[Cite as Sloan v. Asian Evergreen Hous., 2011-Ohio-3070.]
Court of Appeals of Ohio EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA
JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION No. 95962
NIKKI SLOAN PLAINTIFF-APPELLANT
vs.
ASIAN EVERGREEN HOUSING, ET AL. DEFENDANTS-APPELLEES
JUDGMENT: AFFIRMED
Civil Appeal from the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Case No. CV-707964
BEFORE: Sweeney, P.J., Rocco, J., and E. Gallagher, J.
RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: June 23, 2011
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANT Thomas J. Escovar, Esq. Eric W. Henry, Esq. Steuer, Escovar, Berke & Brown Co. 55 Public Square, Suite 1475 Cleveland, Ohio 44113
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLEES
Denise B. Workum, Esq. Lakeside Place - Suite 410 323 Lakeside Avenue, West Cleveland, Ohio 44113
JAMES J. SWEENEY, P.J.:
{¶ 1} Plaintiff-appellant Nikki Sloan (“plaintiff”) appeals the court’s granting
defendant Asia Plaza Company’s (“defendant”) motion for summary judgment. After
reviewing the facts of the case and pertinent law, we affirm.
{¶ 2} On February 11, 2008, plaintiff went to 2999 Payne Avenue in Cleveland,
which is a commercial building owned by defendant, to pay her monthly rent. Plaintiff
walked through the building’s front door and immediately slipped and fell, sustaining injuries.
{¶ 3} On January 26, 2010, plaintiff filed a lawsuit against defendant, alleging
negligence. On October 12, 2010, the court granted defendant’s summary judgment motion,
finding that the undisputed facts show plaintiff fell “for no apparent reason since [plaintiff]
does not provide evidence of a cause for her fall.”
{¶ 4} Plaintiff appeals and raises two assignments of error for our review. {¶ 5} “I. The trial court incorrectly granted summary judgment in favor of
defendant when genuine issues of material fact remain precluding summary judgment as a
matter of law.”
{¶ 6} “II. The trial court incorrectly relied on testimony that the plaintiff did not see
a dangerous condition as evidence that the dangerous condition did not exist. Specifically, in
the presence of sworn testimony that the plaintiff fell on slush and water.”
{¶ 7} Appellate review of summary judgment is de novo. Grafton v. Ohio Edison
Co. (1996), 77 Ohio St.3d 102, 105, 671 N.E.2d 241. The Ohio Supreme Court stated the
appropriate test in Zivich v. Mentor Soccer Club (1998), 82 Ohio St.3d 367, 369–370, 696
N.E.2d 201, as follows:
{¶ 8} “Pursuant to Civ.R. 56, summary judgment is appropriate when (1) there is no
genuine issue of material fact, (2) the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law,
and (3) reasonable minds can come to but one conclusion and that conclusion is adverse to the
nonmoving party, said party being entitled to have the evidence construed most strongly in his
favor. Horton v. Harwick Chem. Corp. (1995), 73 Ohio St.3d 679, 653 N.E.2d 1196,
paragraph three of the syllabus. The party moving for summary judgment bears the burden
of showing that there is no genuine issue of material fact and that it is entitled to judgment as a
matter of law. Dresher v. Burt (1996), 75 Ohio St.3d 280, 292–293, 662 N.E.2d 264,
273–274.” {¶ 9} If the party moving for summary judgment satisfies this burden, “the
nonmoving party has a reciprocal burden outlined in * * * Civ.R. 56(E), which provides that:
‘When a motion for summary judgment is made and supported as provided in this rule, an
adverse party may not rest upon the mere allegations or denials of his pleadings, but his
response, by affidavit or as otherwise provided in this rule, must set forth specific facts
showing that there is a genuine issue for trial. If he does not so respond, summary judgment,
if appropriate, shall be entered against him.’” Dresher, 75 Ohio St.3d at 293 (Emphasis added.)
{¶ 10} Pursuant to Civ.R. 56(C), the only evidence that may be considered by a trial
court ruling on a summary judgment motion is “the pleadings, depositions, answers to
interrogatories, written admissions, transcripts of evidence, and written stipulations of fact, if
any, timely filed in the action * * *.” (Emphasis added.)
{¶ 11} In the instant case, plaintiff alleged in her complaint that defendant negligently
maintained the floor, and as a result, plaintiff “slipped on an accumulation of ice, slush and
water * * *.” The duty of care defendant, as a landowner, owed plaintiff, as an invitee, is
undisputed: “to exercise ordinary care in maintaining its premises in a reasonably safe
condition in order to insure that the invitee is not unnecessarily and unreasonably exposed to
danger. Paschal v. Rite Aid Pharmacy, Inc. (1985), 18 Ohio St.3d 203, 480 N.E.2d 474;
Light v. Ohio Univ. (1986), 28 Ohio St.3d 66, 502 N.E.2d 611.” Kircher v. Shooters on the
Water, Inc., 167 Ohio App.3d 708, 2006-Ohio-3583, 856 N.E.2d 1026, ¶18. {¶ 12} Defendant argues that plaintiff presented no evidence “that any hazardous
condition caused her to fall.” Defendant cites to plaintiff’s deposition, in which she testified
that she did not see snow, slush, or ice on the sidewalk, steps, or outside the front door to the
building. Plaintiff further testified as follows: “I pulled the door out, walked in. As soon as
I walked in, I slipped, my feet came up from under me.” Asked what caused her to fall,
plaintiff stated, “There was nothing there.” Asked if she saw anything wet or any snow,
plaintiff answered, “No.” Plaintiff was asked again, “* * * at any point from when you went
in until you exited the building, did you see anything on the ground that could cause you to
fall?” Plaintiff answered, “No.”
{¶ 13} We find that defendant met its initial burden of showing that there was no
genuine issue of material fact. Beyond the allegation in her complaint, plaintiff offered no
evidence that defendant breached its duty by failing to maintain its premises in a reasonably
safe condition.
{¶ 14} The burden then shifted to plaintiff to show a specific factual issue for trial,
supported by Civ.R. 56(C) evidence. In opposition to defendant’s summary judgment
motion, plaintiff argued that the issue for trial was whether “the dangerous condition would be
unobservable to someone entering the building.” Plaintiff presents a sound legal theory, in
that whether a hazard is “open and obvious” may affect the outcome of a premises liability
claim. See Armstrong v. Best Buy Co., Inc., 99 Ohio St.3d 79, 2003-Ohio-2573, 788 N.E.2d 1088. However, plaintiff failed to present evidence that a dangerous condition existed. Cf.
Bond v. Mathias (Mar. 17, 1995), Trumbull App. No. 94-T-5081 (holding that “it is basic
black letter law that unless proximate cause resulting from a breach of duty (an unreasonably
dangerous condition) is established and proven, an otherwise unexplained slip and fall does
not confer liability on a shop owner”).
{¶ 15} On appeal, plaintiff argues that her written responses to defendant’s
interrogatories indicate that the dangerous condition on defendant’s premises was “slush and
water.” However, plaintiff did not refer to or attach her interrogatory answers in opposing
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[Cite as Sloan v. Asian Evergreen Hous., 2011-Ohio-3070.]
Court of Appeals of Ohio EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA
JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION No. 95962
NIKKI SLOAN PLAINTIFF-APPELLANT
vs.
ASIAN EVERGREEN HOUSING, ET AL. DEFENDANTS-APPELLEES
JUDGMENT: AFFIRMED
Civil Appeal from the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Case No. CV-707964
BEFORE: Sweeney, P.J., Rocco, J., and E. Gallagher, J.
RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: June 23, 2011
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANT Thomas J. Escovar, Esq. Eric W. Henry, Esq. Steuer, Escovar, Berke & Brown Co. 55 Public Square, Suite 1475 Cleveland, Ohio 44113
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLEES
Denise B. Workum, Esq. Lakeside Place - Suite 410 323 Lakeside Avenue, West Cleveland, Ohio 44113
JAMES J. SWEENEY, P.J.:
{¶ 1} Plaintiff-appellant Nikki Sloan (“plaintiff”) appeals the court’s granting
defendant Asia Plaza Company’s (“defendant”) motion for summary judgment. After
reviewing the facts of the case and pertinent law, we affirm.
{¶ 2} On February 11, 2008, plaintiff went to 2999 Payne Avenue in Cleveland,
which is a commercial building owned by defendant, to pay her monthly rent. Plaintiff
walked through the building’s front door and immediately slipped and fell, sustaining injuries.
{¶ 3} On January 26, 2010, plaintiff filed a lawsuit against defendant, alleging
negligence. On October 12, 2010, the court granted defendant’s summary judgment motion,
finding that the undisputed facts show plaintiff fell “for no apparent reason since [plaintiff]
does not provide evidence of a cause for her fall.”
{¶ 4} Plaintiff appeals and raises two assignments of error for our review. {¶ 5} “I. The trial court incorrectly granted summary judgment in favor of
defendant when genuine issues of material fact remain precluding summary judgment as a
matter of law.”
{¶ 6} “II. The trial court incorrectly relied on testimony that the plaintiff did not see
a dangerous condition as evidence that the dangerous condition did not exist. Specifically, in
the presence of sworn testimony that the plaintiff fell on slush and water.”
{¶ 7} Appellate review of summary judgment is de novo. Grafton v. Ohio Edison
Co. (1996), 77 Ohio St.3d 102, 105, 671 N.E.2d 241. The Ohio Supreme Court stated the
appropriate test in Zivich v. Mentor Soccer Club (1998), 82 Ohio St.3d 367, 369–370, 696
N.E.2d 201, as follows:
{¶ 8} “Pursuant to Civ.R. 56, summary judgment is appropriate when (1) there is no
genuine issue of material fact, (2) the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law,
and (3) reasonable minds can come to but one conclusion and that conclusion is adverse to the
nonmoving party, said party being entitled to have the evidence construed most strongly in his
favor. Horton v. Harwick Chem. Corp. (1995), 73 Ohio St.3d 679, 653 N.E.2d 1196,
paragraph three of the syllabus. The party moving for summary judgment bears the burden
of showing that there is no genuine issue of material fact and that it is entitled to judgment as a
matter of law. Dresher v. Burt (1996), 75 Ohio St.3d 280, 292–293, 662 N.E.2d 264,
273–274.” {¶ 9} If the party moving for summary judgment satisfies this burden, “the
nonmoving party has a reciprocal burden outlined in * * * Civ.R. 56(E), which provides that:
‘When a motion for summary judgment is made and supported as provided in this rule, an
adverse party may not rest upon the mere allegations or denials of his pleadings, but his
response, by affidavit or as otherwise provided in this rule, must set forth specific facts
showing that there is a genuine issue for trial. If he does not so respond, summary judgment,
if appropriate, shall be entered against him.’” Dresher, 75 Ohio St.3d at 293 (Emphasis added.)
{¶ 10} Pursuant to Civ.R. 56(C), the only evidence that may be considered by a trial
court ruling on a summary judgment motion is “the pleadings, depositions, answers to
interrogatories, written admissions, transcripts of evidence, and written stipulations of fact, if
any, timely filed in the action * * *.” (Emphasis added.)
{¶ 11} In the instant case, plaintiff alleged in her complaint that defendant negligently
maintained the floor, and as a result, plaintiff “slipped on an accumulation of ice, slush and
water * * *.” The duty of care defendant, as a landowner, owed plaintiff, as an invitee, is
undisputed: “to exercise ordinary care in maintaining its premises in a reasonably safe
condition in order to insure that the invitee is not unnecessarily and unreasonably exposed to
danger. Paschal v. Rite Aid Pharmacy, Inc. (1985), 18 Ohio St.3d 203, 480 N.E.2d 474;
Light v. Ohio Univ. (1986), 28 Ohio St.3d 66, 502 N.E.2d 611.” Kircher v. Shooters on the
Water, Inc., 167 Ohio App.3d 708, 2006-Ohio-3583, 856 N.E.2d 1026, ¶18. {¶ 12} Defendant argues that plaintiff presented no evidence “that any hazardous
condition caused her to fall.” Defendant cites to plaintiff’s deposition, in which she testified
that she did not see snow, slush, or ice on the sidewalk, steps, or outside the front door to the
building. Plaintiff further testified as follows: “I pulled the door out, walked in. As soon as
I walked in, I slipped, my feet came up from under me.” Asked what caused her to fall,
plaintiff stated, “There was nothing there.” Asked if she saw anything wet or any snow,
plaintiff answered, “No.” Plaintiff was asked again, “* * * at any point from when you went
in until you exited the building, did you see anything on the ground that could cause you to
fall?” Plaintiff answered, “No.”
{¶ 13} We find that defendant met its initial burden of showing that there was no
genuine issue of material fact. Beyond the allegation in her complaint, plaintiff offered no
evidence that defendant breached its duty by failing to maintain its premises in a reasonably
safe condition.
{¶ 14} The burden then shifted to plaintiff to show a specific factual issue for trial,
supported by Civ.R. 56(C) evidence. In opposition to defendant’s summary judgment
motion, plaintiff argued that the issue for trial was whether “the dangerous condition would be
unobservable to someone entering the building.” Plaintiff presents a sound legal theory, in
that whether a hazard is “open and obvious” may affect the outcome of a premises liability
claim. See Armstrong v. Best Buy Co., Inc., 99 Ohio St.3d 79, 2003-Ohio-2573, 788 N.E.2d 1088. However, plaintiff failed to present evidence that a dangerous condition existed. Cf.
Bond v. Mathias (Mar. 17, 1995), Trumbull App. No. 94-T-5081 (holding that “it is basic
black letter law that unless proximate cause resulting from a breach of duty (an unreasonably
dangerous condition) is established and proven, an otherwise unexplained slip and fall does
not confer liability on a shop owner”).
{¶ 15} On appeal, plaintiff argues that her written responses to defendant’s
interrogatories indicate that the dangerous condition on defendant’s premises was “slush and
water.” However, plaintiff did not refer to or attach her interrogatory answers in opposing
defendant’s summary judgment motion, nor did she file them at any time in the trial court.
See Civ.R. 56(C). Plaintiff raises this issue for the first time on appeal and requests that the
trial court record be corrected or modified pursuant to App.R. 9(E) to include this evidence.
{¶ 16} “A reviewing court cannot add matter to the record before it that was not a part
of the trial court’s proceedings and then decide the appeal on the basis of the new evidence.
State v. Ishmail (1978), 54 Ohio St.2d 402, 377 N.E.2d 500.” Papadelis v. First Am. Sav.
Bank (1996), 112 Ohio App.3d 576, 679 N.E.2d 356.
{¶ 17} We find that plaintiff’s answers to defendant’s interrogatories were not before
the trial court when it granted defendant’s summary judgment motion. Considering the
evidence presented in accordance with Civ.R. 56(C), we find no genuine issue of material fact
regarding a dangerous or hazardous condition on defendant’s floor. Without evidence that defendant breached its duty, defendant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Plaintiff’s
two assignments of error are overruled.
Judgment affirmed.
It is ordered that appellee recover from appellant costs herein taxed.
The court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate be sent to said court to carry this
judgment into execution.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to
Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
JAMES J. SWEENEY, PRESIDING JUDGE
KENNETH A. ROCCO, J., and EILEEN A. GALLAGHER, J., CONCUR