 2018
SCHAFER, Judge.
{¶1} Plaintiff-Appellant, Malieka Evans, appeals the judgment of the Summit County
Court of Common Pleas granting in part the summary judgment motion of Defendant-Appellee,
Akron General Medical Center (“AGMC”) and granting the summary judgment motion of
Defendant-Appellee, General Emergency Medical Specialists, Inc. (“GEMS”).
I.
{¶2} On November 9, 2014, Evans filed a complaint against AGMC and several “Doe”
defendants, whose identities were then unknown. The complaint alleged, inter alia, claims for
negligent hiring and negligent supervision and/or retention. On January 7, 2015, Evans filed an
amended complaint that substituted GEMS for one of the previously unnamed defendants. A
summons and copy of the amended complaint was personally served upon the statutory agent for
GEMS on April 7, 2015.
2
{¶3} On May 20, 2015, GEMS filed a motion to dismiss, arguing that the amended
complaint failed to state a claim upon which relief can be granted and that Evans had failed to
effectuate proper service. The trial court denied GEMS’ motion on June 5, 2015, and GEMS
filed a timely answer thereafter and the matter proceeded through the pretrial process.
{¶4} GEMS filed its first motion for summary judgment on December 22, 2015, and a
second motion for summary judgment on January 25, 2015. The trial court granted GEMS’
second motion for summary judgment on May 12, 2016.
{¶5} AGMC filed its motion for summary judgment on February 17, 2016. The trial
court granted AGMC’s motion on July 21, 2016.
{¶6} Evans filed this timely appeal, raising two assignments of error for our review.
To facilitate review, we elect to consider the assignments of error out of order.
II.
Assignment of Error II
The trial court erred in finding that service of process on Defendant, General
Emergency Medical Specialists, Inc. (“GEMS”), was insufficient where it was
personally served with the Amended Complaint in a timely manner, failed to
affirmatively allege insufficiency of service of process in its Answer, and fully
participated in the litigation.
{¶7} In her second assignment of error, Evans contends that the trial court erred by
granting GEMS’ motion for summary judgment on the basis that Evan’s amended complaint
naming GEMS in place of a previously identified by a fictitious name did not relate back to the
original complaint.
{¶8} Under Civ.R. 56(C), summary judgment is appropriate when:
(1)[no] genuine issue as to any material fact remains to be litigated; (2) the
moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law; and (3) it appears from
the evidence that reasonable minds can come to but one conclusion, and viewing
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such evidence most strongly in favor of the party against whom the motion for
summary judgment is made, that conclusion is adverse to that party.
Temple v. Wean United, Inc., 50 Ohio St.2d 317, 327 (1977). The movant bears the initial
burden of demonstrating the absence of genuine issues of material fact concerning the essential
elements of the nonmoving party’s case. Dresher v. Burt, 75 Ohio St.3d 280, 292 (1996). If the
moving party satisfies this burden, the non-moving party “must set forth specific facts showing
that there is a genuine issue for trial.” Id. at 293. A review of a trial court’s grant of summary
judgment is considered de novo. Grafton v. Ohio Edison Co., 77 Ohio St.3d 102, 105 (1996).
Accordingly, we apply the same standard as the trial court, viewing the facts in the light most
favorable to the non-moving party and resolving any doubt in the favor of the non-moving party.
Viock v. Stowe-Woodward Co., 13 Ohio App.3d 7, 12 (6th Dist.1983); Murphy v. Reynoldsburg,
65 Ohio St.3d 356, 358-359 (1992).
{¶9} In her complaint, Evans alleges that she was sexually assaulted by an employee of
GEMS on November 9, 2012, and that as a result of GEMS’ negligence she suffered
psychological, emotional, and physical injuries, and emotional distress. It is undisputed in this
case that the statute of limitations for a claim of negligent hiring and negligent
supervision/retention is two years. See R.C. 2305.10. Evans’ original complaint was filed
November 9, 2014, exactly two years after the alleged incident. Evans’ complaint listed as
defendants AGMC and several “Doe” defendants, whose identities were then unknown. On
January 7, 2015, Evans filed an amended complaint that substituted GEMS for one of the
previously unnamed defendants. As Evans filed her amended complaint after the statute of
limitations expired, her claims are barred unless the amended complaint relates back to the filing
of Evans’ original complaint.
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{¶10} Pursuant to Civ.R.3(A), a civil action is commenced if service of a complaint is
obtained within one year from the filing of the complaint on a defendant identified by a fictitious
name whose name is later corrected pursuant to Civ.R. 15(D). Civ.R. 15(D) states,
When the plaintiff does not know the name of a defendant, that defendant may be
designated in a pleading or proceeding by any name and description. When the
name is discovered, the pleading or proceeding must be amended accordingly.
The plaintiff, in such case, must aver in the complaint the fact that he could not
discover the name. The summons must contain the words “name unknown,” and
a copy thereof must be served personally upon the defendant.
“Assuming that a plaintiff meets the specific requirements of Civ.R. 15(D), the relation-back
provisions of Civ.R. 15(C) are then considered.” LaNeve v. Atlas Recycling, 119 Ohio St.3d 324,
2008-Ohio-3921, ¶ 11, citing Amerine v. Haughton Elevator Co., Div. of Reliance Electric Co.,
42 Ohio St.3d 57, 58 (1989). That provision provides, in part, that “[w]henever the claim or
defense asserted in the amended pleading arose out of the conduct, transaction, or occurrence set
forth or attempted to be set forth in the original pleading, the amendment relates back to the date
of the original pleading.” Civ.R. 15(C).
{¶11} A review of the record shows that Evans’ original complaint did list several “Doe
defendants” and stated that their identities “cannot presently be determined.” Evans
subsequently amended her complaint, stating in part, “Defendant, DOE No. 1, as referenced in
the original Complaint, is now known by Plaintiff to be Defendant [GEMS] * * * .” A summons
and copy of the amended complaint was personally served upon the statutory agent for GEMS on
April 7, 2015. However, a review of the record shows that a copy of the original complaint
together with a summons containing the words “name unknown” was not served upon GEMS.
{¶12} On May 20, 2015, GEMS filed a motion to dismiss arguing, in part, that Evans
had failed to comply with the requirement of Civ.R. 15(D) that the summons personally served
upon GEMS did not include the words “name unknown.” Although GEMS acknowledged in its
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motion that the time period to effectuate service pursuant to Civ.R. 3 had not yet expired, GEMS
stated it was raising the defense in order to avoid waiver pursuant to Civ.R. 12(H). The trial
court summarily denied the motion on June 5, 2015. GEMS thereafter filed an answer and the
matter proceeded through the pretrial process.
{¶13} GEMS filed its second motion for summary judgment on January 25, 2016, on the
basis that Evans had failed to comply with the two-year statute of limitations for negligent hiring
and negligent supervision/retention. GEMS noted that although Evans had commenced her suit
within the statute of limitations, the amended complaint naming GEMS as a defendant did not
relate back to the original complaint because Evans had failed to comply with Civ.R. 15(D) and
Civ.R. 3(A). Specifically, GEMS argued that Evans had failed to: (1) serve GEMS with the
original complaint; and (2) had failed to include the words “name unknown” on the summons
GEMS did receive as required by Civ.R. 15(D). The trial court determined that the requirements
of Civ.R. 15(D) “must be met in order for the amended complaint to relate back to the date the
original complaint was filed” and that Evans did not meet those requirements. Accordingly, the
trial court determined that Evans’ amended complaint was filed outside of the statute of
limitations and GEMS was entitled to judgment as a matter of law.
{¶14} On appeal, Evans argues that the trial court’s technical interpretation of
Civ.R.15(D) is unjust. Ohio’s rules of civil procedure are to “be construed and applied to effect
just results by eliminating delay, unnecessary expense and all other impediments to the
expeditious administration of justice.” Civ.R. 1(B). However, when the issue presented is one
of a failure to perfect service, the resolution of that issue ultimately determines whether a court
has personal jurisdiction over a defendant. LaNeve, 119 Ohio St.3d 324, 2008-Ohio-3921 at ¶
22. Recognizing that the obligation to perfect service of process is placed only on the plaintiff,
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the Supreme Court of Ohio has expressly held, “when the specific requirements of Civ.R. 15(D)
for commencing an action are not met, an amendment does not relate back to the date of the
original complaint under Civ.R. 15(C) and Civ.R. 3(A) and the saving statute of R.C. 2305.19(A)
does not apply.” Id. at syllabus.
{¶15} It is undisputed that the original complaint and summons were never served upon
GEMS. However, “‘Civ.R.15(D) specifically requires that the summons [of the original
complaint] must be served personally upon the defendant.’” (Emphasis and alterations sic.)
McConville v. Jackson Comfort Sys., 95 Ohio App.3d 297, 304 (9th Dist.1994), quoting Amerine
v. Haughton Elevator Co., 42 Ohio St.3d 57, 58 (1989). Additionally, “Civ.R. 15(D) ‘requires
that the summons must contain the words ‘name unknown.’” Mitluski v. USS, 9th Dist. Lorain
Nos. 98CA007085, 98CA007105, 1999 Ohio App. LEXIS 2477, *8 (May 26, 1999), quoting
Amerine at 58. Therefore, the specific requirements of Civ.R. 15(D) and 3(A) were not met.
{¶16} Accordingly, we conclude that GEMS met its initial Dresher burden by
demonstrating the absence of any genuine issues of material fact concerning the application of
the applicable statute of limitations since the service of Evans’ amended complaint did not relate
back to the filing of her original complaint where she did not comply with the specific
requirements of Civ.R. 15(D).1 See Dresher, 75 Ohio St.3d at 292; see also Mitluski at *8
(recognizing that the service of an amended complaint did not relate back to the filing of the
original complaint where the plaintiff failed to personally serve the defendant with a summons of
1
We also note that although GEMS further argued in its motion for summary judgment and on
appeal that the summons it received with the amended complaint did not contain the words
“name unknown,” Civ.R. 15(D) contains no such requirement for the summons issued with the
amended complaint.
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the original complaint and failed to include the words “name unknown” in the summons that was
served upon the defendant).
{¶17} As GEMS satisfied its initial burden, the burden then shifts to Evans, as the non-
moving party, to provide specific facts which would demonstrate the existence of a “genuine
triable issue” with regard to the statute of limitations. See Dresher at 293. On appeal and in her
response to GEMS’ second motion for summary judgment, Evans argues that GEMS waived its
insufficiency of process defense because it was not properly raised nor properly preserved.
Evans does not dispute that GEMS raised the issue of insufficiency of process in its motion to
dismiss filed prior to its answer or that she failed to comply with Civ.R. 15(D). Rather, Evans
contends that since the trial court denied the motion to dismiss, GEMS was then required to
“affirmatively indicate an intent to preserve that defense” in its answer.
{¶18} Generally, a challenge to a trial court’s personal jurisdiction over a defendant
must be raised either in its answer or by motion filed prior to its answer. Suiter v. Karimian, 9th
Dist. Summit No. 27496, 2015-Ohio-3330, ¶ 13. “A defense of lack of jurisdiction over the
person * * * or insufficiency of service of process is waived (a) if omitted from a motion in the
circumstance described in [Civ.R. 12](G), or (b) if it is neither made by motion under [Civ.R. 12]
nor included in a responsive pleading * * * .” Civ.R. 12(H)(1). However, in Gliozzo v. Univ.
Urologists of Cleveland, Inc., 114 Ohio St.3d 141, 2007-Ohio-3762, the Supreme Court of Ohio
held, “[w]hen the affirmative defense of insufficiency of process is properly raised and properly
preserved, a party’s active participation in the litigation of a case does not constitute waiver of
that defense.” Id. at syllabus.
{¶19} On appeal, Evans argues that the present case is distinguishable from Gliozzo
because GEMS did not properly raise nor properly preserve the affirmative defense of
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insufficiency of process because the trial court denied its motion to dismiss and GEMS did not
expressly raise the affirmative defense of insufficiency of process in its answer. First, although
Evans claims the trial court “rejected the insufficiency of service of process defense” when it
denied GEMS’ motion to dismiss, a review of the order denying the motion shows that the trial
court summarily denied the motion without making any specific findings. Moreover, in its
motion to dismiss, GEMS stated that it was raising the issue of insufficiency of process in its
motion to dismiss in order to avoid waiver, but acknowledged “that the time period to effect
service has not run, pursuant to Civ.R. 3[.]”
{¶20} A review of the record shows that Evans’ original complaint was filed on
November 9, 2014. Accordingly, pursuant to Civ.R. 3(A), if Evans was able to obtain service
within one year of November 9, 2014, on a defendant identified as a “Doe defendant” whose
name was later corrected pursuant to Civ.R. 15(D), the action is commenced. See Civ.R. 3(A).
In this case, GEMS’ motion to dismiss was filed on May 20, 2015, more than five months prior
to the expiration of the time within which Evans was permitted by rule to serve the complaint
upon any fictitiously named defendant whose name was properly corrected. Therefore, it is
likely the trial court denied GEMS’ motion to dismiss as it related to the affirmative defense of
insufficiency of process merely because it was premature. Moreover, although GEMS’ motion
should have put Evans on notice that her attempted service was insufficient, she failed to correct
the error by complying with Civ.R. 15(D) despite having more than five months to do so. “[T]he
Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure govern the conduct of all the parties equally, and ‘we cannot
disregard [the] rules to assist a party who has failed to abide by them.’” Gliozzo at ¶16, quoting
Bell v. Midwestern Education Servs., Inc., 89 Ohio App.3d 193, 204 (2d Dist.1993).
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{¶21} Second, with regard to the waiver of certain defenses, Civ.R. 12(H)(1)
specifically provides as follows:
A defense of lack of jurisdiction over the person, improper venue, insufficiency of
process, or insufficiency of service of process is waived (a) if omitted from a
motion in the circumstances described in subdivision (G), or (b) if it is neither
made by motion under this rule nor included in a responsive pleading or an
amendment thereof permitted by Rule 15(A) to be made as a matter of course.
“Thus, the defense of insufficiency of service of process is waived if a motion is made raising
other Civ.R. 12(B) defenses and it is not included in that motion or, if there is no such motion, if
it is not raised by separate motion or included in the responsive pleading.” Gliozzo at ¶ 9. In this
case, GEMS affirmatively raised the defense of insufficiency of process in its motion to dismiss
prior to filing an answer and thus, preserved the defense. See Suiter, 2015-Ohio-3330 at ¶ 14
(recognizing that “[Civ.R. 12(B)] gives the pleader an option to assert the defense of lack of
jurisdiction over the person either by way of a motion prior to any pleading or in the responsive
pleading.”), quoting Maryhew v. Yova, 11 Ohio St.3d 154, 157 (1984). Accordingly, we
conclude that Evans did not meet her burden to demonstrate the existence of a “genuine issue of
material fact” with regard to the statute of limitations. See Dresher at 293.
{¶22} Therefore, Evans’ second assignment of error is overruled.
Assignment of Error I
In a case of negligent hiring, supervision or retention, the trial court erred in
granting summary judgment for employer entities on grounds that (i) the
plaintiff-victim of sexual battery did not file a civil case against the employee-
perpetrator of assault within the one-year statute of limitations for civil
assault and battery; and (ii) the employee-perpetrator will not be criminally
convicted for the assault.
{¶23} In her first assignment of error, Evans contends that the trial court erred by
granting summary judgment to AGMC and GEMS. We agree.
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{¶24} As an initial matter, we note that our resolution of Evans’ second assignment of
error renders this assignment of error moot as it pertains to GEMS only. See App.R. 12(A)(1)(c).
Accordingly, we only consider this assignment of error as it pertains to AGMC.
{¶25} In its subsequent motion for summary judgment and in its merit brief, AGMC
argues that Evans failed to demonstrate all of the elements to support a cause of action based on
negligent hiring, supervision, or retention because: (1) AGMC did not employ the doctor who
allegedly assaulted Evans; and (2) Evans had not brought suit against the doctor, and no court
had found the doctor liable civilly or criminally.
{¶26} Under Civ.R. 56(C), summary judgment is appropriate when:
(1)[no] genuine issue as to any material fact remains to be litigated; (2) the
moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law; and (3) it appears from
the evidence that reasonable minds can come to but one conclusion, and viewing
such evidence most strongly in favor of the party against whom the motion for
summary judgment is made, that conclusion is adverse to that party.
Temple, 50 Ohio St.2d at 327. The movant bears the initial burden of demonstrating the absence
of genuine issues of material fact concerning the essential elements of the nonmoving party’s
case. Dresher, 75 Ohio St.3d at 292. If the moving party satisfies this burden, the non-moving
party “must set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial.” Id. at 293. A
review of a trial court’s grant of summary judgment is considered de novo. Grafton, 77 Ohio
St.3d at 105. Accordingly, we apply the same standard as the trial court, viewing the facts in the
light most favorable to the non-moving party and resolving any doubt in the favor of the non-
moving party. Viock, 13 Ohio App.3d at 12; Murphy, 65 Ohio St.3d at 358-359.
“To prove a claim of negligent hiring and retention, a plaintiff must show (1) [t]he
existence of an employment relationship; (2) the employee’s incompetence; (3)
the employer’s actual or constructive knowledge of such incompetence; (4) the
employee’s act or omission causing the plaintiff’s injuries; and (5) the employer’s
negligence in hiring or retaining the employee as the proximate cause of
plaintiff’s injuries.”
11
Jones v. MTD Consumer Group, Inc., 9th Dist. Medina No. 13CA0093-M, 2015-Ohio-1878, ¶
44, quoting Zanni v. Stelzer, 174 Ohio App. 3d 84, 2007-Ohio-6215, ¶ 8 (9th Dist.). “The
elements of a negligent supervision claim are the same as those for negligent hiring or retention.”
Browning v. Ohio State Highway Patrol, 151 Ohio App.3d 798, 2003-Ohio-1108, ¶ 67 (10th
Dist.).
A. Employment Relationship
{¶27} In in its motion for summary judgment and in its merit brief, AGMC argues that
Evan’s claims against AGMC fail as a matter of law because AGMC did not employ the doctor.
In support, AGMC points to Evans’ amended complaint, wherein Evans does not allege that the
doctor was employed by AGMC, but rather by GEMS and “assigned duties in the emergency
room of [AGMC]”. In her response, Evans contends that “the fact that emergency care physician
services were provided by GEMS instead of AGMC is not a basis for summary judgment, since
those services were provided in the emergency room of [AGMC]” and under Ohio law, “a
hospital is responsible for the service providers in its emergency room, irrespective of whether it
retains such providers as its own employees or delegates emergency room services to an
independent contractor.” See Clark v. Southview Hosp. & Family Health Ctr., 68 Ohio St.3d
435, 444-445 (1993).
{¶28} Although “[l]iability under a theory of negligent hiring/retention (also known as
negligent credentialing, selection, supervision, and/or training) is not vicarious liability”, “[w]ith
respect to independent contractors, ‘an employer may be directly liable for injuries resulting
from its own negligence in selecting or retaining an independent contractor.’” Erickson v.
Management & Training Corp., 11th Dist. Ashtabula No. 2012-A-0059, 2013-Ohio-3864, ¶ 35,
citing Albain v. Flower Hosp., 50 Ohio St.3d 251, 257 and Browing v. Burt, 66 Ohio St.3d 544,
12
557 (1993); See Jackson v. Hogeback, 12th Dist. Butler No. CA2013-10-187, 2014-Ohio-2578,
fn. 5 (“[F]or negligent hiring and retention claims, it is irrelevant if the worker is classified as an
employee or an independent contractor as some sort of employment relationship existed,
regardless of its type”).
{¶29} Therefore, we conclude, as did the trial court, that in light of Evan’s contention
that the doctor was an independent contractor, AGMC’s sole argument that the doctor was not its
employee is not enough to show that there is no issue of material fact with regard to whether an
employment relationship existed between AGMC and the doctor. See Dresher at 293. We note,
however, that (1) this conclusion should not be understood on remand to be a determination that
an employment relationship did exist between AGMC and the doctor; and (2) although an
employment relationship may exist, an employer’s duty to supervise an independent contractor is
still dependent upon the specific facts and circumstances of each case. See Jackson at fn. 5.
B. Employee Liability for Plaintiff’s Injuries
{¶30} Next, AGMC argues in its motion for summary judgment and merit brief that
Evans “cannot establish liability against AGMC because she has not established liability against
[the doctor who allegedly assaulted her]”. Specifically, AGMC contends that since the statute of
limitations on any civil claim for assault and battery against the doctor has run and because no
criminal charges have been brought against the doctor, “AGMC cannot be held vicariously liable
for his actions.” (Emphasis added.)
{¶31} AGMC relies on a statement made by the Supreme Court in Strock v. Pressnell,
38 Ohio St.3d 207, 217 (1988), which states, “an underlying requirement in actions for negligent
supervision and negligent training is that the employee is individually liable for a tort or guilty of
a claimed wrong against a third person, who then seeks recovery against the employer.” AGMC
13
contends that this language requires Evans to establish liability against the doctor prior to being
able to establish liability against AGMC and since the statute of limitations has run on a potential
civil claim and the doctor has never been charged criminally, Evans cannot show the liability of
the doctor and “AGMC cannot be held vicariously liable for his actions.”
{¶32} However, AGMC’s argument incorrectly assumes that a claim for negligent
hiring, retention, or supervision is based on a theory of vicarious liability. See Erickson, 2013-
Ohio-3864 at ¶ 35, citing Albain, 50 Ohio St.3d at 257 and Browing, 66 Ohio St.3d at 557 (as
noted above, claims for negligent hiring, retention, or supervision are not based on vicarious
liability). “‘[T]he vicarious liability of an employer for torts committed by employees should not
be confused with the liability an employer has for his own torts. An employer whose employee
commits a tort may be liable in his own right for negligence in hiring or supervising the
employee * * * [b]ut that is not vicarious liability.’” Simpkins v. Grace Brethren Church of Del.,
5th Dist. Delaware No. 13 CAE 10 0073, 2014-Ohio-3465, ¶ 49, quoting Kenneth S. Abraham,
The Forms and Functions of Tort Law, 166, (2d Ed.2002). Indeed, with the exception of Strock
all of the case law cited by AGMC in support of its argument examines claims of vicarious
liability. See Krause v. Case W. Reserve Univ., 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 70712, 1996 Ohio App.
LEXIS 5784 (Dec. 19, 1996) (respondeat superior); Radcliffe v. Mercy Hosp. Anderson, 1st Dist.
Hamilton Nos. C-960424, C-960425, 1997 Ohio App. LEXIS 1997, 3-4 (May 14, 1997)
(vicarious liability for the alleged negligent of the hospital’s agents); Comer v. Risko, 106 Ohio
St.3d 185, 2005-Ohio-4559, ¶ 1-2 (agency by estoppel for negligence of independent contractor).
{¶33} Initially, we note that AGMC cites to no authority interpreting the statement in
Strock to mean that a party is required to show liability of the employee through either a civil or
criminal action against the individual employee. Nonetheless, we believe AGMC has
14
misconstrued the Supreme Court’s statement in Strock. First, the statement does not limit the
“underlying requirement” in actions for negligent hiring, supervision, or retention to
circumstances where “the employee is individually liable for a tort”. Strock at 217. Instead, the
Supreme Court also recognized an alternative “underlying requirement” where an employee is
“guilty of a claimed wrong against a third person.” Id. Although the word “guilty” is used in the
statement, it is telling that the Supreme Court did not use the words “found” or “crime”. Second,
there is a difference between never having had a cause of action and not pursuing a cause of
action. Third, negligent hiring, supervision, and retention is based on a theory of direct liability
and not secondary or vicarious liability. See Erickson, 2013-Ohio-3864 at ¶ 35, citing Albain, 50
Ohio St.3d at 257 and Browing, 66 Ohio St.3d at 557; See R.C. 2305.10.
{¶34} Therefore, after careful consideration, we conclude that the Supreme Court’s
statement in Strock merely stands for the proposition that a plaintiff must allege and prove a
wrong recognized as a tort or crime in the state of Ohio within the statute of limitations for
negligent hiring, supervision, and retention as determined by the legislature. Contra Bishop v.
Miller, 3d Dist. Defiance Nos. 4-97-30, 4-97-31, 1998 Ohio App. LEXIS 1526 (Mar. 26, 1998)
(holding that since a pastor could not be held liable for sexual battery due to the statute of
limitations, the plaintiff could not maintain a cause of action against the church for negligent
supervision).
{¶35} Therefore, we conclude that AGMC did not meet its initial Dresher burden to
show that there were no issues of material fact as to whether the doctor who allegedly assaulted
Evans was guilty of a claimed wrong against her.
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C. Foreseeability
{¶36} Finally, AGMC argues on appeal that Evans does not point to any evidence in her
merit brief of AGMC’s knowledge of any criminal propensities on the part of the doctor who
allegedly assaulted her and “ignores the requirement of demonstrating an issue of fact on
proximate cause in her appellate brief.” However, AGMC did not raise any of these arguments
in its motion for summary judgment below. “Arguments that were not raised in the trial court
cannot be raised for the first time on appeal.” JPMorgan Chase Bank, Natl. Assn. v. Burden, 9th
Dist. Summit No. 27104, 2014-Ohio-2746, ¶ 12. Accordingly, AGMC’s arguments concerning
its knowledge and the issue of proximate cause are not properly before this court and we decline
to address them.
{¶37} Therefore, Evans’ first assignment of error is sustained as it pertains to AGMC
only.
III.
{¶38} Evans’ first assignment of error as it pertains to AGMC is sustained, however, it
is not considered as to GEMS because it is moot. Evans’ second assignment of error is
overruled. Therefore, the judgment of the Summit County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed
in part, reversed in part, and remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
Affirmed in part,
reversed in part,
and remanded.
There were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
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We order that a special mandate issue out of this Court, directing the Court of Common
Pleas, County of Summit, 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
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 equally to both parties.
JULIE A. SCHAFER
FOR THE COURT
CARR, J.
CONCURS.
CALLAHAN, J.
DISSENTING.
{¶39} In Strock v. Pressnell, 38 Ohio St.3d 207, 217 (1988), the Ohio Supreme Court
wrote that in negligent supervision cases, “an underlying requirement * * * is that the employee
is individually liable for a tort or guilty of a claimed wrong against a third person, who then
seeks recovery against the employer.” When given its plain meaning, this language is clear.
Despite the development of the law of negligent hiring, supervision, and retention in the years
since the Court decided Strock, the Court has neither clarified nor retreated from it. For these
17
reasons, I am compelled to dissent from the majority’s resolution of the final part of the first
assignment of error.
{¶40} For more than twenty years, Ohio courts have articulated the elements of a claim
for negligent hiring, supervision, and retention as follows:
“(1) the existence of an employment relationship; (2) the employee’s
incompetence; (3) the employer’s actual or constructive knowledge of such
incompetence; (4) the employee’s act or omission causing the plaintiff's injuries;
and (5) the employer’s negligence in hiring or retaining the employee as the
proximate cause of plaintiff's injuries.”
Evans v. Ohio State Univ., 112 Ohio App.3d 724, 739 (10th Dist.1996), quoting Ruta v.
Breckenridge-Remy Co., 6th Dist. Erie No. E-80-39, 1980 Ohio App. LEXIS 12410, * 7. See
also Zanni v. Stelzer, 174 Ohio App.3d 84, 2007-Ohio-6215, ¶ 8 (9th Dist.). The Ohio Supreme
Court has never adopted this formulation. See, e.g., Ruta v. Breckenridge-Remy Co., 69 Ohio
St.2d 66, 69-70 (1982). Nonetheless, its otherwise wide acceptance provides a necessary starting
point for analyzing negligent hiring, supervision, and retention claims.
{¶41} Viewed through this framework, Strock addresses a narrow issue: What conduct
will be considered “the employee’s incompetence” such that an employer will be held to a
standard of reasonable care for hiring, supervising, or retaining any employee when harm results
to another? Will any misconduct suffice? Must the allegation of misconduct fall within the
definition of a tort or criminal statute? Or must the employee be actually liable for a tort or
guilty of a criminal act for the element of “incompetence” to be established? In Strock, the Ohio
Supreme Court chose the latter course.
{¶42} In Strock, the plaintiff sued a member of the clergy for professional malpractice,
intentional infliction of emotional distress, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, misrepresentation,
and nondisclosure. Id. at 210. After determining that the claims against the tortfeasor were not
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viable, the Supreme Court addressed the claims against the church that alleged liability based on
agency principles and claims of negligent supervision and negligent training. Id. at 217. The
Court recognized that claims based on agency principles were distinct from negligent supervision
and negligent training, but nonetheless concluded that in both scenarios, “an underlying
requirement * * * is that the employee is individually liable for a tort or guilty of a claimed
wrong against a third person, who then seeks recovery against the employer.” Id.
{¶43} The plain meaning of “liable” is to be “bound or obligated according to law or
equity”; to be “guilty” is to be “justly chargeable with or responsible for a delinquency, crime, or
sin.” Webster’s Third New International Dictionary 1010, 1302 (1993). The use of these terms
in Strock makes it clear that claims based on agency theory and negligent hiring, supervision and
retention are both premised upon liability for some wrong by an employee against a third person.
In other words, the plain meaning of these terms indicates that it is not sufficient to allege and
prove a wrong in the context of a negligent hiring, supervision, or retention claim: liability must
exist. In order to establish liability, there must first be a claim. Consequently, in this case,
where no separate claim for wrongdoing was asserted against the doctor, where such a claim is
now barred by the statute of limitations, and where all parties agree that no criminal action will
be taken against the doctor, there can be no liability.
{¶44} I acknowledge that the Strock standard has been inconsistently applied and, in
many cases, omitted from the relevant analysis. See, e.g., Kerans v. Porter Paint Co., 61 Ohio
St.3d 486, 493 (1991); Collins v. Flowers, 9th Dist. Lorain No. 04CA008594, 2005-Ohio-3797, ¶
33 (“This Court has held that in order to establish a claim of negligent hiring, a plaintiff must
demonstrate that the employer knew or should have known of the employee’s criminal or
tortious propensities.”). Nonetheless, the Ohio Supreme Court has referenced this language in
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Strock as recently as 2009 and has offered no guidance on its application. See Natl. Union Fire
Ins. Co. v. Wuerth, 122 Ohio St.3d 594, 2009-Ohio-3601, ¶ 23.
{¶45} I believe that unless and until the Ohio Supreme Court offers guidance regarding
the plain language of the single sentence at issue in this case, this Court is bound to apply its
plain meaning. Consequently, the trial court did not err in its application of Strock, and the
decision of the trial court should be affirmed.
{¶46} I respectfully dissent.
APPEARANCES:
KONRAD KIRCHER and RYAL MCGRAW, Attorneys at Law, for Appellant.
STUART S. MERMELSTEIN, Attorney at Law, for Appellant.
ANNA MOORE CARULAS and TAMMI J. LEES, Attorneys at Law, for Appellee.
STEPHEN W. FUNK, Attorney at Law, for Appellee.
MARTIN T. GALVIN and STEPHAN C. KREMER, Attorneys at Law, for Appellee.