[Cite as Blackburn v. New Dawn Rehab & Healthcare Ctr., 2024-Ohio-5170.]
COURT OF APPEALS TUSCARAWAS COUNTY, OHIO FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
MALISSA BLACKBURN Administrator JUDGES: of the Estate of MARGARET LUCILLE Hon. Patricia A. Delaney, P.J. ELLIOTT, DECEASED Hon. William B. Hoffman, J. Hon. Craig R. Baldwin, J Plaintiff-Appellant
-vs- Case Nos. 2024 AP 01 0002 & 2024 AP 05 0018 NEW DAWN REHAB AND HEALTHCARE CENTER, ET AL.
Defendants-Appellees OPINION
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDINGS: Appeal from the Tuscarawas County Court of Common Pleas, Case No. 2021 CT 12 0790
JUDGMENT: Affirmed in part; Reversed and Remanded in part
DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: October 28, 2024
APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellant For Defendants-Appellees
LOUIS C. SCHNEIDER, ESQ. ELISABETH D. GENTILE, ESQ. J. ERIC KISER, ESQ. ERIC M. COGLIANESE, ESQ. Thomas Law Offices, PLLC Freeman, Mathis & Gary, LLP 250 East Fifth Street, Suite 440 65 East State Street, Suite 2550 Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 Columbus, Ohio 43215 Tuscarawas County, Case Nos. 2024 AP 01 0002 & 2024 AP 05 0018 2
Hoffman, J. {¶1} In Tusc. App. No. 2024 AP 01 0002, plaintiff-appellant Malissa Blackburn,
Administrator of the Estate of Margaret Lucille Elliott, Deceased, appeals the December
19, 2023 Judgment Entry entered by the Tuscarawas County Court of Common Pleas,
which granted summary judgment in favor of defendants-appellees New Dawn Rehab
and Healthcare Center, et al. (collectively, “Appellees”). In Tusc. App. No. 2024 AP 05
0018, Appellant appeals the trial court’s April 2, 2024 Judgment Entry, which overruled
her motion for relief from judgment pursuant to Civ. R. 60.
STATEMENT OF THE FACTS AND CASE
{¶2} New Dawn Nursing, LLC (“New Dawn Nursing”), is an Ohio limited liability
company, which operates a rehabilitation and healthcare center in Dover, Tuscarawas
County, Ohio, d.b.a. New Dawn Rehab and Healthcare Center (“New Dawn”). Margaret
Lucille Elliott (“Decedent”) was admitted to New Dawn on January 8, 2018, following her
discharge from the hospital which resulted from a fall at her home. Decedent was initially
admitted to New Dawn’s rehabilitation center, but after 100 days, she was transferred to
its long-term care facility. Appellant is Decedent’s daughter.
{¶3} Decedent’s admissions records listed a number of comorbidities, including
congestive heart failure, heart disease, chronic kidney disease, Parkinson’s disease, and
diabetes. Decedent also suffered from mobility issues and bladder incontinence.
Decedent was unable to roll, reposition, and offload by herself in order to relieve pressure.
Due to Decedent’s comorbidities, any wounds she developed took longer to heal.
Decedent refused to be repositioned and rolled by New Dawn staff, and vocalized her
desire not to be moved or turned. Tuscarawas County, Case Nos. 2024 AP 01 0002 & 2024 AP 05 0018 3
{¶4} Prior to the precautions taken during the COVID-19 pandemic, Appellant
visited Decedent at least once a week, and Carolyn Ricklic, Decedent’s granddaughter,
visited multiple times a week. During her time at New Dawn, Decedent experienced some
bed sores. The sores ultimately healed through the treatment administered and the care
given by the staff at New Dawn. New Dawn advised Appellant Decedent’s refusal to lay
down to relieve pressure from her buttocks contributed to the development of the bed
sores Decedent suffered.
{¶5} On or about July 9, 2020, Decedent developed a large sacral pressure
ulcer, which quickly worsened. Staff at New Dawn Healthcare notified Appellant about
Decedent’s condition, but according to Appellant, the staff led her to believe the wound
was minor and only the size of a dime. When Appellant visited Decedent on July 16, 2020,
Decedent was unresponsive. Appellant demanded Decedent be transported to the
hospital. Decedent was treated at Union Hospital where she underwent a debridement
of the necrotic skin and subcutaneous tissue around the wound.1
{¶6} When Decedent was release from the hospital on July 23, 2020, she was
discharged to Schoenbrunn Healthcare. Decedent continued to receive treatment and
wound care at Schoenbrunn Healthcare and the wound ultimately healed. Decedent
eventually passed away from heart failure on January 11, 2021.
{¶7} On December 27, 2021, Appellant, as the Administrator of Decedent’s
estate, filed a complaint, alleging New Dawn Nursing and New Dawn were negligent in
1 Debridement is the process of removing nonviable tissue.Debridement is only necessary when a wound isn’t healing well on its own. https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/what-is-debridement Accessed. Tuscarawas County, Case Nos. 2024 AP 01 0002 & 2024 AP 05 0018 4
their care and treatment of Decedent. Appellant also asserted a claim for punitive
damages.
{¶8} On September 8, 2023, Appellees filed a motion for summary judgment.
Therein, Appellees argued the statute of limitations had expired; therefore, Appellant’s
claims were barred. Appellees further maintained there was no evidence to warrant the
imposition of punitive damages. Appellant filed a response in opposition on October 5,
2023. Appellant asserted the statute of limitations was extended by 180-days as
Appellees had been properly notified pursuant to R.C. 2305.11(B)(1). Appellees filed a
reply in support of their motion for summary judgment on October 11, 2023.
{¶9} Via Judgment Entry filed December 19, 2023, the trial court granted
summary judgment in favor of Appellees. The trial court found Appellant “failed to
properly set forth evidence for this Court to consider that the July 16, 2021 statute of
limitations was properly extended pursuant to R.C. 2305.11(B)(1) as the Plaintiff’s
Response in Opposition to Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment does not include
evidence as contemplated by Civ.R. 56(C).” Dec. 19, 2023 Judgment Entry at pp. 8-9.
Appellant filed a Notice of Appeal to this Court on January 18, 2024.
{¶10} On January 18, 2024, Appellant also filed a Civ.R. 60 motion for relief from
judgment. Therein, Appellant argued, “Although [Appellant’s] counsel did not submit a
separate affidavit attesting to the fact that the statute of limitations * * * was extended by
the sending of 180-day letters, he submitted an extensive brief attesting to the same
operative facts, signed by undersigned counsel pursuant to Civ.R. 11, and attaching
supporting documentation.” Plaintiff’s Motion for Relief from Judgment Pursuant to Rule Tuscarawas County, Case Nos. 2024 AP 01 0002 & 2024 AP 05 0018 5
60 at p.2, unpaginated. Appellees filed a response in opposition, contending Appellant
failed to show she was entitled to relief pursuant to Civ.R. 60(B)(5).
{¶11} Appellant filed a motion to remand in this Court, seeking an order to remand
the matter to the trial court for purpose of ruling on Appellant’s motion for relief from
judgment. Via Judgment Entry filed February 6, 2024, this Court granted the motion and
remanded the matter to the trial court to rule on Appellant’s pending motion on or before
March 18, 2024.
{¶12} Upon remand, the trial court conducted a hearing on Appellant’s motion for
relief from judgment. The trial court gave Appellant ten (10) days in which to submit a
post-hearing memorandum in support of her motion, and gave Appellees ten (10) days
from the filing thereof to file a response.
{¶13} Via Judgment Entry filed April 2, 2024, the trial court overruled Appellant’s
motion for relief from judgment. The trial court found Appellant failed to set forth evidence
sufficient to overcome Appellees’ motion for summary judgment as Appellant did not
follow the proper procedure for introducing evidentiary
{¶14} It is from the December 19, 2023 Judgment Entry granting summary
judgment in favor of Appellees and the April 2, 2024 Judgment Entry overruling her motion
for relief from judgment Appellant appeals, raising the following assignments of error:
I. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED WHEN IT GRANTED SUMMARY
JUDGMENT IN FAVOR OF APPELLEE.
II. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED WHEN IT HELD APPELLANT
FAILED TO SATISFY CIV.R. 56. Tuscarawas County, Case Nos. 2024 AP 01 0002 & 2024 AP 05 0018 6
III. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED WHEN IT DENIED APPELLANT’S
MOTION FOR RELIEF FROM JUDGMENT.
I, II
{¶15} In her first assignment of error, Appellant contends the trial court erred in
granting summary judgment in favor of Appellees as the trial court erroneously accepted
Appellees’ claim the state of limitations was not extended because Appellees had not
“received Appellant’s 180-day letter prior to the expiration of the statute of limitations on
July 16, 2021.” Brief of Appellant at p. 5. In her second assignment of error, Appellant
maintains the trial court erred in finding she failed to satisfy Civ.R. 56.
{¶16} Summary judgment proceedings present the appellate court with the unique
opportunity of reviewing the evidence in the same manner as the trial court. Smiddy v.
The Wedding Party, Inc., 30 Ohio St.3d 35, 36 (1987). As such, this Court reviews an
award of summary judgment de novo. Grafton v. Ohio Edison Co., 77 Ohio St.3d 102,
105 (1996).
{¶17} Civ.R. 56 provides summary judgment may be granted only after the trial
court determines: 1) no genuine issues as to any material fact remain 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 v. Wean United, Inc.,
50 Ohio St.2d 317 (1977). Tuscarawas County, Case Nos. 2024 AP 01 0002 & 2024 AP 05 0018 7
{¶18} The party moving for summary judgment bears the initial burden of
demonstrating the absence of genuine issues of material facts concerning the essential
elements of the nonmoving party's case. Dresher v. Burt, 75 Ohio St.3d 280, 292 (1996).
The moving party must support the motion by pointing to some evidence in the record of
the type listed in Civil Rule 56(C). Id. at 292-293, 662 N.E.2d 264. However, the moving
party need not support its motion for summary judgment with evidence negating his
opponent's claim, but may simply point out that there is an absence of evidence to support
the non-moving party's claim. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 325, 106 S.Ct. 2548,
91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986); see also R & R Plastics, Inc. v. F.E. Myers Co., 92 Ohio App.3d
789, 807, 637 N.E.2d 332 (6th Dist. 1993).
{¶19} If the moving party satisfies this burden, then the non-moving party has the
reciprocal burden to demonstrate a genuine issue for trial remains. Dresher at 293, . The
nonmoving party may not rest upon the mere allegations or denials in her pleadings but
must point to or submit evidence of the type specified in Civ.R. 56(C). Id.; Civ.R. 56(E).
Types of evidence specified in Civ.R. 56 (C) are “pleadings, depositions, answers to
interrogatories, written admissions, affidavits, transcripts of evidence, and written
stipulations of fact.” Civ.R. 56(C).
{¶20} The record on summary judgment must be viewed in the light most
favorable to the opposing party. Williams v. First United Church of Christ, 37 Ohio St.2d
150 (1974).
{¶21} For ease of discussion, we shall address Appellant’s second assignment of
error first. Appellant submits “the issue before the Court is whether the information
contained in Appellant’s Response in Opposition to Defendant’s Motion for Summary Tuscarawas County, Case Nos. 2024 AP 01 0002 & 2024 AP 05 0018 8
Judgment, along with the provided supporting documents, should be held to comply with
the requirements of Civ.R. 56.” Brief of Appellant at p. 8. Appellant suggests the
statements made by her attorney in the response in opposition to summary judgment,
which were based upon his personal knowledge regarding his own actions, i.e., the
mailing of the 180-day letter, satisfy the requirements of Civ.R. 56(E). Appellant adds
counsel’s signature on the pleading, which is required by Civ.R. 11, “is synonymous to a
formal affirmation that the facts set forth therein are true to the best of the attorney’s
knowledge.” Id. at p. 11.
{¶22} Civ.R. 56(C) provides: “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 * * * may be considered except as
stated in this rule.” (Emphasis added.)
{¶23} Civ.R. 56(C) contains a “limited list of material that may be considered when
ruling upon a motion for summary judgment.” (Citation omitted.) Winkle v. Co, 2016-Ohio-
6957, ¶ 34 (2nd Dist.). In her response to Appellees’ motion for summary judgment and to
demonstrate there was a genuine issue of material fact, Appellant attached a copy of the
180-day letter and a copy of the certified mail receipt. These documents, standing alone,
are not evidence specially authorized by Civ.R. 56(C). “[D]ocuments submitted in
opposition to a motion for summary judgment must be sworn, certified or authenticated
by affidavit to be considered by the trial court in determining whether a genuine issue of
material fact exists for trial.” (Citations omitted.) Heard v. Aultman Hosp., 2016-Ohio- Tuscarawas County, Case Nos. 2024 AP 01 0002 & 2024 AP 05 0018 9
1076, ¶ 28 (5th Dist.). If a party wishes to introduce evidence not specifically authorized
by Civ.R. 56(C), the proper method is to incorporate the evidence by reference into a
properly framed affidavit pursuant to Civ.R. 56(E). (Citations omitted.) Congress Lake Co.
v. Green, 2019-Ohio-3487, ¶ 17 (5th Dist.). Appellant was required incorporate the 180-
day letter and the certified mail receipt by reference in a properly framed affidavit pursuant
to Civ.R. 56(E). Appellant failed to follow this procedure. “Documents not properly
incorporated are not to be considered by the trial court in deciding a motion for summary
judgment.” Blanton v. Cuyahoga Cty. Bd. of Elections, 2002–Ohio–6044, ¶ 13 (8th Dist.),
citing Buzzard v. Pub. Emp. Retirement Sys. of Ohio, 139 Ohio App.3d 632, 636 (10th
Dist. 2000).
{¶24} To cure this failure, Appellant asks this Court to ignore the longstanding
requirements of Civ.R. 56 and find a nonmoving party complies with Civ.R. 56 when
counsel represents facts in a responsive motion which are based upon counsel’s personal
knowledge and supported by attached documents, and the motion is signed by counsel
in conformance with Civ.R. 11. We decline to do so. Civ.R. 56(C) is specific: “No
evidence * * * may be considered except as stated in this rule.” (Emphasis added.) Civ.
R. 56(C). Accordingly, we find the trial court did not err in finding Appellant failed to
present Civ.R. 56(C) quality evidence establishing the statute of limitations had been
extended.
{¶25} We now turn to Appellant’s first assignment of error in which she asserts
the trial court erred in granting summary judgment in favor of Appellees based upon a
finding the state of limitations was not extended because Appellees had not “received Tuscarawas County, Case Nos. 2024 AP 01 0002 & 2024 AP 05 0018 10
Appellant’s 180-day letter prior to the expiration of the statute of limitations on July 16,
2021.” Brief of Appellant at p. 5.
{¶26} With respect to the statute of limitations, the trial court found Appellant
“failed to properly set forth evidence for this Court to consider that the July 16, 2021
statute of limitations was properly extended pursuant to R.C. 2305.113(B)(1) as the
Plaintiff’s Response in Opposition to Defendant’s Motion for Summary Judgment does
not include evidence as contemplated by Civ.R. 56(C).” December 19, 2023 Judgment
Entry at pp. 8-9. The trial court did not base its decision on Appellees’ claim they never
received the 180-day letter. Rather, the trial court based its decision on Appellant’s failure
to put forth Civ.R. 56(C) quality evidence to rebut Appellees’ motion for summary
judgment. Without such evidence, Appellant did not meet her burden of demonstrating a
genuine issue of material fact exists. Accordingly, we find the trial court did not err in
granting summary judgment in favor of Appellees.
{¶27} Based upon the foregoing, Appellant’s first and second assignments of error
are overruled.
III
{¶28} In her third assignment of error, Appellant submits the trial court erred in
denying her motion for relief from judgment.
{¶29} “A motion for relief from judgment under Civ. R. 60(B) is addressed to the
sound discretion of the trial court, and that court's ruling will not be disturbed on appeal
absent a showing of abuse of discretion.” Griffey v. Rajan, 33 Ohio St.3d 75, 77 (1987).
{¶30} To succeed on a Civ.R. 60(B) motion for relief from judgment, the movant
must demonstrate: (1) the party has a meritorious defense or claim to present if relief is Tuscarawas County, Case Nos. 2024 AP 01 0002 & 2024 AP 05 0018 11
granted; (2) the party is entitled to relief under one of the grounds stated in Civ.R. 60(B)(1)
through (5); and (3) the motion is made within a reasonable time, and, where the grounds
of relief are Civ.R. 60(B)(1), or (3), not more than one year after the judgment, order or
proceeding was entered or taken. GTE Automatic Electric, Inc. v. ARC Industries, Inc.,
47 Ohio St.2d 146, 150 (1976). “If any of these three requirements is not met, the motion
should be overruled.” Rose Chevrolet v. Adams, 36 Ohio St.3d 17, 20 (1988).
{¶31} Civ.R. 60(B) sets forth five reasons to support relieving a party from a final
judgment:
(1) mistake, inadvertence, surprise or excusable neglect; (2) newly
discovered evidence which by due diligence could not have been
discovered in time to move for a new trial under Rule 59(B); (3) fraud
(whether heretofore denominated intrinsic or extrinsic), misrepresentation
or other misconduct of an adverse party; (4) the judgment has been
satisfied, released or discharged, or a prior judgment upon which it is based
has been reversed or otherwise vacated, or it is no longer equitable that the
judgment should have prospective application; or (5) any other reason
justifying relief from the judgment.
{¶32} As to the first prong of the GTE test, the trial court did not address whether
Appellant had a meritorious claim or whether Appellant’s claim warranted punitive
damages. Appellant’s claim against Appellees were not adjudicated on the merits in the Tuscarawas County, Case Nos. 2024 AP 01 0002 & 2024 AP 05 0018 12
summary judgment proceedings. The trial court granted summary judgment solely on the
basis the statute of limitations had expired.
{¶33} With respect to the third prong of the GTE test, Appellant’s Civ.R. 60(B)
motion was timely under the rule because it was filed within one month after the trial court
granted Appellees’ motion for summary judgment.
{¶34} We now must determine whether Appellant is entitled to relief under Civ.R.
60(B)(5).2 Appellant contends she provided documentation to the trial court
demonstrating notice pursuant to R.C. 2305.113 was timely given to Appellees. Although
Appellees dispute having received the 180-day letter, Appellant submits R.C. 2305.113,
as amended, only requires notice be given, not proof of receipt.
{¶35} R.C. 2305.113 provides, in pertinent part:
(B)(1) If prior to the expiration of the one-year period specified in
division (A) of this section, a claimant who allegedly possesses a medical,
dental, optometric, or chiropractic claim gives to the person who is the
subject of that claim written notice that the claimant is considering bringing
an action upon that claim, that action may be commenced against the
person notified at any time within one hundred eighty days after the notice
is so given.
(2) A claimant who allegedly possesses a medical claim and who
intends to give to the person who is the subject of that claim the written
notice described in division (B)(1) of this section shall give that notice by
2 In her motion for relief from judgment, Appellant asserted she was entitled to relief from judgment pursuant
to Civ.R. 60(B)(5). Tuscarawas County, Case Nos. 2024 AP 01 0002 & 2024 AP 05 0018 13
sending it by certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to any of
the following:
The person's residence;
The person's professional practice;
The person's employer;
The business address of the person on file with the state medical
board or other appropriate agency that issued the person's professional
license.
R.C. 2305.113.
{¶36} In support of her motion for relief from judgment, Appellant attached the
affidavit of her counsel, Attorney Louis C. Schneider. In his affidavit, Attorney Schneider
averred he sent the 180-day letter to Appellees by certified mail, return receipt requested,
on June 29, 2021, and was delivered on July 9, 2021. The return receipt is signed “JM
2206 C19.”
{¶37} Appellees counter the notation on the return receipt is not adequate to prove
the 180-day letter was received by Appellees. Appellees rely on the First District Court
of Appeals’ decision in CUC Properties VI, L.L.C. v. Smartlink Ventures, Inc., 2021-Ohio-
3428 (1st Dist.), in which the Court concluded a designation such as “Covid 19” or “C19”
on a certified mail return receipt signature line was insufficient to establish valid service
under Civ.R. 4.1(A). (Emphasis added.) Id. at ¶ 15.
{¶38} We find CUC Properties to be distinguishable. CUC Properties sued
Smartlink based upon breach of a lease agreement. Id. at ¶ 2. The Clerk of Courts sent Tuscarawas County, Case Nos. 2024 AP 01 0002 & 2024 AP 05 0018 14
the summons and complaint via certified mail to Smartlink's registered agent and to its
principal place of business. Id. No individual at either location ever signed for the certified
mail. Id. Rather, the mail carriers handwrote “Covid 19” and “C19” on the respective
signature lines, in contravention of the United States Postal Service guidelines put in
place for the exigent circumstances created by the Covid-19 pandemic. Id. Smartlink did
not answer the complaint and the trial court granted default judgment in favor of CUC
Properties. Id. at ¶4. The issue before the CUC Properties Court was whether a mail
carrier's “Covid 19” or “C19” marking on the certified mail receipt constituted a valid
signature under Civ.R. 4.1(A)(1)(a), thereby granting the trial court personal jurisdiction
over the defendant. Id. at ¶ 7.
{¶39} The 180-day letter at issue herein is not subject to the requirements of
Civ.R. 4.1, which outlines the methods for obtaining service of process within Ohio. The
certified return receipt indicates the 180-day notice was delivered to Appellees on July 9,
2021. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the USPS adopted a signature policy for
certified mail in which “the USPS instructed its delivery personnel to ensure that someone
was at the address to receive the letter, to ask that person for their name, and to then
leave the letter where the person could get it” and then the mail carrier would complete
the return receipt.” See, Finnell v. Eppens, 2021 WL 2280656, *2 (S.D. Ohio June 4,
2021). Accordingly, we find the indication “JM 2206 C19” was sufficient to establish notice
was not only given, but also received. Therefore, the statute of limitations was properly
extended. We note, although Appellees claim they did not receive the 180-day letter,
they did not submit an affidavit supporting this assertion. Tuscarawas County, Case Nos. 2024 AP 01 0002 & 2024 AP 05 0018 15
{¶40} Civ.R. 60(B)(5) allows the trial court to relieve a party from a final judgment
for “any other reason justifying relief from the judgment.” Civ.R. 60(B)(5) operates as a
catch-all provision and “reflects ‘the inherent power of a court to relieve a person from the
unjust operation of a judgment.’ ” (Citation omitted.) Maggiore v. Barensfeld, 5th 2012-
Ohio-2909, ¶ 35 (5th Dist.). It is reserved for “extraordinary and unusual case[s],”, and “is
not a substitute for the enumerated grounds for relief from judgment [.]” Myers v. Myers,
2005-Ohio-3800, ¶ 14 (9th Dist.). It applies only where a more specific provision of Civ.R.
60(B) does not apply. (Citation omitted.) Ogline v. Sam's Drug Mart, L.L.C., 2014-Ohio-
2355, ¶ 38 (5th Dist.).
{¶41} The evidence establishing Appellees received the 180-day letter on July 9,
2021, coupled with the fact Appellees cannot show they would be prejudiced at this early
stage of the proceedings, and in the interest of justice, recognizing courts should strive to
hear cases on their merits whenever possible, Hall v. Crystal Clinic Inc., 2018-Ohio-5314,
¶17 (9th Dist.), we find the trial court abused its discretion in denying Appellant’s motion
for relief from judgment.
{¶42} Appellant’s second assignment of error is sustained. Tuscarawas County, Case Nos. 2024 AP 01 0002 & 2024 AP 05 0018 16
{¶43} The judgment of the Tuscarawas County Court of Common Pleas is
affirmed, in part, and reversed, in part, and remanded for further proceedings consistent
with this Opinion and the law.
By: Hoffman, J. Delaney, P.J. and Baldwin, J. concur