Rossi v. Moore

[Cite as Rossi v. Moore, 2013-Ohio-1430.]

STATE OF OHIO, MAHONING COUNTY

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS

SEVENTH DISTRICT

DANA ROSSI, )

) CASE NO. 12 MA 58

PLAINTIFF-APPELLANT, )

)

- VS - ) OPINION

)

COREY STUART MOORE, et al., )

)

DEFENDANTS-APPELLEES. )

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDINGS: Civil Appeals from Common Pleas

Court, Case No. 10 CV 398.

JUDGMENT: Affirmed.

APPEARANCES:

For Plaintiff-Appellant: Attorney Konrad Kircher

Kircher, Arnold & Dame LLC

4824 Socialville-foster Rd.

Suite 110

Mason, OH 45040

For Defendants-Appellees: Attorney Thomas J. Wilson

Comstock, Springer & Wilson

100 Federal Plaza East, Suite 926

Youngstown, OH 44503-1811

For Humility of Mary Health Partners

and St. Elizabeth Health Center

Attorney Steven Janik

Attorney Audrey K. Bentz

Attorney Colin P. Sammon

9200 South Hills Blvd., Suite 300

Cleveland, OH 44147-3251

For ATC Healthcare Service, Inc.

JUDGES:

Hon. Mary DeGenaro

Hon. Gene Donofrio

Hon. Cheryl L. Waite

Dated: March 26, 2013

[Cite as Rossi v. Moore, 2013-Ohio-1430.]

DeGenaro, P.J.

{¶1} Plaintiff-Appellant, Dana Rossi, appeals the decision of the Mahoning

County Court of Common Pleas striking her affidavits filed in opposition of summary

judgment and granting summary judgment to Defendants-Appellees, ATC Healthcare

Service, Inc. and Humility of Mary Health Partners, St. Elizabeth Health Center. On

appeal, Rossi argues that the trial court erred in striking her affidavits and

subsequently granting summary judgment in favor of ATC and St. Elizabeth.

{¶2} Rossi's arguments are meritless. We need not reach the issue of

whether the trial court abused its discretion in striking the affidavits; even if the

affidavits are considered, they do not create a genuine issue of material fact as to

preclude summary judgment. Thus, the trial court properly granted summary

judgment in favor of ATC and St. Elizabeth. Accordingly, the judgment of the trial

court is affirmed.

Facts and Procedural History

{¶3} On June 14, 2007, Rossi was a patient at St. Elizabeth for treatment

related to depression. While Rossi was restrained to a bed, Corey Stuart Moore

allegedly entered her hospital room, injected her with morphine, and sexually

assaulted her. At the time of this alleged assault, Moore was employed by ATC, a

nurse staffing agency, which had assigned Moore to work at St. Elizabeth. Moore

passed away on July 14, 2008.

{¶4} Relevant to this appeal, after having voluntarily dismissing a compliant

originally filed in 2008, on October 20, 2010, Rossi filed a second complaint asserting

claims of negligent hiring, retention, and supervision against ATC and St. Elizabeth.

{¶5} On June 17, 2011, ATC filed a motion for summary judgment, arguing

that it could not be held liable for negligent hiring or retention of Moore because there

was no evidence that it had actual or constructive knowledge that Moore had a

propensity to commit sexual assault. It also argued that it could not be held liable for

negligent supervision because Moore was under the supervision and control of St.

Elizabeth at the time of the incident. ATC attached an affidavit from Gina McLaughlin,

the executive director and franchise owner of ATC's Youngstown office, which hired

and placed Moore at St. Elizabeth. McLaughlin attested that a criminal background

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check and nursing background check did not reveal any history that would suggest

that Moore posed a risk of harm to patients. She also averred that prior to the alleged

incident with Rossi, ATC was unaware of any information that would suggest Moore

posed a risk of harm to patients.

{¶6} On July 1, 2011, St. Elizabeth filed a motion for summary judgment,

arguing that Rossi's claims must fail because she could not prove that St. Elizabeth

had actual or constructive knowledge of Moore's propensity to commit sexual assault.

St. Elizabeth attached the affidavit of Theda Gorgacz, R.N., who was responsible for

supervising Moore while he worked at St. Elizabeth. Gorgacz attested that St.

Elizabeth confirmed that Moore's nursing license was active and in good standing and

that he had no pending criminal charges. She stated that during the six months that

Moore worked at St. Elizabeth, she did not recall any issues or patient complaints with

respect to his job performance. Further, based on Moore's work performance, there

was no reason to know or suspect that he had a propensity for criminal behavior.

{¶7} On September 14, 2011, ATC filed a supplemental memorandum in

support of summary judgment, explaining that it anticipated that Rossi would file

affidavits from Deborah and Albert Pezzenti attesting that Moore sexually assaulted

Deborah and that they reported the incident to the Sharon Police Department, Mercer

County District Attorney, and the Ohio Board of Nursing. ATC attached the

supplemental affidavit of McLaughlin, in which she attested that on December 13,

2006, as part of the hiring process, she verified with the Ohio Board of Nursing that

Moore's license was active and in good standing. She further averred that the Ohio

Board of Nursing, Sharon Police Department, and Mercer County District Attorney's

Office never contacted anyone at ATC's Youngstown office regarding the Pezzentis'

reports against Moore. She also stated that Moore never disclosed Deborah's sexual

assault claim to ATC.

{¶8} ATC also attached letters from the Mercer County District Attorney's

Office and the solicitor for the City of Sharon, stating that records relating to a criminal

investigation are exempt from disclosure under the Pennsylvania Right to Know Law.

Additionally, ATC attached an affidavit from Holly Fischer, counsel for the Ohio Board

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of Nursing. She attested that Moore was licensed by the Board from May 2003 until

his death in July 2008, and the Board did not take any disciplinary action regarding

Moore's license. Further, under Ohio law, information received by the Board pursuant

to an investigation is confidential and not subject to discovery in any civil action.

{¶9} On September 23, 2011, Rossi, with leave of court, opposed the

summary judgment motions filed by ATC and St. Elizabeth, supported by two

affidavits. In the first affidavit, Deborah Pezzenti attested that on April 22, 2006, she

and her husband attended a party at Moore's house, during which Moore sexually

assaulted her. Deborah stated that she and her husband reported this assault to the

Sharon Police Department. On January 12, 2007, she was in the emergency room at

St. Elizabeth and saw Moore working as a nurse. Deborah averred that she informed

a St. Elizabeth staff member that Moore had sexually assaulted her, and the staff

member told her that she would inform the head of nursing about this incident.

{¶10} In the second affidavit, Albert Pezzenti, Deborah's husband, attested

that after Deborah saw Moore at St. Elizabeth, Albert left a message for the head of

nursing at St. Elizabeth stating that Moore "had the potential to rape one of his

patients because he did it before." He also stated in the message that he had already

filed a police report with the Sharon Police Department. Further, on April 16, 2007,

Albert filed a complaint with the Ohio Board of Nursing.

{¶11} On November 22, 2011, St. Elizabeth deposed Deborah. Regarding the

information in her affidavit, she agreed that no charges were filed against Moore as a

result of her report to the Sharon Police Department, which was made on May 22,

2006, one month after the incident occurred; and elaborated that her husband had

met Moore through a website for swingers (people who meet for casual sex) and that

the incident occurred while they were attending a swingers party at Moore’s home in

2006. Deborah further testified that when she saw Moore at St. Elizabeth on January

12, 2007, she was visibly upset. A nurse asked her what was wrong, and she told the

nurse that she was involved in an incident with Moore and she wanted him to stay

away from her. She clarified that she remembered saying that she was involved in an

incident with Moore, but she did not know if she said "sexual incident" or "rape

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incident." The nurse told Deborah that she would make sure that Moore was not near

her.

{¶12} Deborah also testified that she was present when Albert called St.

Elizabeth and asked to speak to the head of nursing. Deborah guessed that he made

this call in March 2007, but she did not have a specific date. Albert left a voicemail

stating that there was a nurse working for St. Elizabeth who could be a danger, and

Albert left his name and phone number. She did not believe that Albert left Moore's

name on the message and she did not recall him saying that a police report had been

filed with the Sharon Police Department. She stated that they did not receive a

response from anyone at St. Elizabeth.

{¶13} Deborah explained that she felt that St. Elizabeth should know that

Moore was capable of "sexual innuendos" and that patients were helpless, but that her

feeling was a gut feeling, rather than based on any facts that Moore would harm a

patient. If St. Elizabeth had returned the call, she would have told them about the

incident at the party, but she did not have any information about Moore's professional

conduct.

{¶14} On November 22, 2011, St. Elizabeth also deposed Albert. He

confirmed that he was not present when Deborah was a patient at St. Elizabeth on

January 12, 2007. When Albert contacted St. Elizabeth, he asked to speak to the

head of nursing and he left a voicemail with an unidentified person; identifying himself

and leaving his number. He stated on the voicemail that he was calling about Moore

and that he had information that the head of nursing should know about and he would

discuss it when they returned his call. Albert did not recall stating that one of the

hospital employees had the potential to rape patients and he confirmed that he did not

receive a call back from St. Elizabeth.

{¶15} On December 16, 2011, ATC filed a motion to strike the affidavits of

Albert and Deborah. This motion is listed on the docket sheet; however, the actual

motion is missing from the record. On December 21, 2011, St. Elizabeth also filed a

motion to strike the affidavits of Albert and Deborah pursuant to Civ.R. 56(E). As

grounds, it argued that their depositions directly contradicted their earlier affidavits.

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On that same date, St. Elizabeth also filed a supplemental reply in support of

summary judgment.

{¶16} On January 5, 2012, Rossi filed a supplemental reply in opposition to the

summary judgment motions filed by St. Elizabeth and ATC. She argued that although

the deposition testimony was not identical to the information contained in the

affidavits, the affidavits raised an issue of fact as to St. Elizabeth and ATC. She noted

that there was uncontroverted testimony that Albert "attempted to notify" St. Elizabeth

and that he specifically named Moore as the subject in reference to which he was

calling.

{¶17} On February 28, 2012, the trial court granted the motions to strike and

for summary judgment filed by St. Elizabeth and ATC. The court struck Albert and

Deborah’s affidavits from the record pursuant to Byrd v. Smith, 110 Ohio St.3d 24,

2006-Ohio-3455, 850 N.E.2d 47, paragraph three of the syllabus; Evans v. Sayers,

4th Dist. No. 04CA2783, 2005-Ohio- 2135; and Civ.R. 56(E), reasoning that their

deposition testimony contradicted the statements in their affidavits that they notified

St. Elizabeth that Moore had the potential to rape patients

Trial Court’s Grant of Summary Judgment

{¶18} In her sole assignment of error, Rossi argues:

{¶19} "The trial court erred in striking the Affidavits of Deborah and Albert

Pezzenti and consequently granting summary judgment."

{¶20} Rossi raises two arguments; first that that the Pezzentis’ affidavits create

a genuine issue of material fact sufficient to overcome summary judgment, and

second that the trial court abused its discretion in striking the Pezzentis’ affidavits.

{¶21} When reviewing a trial court's decision to grant summary judgment, an

appellate court applies the same standard used by the trial court and, therefore,

engages in de novo review. Parenti v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 66 Ohio App.3d

826, 829, 586 N.E.2d 1121 (9th Dist.1990). Under Civ.R. 56, summary judgment is

only proper when the movant demonstrates that, viewing the evidence most strongly in

favor of the nonmovant, reasonable minds must conclude no genuine issue as to any

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material fact remains to be litigated and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a

matter of law. Doe v. Shaffer, 90 Ohio St.3d 388, 390, 738 N.E.2d 1243 (2000). A

fact is material when it affects the outcome of the suit under the applicable substantive

law. Russell v. Interim Personnel, Inc., 135 Ohio App.3d 301, 304, 733 N.E.2d 1186

(6th Dist.1999).

{¶22} When moving for summary judgment, "the moving party bears the initial

responsibility of informing the trial court of the basis for the motion, and identifying

those portions of the record which demonstrate the absence of a genuine issue of fact

on a material element of the nonmoving party's claim." Dresher v. Burt, 75 Ohio St.3d

280, 296, 662 N.E.2d 264 (1996). The nonmoving party has the reciprocal burden of

specificity and cannot rest on the mere allegations or denials in the pleadings. Id. at

293.

{¶23} "The party seeking to prevail on a claim for the negligent hiring,

supervision and retention of an employee by an employer must show: (1) the

existence of an employment relationship; (2) the employee's incompetence; (3) the

employer's actual or constructive knowledge of such incompetence; (4) the

employee's act or omission causing the plaintiff's injuries; and (5) the employer's

negligence in hiring or retaining the employee as the proximate cause of plaintiff's

injuries." Douglass v. Salem Community Hosp., 153 Ohio App.3d 350, 2003-Ohio-

4006, 794 N.E.2d 107, ¶51 (7th Dist.), quoting Steppe v. Kmart Stores, 136 Ohio

App.3d 454, 465, 737 N.E.2d 58 (8th Dist.1999).

{¶24} The viability of Rossi's claims is dependent upon demonstrating Moore's

alleged sexual assault was foreseeable. Browning v. Ohio State Hwy. Patrol, 151

Ohio App.3d 798, 2003-Ohio-1108, 786 N.E.2d 94, ¶63 (10th Dist.). The Ninth District

held:

"The foreseeability of a criminal act depends upon the knowledge of the

defendant, which must be determined by the totality of the

circumstances, and it is only when the totality of the circumstances are

'somewhat overwhelming' that the defendant will be held liable." Staten

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v. Ohio Exterminating Co., Inc. (1997), 123 Ohio App.3d 526, 530, 704

N.E.2d 621, citing Evans, 112 Ohio App.3d at 742, 680 N.E.2d 161.

Only where the employer could anticipate the misconduct, and the

employer's taking the risk of it was unreasonable, will liability be imposed

for any consequences. Id., citing Evans, 112 Ohio App.3d at 740, 680

N.E.2d 161.

Collins v. Flowers, 9th Dist. No. 04CA008594, 2005-Ohio-3797, ¶ 33.

{¶25} First, as to the claim of negligent hiring, the affidavits present evidence

that the Pezzentis contacted St. Elizabeth regarding Moore and filed a complaint with

the Ohio Board of Nursing after Moore had already began working at St. Elizabeth.

And although the affidavits state the Pezzentis filed a police report with the Sharon

Police Department, Deborah confirmed in her deposition that no charges were filed

against Moore as a result of this police report. Moreover, ATC submitted evidence

that the Sharon Police Department and Mercer County District Attorney's Office would

not have disclosed any information regarding any investigation of Moore had it

received any inquiries. Because the affidavits do not create a genuine issue of

material fact regarding the Douglass constructive or actual knowledge element, the

trial court properly granted summary judgment to St. Elizabeth and ATC on the

negligent hiring claim.

{¶26} We turn next to negligent retention and supervision claims. As to St.

Elizabeth, construing the evidence most strongly in Rossi’s favor, the affidavits raise a

factual issue regarding whether St. Elizabeth had knowledge of the allegations that

Moore committed a prior sexual assault. However, as to ATC, the Pezzentis' affidavits

only allege that they contacted St. Elizabeth regarding Moore. There is no evidence

that the Pezzentis or St. Elizabeth told ATC about this information. Moreover, St.

Elizabeth's knowledge would not be imputed to ATC because the Nursing Services

Agreement between ATC and St. Elizabeth provides that: "It is expressly

acknowledged by the Parties that Contractor is an 'independent contractor' with

respect to the Facility and nothing in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed

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to create any employer/employee relationship between the parties and/or agents and

staff of the parties." Thus, the trial court properly granted summary judgment on these

claims against ATC, as there was no evidence, let alone a genuine issue of fact, to

meet the Douglass actual or constructive knowledge element.

{¶27} Even if St. Elizabeth had actual or constructive knowledge of the

Pezzentis' allegations, these allegations do not establish that Moore's sexual assault

of a patient was foreseeable. In a negligent hiring case, the Twelfth District found that

an employee's prior charges of assault and domestic violence did not make the

employee's later assault of a co-worker foreseeable because the assault charge was

dismissed and the domestic violence charge was pled as disorderly conduct, a

misdemeanor. Rozzi v. Star Personnel Sers., Inc., 12th Dist. No. CA2006-07-162,

2007-Ohio-2555, ¶12. See also Prewitt v. Alexson Servs., Inc., 12th Dist. No. 2007-

09-218, 2008-Ohio-4306, ¶33 (allegation that employee had assaulted a mentally

disabled resident did not establish forseeability of employee's later sexual assault of a

co-worker in part because the police and Butler County MRDD had determined the

allegation was unfounded).

{¶28} Here, the evidentiary bar is even lower than in Rozzi and Prewitt. The

record reveals that no charges were filed as a result of the Pezzentis' report to the

Sharon Police Department and the Ohio Board of Nursing did not take any disciplinary

action as a result of the Pezzentis' report. Moreover, ATC submitted evidence that the

Ohio Nursing Board and the Sharon Police Department would not have been able to

disclose any information regarding their investigations. Viewing all the evidence in

Rossi’s favor, it does not rise to the evidentiary level contemplated in Collins that the

“totality of the circumstances are 'somewhat overwhelming' that the defendant will be

held liable." Id. at ¶33. Because Rossi has not sufficiently demonstrated that

Moore's conduct was foreseeable, the trial court properly granted St. Elizabeth

summary judgment for this reason on the negligent retention and supervision claims.

This lack of foreseeability likewise supports summary judgment on these claims in

favor of ATC.

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{¶29} Given that we have concluded the Pezzentis’ affidavits do not create a

genuine issue of fact, we need not reach the issue of whether the trial court abused its

discretion in striking the affidavits. Even if the trial court did err, this error was

harmless; the affidavits do not preclude summary judgment as they failed to establish

a genuine issue of material fact.

{¶30} In conclusion, Rossi's assignment of error is meritless. Even if the

contents of the stricken affidavits had been considered by the trial court, they do not

create a genuine issue of material fact as to preclude summary judgment.

Specifically, the claims of negligent hiring, retention and supervision fail against ATC

because of a lack of evidence of the Douglass constructive or actual knowledge

element. The absence of that element supports summary judgment in favor of St.

Elizabeth as well. Further, even if Rossi had created a genuine issue regarding the

knowledge element in her negligent retention and supervision claims against St.

Elizabeth, the failure to create a genuine issue regarding the foreseeability of Moore's

actions as contemplated by Collins supports summary judgment in favor of St.

Elizabeth, as well as ATC on those claims. Accordingly, the trial court properly

granted summary judgment in favor of ATC and St. Elizabeth, and the judgment of the

trial court is affirmed.

Donofrio, J., concurs.

Waite, J., concurs.