[Cite as Can-Do Promotions, Inc. v. Hammer, 2011-Ohio-3808.]
COURT OF APPEALS STARK COUNTY, OHIO FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
: JUDGES: CAN-DO PROMOTIONS, INC. : William B. Hoffman, P.J. : John W. Wise, J. Plaintiff-Appellant : Julie A. Edwards, J. : -vs- : Case No. 2010CA00178 : : MICHELLE HAMMER, et al., : OPINION
Defendants-Appellees
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Civil Appeal from Stark County Court of Common Pleas Case No. 2008-CV-03436
JUDGMENT: Dismissed
DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: July 25, 2011
APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellant For Defendants-Appellees
RICHARD D. REINBOLD, JR. SCOTT M. ZURAKOWSKI, ESQ. The Carnegie Building Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & 236 third Street, S.W. Dougherty Co., LPA Canton, Ohio 44702 4775 Munson Street, N.W. Canton, Ohio 44718 JAMES T. ROBERTSON WILLIAM S. PIDCOCK 236 third Street, S.W. Canton, Ohio 44702 [Cite as Can-Do Promotions, Inc. v. Hammer, 2011-Ohio-3808.]
Edwards, J.
{¶1} Appellant, Can-Do Promotions, Inc., appeals a judgment of the Stark
County Common Pleas Court entering judgment in accordance with a jury verdict as to
appellee General Commercial Corporation (GCC) and ordering a new trial on the issue
of damages only against appellee Michelle Hammer on the issues of breach of loyalty
and bad faith.
STATEMENT OF FACTS AND CASE
{¶2} Appellant and appellee GCC are in the promotional products and
advertising business. Appellee Hammer was employed by appellant from 1994,
beginning as a secretary and eventually becoming a salesperson. Prior to resigning her
employment with appellant, Hammer copied electronic files from her laptop to a flash
drive, forwarded emails from her work account to a private account and kept the
salesperson’s copy of various purchase orders. Hammer was offered employment by
GCC on November 12, 2007, and agreed to terms of an employment relationship with
GCC in June, 2008.
{¶3} Appellant filed the instant action in August, 2008. The case proceeded to
jury trial on April 19, 2010 on a claim of misappropriation of trade secrets against both
GCC and Hammer, and claims of breach of loyalty and bad faith against Hammer.
{¶4} The jury returned a general verdict form in favor of appellant against
Hammer, awarding $50,000 as compensatory damages for bad faith, $50,000.00 as
compensatory damages for breach of loyalty, and $0 for misappropriation of trade
secrets. The jury awarded appellant lost profits in the amount of $33,109, for a total
verdict of $133,109.00 against Hammer. The court sent the jury back to reconsider its Stark County App. Case No. 2010CA00178 3
findings on bad faith and breach of loyalty. The jury returned with an award of
$13,109.00 for bad faith, $20,000.00 for breach of loyalty, and marked an “X” for
misappropriation of trade secrets. The jury awarded $100,000.00 for lost profits and
entered $100,000.00 as the total damages awarded.
{¶5} The jury entered a general verdict in favor of GCC, entering $0 for the
amount of compensatory damages to be awarded against GCC.
{¶6} After discussions concerning issues of inconsistencies between the
verdicts and the jury interrogatories, the court set a date for the parties to address the
verdict and its inconsistencies. The court encouraged the parties to settle the matter
and suggested a figure to resolve the case. However, the parties did not reach an
agreement and the court entered judgment on June 18, 2010, which provides in
pertinent part:
{¶7} “Here, with regard to Michelle Hammer, the interrogatories are
inconsistent with the general verdict. The intent of the jury as to liability is clear from the
answers to the interrogatories. In reviewing Jury Interrogatory No. 1, it is clear that the
jury did not find that Michelle Hammer misappropriated a trade secret. In reviewing Jury
Interrogatory No. 5 and Jury Interrogatory No. 6 that the jury did find Ms. Hammer
breached a duty of loyalty and acted in bad faith (sic). What is less clear, however, is
the jury’s award of compensatory damages. Accordingly, given the inconsistency, the
Court orders a new trial on the issue of damages for breach of duty of loyalty and bad
faith against Michelle Hammer only.
{¶8} “With regard to Defendant GCC, it is clear from the answers to
interrogatories and the general verdict that the jury found no liability on the part of GCC. Stark County App. Case No. 2010CA00178 4
Even if the Court were to find the verdict form to be inconsistent with the interrogatories
as argued by Plaintiff, the Court, pursuant to Civil Rule 49, may enter judgment
consistent with the answers to the interrogatories. Thus, the court hereby enters
judgment in favor of GCC.
{¶9} “Likewise, the Court directs the verdict on the issue of punitive damages.
{¶10} “The Court hereby ORDERS a new trial as to what compensatory
damages Plaintiff is entitled to against Defendant Michelle Hammer as to Plaintiff’s
claims for Breach of Duty of Loyalty and Bad Faith.
{¶11} “The Court hereby schedules a pretrial for June 29, 2010 at 10:30 a.m.”
{¶12} Appellant assigns four errors to this judgment:
{¶13} “I. THE JURY VERDICTS FINDING THAT CAN-DO WAS ENTITLED TO
ZERO DAMAGES FROM MICHELLE HAMMER AND GCC ON CAN-DO’S CLAIM OF
MISAPPROPRIATION OF TRADE SECRETS, WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY ENTERING
GENERAL VERDICTS IN FAVOR OF CAN-DO AND AGAINST BOTH MICHELLE
HAMMER AND GCC WITH RESPECT TO THAT SAME TRADE SECRET
MISAPPROPRIATION CLAIM, IS AGAINST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE
EVIDENCE.
{¶14} “II. THE JURY VERDICTS, ENTERING A GENERAL VERDICT FOR
CAN-DO AND AGAINST GCC, AND SIMULTANEOUSLY FOR GCC AND AGAINST
CAN-DO, ARE INCONSISTENT AND IRRECONCILABLE AND IT WAS ERROR FOR
THE TRIAL COURT TO ENTER JUDGMENT ON SUCH VERDICTS.
{¶15} “III. TO THE EXTENT THAT THE INCONSISTENT AND
IRRECONCILABLE VERDICTS SUPPORT A FINDING THAT CAN-DO FAILED TO Stark County App. Case No. 2010CA00178 5
ESTABLISH MISAPPROPRIATION OF TRADE SECRETS BY THE DEFENDANTS,
SUCH VERDICTS ARE AGAINST THE MAINFEST [SIC] WEIGHT OF THE
{¶16} “IV. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN REFUSING TO PERMIT CAN-DO TO
INTRODUCE EVIDENCE THAT GCC WAS PAYING THE ATTORNEY’S FEES FOR
ITS CO-DEFENDANT MICHELLE HAMMER.”
{¶17} We first address the issue of whether the order appealed from is a final,
appealable order.
{¶18} When determining whether a judgment or order is final and appealable, an
appellate court engages in a two-step analysis. First, we must determine if the order is
final within the requirements of R.C. 2505.02. Second, if the order satisfies the
requirements of R.C. 2505.02, we must determine whether Civ.R. 54(B) applies and, if
so, whether the order contains a certification that there is no just reason for delay. Gen.
Acc. Ins. Co. v. Ins. Co. of N. Am. (1989), 44 Ohio St.3d 17, 21, 540 N.E.2d 266.
{¶19} To constitute a final order, an order must fit into one of the categories in
R.C. 2505.02(B), which provides in pertinent part:
{¶20} “(B) An order is a final order that may be reviewed, affirmed, modified, or
reversed, with or without retrial, when it is one of the following:
{¶21} “(1) An order that affects a substantial right in an action that in effect
determines the action and prevents a judgment;”
{¶22} Civ. R.
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[Cite as Can-Do Promotions, Inc. v. Hammer, 2011-Ohio-3808.]
COURT OF APPEALS STARK COUNTY, OHIO FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
: JUDGES: CAN-DO PROMOTIONS, INC. : William B. Hoffman, P.J. : John W. Wise, J. Plaintiff-Appellant : Julie A. Edwards, J. : -vs- : Case No. 2010CA00178 : : MICHELLE HAMMER, et al., : OPINION
Defendants-Appellees
CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING: Civil Appeal from Stark County Court of Common Pleas Case No. 2008-CV-03436
JUDGMENT: Dismissed
DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY: July 25, 2011
APPEARANCES:
For Plaintiff-Appellant For Defendants-Appellees
RICHARD D. REINBOLD, JR. SCOTT M. ZURAKOWSKI, ESQ. The Carnegie Building Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & 236 third Street, S.W. Dougherty Co., LPA Canton, Ohio 44702 4775 Munson Street, N.W. Canton, Ohio 44718 JAMES T. ROBERTSON WILLIAM S. PIDCOCK 236 third Street, S.W. Canton, Ohio 44702 [Cite as Can-Do Promotions, Inc. v. Hammer, 2011-Ohio-3808.]
Edwards, J.
{¶1} Appellant, Can-Do Promotions, Inc., appeals a judgment of the Stark
County Common Pleas Court entering judgment in accordance with a jury verdict as to
appellee General Commercial Corporation (GCC) and ordering a new trial on the issue
of damages only against appellee Michelle Hammer on the issues of breach of loyalty
and bad faith.
STATEMENT OF FACTS AND CASE
{¶2} Appellant and appellee GCC are in the promotional products and
advertising business. Appellee Hammer was employed by appellant from 1994,
beginning as a secretary and eventually becoming a salesperson. Prior to resigning her
employment with appellant, Hammer copied electronic files from her laptop to a flash
drive, forwarded emails from her work account to a private account and kept the
salesperson’s copy of various purchase orders. Hammer was offered employment by
GCC on November 12, 2007, and agreed to terms of an employment relationship with
GCC in June, 2008.
{¶3} Appellant filed the instant action in August, 2008. The case proceeded to
jury trial on April 19, 2010 on a claim of misappropriation of trade secrets against both
GCC and Hammer, and claims of breach of loyalty and bad faith against Hammer.
{¶4} The jury returned a general verdict form in favor of appellant against
Hammer, awarding $50,000 as compensatory damages for bad faith, $50,000.00 as
compensatory damages for breach of loyalty, and $0 for misappropriation of trade
secrets. The jury awarded appellant lost profits in the amount of $33,109, for a total
verdict of $133,109.00 against Hammer. The court sent the jury back to reconsider its Stark County App. Case No. 2010CA00178 3
findings on bad faith and breach of loyalty. The jury returned with an award of
$13,109.00 for bad faith, $20,000.00 for breach of loyalty, and marked an “X” for
misappropriation of trade secrets. The jury awarded $100,000.00 for lost profits and
entered $100,000.00 as the total damages awarded.
{¶5} The jury entered a general verdict in favor of GCC, entering $0 for the
amount of compensatory damages to be awarded against GCC.
{¶6} After discussions concerning issues of inconsistencies between the
verdicts and the jury interrogatories, the court set a date for the parties to address the
verdict and its inconsistencies. The court encouraged the parties to settle the matter
and suggested a figure to resolve the case. However, the parties did not reach an
agreement and the court entered judgment on June 18, 2010, which provides in
pertinent part:
{¶7} “Here, with regard to Michelle Hammer, the interrogatories are
inconsistent with the general verdict. The intent of the jury as to liability is clear from the
answers to the interrogatories. In reviewing Jury Interrogatory No. 1, it is clear that the
jury did not find that Michelle Hammer misappropriated a trade secret. In reviewing Jury
Interrogatory No. 5 and Jury Interrogatory No. 6 that the jury did find Ms. Hammer
breached a duty of loyalty and acted in bad faith (sic). What is less clear, however, is
the jury’s award of compensatory damages. Accordingly, given the inconsistency, the
Court orders a new trial on the issue of damages for breach of duty of loyalty and bad
faith against Michelle Hammer only.
{¶8} “With regard to Defendant GCC, it is clear from the answers to
interrogatories and the general verdict that the jury found no liability on the part of GCC. Stark County App. Case No. 2010CA00178 4
Even if the Court were to find the verdict form to be inconsistent with the interrogatories
as argued by Plaintiff, the Court, pursuant to Civil Rule 49, may enter judgment
consistent with the answers to the interrogatories. Thus, the court hereby enters
judgment in favor of GCC.
{¶9} “Likewise, the Court directs the verdict on the issue of punitive damages.
{¶10} “The Court hereby ORDERS a new trial as to what compensatory
damages Plaintiff is entitled to against Defendant Michelle Hammer as to Plaintiff’s
claims for Breach of Duty of Loyalty and Bad Faith.
{¶11} “The Court hereby schedules a pretrial for June 29, 2010 at 10:30 a.m.”
{¶12} Appellant assigns four errors to this judgment:
{¶13} “I. THE JURY VERDICTS FINDING THAT CAN-DO WAS ENTITLED TO
ZERO DAMAGES FROM MICHELLE HAMMER AND GCC ON CAN-DO’S CLAIM OF
MISAPPROPRIATION OF TRADE SECRETS, WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY ENTERING
GENERAL VERDICTS IN FAVOR OF CAN-DO AND AGAINST BOTH MICHELLE
HAMMER AND GCC WITH RESPECT TO THAT SAME TRADE SECRET
MISAPPROPRIATION CLAIM, IS AGAINST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE
EVIDENCE.
{¶14} “II. THE JURY VERDICTS, ENTERING A GENERAL VERDICT FOR
CAN-DO AND AGAINST GCC, AND SIMULTANEOUSLY FOR GCC AND AGAINST
CAN-DO, ARE INCONSISTENT AND IRRECONCILABLE AND IT WAS ERROR FOR
THE TRIAL COURT TO ENTER JUDGMENT ON SUCH VERDICTS.
{¶15} “III. TO THE EXTENT THAT THE INCONSISTENT AND
IRRECONCILABLE VERDICTS SUPPORT A FINDING THAT CAN-DO FAILED TO Stark County App. Case No. 2010CA00178 5
ESTABLISH MISAPPROPRIATION OF TRADE SECRETS BY THE DEFENDANTS,
SUCH VERDICTS ARE AGAINST THE MAINFEST [SIC] WEIGHT OF THE
{¶16} “IV. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN REFUSING TO PERMIT CAN-DO TO
INTRODUCE EVIDENCE THAT GCC WAS PAYING THE ATTORNEY’S FEES FOR
ITS CO-DEFENDANT MICHELLE HAMMER.”
{¶17} We first address the issue of whether the order appealed from is a final,
appealable order.
{¶18} When determining whether a judgment or order is final and appealable, an
appellate court engages in a two-step analysis. First, we must determine if the order is
final within the requirements of R.C. 2505.02. Second, if the order satisfies the
requirements of R.C. 2505.02, we must determine whether Civ.R. 54(B) applies and, if
so, whether the order contains a certification that there is no just reason for delay. Gen.
Acc. Ins. Co. v. Ins. Co. of N. Am. (1989), 44 Ohio St.3d 17, 21, 540 N.E.2d 266.
{¶19} To constitute a final order, an order must fit into one of the categories in
R.C. 2505.02(B), which provides in pertinent part:
{¶20} “(B) An order is a final order that may be reviewed, affirmed, modified, or
reversed, with or without retrial, when it is one of the following:
{¶21} “(1) An order that affects a substantial right in an action that in effect
determines the action and prevents a judgment;”
{¶22} Civ. R. 54(B) provides for entry of a final order when the claims of all
parties have not been adjudicated upon a finding of no just cause for delay: Stark County App. Case No. 2010CA00178 6
{¶23} “(B) Judgment upon multiple claims or involving multiple parties.
When more than one claim for relief is presented in an action whether as a claim,
counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party claim, and whether arising out of the same or
separate transactions, or when multiple parties are involved, the court may enter final
judgment as to one or more but fewer than all of the claims or parties only upon an
express determination that there is no just reason for delay. In the absence of a
determination that there is no just reason for delay, any order or other form of decision,
however designated, which adjudicates fewer than all the claims or the rights and
liabilities of fewer than all the parties, shall not terminate the action as to any of the
claims or parties, and the order or other form of decision is subject to revision at any
time before the entry of judgment adjudicating all the claims and the rights and liabilities
of all the parties.”
{¶24} Although this Court regularly addresses issues concerning Civ. R. 54(B) in
a summary judgment context, Civ. R. 58 specifically makes the entry of a jury verdict
subject to Civ. R. 54(B):
{¶25} “(A) Preparation; entry; effect. Subject to the provisions of Rule 54(B),
upon a general verdict of a jury, upon a decision announced, or upon the determination
of a periodic payment plan, the court shall promptly cause the judgment to be prepared
and, the court having signed it, the clerk shall thereupon enter it upon the journal. A
judgment is effective only when entered by the clerk upon the journal.”
{¶26} In the instant case, the court entered judgment in favor of GCC based on
the jury’s verdict, but did not include Civ. R. 54(B) language. Although the judge did not
order a new trial on the issue of misappropriation of trade secrets against Hammer, the Stark County App. Case No. 2010CA00178 7
court did not enter judgment consistent with the jury’s verdict. Further, the court
ordered a new trial on the issue of compensatory damages for breach of loyalty and bad
faith against Hammer. Appellant has raised assignments of error as to the claims of
misappropriation of trade secrets against both Hammer and GCC. Because the court
has yet to enter judgment on the jury verdict concerning Hammer’s misappropriation of
trade secrets and claims remain pending in the trial court against Hammer, judgment is
not final against Hammer. Further, although the judgment appealed from does enter
judgment in favor of GCC, the judgment does not include the determination required by
Civ. R. 54(B) that there is no just cause for delay, and Civ. R. 58 expressly makes entry
of judgment on a jury verdict subject to the requirements of Civ. R. 54(B). See also
McKenzie v. Payne, Cuyahoga App. No. 83610, 2004-Ohio-2341 (jury verdict can
remain interlocutory where other claims remain pending). Stark County App. Case No. 2010CA00178 8
{¶27} The judgment appealed from is not a final, appealable order. The appeal
is dismissed.
By: Edwards, J.
Hoffman, P.J. and
Wise, J. concur
______________________________
JUDGES
JAE/r0601 [Cite as Can-Do Promotions, Inc. v. Hammer, 2011-Ohio-3808.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR STARK COUNTY, OHIO
FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
CAN-DO PROMOTIONS, INC. : : Plaintiff-Appellant : : : -vs- : JUDGMENT ENTRY : MICHELLE HAMMER, et al., : : Defendants-Appellees : CASE NO. 2010CA00178
For the reasons stated in our accompanying Memorandum-Opinion on file, the
appeal is dismissed. Costs assessed to appellant.
_________________________________