FILED
No. 15-0879 – Brenda Albert v. City of Wheeling November 28, 2016
RORY L. PERRY II, CLERK
SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS
OF WEST VIRGINIA
Benjamin, Justice, concurring in result:
I agree with the decision to affirm the trial court, but for reasons separate
from those set forth in Justice Loughry’s decision. I agree with my colleagues and with
Judge Cuomo crediting the complaint as having been artfully drafted. I also agree with the
circuit court that artfully pled claims do not trump facts when considering immunity issues.
After considering the nature of the petitioner’s claims, the circuit court
dismissed this matter with prejudice on the basis that both statutory and common law
immunity barred petitioner’s claims. Specifically, with respect to common law immunity,
the circuit court relied upon Wolfe v. City of Wheeling, 182 W. Va. 253, 378 S.E.2d 307
(1989), to conclude that there was no special duty owed to petitioner either pled or present,
thereby requiring dismissal. Petitioner appealed the order below only with respect to the
circuit court’s statutory immunity ruling. Petitioner did not raise the common law
immunity portion of the circuit court’s ruling in her Petition for appeal. In her Reply Brief
herein, in response to respondent’s arguments, she contends that because of the manner in
which her complaint was pled, common law immunity is not at issue. However, being an
independent basis of the circuit court’s decision below, the failure to appeal the common
law immunity portion of the circuit court’s order requires affirmation of the dismissal of
the matter below. I, therefore, concur insofar as this Court affirms the dismissal of this
matter.