Scameheorn v. Bucks

421 N.W.2d 918, 167 Mich. App. 302
CourtMichigan Court of Appeals
DecidedMarch 21, 1988
DocketDocket 93145
StatusPublished
Cited by34 cases

This text of 421 N.W.2d 918 (Scameheorn v. Bucks) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Michigan Court of Appeals primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Scameheorn v. Bucks, 421 N.W.2d 918, 167 Mich. App. 302 (Mich. Ct. App. 1988).

Opinions

Cynar, P.J.

Plaintiff appeals as of right from an April 15, 1986, judgment and order of summary disposition on the basis of governmental immunity entered in favor of defendants-appellees River Val[305]*305ley School District, Charles Williams, David VanGinhoven, Donald Bussler and Steven Lenar.

The facts, as alleged in plaintiffs pleadings, are as follows: On or about April 29, 1985, at 7:45 a.m., plaintiff was a passenger on a motorcycle driven by defendant Robert L. Bucks, Jr., on the driveway of the River Valley High School. The operator of the motorcycle drove onto the sidewalk adjacent to the driveway so as to avoid the "speed bumps” in the school driveway. At the same time, defendant Douglas J. Hauch was approaching from the opposite direction in his truck, which was also driven on the sidewalk to avoid the speed bumps. A collision resulted and plaintiff suffered serious injuries.

As a result thereof, plaintiff filed a complaint on July 19, 1985. Thereafter, plaintiff filed two amended complaints. The second amended complaint alleged as to defendant River Valley that a dangerous or defective condition had been created or maintained at the high school due to the speed bumps. In addition, plaintiff alleged that the existence of the speed bumps constituted an intentional nuisance or nuisance per se and that River Valley was vicariously liable for the acts of employees Williams, VanGinhoven, Bussler and Lenar.

On February 4, 1986, defendants-appellees filed their motion for summary disposition alleging immunity from liability on the basis of MCL 691.1407; MSA 3.996(107). On April 15, 1986, following the hearing on the motion held on March 25, 1986, the trial court granted defendants-appellees’ motion. Plaintiff filed a motion for reconsideration, which was denied on May 27, 1986. The instant appeal ensued.

Plaintiff raises four issues on appeal. First, he argues that the lower court erred in granting [306]*306summary disposition in favor of River Valley on the basis that the public buildings exception to governmental immunity, MCL 691.1406; MSA 3.996(106), was inapplicable. We do not agree.

Defendants’ motion was brought pursuant to MCR 2.116(C)(7), (8) and (10). The judgment which granted defendants’ motion does not state the subrule(s) under which it was issued.

A motion for summary disposition pursuant to MCR 2.116(C)(8) tests only the legal sufficiency of the pleadings. The court must accept as true all well-pled factual allegations as well as any conclusions which can reasonably be drawn therefrom. The court may grant the motion only when the claim, on the pleadings alone, is so clearly unenforceable as a matter of law that no factual development could possibly justify the right to recovery. Abel v Eli Lilly & Co, 418 Mich 311, 323; 343 NW2d 164 (1984), reh den 419 Mich 1201 (1984), cert den sub nom E R Squibb & Sons, Inc v Abel, 469 US 833; 105 S Ct 123; 83 L Ed 2d 65 (1984); Stewart v Isbell, 155 Mich App 65, 74; 399 NW2d 440 (1986).

In contrast, a summary disposition motion under MCR 2.116(0(10) based on the lack of a genuine issue of material fact tests whether there is factual support for the claim. The court must consider the pleadings, affidavits, depositions, admissions, and other documentary evidence available to it. Giving the benefit of any reasonable doubt to the nonmoving party, the court must determine whether the type of record which might be developed would leave open an issue upon which reasonable minds might differ. Fulton v Pontiac General Hospital, 160 Mich App 728, 735; 408 NW2d 536 (1987). This Court is liberal in finding a genuine issue of material fact. Rizzo v Kretschmer, 389 Mich 363, 371-373; 207 NW2d 316 (1973). Where immunity from [307]*307suit is at issue, the complaint must plead facts in avoidance of immunity. McCann v Michigan, 398 Mich 65, 77; 247 NW2d 521 (1976); Veeneman v Michigan, 143 Mich App 694, 697-698; 373 NW2d 193 (1985), lv gtd 424 Mich 876 (1986).

Plaintiff argues that the factual assertions in his second amended complaint show the existence of a "defective sidewalk/configuration or structure which encouraged motorists to drive on the sidewalk to avoid 'speed bumps’ in the driveway.” Plaintiff claims that these allegations state a claim within the public buildings exception to immunity. In addition, plaintiff claims as error the trial judge’s determination that there was no defective or dangerous condition on the school grounds since this finding is a factual one within the province of a jury.

In Bush v Oscoda Area Schools, 405 Mich 716, 730-732; 275 NW2d 268 (1979), a majority of the Supreme Court agreed on several principles governing the application of the "defect in a public building” exception. A dangerous or defective condition may exist because of improper design, faulty construction, or the absence of safety devices. The question regarding whether a part of a building is dangerous or defective is to be determined in light of the use or purpose that part is intended to serve. The existence of a defect and its relation to the alleged injuries are to be determined by the trier of fact.

This Court has held that, where the claim of liability arises not from a defect or dangerous condition in the building or its premises but from a failure to properly supervise activities conducted in the building or on its premises, the exception is inapplicable. Grames v King, 123 Mich App 573, 577; 332 NW2d 615 (1983), modified on other grounds 422 Mich 887 (1985); Lee v Highland Park [308]*308School Dist, 118 Mich App 305, 309; 324 NW2d 632 (1982), lv den 422 Mich 902 (1985).

In this case, the trial court considered the pleadings, affidavits and depositions in making its determination regarding the public buildings exception. The trial judge concluded that the speed bumps were not defective because they were fit for their intended use. Instead, it was the misuse by plaintiff of the speed bumps which led to his injuries.

We concur in the trial court’s findings. The speed bumps were placed on the driveway in order to maintain lower speeds. The accident occurred not as a result of some defect in the speed bumps. It resulted when Bucks tried to avoid using the speed bumps for their intended purpose. Thus, summary disposition was proper.

Plaintiff also argues that the speed bumps constituted an intentional nuisance since drivers tended to use the sidewalk to avoid them and this fact was known to the school district. Moreover, pláintiff claims, a factual issue was made out as to whether the school district created or maintained an intentional nuisance.

To establish an intentional nuisance claim against a governmental agency, a plaintiff must show that there is a condition which is a nuisance and that the agency intended to create that condition. Guilbault v Dep’t of Mental Health, 160 Mich App 781, 788; 408 NW2d 558 (1987). In Garcia v City of Jackson, 152 Mich App 254, 259-260; 393 NW2d 599 (1986), Judge R. B. Burns of our Court discussed this concept. Citing Rosario v Lansing, 403 Mich 124, 142; 268 NW2d 230 (1978), and Gerzeski v Dep’t of State Highways, 403 Mich 149, 161-162; 268 NW2d 525 (1978), Judge Burns provided the following definition of a "nuisance”:

"In order to find an intentional nuisance, the [309]

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421 N.W.2d 918, 167 Mich. App. 302, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/scameheorn-v-bucks-michctapp-1988.