Michaelis v. Farrell

296 P.3d 439, 48 Kan. App. 2d 624, 2013 WL 856432, 2013 Kan. App. LEXIS 15
CourtCourt of Appeals of Kansas
DecidedMarch 8, 2013
DocketNo. 106,988
StatusPublished
Cited by8 cases

This text of 296 P.3d 439 (Michaelis v. Farrell) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Kansas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Michaelis v. Farrell, 296 P.3d 439, 48 Kan. App. 2d 624, 2013 WL 856432, 2013 Kan. App. LEXIS 15 (kanctapp 2013).

Opinion

GREEN, J.:

This litigation arises out of a negligence action where the plaintiff, Jason Michaelis, sued the defendants, Gerald Farrell and Peggy Farrell, for an electrical shock he suffered while at the defendant’s property. A jury allowed recovery on plaintiffs claim. Moreover, the jury determined that Michaelis did not reasonably ascertain that he had sustained substantial injury until 5 years after receiving the electrical shock, which allowed him' to overcome the applicable 2-year statute of limitations hurdle. On appeal, the Far-rells contend that tire trial court erred in denying their posttrial motions, arguing (1) that Michaelis was barred from bringing his action under the applicable 2-year statute of limitations, and (2) that juiy instruction 8 misstated the law regarding this issue. We disagree. Accordingly, we affirm.

Michaelis’ plans were to spend the Fourth of July holiday with his mother and stepfather at their lake home in Climax Spring, Missouri. Michaelis’ stepfather had been experiencing problems with the boat lift on his dock, and he asked Michaelis, an electrician, to bring his tools when he came to the lake. While at the lake house on the morning of July 2, 2005, Michaelis answered a knock on the door. A woman was frantic because what she thought was a dead dog was floating in the lake. When Michaelis walked down to die dock, he saw another man was about to enter the water. As the man stepped onto a ramp, he fell in the water. Michaelis stated he understood the man to say he was being “electrocuted.” Mi-chaelis thought the dock was electrified so he told the man to move away from the dock. The man let go of the dock and disappeared under the water. The man’s daughter was present and asked Mi-chaelis to save her father. Michaelis still believed the dock was conducting a current so he assumed if he jumped in die water far enough from the dock he would avoid getting shocked. Michaelis jumped in the lake and was immediately aware the water had become electrified and he was getting shocked. Right before Mi-chaelis jumped in the lake, he had yelled for someone to cut off die electricity, and the next thing he knew, he had popped out of the water.

Michaelis testified diat after the power was shut off, his body felt like it had been through a workout; his body felt numb and [627]*627was tingling. But other than those sensations, Michaelis thought he was fine. Eveiyone survived the electrified water, including the dog.

Beyond what he described as “nerves” after returning to work as an electrician, Michaelis did not initially note any difficulties. Over time, however, he began experiencing problems with memory and concentration which became progressively worse over the years. In March 2007, he consulted Dr. George Wurster, a psychiatrist, for severe overwhelming anxiety. Dr. Wurster was aware that Michaelis had suffered an electrical shock in 2005, but it was not until late 2009 that the doctor noted possible central nervous system syndrome secondary to the electrical shock. Dr. Wurster referred Michaelis to Dr. Sandi Isaacson, a neuropsychologist, to help ascertain if Michaelis had suffered neurological injury because of tire electrical shock. After testing Michaelis in March 2010, Dr. Isaacson concluded he had suffered a neurocognitive brain dysfunction as a result of the electrical shock. Michaelis sued the Far-rells for negligence on July 2, 2010.

The Farrells moved for summary judgment arguing that, as a matter of law, Michaelis suffered an injury immediately after the accident, or soon thereafter, when Michaelis was experiencing the problems he was having. Accordingly, the Farrells maintained that Michaelis’ suit was barred by the 2-year statute of limitations. The trial court denied the motion, finding there was a genuine issue of material fact as to when Michaelis reasonably ascertained he had suffered substantial injury caused by the electrical accident.

The matter went to trial and the jury awarded total damages of $120,412 and assigned comparative fault at 50% for tire Farrells and 50% for Michaelis. As a result, the damages assessed against the Farrells totaled $60,206. In answer to the question asking on what date did Michaelis reasonably ascertain he suffered a substantial injury, the jury verdict stated: “Spring 2010.”

Although Michaelis filed his petition in Johnson County, Kansas, where the parties resided, Missouri law applied to the cause of action. Thus, Michaelis was still entitled to recover damages despite the jury finding him equally at fault. See Mo. Rev. Stat. § 537.765.2 (2000) (“Any fault chargeable to the plaintiff shall di[628]*628minish proportionately the amount awarded as compensatory damages but shall not bar recovery.”); cf. K.S.A. 60-258a(a) (the plaintiff s contributory negligence does not bar recovery as long as that party’s fault is less than the causal negligence of the defendant). Nevertheless, the Farrells’ statute of limitations defense was governed by Kansas statutory law.

Did the trial court err in denying the Farrells’ posttrial motions for directed verdict and judgment as a matter of law as to their statute of limitations defense P

The Farrells moved for a directed verdict on their statute of limitations defense during trial and timely renewed the motion after entry of judgment under K.S.A. 2012 Supp. 60-250(b). The Farrells argued that there was no genuine issue of material fact regarding when Michaelis suffered an actionable injury as a result of the accident on July 2, 2005, and Michaelis filed his action outside the permissible 2-year statute of limitations in K.S.A. 60-513(b). In their motion, the Farrells maintained that the evidence showed Michaelis suffered an immediate shock and pain when he entered the water, and soon after the accident, Michaelis reported anxiety about continuing his employment as an electrician. The Farrells further contended that Michaelis’ problems following the accident—trouble comprehending blueprints and issues with concentration and anxiety—were associated by both Michaelis and his psychiatrist, Dr. Wurster, with the electrical accident. The Farrells. maintained Dr. Isaacson’s 2010 diagnosis was merely verification of the extent of Michaelis’ injuries, which is not the standard to determine when there was objective knowledge of the injury.

The trial court found tire issue of when Michaelis reasonably ascertained he suffered an injury as a result of the accident was similar to the case of Gilger v. Lee Constr., Inc., 249 Kan. 307, 820 P.2d 390 (1991). As in Gilger, the trial court found there were disputed facts regarding when Michaelis realized his injury was connected with the electric shock. Consequently, the trial court determined this was a fact question for the jury.

[629]*629 Standard of Review

Our Supreme Court in National Bank of Andover v. Kansas Bankers Surety Co., 290 Kan. 247, 267, 225 P.3d 707 (2010), provides the following standard of review regarding a motion for judgment as a matter of law (formerly a directed verdict) under K.S.A.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

Eden v. Webb
D. Kansas, 2022
Foxfield Villa Assocs. v. Robben
Court of Appeals of Kansas, 2019
Velasquez v. Leidich
430 P.3d 490 (Court of Appeals of Kansas, 2018)
Rail Logistics, L.C. v. Cold Train, L.L.C.
Court of Appeals of Kansas, 2017
LCL, LLC v. Falen
390 P.3d 571 (Court of Appeals of Kansas, 2017)
Dumler v. Conway
312 P.3d 385 (Court of Appeals of Kansas, 2013)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
296 P.3d 439, 48 Kan. App. 2d 624, 2013 WL 856432, 2013 Kan. App. LEXIS 15, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/michaelis-v-farrell-kanctapp-2013.