Wygonski v. Medina County Agricultural Society

2002 Ohio 7460, 785 N.E.2d 831, 122 Ohio Misc. 2d 14
Medina County Court of Common Pleas·Decided November 26, 2002·No. No. 01-CIV-0014·Published·Cited by 1 cases

Opinion

James L. KimbleR, Judge.

Statement of the Case

{¶ 1} The plaintiffs filed a lawsuit against three governmental subdivisions: the city of Medina, the Board of Commissioners of Medina County, and the Medina County Agricultural Society, for injuries sustained by three minor boys as a result of drinking a soft drink made with contaminated water.

{¶ 2} The Medina County Agricultural Society and the Medina County Fair Board have filed a motion for summary judgment alleging that there is no genuine issue of material fact and that they are entitled to a summary judgment as a matter of law. The motion was filed pursuant to Civ. R. 56.

Findings of Fact

{¶ 3} For purposes of ruling on the defendants’ motion only, the court makes the following findings of fact:

[17]*17{¶ 4} Medina County owns the fairgrounds in Medina, Ohio.

{¶ 5} Annually, a county fair is conducted on these fairgrounds.

{¶ 6} The Medina County Agricultural Society and the Medina County Fair Board conduct the fair.

{¶ 7} The “Fair Board” is actually the Board of Directors of the Medina County Agricultural Society.

{¶ 8} The fairground has its own water system, which supplies water to vendors, exhibitors, and the animal barns.

{¶ 9} The fair is open to the public.

{¶ 10} During the fair, members of the Medina County 4-H Clubs conduct a Junior Livestock Show and Auction.

{¶ 11} Animals are kept in the animal barns by exhibitors for both the Junior Livestock Show and Auction and for other shows.

{¶ 12} E. coli bacteria can be transmitted in animal feces and bird droppings.

{¶ 18} The minor sons of Chris Wygonski consumed a soft drink while at the Medina County Fair in 2000.

{¶ 14} The soft drink was made from water supplied through the water system at the Medina County Fairgrounds.

{¶ 15} Following the consumption of the soft drink the boys began to show symptoms of E. coli bacterial infection.

Conclusions of Law

{¶ 16} Civ.R. 56 provides as follows:

{¶ 17} “(A) For party seeking affirmative relief. A party seeking to recover upon a claim, counterclaim, or cross-claim or to obtain a declaratory judgment may move with or without supporting affidavits for a summary judgment in the party’s favor as to all or any part of the claim, counterclaim, cross-claim, or declaratory judgment action. A party may move for summary judgment at any time after the expiration of the time permitted under these rules for a responsive motion for pleading by the adverse party, or after service of a motion for summary judgment by the adverse party. If the action has been set for pretrial or trial, a motion for summary judgment may be made only with leave of court.

{¶ 18} “(B) For defending party. A party against whom a claim, counterclaim, or cross-claim is asserted or a declaratory judgment is sought may, at any time, move with or without supporting affidavits for a summary judgment in the party’s favor as to all or any part of the claim, counterclaim, cross-claim, or [18]*18declaratory judgment action. If the action has been set for pretrial or trial, a motion for summary judgment may be made only with leave of court.

{¶ 19} “(C) Motion and proceedings thereon. The motion shall be served at least fourteen days before the time fixed for hearing. The adverse party prior to the day of hearing may serve and file opposing affidavits. Summary judgment shall be rendered forthwith if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, written admissions, affidavits, transcripts of evidence, and written stipulations of fact, if any, timely filed in the action, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. No evidence or stipulation may be considered except as stated in this rule. A summary judgment shall not be rendered unless it appears from the evidence or stipulation, and only from the evidence or stipulation, that reasonable minds can come to but one conclusion and that conclusion is adverse to the party against whom the motion for summary judgment is made, that party being entitled to have the evidence or stipulation construed most strongly in the party’s favor. A summary judgment, interlocutory in character, may be rendered on the issue of liability alone although there is a genuine issue as to the amount of damages.

{¶ 20} “(D) Case not fully adjudicated upon motion. If on motion under this rule summary judgment is not rendered upon the whole case or for all the relief asked and a trial is necessary, the court in deciding the motion, shall examine the evidence or stipulation properly before it, and shall if practicable, ascertain what material facts exist without controversy and what material facts are actually and in good faith controverted. The court shall thereupon make an order on its journal specifying the facts that are without controversy, including the extent to which the amount of damages or other relief is not in controversy, and directing such further proceedings in the action as are just. Upon the trial of the action the facts so specified shall be deemed established, and the trial shall be conducted accordingly.

{¶ 21} “(E) Form of affidavits; further testimony; defense required. Supporting and opposing affidavits shall be made on personal knowledge, shall set forth such facts as would be admissible in evidence, and shall show affirmatively that the affiant is competent to testify to the matters stated in the affidavit. Sworn or certified copies of all papers or parts of papers referred to in an affidavit shall be attached to or served with the affidavit. The court may permit affidavits to be supplemented or opposed by depositions or by further affidavits. 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 the party’s pleadings, but the party’s response, by affidavit or as otherwise provided in this rule, must set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for [19]*19trial. If the party does not so respond, summary judgment, if appropriate, shall be entered against the party.”

{¶ 22} 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) after construing the evidence most favorably for the party against whom the motion is made, reasonable minds can reach only a conclusion that is adverse to the nonmoving party. Zivich v. Mentor Soccer Club, Inc. (1998), 82 Ohio St.3d 367, 696 N.E.2d 201; Temple v. Wean United, Inc. (1977), 50 Ohio St.2d 317, 364 N.E.2d 267.

{¶ 23} To obtain a summary judgment under Civ.R. 56(C), the moving party bears the initial responsibility of informing the court of the basis for the motion and identifying those portions of the record that support the requested judgment. Vahila v. Hall (1997), 77 Ohio St.3d 421, 674 N.E.2d 1164. If the moving party discharges this initial burden, the party against whom the motion is made then bears a reciprocal burden of specificity to oppose the motion. Id. See, also, Mitseff v.

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Wygonski v. Medina County Agricultural Society, 2002 Ohio 7460, 785 N.E.2d 831, 122 Ohio Misc. 2d 14 (Ohio Super. Ct. 2002).

2002 Ohio 7460 (Wygonski v. Medina County Agricultural Society) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.

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