Shichen v. Ohio Univ.

2011 Ohio 6945

• Court: Ohio Court of Claims
• Decided: August 31, 2011
• Docket: 2011-09241-AD
• Status: Published

Opinion

[Cite as Shichen v. Ohio Univ., 2011-Ohio-6945.]

Court of Claims of Ohio The Ohio Judicial Center 65 South Front Street, Third Floor Columbus, OH 43215 614.387.9800 or 1.800.824.8263 www.cco.state.oh.us

LIU SHICHEN

Plaintiff

v.

OHIO UNIVERSITY

Defendant

Case No. 2011-09241-AD

Deputy Clerk Daniel R. Borchert

MEMORANDUM DECISION

THE COURT FINDS THAT: {¶1} On July 7, 2011, plaintiff, Liu Shichen, filed a complaint against defendant, Ohio University, alleging his personal property was stolen after defendant’s housekeeping personnel left his room unlocked. Plaintiff sought damages in the amount of $2,497.49, the total cost he incurred to replace the stolen property and reimbursement of the filing fee. Plaintiff submitted the $25.00 filing fee with his complaint. {¶2} On August 10, 2011, defendant filed an investigation report disputing the method used by plaintiff to calculate his cost to travel to New York to replace his passport. Defendant noted plaintiff did not retain any receipts, therefore, defendant instead estimated what the cost of gasoline would be for the trip. Defendant concluded that “Ohio University does not oppose payment to the plaintiff up to a total of $1,730.80.” {¶3} Plaintiff filed a response stating that although he incurred significant expense to travel to New York; he agreed to accept the sum offered by defendant. THE COURT CONCLUDES THAT: {¶4} Liability on the part of defendant has been established. See Kvalheim v. Ohio University, Ct. of Cl. No. 2010-02359-AD, 2010-Ohio-3795. Plaintiff has suffered damages in the amount of $1,730.80, which includes the $25.00 filing fee, which may be reimbursed as compensable damages pursuant to the holding in Bailey v. Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (1990), 62 Ohio Misc. 2d 19, 587 N.E. 2d 990. Court of Claims of Ohio The Ohio Judicial Center 65 South Front Street, Third Floor Columbus, OH 43215 614.387.9800 or 1.800.824.8263 www.cco.state.oh.us

ENTRY OF ADMINISTRATIVE DETERMINATION

Having considered all the evidence in the claim file and, for the reasons set forth in the memorandum decision filed concurrently herewith, judgment is rendered in favor of plaintiff in the amount of $1,730.80, which includes the filing fee. Court costs are assessed against defendant.

DANIEL R. BORCHERT Deputy Clerk

Entry cc:

Liu Shichen George T. Wendt, Risk Manager 135 South Green Drive Ohio University Room 123 University Service Center 136 Athens, Ohio 45701 1 Ohio University Athens, Ohio 45701-2979 SJM/laa 8/24 Filed 8/31/11 Sent to S.C. reporter 1/19/12