Ferrell v. Clark

• Court: Superior Court of Maine
• Decided: July 17, 2008
• Docket: CUMcv-08-88
• Status: Unpublished

Opinion

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SUPERIOR COURT CUMBERLAND, ss. , i_: t,I,;~~ ,: ~; i(\ ~ ;i~' i~~: CIVIL ACTION DOCKET NO. CV-08-88 - CL I ,/!- -" J FELICITY FERRELL, in her capacity as Personal Representative of the ESTATE OF ROBERT WAGNER, Plaintiff ORDER ON ALL v. PENDING MOTIONS

STEVEN M. CLARK, IAN 0' HORA, KENKEV II, INC. and LEAHD. (# 506), Defendants

Before the Court is Defendants Kenkev II, Inc. and Leah D. (#506)'s

:Motion to Dismiss all claims against them. Also before the Court are two

]\1otions to Stay these proceedings pending the resolution of Defendant Steven

Clark's appeal of his conviction.

BACKGROUND On February 12, 2008, Plaintiff Felicity Ferrell ("Plaintiff"), in her capacity

as Personal Representative of the Estate of Robert Wagner, filed a Complaint

against Defendants Steven Clark ("Clark"), Ian O'Hora ("O'Hora"), Kenkev II,

Inc. ("Kenkev") and Leah D. (#506) alleging two counts under Maine's Wrongful

Death statute and one count of negligence. These claims stem from events that

occurred the evening of February 14, 2006 and the early morning of February 15,

2006. On that evening, Clark, O'Hora and Robert Wagner ("Wagner") went to

Platinum Plus, a club located in Portland, Maine that is owned by Defendant

Kenkev. While at the club, Clark, O'Hora and Wagner were served by Defendant Leah D. (#506). Leah D. initially served the three men a mixed drink

called "Red Bull and vodka," but later served them only Red Bull, a non­

alcoholic beverage, after noticing that the three men were visibly intoxicated.

The Plaintiff asserts that Kenkev serves Red Bull without alcohol from 1:00 AM

to closing to promote the caffeine high, which in turn prevents patrons from

realizing the degree of their intoxication.

After leaving the club in the early morning of February 15, 2006, the three

men went to Clark's home where a confrontation occurred. During this

confrontation, Wagner was fatally shot by Clark. Clark was convicted of murder

and has appealed his conviction to the Law Court. The appeal is pending at this

time.

Defendants Kenkev and Leah D. now move to dismiss the claims against

them on the basis that the claims are barred by the Maine Liquor Liability Act,

28-A M.R.S.A. § 2501 et seq. Plaintiff Felicity Ferrell, in her capacity as the

Personal Representative of Wagner's Estate, and Defendant Clark move to stay

all proceedings pending the resolution of Clark's appeal of his conviction to the

Law Court.

DISCUSSION

I. Motion to Dismiss

Defendants Kenkev and Leah D. (#506) (hereinafter collectively referred

to as "Kenkev") move to dismiss Plaintiff's claims against them on the basis that

they are barred by the Maine Liquor Liability Act, 28-A M.R.S.A. § 2501 et seq.

On a motion to dismiss, the court must view the facts alleged in the complaint as

if they were admitted. Fortin v. Roman Catholic Bishop of Portland, 2005 ME 57,

10, 871 A.2d 1208, 1213. The court then examines the complaint in the light most

2 favorable to the plaintiff to determine whether it sets forth elements of a cause of

action or alleges facts that would entitle the plaintiff to relief pursuant to some

legal theory. Id. 110,871 A.2d at 1213-14. "A dismissal should only occur when

it appears 'beyond doubt that a plaintiff is entitled to no relief under any set of

facts that he might prove in support of his claim.'" McAfee v. Cole, 637 A.2d 463,

465 (Me. 1994) (quoting Hall v. Bd. of Envtl. Protection, 498 A.2d 260, 266 (Me.

1985)).

The Maine Liquor Liability Act is the exclusive remedy against servers of

alcohol "for claims by those suffering damages based on the servers' service of

liquor." 28-A M.R.S.A. § 2511 (2008). The Act sets forth who may sue and not

sue thereunder, 28-A M.R.S.A. §§ 2504; establishes the measure of damages, 28-A

M.R.S.A. §§ 2508, 2509; and requires plaintiffs to give notice within 180 days of

the date of the server's conduct creating liability under the Act, 28-A M.R.S.A. §

2513. The Plaintiff argues that the Maine Liquor Liability Act is not applicable in

the instant case.

The Plaintiff's argument is that Kenkev was negligent not in serving

alcohol, but in serving Red Bulls from 1:00 AM to closing, which "prevents the

patrons from realizing the degree of intoxication from which they do or may

suffer." Complaint 114. In her Opposition to Kenkev's Motion to Dismiss, the

Plaintiff argues that she is not limited to the remedies under the Maine Liquor

Liability Act because her claims flare based on the server's service of 'Red Bulls'

[sic] which ultimately reduces the perception of alcohol's side effects and delays

the perception of intoxication. A substantial body of scientific evidence exists

that the caffeine/ sugar content of Red Bull masks the depressant effect of

alcohol, which can make people feel like they are less intoxicated than they really

3 are." Plaintiff's Opposition, page 3. As Red Bull is a non-alcoholic beverage, the

Plaintiff argues that her claims derived from Kenkev's service of Red Bull are not

within the scope of the Maine Liquor Liability Act.

The Plaintiff, however, ignores the fact that her argument that Kenkev

negligently served Red Bull necessarily depends on Kenkev's service of liquor.

Indeed, all of Plaintiff's arguments about Red Bull involve her claim that Red

Bull masks the effects of intoxication and makes the drinker less aware of his

intoxication. Complaint ~ 23. Thus, these arguments depend on her allegations

that Clark, O'Hora and Wagner were first served alcohol at the club followed by

the service of Red Bull, which lessened their ability to recognize the level of their

intoxication. As such, the Plaintiff's damages in the instant case are "based on

the servers' service of liquor/' 28-A M.R.S.A. § 2511, which means that the Maine

Liquor Liability Act provides the Plaintiff's exclusive remedy.!

The Court's holding is in accord with the Law Court's decision in Jackson

v. Tedd-Lait Post No. 75, American Legion, 1999 ME 26, 723 A.2d 1220. In Jackson,

the plaintiff had been drinking at the defendant bar and was ordered to leave by

the bartender. 1999 ME 26, ~ 2, 723 A.2d at 1220. The plaintiff asked the

bartender to call him a cab, but she refused. Id. The plaintiff was hit by a car and

brought suit under the Maine Liquor Liability Act in addition to asserting

negligence claims against the defendant. Id. ~~ 3-4, 723 A.2d at 1220-21. The

trial court dismissed the negligence counts based on the exclusivity provision of

I The Court acknowledges the anomaly that would exist if the Maine Liquor Liability Act were held not to apply in the situation where a bar served an individual only Red Bull drinks after that individual had been served alcohol at a different bar. Nonetheless, this Court is obligated to apply the law pursuant to its plain meaning, which requires the application of the Maine Liquor Liability Act on the facts of the instant case because Kenkev's service of Red Bull is so closely connected to its service of alcohol.

4 the Act. Id. «j[ 5, 723 A.2d at 1221. On appeal, the plaintiff argued that his

negligence claims were not based on the defendant's service of liquor, but rather

on the defendant's conduct in ejecting him from the bar and refusing to call him

a cab. Id. «j[ 6, 723 A.2d at 1221. The Law Court rejected this argument, holding

that the only way a special relationship could exist between the plaintiff and

defendant that could give rise to a duty is if it was "created by the service of a

large quantity of liquor to [the plaintiff]. Likewise, if a dangerous situation was

created by the [defendant], it was caused by the service of liquor." Id. «j[ 8, 723

A.2d at 1221. The Law Court concluded, "In this case it is the service of liquor

that is at the very center of creating the special relationship, dangerous situation

or unreasonable risk, and, therefore, the exclusivity provision of the [Act] is

applicable." Id. «j[ 9, 723 A.2d at 1222.

Similarly, in the instant case, all of Plaintiff's claims arise from Kenkev

first serving Clark and O'Hora liquor. 2 As such, the Maine Liquor Liability Act

provides the Plaintiff's exclusive remedy. On this record, it is not possible for the

Court to determine whether the Plaintiff may be able to sustain a claim under the

Maine Liquor Liability Act. Therefore, Kenkev's Motion to Dismiss is denied

without prejudice to Kenkev filing a renewed motion to dismiss 3 with respect to

the issue of whether notice was provided pursuant to 28-A M.R.S.A. § 2513.

2 The Plaintiff makes no allegation that the service of Red Bull to a person who is not intoxicated constitutes negligence.

3 A motion to dismiss may be appropriate in this context because there is a jurisdictional question as to whether the Plaintiff sent the required notice under 28-A M.R.S.A. § 2513 such that she can sustain a claim under the Maine Liquor Liability Act, which provides her exclusive remedy.

5 II. Motions to Stay

Both the Plaintiff and Defendant Steven Clark move this Court to stay the

current action pending the resolution of Clark's appeal of his conviction to the

Law Court. As Kenkev and Defendant O'Hora do not oppose these Motions, the

Motions to Stay are granted.

Therefore, the entry is:

Defendants Kenkev II, Inc. and Leah D. (#506)'s Motion to Dismiss is DENIED without prejudice.

Plaintiff Felicity Ferrell, in her capacity as Personal Representative of the Estate of Robert Wagner, and Defendant Steven Clark's Motions to Stay all proceedings in this case pending the resolution of Defendant Steven Clark's appeal of his conviction are GRANTED except with respect to the renewal of the Motion to Dismiss.

The clerk shall incorporate this Order into the docket by reference pursuant to M.R. Civ. P. 79(a).

Dated at Portland, Maine this (1~ day of

Robert E. Crowley Justice, Superior Court

6 ESTATE OF ROBERT WAGNER - PLAINTIFF SUPERIOR COURT CUMBERLAND. ss. Attorney for: ESTATE OF ROBERT WAGNER Docket No PORSC-CV-2008-00088 ANDREWS B CAMPBELL - RETAINED 02/12/2008 CAMPBELL ·UIW OFFICE 919 RIDGE EOAD DOCKET RECORD BOWDOINHAM ME 04008

vs STEVEN M CLARK - DEFENDANT --­ 'f?- () ~ IAN O'HORA - DEFENDANT

Attorney for: IAN O'HORA CHRISTOPHER DINAN - RETAINED 06/06/2008 MONAGHAN LEAHY LLP 95 EXCHANGE ST PO BOX 7046 PORTLAND ME 04112-7046

KENKEV II INC D/B/A PLATINUM PLUS - DEFENDANT

Attorney for: KENKEV II INC D/B/A PLATINUM PLUS DANIEL RAPAPORT - RETAINED 04/14/2008 PRETI FLAHERTY BELIVEAU PACHIOS & HALEY ONE CITY CENTER PO BOX 9546 PORTLAND ME 04112-9546

Attorney for: KENKEV II INC D/B/A PLATINUM PLUS WILLIAM KN01'1LES - RETAINED 03/26/2008 VERRIL DANA LLP ONE PORTLAND SQUARE PO BOX 586 PORTLAND ME 04112-0586

Attorney for: KENKEV II INC D/B/A PLATINUM PLUS HOLLY E RUSSELL - RETAINED 06/27/2008 PRETI FLAHERTY BELIVEAU PACHIOS & HALEY ONE CITY CENTER PO BOX 9546 PORTLAND ME 04112-9546

LEAH D (506) - DEFENDANT

Attorney for: LEAH D (506) DANIEL RAPAPORT - RETAINED 04/14/2008 PRETI FLAHERTY BELIVEAU PACHIOS & HALEY ONE CITY CENTER PO BOX 9546 PORTLAND ME 04112-9546

Page 1 of 6 Printed on: 07/21/2008 PORSC-CV-2008-00088 DOCKET RECORD Attorney for: ~EAH D (506) WILLIAM KNOWLES - RETAINED 03/26/2008 VERRIL DANA LLP ONE PORTL~~D SQUARE PO BOX 586 PORTLAND ME 04112-0586

Attorney for: LEAH D (506) HOLLY E RUSSELL - RETAINED 06/27/2008 PRETI FLAHERTY BELIVEAU PACHIOS & HALEY ONE CITY CENTER PO BOX 9546 PORTLAND ME 04112-9546

FELICITY FERRELL - PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE

Attorney for: FELICITY FERRELL ANDREWS B CAMPBELL - RETAINED 02/12/2008 CAMPBELL LAW OFFICE 919 RIDGE ROAD BOWDOINHAM ME 04008

Filing Document: COMPLAINT Minor Case Type: OTHER NEGLIGENCE Filing Date: 02/12/2008

Docket Events: 02/12/2008 FILING DOCUMENT - COMPLAINT FILED ON 02/12/2008

02/15/2008 Party(s): ESTATE OF ROBERT WAGNER ATTORNEY - RETAINED ENTERED ON 02/12/2008 Plaintiff's Attorney: ANDREWS B CAMPBELL

02/15/2008 Party(s): FELICITY FERRELL ATTORNEY - RETAINED ENTERED ON 02/12/2008 l\t torney: ANDREWS B CAMPBELL

02/15/2008 party(s): ESTATE OF ROBERT WAGNER,FELICITY FERRELL OTHER FILING - ENTRY OF APPEARANCE FILED ON 02/12/2008 OF ANDREWS B CAMPBELL ESQ ON BEHALF OF FELICITY FARRELL PR AND ESTATE OF ROBERT WAGNER KD

02/15/2008 CERTIFY/NOTIFICATION - CASE FILE NOTICE SENT ON 02/15/2008 KD

03/28/2008 party(s): KENKEV II INC D/B/A PLATINUM PLUS,LEAH D (506) MOTION - MOTION TO DISMISS FILED ON 03/26/2008 OF DEFENDANTS, KENKEV II, INC. AND "LEAH D. (#506)" 'S MOlTON TO DISMISS WITH INCORPORATED MEMORANDUM OF LAW. AD

04/01/2008 party(s): STEVEN M CLARK MOTION - MOTION PROCEED W/O FEE FILED ON 03/21/2008 APPLICATION OF DEFENDANT. STEVE CLARK TO PROCEED WITHOUT PAYMENT OF FEES WITH INDIGENCY AFFIDAVIT. AD Page 2 of 6 Printed on: 07/21/2006