Au v. Waldman

[Cite as Au v. Waldman, 2011-Ohio-2233.]

COURT OF APPEALS
RICHLAND COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

HAROLD L. AU JUDGES:
Hon. William B. Hoffman, P. J.
Plaintiff-Appellant Hon. Sheila G. Farmer, J.
Hon. John W. Wise, J.
-vs-
Case No. 2010 CA 112
HARRY L. WALDMAN, et al.

Defendants-Appellees OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Civil Appeal from the Court of Common
Pleas, Case No. 2009 CV 1310

JUDGMENT: Affirmed

DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: May 9, 2011

APPEARANCES:

For Plaintiff-Appellant For Defendants-Appellees

PETER D. TRASKA BRUCE A. CURRY
EGAN P.KILBANE CURRY, ROBY &
RYAN M. HARRELL MULVEY CO., LLC
ELK & ELK 8000 Ravine's Edge Court
6105 Parkland Boulevard Suite 103
Mayfield Heights, Ohio 44124 Columbus, Ohio 43235
Richland County, Case No. 2010 CA 112 2

Wise, J.

{¶1} Plaintiff-appellant Harold L. Au appeals the August 18, 2010, Judgment

Entry of the Richland County Court of Common Pleas granting summary judgment in

favor of Defendants-appellees Harry L. Waldman and Judith A. Waldman.

STATEMENT OF THE FACTS AND CASE

{¶2} This appeal arises out of a slip and fall injury sustained by Appellant

Harold Au. The relevant facts are as follows:

{¶3} Appellees Harold and Judith Waldman own two neighboring rental

properties in Mansfield, Ohio. Their property consists of two houses which have

multiple efficiency apartments. These houses are located at 224 and 226 W. Third

Street. In 2008, Appellant Harold Au rented one of the units, Apartment #1 at the 226

W. Third Street house. The two rental houses are situated on the property such that the

stairs outside the back door of each descend to a shared concrete slab which is

approximately 10’ x 12’.

{¶4} Approximately four to six weeks before the accident, Appellee laid a

plywood board over a drain located near the middle of the slab. (Waldman Dep. at 30).

He reasoned that his tenants could walk over the board, thus avoiding water from rain

or snow that might collect around the drain in inclement weather. (Id. at 31). According

to Appellee, he placed the board such that one could descend either set of steps

without stepping on it. Id.
Richland County, Case No. 2010 CA 00112 3

{¶5} Significant snowfall accumulated between March 7th and March 8th,

followed by temperatures above freezing on March 9th. 1

{¶6} On the morning of March 9th, Appellant shoveled a path between the

house. He then later attended a fish fry at his friend Ray Brasseur’s apartment, which

was located at apartment #4 of the 224 address. (Au Depo. at 27). As stated above, the

concrete slab joined these residences, and one could walk across the slab to get from

one building to another. Appellant stated that as he made his way from his residence to

that of Mr. Brasseur, the temperature was above freezing. Id. at 50. He further stated

that he walked across the board to get to the steps behind Mr. Brasseur’s residence and

that when he did so, the board “squished water” and shifted position such that it was at

more of a diagonal and closer to Mr. Brasseur’s steps. Id

{¶7} Appellant recalled that he stayed at the fish fry for approximately forty-five

minutes and then left to go back to his apartment. Id. at 43. He stated the pooled water

had now frozen on the slab and the board had become frozen to the slab in its new

position. Id. at 51, 53.

{¶8} Appellant recounted that he used the handrail as he descended the steps

from Mr. Brasseur’s apartment, and when he reached the bottom he stepped with his

left foot onto the slab and his foot slipped and became wedged under the board. Id. at

55-56. He states that the heel of his left foot then came down against the back of the

stair step causing him to lose his balance and fall, with his left foot still wedged under

1
Appellee recalled that a total of 17 inches of snow had fallen from Friday into Saturday
evening. (Waldman Depo. at 15-16). Appellant confirmed that the storm left a “pretty
good pile of snow.” (Au Dep. at pp. 45 & 58).
Richland County, Case No. 2010 CA 00112 4

the board. Id. at 56. As a result, Appellant incurred a bi-malleolar fracture to his left

ankle, requiring surgery and causing Appellant to lose fourteen weeks of work.

{¶9} According to Appellant, it had not snowed again between the time he

shoveled the slab and the time he slipped and fell, so that none of the water, snow or

ice on the slab at the time of injury was the direct result of new snow that had fallen. Id.

at 45.

{¶10} On September 8, 2009, Appellant filed an action in the Richland County

Court of Common Pleas against Appellees Harry and Judith Waldman, the owners of

the property.

{¶11} On July 8, 2010, Appellees filed a Motion for Summary Judgment.

{¶12} By Judgment Entry filed August 25, 2010, the trial court granted

Appellee’s motion, finding that Appellant’s injuries were caused by the natural

accumulation of ice and snow; that Appellee did not have notice of the condition; that

the condition was open and obvious; and, that the Landlord-Tenant act was inapplicable

under these circumstances

{¶13} Appellant now appeals, raising the following assignments of error:

ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR

{¶14} “I. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN GRANTING SUMMARY JUDGMENT

ON THE BASIS THAT APPELLEE WALDMAN WAS NOT LIABLE UNDER THE

LANDLORD-TENANT ACT.

{¶15} “II. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN GRANTING SUMMARY JUDGMENT

ON THE BASIS THAT APPELLEE WALDMAN WAS NOT LIABLE UNDER COMMON-

LAW NEGLIGENCE.”
Richland County, Case No. 2010 CA 00112 5

{¶16} In each of Appellant’s assignments of error he argues that the trial court

erred in granting summary judgment in favor of Appellees.

Summary Judgment Standard

{¶17} Civ.R. 56 states in pertinent part:

{¶18} “Summary judgment shall be rendered forthwith if the pleadings,

depositions, answers to interrogatories, written admissions, affidavits, transcripts of

evidence, and written stipulations of fact, if any, timely filed in the action, show that

there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to

judgment as a matter of law. No evidence or stipulation may be considered except as

stated in this rule. A summary judgment shall not be rendered unless it appears from

the evidence or stipulation, and only from the evidence or stipulation, that reasonable

minds can come to but one conclusion and that conclusion is adverse to the party

against whom the motion for summary judgment is made, that party being entitled to

have the evidence or stipulation construed most strongly in the party's favor. A summary

judgment, interlocutory in character, may be rendered on the issue of liability alone

although there is a genuine issue as to the amount of damages.”

{¶19} A trial court should not enter a summary judgment if it appears a material

fact is genuinely disputed, nor if, construing the allegations most favorably towards the

non-moving party, reasonable minds could draw different conclusions from the

undisputed facts, Houndshell v. American States Insurance Company (1981), 67 Ohio

St.2d 427, 424 N.E.2d 311. The court may not resolve ambiguities in the evidence

presented, Inland Refuse Transfer Company v. Browning-Ferris Industries of Ohio, Inc.

(1984), 15 Ohio St.3d 321, 474 N.E.2d 271. A fact is material if it affects the outcome of
Richland County, Case No. 2010 CA 00112 6

the case under the applicable substantive law, Russell v. Interim Personnel, Inc. (1999),

135 Ohio App.3d 301, 733 N.E.2d 1186.

{¶20} When reviewing a trial court's decision to grant summary judgment, an

appellate court applies the same standard used by the trial court, Smiddy v. The

Wedding Party, Inc. (1987), 30 Ohio St.3d 35, 506 N.E.2d 212. This means we review

the matter de novo, Doe v. Shaffer, 90 Ohio St.3d 388, 738 N.E.2d 1243, 2000-Ohio-

186.

{¶21} In the case sub judice, Appellant-tenant sought to establish negligence

claims against Appellees-landlords under (1) R.C. 5321 et seq., commonly referred to

as the Landlord-Tenant Act or (2) common law premises liability.

I.

{¶22} In his first assignment of error, Appellant asserts the trial court erred in

granting summary judgment in favor of Appellees and in finding that Appellees were not

liable under the Landlord-Tenant Act. We disagree.

{¶23} R.C. §5321 et seq. governs the obligations of a landlord and provides, in

pertinent part:

{¶24} “(A) A landlord who is a party to a rental agreement shall do all of the

following:

{¶25} “(1) Comply with the requirements of all applicable building, housing,

health, and safety codes that materially affect health and safety;

{¶26} “(2) Make all repairs and do whatever is reasonably necessary to put and

keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition;
Richland County, Case No. 2010 CA 00112 7

{¶27} “(3) Keep all common areas of the premises in a safe and sanitary

condition[.]

{¶28} The Supreme Court of Ohio has held that “a landlord's violation of the

duties imposed by R.C. 5321.04(A)(1) or 5321.04(A)(2) constitutes negligence per se.”

Robinson v. Bates, 112 Ohio St.3d 17, 857 N.E.2d 1195, 2006-Ohio-6362, ¶ 23, citing

Sikora v. Wenzel, 88 Ohio St.3d 493, 727 N.E.2d 1277, 2000-Ohio-406.

{¶29} In Shroades v. Rental Homes, Inc., (1981), 68 Ohio St.2d 20, the Ohio

Supreme Court held,

{¶30} “In light of the public policy and drastic changes made by the statutory

scheme of R.C. Chapter 5321, we hold that a landlord is liable for injuries, sustained on

the demised residential premises, which are proximately caused by the landlord's failure

to fulfill the duties imposed by R.C. 5321.04. ***

{¶31} “R.C. 5321.04 imposes duties on the landlord to make repairs and do

whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition.

Furthermore, the purpose of the statute is to protect persons using rented residential

premises from injuries. A violation of a statute which sets forth specific duties

constitutes negligence per se. Schell v. DuBois (1916), 94 Ohio St. 93, 113 N.E. 664;

Patton v. Pennsylvania R. R. Co. (1939), 136 Ohio St. 159, 24 N.E.2d 597; Grieser v.

Huntington Natl. Bank (1964), 176 Ohio St. 291, 199 N.E.2d 556. However, in addition

to negligence per se, proximate cause for the injuries sustained must be established.

Schell and Patton, supra. It must also be shown that the landlord received notice of the

defective condition of the rental premises, that the landlord knew of the defect, or that

the tenant had made reasonable, but unsuccessful, attempts to notify the landlord.
Richland County, Case No. 2010 CA 00112 8

{¶32} With regard to snow and ice, the general rule in Ohio is that landlords are

not liable for failing to clear naturally accumulated ice and snow from common areas on

leased property because the dangers from natural accumulations of ice and snow are

ordinarily so obvious and apparent that a landlord may reasonably expect that a tenant

will act to protect himself against them. DeAmiches v. Popczun (1973), 35 Ohio St.2d

180, 299 N.E.2d 265. The Ohio Supreme Court has held that the law “does not impose

a duty on landlords to keep common areas of the leased premises clear of natural

accumulations of ice and snow.” LaCourse v. Fleitz (1986), 28 Ohio St.3d 209, 212, 503

N.E.2d 159.

{¶33} A landlord does have a duty, however, “to refrain from creating or allowing

the creation of an unnatural accumulation of ice or snow, if that accumulation results in

a condition that is substantially more dangerous than would have resulted naturally.”

Saunders v. Greenwood Colony, Union App. No. 14-2000-40, 2001-Ohio-2099, citing

Myers v. Forest City Ent., Inc. (1993), 92 Ohio App.3d 351, 353-354, 635 N.E.2d 1268;

Mitchell v. Parkridge Apts., Ltd., Cuyahoga App. No. 81046, 2002-Ohio-5357, ¶ 13.

{¶34} An unnatural accumulation of snow and ice refers to “causes and factors

other than the inclement weather conditions of low temperature, strong winds and

drifting snow.” Walters, 2002-Ohio-3730 at ¶ 15. In other words, an unnatural

accumulation is “man-made,” and created by a person doing something that would

cause ice and snow to accumulate in an unexpected place or way. Id., quoting Porter v.

Miller (1983) 13 Ohio App.3d 93, 95, 468 N.E.2d 134; Lawrence v. Jiffy Print, Inc.,

Trumball App. No. 2004-T-0065, 2005-Ohio-4043, ¶ 14.
Richland County, Case No. 2010 CA 00112 9

{¶35} Therefore, to prevail in a personal injury case involving slipping on snow

or ice, a plaintiff “must produce evidence that * * * the appellees were actively negligent

in permitting or creating an unnatural accumulation of ice and snow.” Mubarak v. Giant

Eagle, Inc., Cuyahoga App. No. 84179, 2004-Ohio-6011 (emphasis omitted). See, also,

Porter v. Miller (1983), 13 Ohio App.3d 93, 95, 468 N.E.2d 134 (holding that an

“unnatural” accumulation of ice and snow refers to accumulation made by man, rather

than mother nature).

{¶36} However, even when a plaintiff's resulting slip and fall was due to

unnatural accumulations of snow and ice, numerous appellate districts have found the

open and obvious doctrine applicable, thus absolving the duty of care on the part of the

landowner. Mounts v. Ravotti, Mahoning App. No. 07 MA 182, 2008-Ohio-5045, ¶ 53;

see, e.g., Whitehouse v. Customer is Everything!, Ltd., Lake App. No. 2007-L-069,

2007-Ohio-6936, ¶ 72; Prexta v. BW-3, Akron, Inc., Summit App. No. 23314, 2006-

Ohio-6969, ¶ 13; Scholz v. Revco Discount Drug Ctr., Inc., Montgomery App. No.

20825, 2005-Ohio-5916, ¶ 17-19; Couture v. Oak Hill Rentals, Ltd., Ottawa App. No.

OT-03-048, 2004-Ohio-5237, ¶ 16; Bevins v. Arledge, Pickaway App. No. 03CA19,

2003-Ohio-7297, ¶ 18-20.

{¶37} However, it has also been held that “[w]here a danger is open and

obvious, a landowner owes no duty of care to individuals lawfully on the premises.”

Armstrong v. Best Buy Co., Inc., 99 Ohio St.3d 79, 788 N.E.2d 1088, 2003-Ohio-2573.

The open and obvious doctrine, which is based on a common-law duty to warn invitees

of latent or hidden dangers, applies to common law premises liability even when it
Richland County, Case No. 2010 CA 00112 10

involves claims against a landlord. Robinson v. Bates, 112 Ohio St.3d 17, 857 N.E.2d

1195, 2006-Ohio-6362, ¶ 25.

{¶38} A hazard is open and obvious when it is in plain view and readily

discoverable upon ordinary inspection. Mohn v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., 3d Dist. No. 6-08-

12, 2008-Ohio-6184, ¶ 14, citing Parsons v. Lawson Co. (1989), 57 Ohio App.3d 49, 51,

566 N.E.2d 698. Further, a “ ‘plaintiff's failure to avoid a known peril is not excused by

the fact that he ‘did not think,’ or ‘forgot’.” Raflo v. Losantiville Country Club (1973), 34

Ohio St.2d 1, 3, 295 N.E.2d 202.

{¶39} Therefore, in the instant case, if the danger resulting from the shifted

board was open and obvious, the landlords owed no duty of care to the tenant,

Appellant.

{¶40} After reviewing the record, the evidence presented indicates that Appellant

has not established Appellees had actual or constructive notice of the fact that the

board had shifted and had re-frozen in a different position nor has Appellant established

that he made any attempt to notify Appellees of this alleged defective condition.

{¶41} Further, we find that condition created by the shifted board was open and

obvious. It is undisputed that Appellant knew that the board had shifted away from the

drain and was now in a different position, that he had in fact been the one that caused

the board to move when he walked over it less than hour before he fell and that the

board was in no way hidden from his view. As a result, because the shifted position of

the board was open and obvious, we find that Appellees owed no duty of care to

Appellant.
Richland County, Case No. 2010 CA 00112 11

{¶42} Accordingly, the trial court did not err in finding no genuine issue of

material fact remains and in granting summary judgment on this issue.

{¶43} The first assignment of error is overruled.

II.

{¶44} In the second assignment of error, Appellant asserts the trial court erred in

granting summary judgment in favor of Appellees on the issue of common law

negligence. We disagree.

{¶45} A common-law negligence claim requires a showing of (1) a duty owed;

(2) a breach of that duty; and (3) an injury proximately caused by the breach. Wallace v.

Ohio Dept. of Commerce, 96 Ohio St.3d 266, 773 N.E.2d 1018, 2002-Ohio-4210, ¶ 22.

“The existence of a duty is fundamental to establishing actionable negligence, without

which there is no legal liability.” Adelman v. Timman (1997), 117 Ohio App.3d 544, 549,

690 N.E.2d 1332. Determination of whether a duty exists is a question of law for the

court to decide, and therefore, is a suitable basis for summary judgment. Mussivand v.

David (1989), 45 Ohio St.3d 314, 318, 544 N.E.2d 265; Galinari v. Koop, Clermont App.

No. CA2006-10-086, 2007-Ohio-4540, ¶ 10, 13.

{¶46} As stated above “[w]here a danger is open and obvious, a landowner

owes no duty of care to individuals lawfully on the premises.” Armstrong v. Best Buy

Co., Inc., 99 Ohio St.3d 79, 788 N.E.2d 1088, 2003-Ohio-2573, syllabus. In determining

whether a condition is open and obvious, “the determinative question is whether the

condition is discoverable or discernible by one who is acting with ordinary care under

the circumstances.” Galinari at ¶ 13, citing Earnsberger v. Griffiths Park Swim Club,

Summit App. No. 20882, 2002-Ohio-3739, ¶ 14. The open and obvious doctrine, which
Richland County, Case No. 2010 CA 00112 12

is based on a common-law duty to warn invitees of latent or hidden dangers, applies to

common-law premises liability even when it involves claims against a landlord. Burress,

2009-Ohio-2450 at ¶ 14; Mounts, 2008-Ohio-5045 at ¶ 50, citing Robinson, 2006-Ohio-

6362 at ¶ 25,

{¶47} As Appellant had knowledge of the open and obvious condition and

Appellee had no knowledge of the newly created condition, we find Appellee owed no

duty to Appellant.

{¶48} Appellant’s second assignment of error is overruled.

{¶49} For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the Court of Common Pleas of

Richland County, Ohio, is affirmed.

By: Wise, J.

Farmer, J., concurs.

Hoffman, P. J., concurs in part and dissents in part.

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

JUDGES
JWW/d 0425
Richland County, Case No. 2010 CA 00112 13

Hoffman, P.J., concurring in part and dissenting in part

{¶50} I concur in the majority’s disposition of Appellant’s second assignment of

error.

{¶51} I respectfully dissent from the majority’s disposition of Appellant’s first

assignment of error.

{¶52} Appellee admitted the drain was insufficient to handle the amount of water

directed to it. Appellee admitted rain, not just snow, was sufficient to cause the drain to

back up. Appellant had complained to Appellee about the drain prior to his injury and

Appellee admitted it was a recurrent issue when there was heavy rain. Pooled water on

the plywood board froze during Appellant’s visit to the Brasseur’s residence.

{¶53} I believe reasonable minds could differ when construing this evidence

most favorably to Appellant as to whether Appellee failed to keep all common areas of

the premises in a safe condition as required by the Landlord-Tenant Act. Whether

Appellant’s make-shift attempt to resolve the problem by placing the plywood board

over the insufficient drain water was sufficient to render the premise safe should be left

for the trier-of-fact to decide.

________________________________

HON. WILLIAM B. HOFFMAN
Richland County, Case No. 2010 CA 112 14

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR RICHLAND COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

HAROLD L. AU :
:
Plaintiff-Appellant :
:
-vs- : JUDGMENT ENTRY
:
HARRY L. WALDMAN, et al. :
:
Defendants-Appellees : Case No. 2010 CA 112

For the reasons stated in our accompanying Memorandum-Opinion, the

judgment of the Court of Common Pleas of Richland County, Ohio, is affirmed.

Costs assessed to Appellant.

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________

JUDGES