Bartusch v. OREGON STATE BD.

126 P.3d 840
CourtCourt of Appeals of Washington
DecidedJanuary 24, 2006
Docket32558-6-II
StatusPublished
Cited by2 cases

This text of 126 P.3d 840 (Bartusch v. OREGON STATE BD.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Washington primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Bartusch v. OREGON STATE BD., 126 P.3d 840 (Wash. Ct. App. 2006).

Opinion

126 P.3d 840 (2006)
131 Wash.App. 298

Jenelle BARTUSCH, Respondent,
v.
OREGON STATE BOARD OF HIGHER EDUCATION; Oregon State University Corvallis, College of Veterinary Medicine; Veterinary Teaching Hospital, and John Does A Thru M, Appellants.

No. 32558-6-II.

Court of Appeals of Washington, Division 2.

January 24, 2006.

*842 Phillip M. Bender, Portland, OR, for Appellants.

G. Paul Mabrey, Attorney at Law, Gig Harbor, WA, for Respondent.

VAN DEREN, A.C.J.

¶ 1 The Oregon State Board of Higher Education, Oregon State University Corvallis, Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and the Oregon State University College of Veterinary Medicine's Veterinary Teaching Hospital, appeal the trial court's denial of their motion to dismiss Jenelle Bartusch's claims arising from injuries she alleges her horse sustained while in their care in Oregon. They argue that the Washington trial court erred in ruling that Washington has general and long arm jurisdiction. We hold that Washington does not have jurisdiction and, thus, we reverse and dismiss.

FACTS

I. SUBSTANTIVE FACTS

¶ 2 Washington veterinarian Dr. Linda Hagerman initially treated Bartusch's horse, Jet, for a leg injury it sustained in 2000. Hagerman could not completely heal Jet so, at Bartusch's request, she referred Bartusch to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (Hospital) at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon.

¶ 3 In July 2001, Bartusch sent Jet to the Hospital for treatment of a leg wound.[1] The Hospital successfully performed surgery on the leg but noticed that Jet showed signs of colic. On July 5, the Hospital diagnosed Jet with cecal impaction.[2] The next day, the Hospital performed a rectal examination, to which Bartusch consented. Subsequently, the Hospital diagnosed Jet with a rectal wall tear that required aggressive treatment and surgery.

¶ 4 Bartusch asserts that Jet, for which she paid $25,000 in 1999, decreased in value to approximately $5,000 after the Hospital's treatment. In addition, the Hospital charged Bartusch $10,032.65 for the treatment.

II. PROCEDURAL FACTS

¶ 5 On March 23, 2004, Bartusch filed multiple claims against the Hospital in Pierce County Superior Court,[3] alleging that the Hospital negligently caused the rectal tear. Specifically, she raised claims for breach of bailment, breach of contract, and veterinary negligence.

¶ 6 The Hospital moved to dismiss for lack of jurisdiction. Bartusch responded that the Hospital conducted sufficient business within the state of Washington to establish jurisdiction. She cited the Washington, Oregon, and Idaho (WOI) Cooperative Veterinary Education Program[4] as evidence of the Hospital's business presence in the Washington. Bartusch argued that the WOI program encourages students to refer patients to the Hospital in Oregon because Washington students become familiar with the Hospital through their curriculum. And since the Hospital relies heavily on referrals from Washington, she argued that the referral system constitutes a business presence in Washington.

*843 ¶ 7 The court denied the Hospital's motion to dismiss, ruling that Washington had general jurisdiction under RCW 4.28.080(10) and long-arm jurisdiction under RCW 4.28.185(1)(a). It found that the Hospital conducted substantial and continuous business in Washington, stating, "Defendant's business contacts with Washington veterinarians and horse owners are conducted pursuant to its proprietary or business function, as opposed to its governmental functions." Clerk's Papers at 129.

¶ 8 We granted discretionary review under RAP 2.3(b)(1) and (2).

ANALYSIS

I. STANDARD OF REVIEW

¶ 9 When the underlying facts are undisputed, we review de novo a trial court's order on a motion for dismissal for lack of jurisdiction. Raymond v. Robinson, 104 Wash.App. 627, 633, 15 P.3d 697 (2001). The burden of proof rests with the party attempting to assert jurisdiction. MBM Fisheries v. Bollinger Mach. Shop & Shipyard, 60 Wash.App. 414, 418, 804 P.2d 627 (1991).

II. JURISDICTION

A. General Jurisdiction

¶ 10 Under RCW 4.28.080(10), Washington courts may exert general jurisdiction over a nonresident defendant when "the defendant's actions in the state are so substantial and continuous that justice allows the exercise of jurisdiction even for claims not arising from the defendant's contacts within the state." Raymond, 104 Wash.App. at 633, 15 P.3d 697. The primary focus in determining if a Washington court can assert general jurisdiction over a nonresident defendant is whether the defendant is conducting substantial and continuous business in the state. MBM Fisheries, 60 Wash.App. at 420, 804 P.2d 627. This analysis requires us to look to the amount, kind, and continuity of activities carried out by the nonresident in Washington. MBM Fisheries, 60 Wash.App. at 420, 804 P.2d 627.

¶ 11 The Hospital argues that the trial court's assertion of general jurisdiction is erroneous because it is not a corporation, joint stock company, or association doing business in Washington. It argues that it is an educational institution, a part of the Oregon University system, which is an entity within Oregon State's executive branch. In support of its argument, the Hospital points to several Oregon statutes: ORS 351.060 (Authority of the Board of Higher Education); ORS 352.002 (OSU is under the jurisdiction of the Board of Higher Education); and ORS 352.230 (The Board of Education is authorized to enter into WOI agreements).

¶ 12 Bartusch argues that under Dorsch v. City of Tacoma, governmental agencies can be considered business entities when they operate as a proprietorship ("A government acts in a proprietary capacity when it engages in a business-like venture as opposed to acting in a governmental capacity."). 92 Wash.App. 131, 135, 960 P.2d 489 (1998) (internal citations omitted).

¶ 13 But Dorsch is inapposite here. In Dorsch, the court looked at whether the public duty doctrine barred the family of a man fatally electrocuted on city power lines from suing the city. 92 Wash.App. at 133, 960 P.2d 489.

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Bluebook (online)
126 P.3d 840, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/bartusch-v-oregon-state-bd-washctapp-2006.