Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion | 49A02-1411-CT-811 | August 11, 2015 Page 1 of 26

ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT

Jill M. Felkins

Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney

Chicago, Illinois

ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE

Robert A. Garelick

Steven M. Crell

John B. Bishop

Cohen Garelick & Glazier

Indianapolis, Indiana

IN THE

COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA

LHO Indianapolis One Lessee, 

LLC,

Appellant-Defendant,

v.

Esther Bowman, Individually and 

on Behalf of Other Similarly 

Situated Individuals,

Appellee-Plaintiff

August 11, 2015

Court of Appeals Case No.

49A02-1411-CT-811

Appeal from the Marion Superior 

Court.

The Honorable Theodore Sosin, 

Judge.

Cause No. 49D02-1310-CT-39975

Riley, Judge.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion | 49A02-1411-CT-811 | August 11, 2015 Page 2 of 26

STATEMENT OF THE CASE

[1] Appellant-Defendant, LHO Indianapolis One Lessee, LLC d/b/a Indianapolis 

Marriott Downtown (Marriott), appeals the trial court’s certification of a class 

defined by Appellee-Plaintiff, Ester Bowman (Bowman). 

[2] We reverse and remand.

ISSUES

[3] Marriott raises three issues on appeal, which we consolidate and restate as the 

following two issues: 

(1) Whether the trial court erred in entering judgment on the merits in favor of 

Bowman; and

(2) Whether the trial court abused its discretion in granting class certification 

pursuant to Indiana Trial Rule 23. 

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

[4] Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA) is a District of Columbia not-forprofit corporation consisting of various undergraduate and graduate chapters 

throughout the United States, whose principal business is managing all the 

regional chapters of AKA. The Central Region of AKA is comprised of the 

undergraduate and graduate chapters within Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, 

Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and the southeastern 

portion of Missouri. Each year, the AKA holds an annual conference for all 
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion | 49A02-1411-CT-811 | August 11, 2015 Page 3 of 26

chapter members within a specific region. In April 2013, the 79th Annual AKA 

Central Regional Conference was held in Indiana at the Marriott in downtown 

Indianapolis. Approximately 1,900 members of the Central Region attended 

the conference. 

[5] On Saturday, April 7, 2013, the Marriott catered a Luncheon which was 

attended by approximately 800 sorority members. The Luncheon included a 

choice of breaded, pan-seared chicken served with angel hair pasta and a 

mandarin orange cream sauce or a vegetarian option. During the meal, about 

12 chicken dishes were returned to the kitchen after guests complained that the 

chicken appeared to be “pink.” (Appellant’s App. p. 181). At the conclusion of 

the Luncheon, the 75 leftover chicken meals were consumed by Marriott staff. 

Due to the number of complaints, Marriott’s Executive Chef performed a visual 

inspection of the chicken and concluded that the chicken “was slightly pink 

from the marinade and the orange sauce.” (Appellant’s App. p. 182). That 

same evening, the Central Region organized a Gala event at the Marriott, at 

which a chicken meal was also served.

[6] Bowman, an attendee at the conference, opted for and consumed the chicken 

meal at the Luncheon. She attended the Gala later that evening. During the 

early morning hours of Sunday, April 8, 2013, Bowman became violently ill, 

experiencing bouts of severe diarrhea and vomiting for which she was 

ultimately hospitalized. No samples were collected of the diarrhea or vomit to 

test for the presence of food-borne pathogens, bacteria, or other contaminants. 

Sorority Liaison, Gisele Casanova, compiled a list of 59 attendees who became 
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion | 49A02-1411-CT-811 | August 11, 2015 Page 4 of 26

sick that weekend and their corresponding symptoms. This list includes the 

member’s name, chapter, symptoms, and address, as well as the place where 

the attendee consumed food. The list omits the type of food eaten or the time 

of the onset of symptoms. Moreover, the symptoms identified range from 

diarrhea and vomiting to “cold like illness” and the generalized “sick.” 

(Appellant’s Conf. App. pp. 203-04). Of all those attendees, there is no single, 

consistent place of dining: some members ate at a separate undergraduate 

luncheon, some ate at local restaurants, some ate at the Gala, and some ate at 

multiple places. Of the 59 people reporting illness, only 24 ate at the Luncheon. 

Predominately, most members who ate at the Luncheon and Gala and reported 

food poisoning like symptoms reside in Indiana.

[7] On October 31, 2013, Bowman filed a Class Action Complaint alleging that she 

and “61 others suffered personal injury and sustained economic loss as a result 

of consuming tainted food at the Downtown Marriott.” (Appellant’s App. p. 

18). On January 9, 2014, she filed her motion to certify the class. On January 

27, 2014, Marriott filed its objection to class certification. Bowman 

subsequently amended her motion. Following the necessary discovery, the trial 

court conducted an evidentiary class certification hearing on October 7, 2014. 

Thereafter, on October 28, 2014, the trial court concluded that Bowman 

satisfied the requirements of Indiana Trial Rule 23(A) and 23(B)(3) and entered 

its findings of fact and conclusions of law and judgment, granting Bowman 

class certification. 

[8] Marriott now appeals. Additional facts will be provided as necessary.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion | 49A02-1411-CT-811 | August 11, 2015 Page 5 of 26

DISCUSSION AND DECISION

I. Judgment on the Merits

[9] Prior to turning to the class action certification, Marriott presents this court 

with a procedural question. Specifically, Marriott contends that the trial court 

erroneously rendered a final adjudication on the merits in favor of Bowman. In 

its judgment, the trial court

ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED [] that judgment is 

rendered in favor of [Bowman], individually and on behalf of other 

similarly situated individuals and [Bowman’s] Amended Motion to 

Certify Class Action should be and is hereby GRANTED and 

[Marriott’s] Objection to [Bowman’s] Motion to Certify Class Action 

should be and is hereby DENIED.

(Appellant’s App. p. 16). Focusing on the trial court’s entry and the trial court’s 

use of “and,” Marriott identifies the existence of three separate rulings: “1) 

judgment is rendered in favor of Bowman and 2) Bowman’s motion to certify 

the class is granted and 3) Marriott’s objection is denied.” (Appellant’s Br. pp. 

4-5). 

[10] “Class certification is essentially a procedural order and carries no implication 

about the merits of the case.” NIPSCO v. Bolka, 693 N.E.2d 613, 617 (Ind. Ct. 

App. 1998), trans. denied. Thus, “in making a determination regarding class 

certification, a trial court may not conduct a preliminary inquiry into the merits 

of the suit.” Rene ex rel. Rene v. Reed, 726 N.E.2d 808, 816 (Ind. Ct. App. 2000). 

As a “certification hearing is not intended to be a trial on the merits,” “Trial 

Rule 23 does not require a potential class representative to show a likelihood of 
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion | 49A02-1411-CT-811 | August 11, 2015 Page 6 of 26

success on the merits in order to have his claim certified as a class action.” 

Bolka, 693 N.E.2d at 617. Instead, assuming the merits of an action, a trial 

court must determine whether the plaintiff has satisfied the requirements for 

class certification under Trial Rule 23. Eggleston v. Chicago Journeymen Plumbers, 

657 F.2d 890, 895 (7th Cir. 1981), cert. denied, 455 U.S. 1017, 102 S.Ct. 1710, 72 

L.Ed.2d 134 (1982).

[11] Although the trial court issued a “judgment,” considering the trial court’s entry 

in totality, we cannot agree with Marriott that this pronouncement necessarily 

correlates with a ruling on the merits of the cause. Statutorily, “[j]udgment” 

means “all final orders, decrees, and determinations in an action and all orders 

upon which executions may issue.” I.C. § 1-1-4-5. Contextually, it is clear that 

the trial court merely evaluated Bowman’s compliance with the requirements of 

T.R. 23 to reach its conclusion that class certification was warranted. In this 

light, the trial court’s “judgment” should not be considered a decision on the 

merits of Bowman’s action but rather an intermediate adjudication in this cause 

upon which further action can be taken.

II. Class Certification

A. Standard of Review

[12] “The principal purpose of the class action certification is ‘promotion of 

efficiency and economy of litigation.’” Gomez v. St. Vincent Health, Inc., 622 

F.Supp.2d 710, 717 (S.D. Ind. 2008). The plaintiff has the burden of 

establishing that the class certification requirements of Trial Rule 23 have been 
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion | 49A02-1411-CT-811 | August 11, 2015 Page 7 of 26

met. Bolka, 693 N.E.2d at 615. Failure to meet any one of the requirements 

results in the denial of class status. Rene, 726 N.E.2d at 816. Whether these 

prerequisites have been met is a factual determination to be made by the trial 

court. Ind. Bus. Coll. v. Hollowell, 818 N.E.2d 943, 949 (Ind. Ct. App. 2004). 

[13] The trial court has broad discretion in determining whether an action is 

maintainable as a class action, and thus we review its class certification for an 

abuse of discretion. Associated Med. Networks, Ltd. v. Lewis, 824 N.E.2d 679, 682 

(Ind. 2005). An abuse of discretion occurs when the trial court’s decision rests 

upon a clearly erroneous finding of fact, an errant conclusion of law, or an 

improper application of law and fact. Rene, 726 N.E.2d at 817. The trial 

court’s certification determination will be affirmed if supported by substantial 

evidence. Id. We neither reweigh the evidence nor judge the credibility of 

witnesses and affirm if the evidence most favorable to the judgment and all 

reasonable inferences drawn therefrom support the trial court’s decisions. 

Hollowell, 818 N.E.2d at 949. Because Indiana Trial Rule 23 is based on Rule 

23 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, it is appropriate to consider federal 

court interpretations when applying the Indiana Rule. Chicago Title Ins. Co. v. 

Gresh, 888 N.E.2d 779, 782 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008).

B. Indiana Trial Rule 23

[14] Indiana Trial Rule 23 governs class action certifications. A party requesting 

class certification must prove that the proposed class meets all of the 

requirements of Ind. T.R. 23(A) and at least one of the requirements of T.R. 
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion | 49A02-1411-CT-811 | August 11, 2015 Page 8 of 26

23(B). Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Bailey, 808 N.E.2d 1198, 1201 (Ind. Ct. App. 

2004), reh’g denied, trans. denied. In addition to the express requirements for 

class certification, there is an implicit “definiteness” requirement. Id. A 

properly defined class is necessary at the onset because a judgment in a class 

action has a res judicata effect on absent class members. Id. 

1. Class Definition

[15] Reviewing the boundaries of the class, we note that “the class definition must 

be specific enough for the court to determine whether or not an individual is a 

member.” Id. In her Complaint, Bowman defined the proposed class as:

Individuals who attended a [L]uncheon on April 6, 2013, at the 

Downtown Marriott and who all suffered gastrointestinal illnesses and 

other injuries arising from the food they consumed at the [L]uncheon.

(Appellant’s App. p. 19). In its Judgment granting the certification, the trial 

court omitted to include a specific definition. Despite this omission and 

unrequested by the parties, the trial court sua sponte appeared to enlarge the 

proposed group of class members in its conclusions. Specifically, focusing on 

both the Luncheon and the Gala, the trial court concluded that “all class 

members consumed the meal which was served at that Luncheon, Gala, or 

both.” (Appellant’s App. p. 15). As the trial court “can redefine a class in 

order to sustain the lawsuit,” we will evaluate the trial court’s enlarged class 

definition in light of the certification requirements of T.R. 23. Id. at 1202.

2. Indiana Trial Rule 23(A)
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion | 49A02-1411-CT-811 | August 11, 2015 Page 9 of 26

[16] Indiana Trial Rule 23(A) provides that a plaintiff may sue as a representative on 

behalf of a class if the following four requirements are met:

(1) The class is so numerous that joinder of all members is 

impracticable;

(2) There are questions of law or fact common to the class;

(3) The claims or defenses of the representative parties are typical of 

the claims or defenses of the class; and

(4) The representative parties will fairly and adequately protect the 

interests of the class.

[17] Marriott places all four requirements squarely at issue here.1 

i. Numerosity

[18] With respect to the numerosity prerequisite of T.R. 23(A)(1), Marriott contends 

that applying a strict class certification as defined in the Complaint yields a 

class membership of a mere 24 members who became ill following participation 

at the Luncheon, rather than the 59 members resulting from the trial court’s 

enlarged class membership. As a result, Marriott maintains that the trial court 

abused its discretion by concluding that numerosity was satisfied upon finding 

nothing more than conclusory allegations of impractable joinder and 

speculation about the potential class size.

 

1 Marriott commences its analysis with a claim that several of the trial court’s findings of fact are not 

supported by the evidence. However, each of these allegations refer to a specific requirement of TR 23(A) 

and therefore will be discussed within the appropriate subsection.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion | 49A02-1411-CT-811 | August 11, 2015 Page 10 of 26

[19] Whether the actual number of persons affected is 24 or 59, the numerosity 

prerequisite is not simply a test of numbers. McCart v. Chief Executive Officer in 

Charge, Indep. Fed. Credit Union , 652 N.E.2d 80, 83 (Ind. Ct. App. 1995), reh’g 

denied, trans. denied. The real inquiry under the rule is whether joinder would be 

impracticable. See T.R. 23(A)(1). In discussing the numerosity requirement, 

we have previously stated that this analysis

requires an examination of the specific facts and circumstances of each 

case. Proponents of the class are not required to specify the identities 

or exact number of persons included in the proposed class, but they 

may not rely on conclusory allegations that joinder is impracticable or 

upon speculation as to the size of the class. Instead, they must supply 

facts or demonstrate circumstances which provide support for a 

reasonable estimate of the number of class members. A finding of 

numerosity may be supported by common sense assumptions. Courts 

interpreting the identical provision of the federal rule have recognized 

that while numerosity analysis does not rest on a “magic” number, 

permissive joinder has been deemed impracticable where class 

members number forty or more. The numerosity inquiry requires the 

court to consider judicial economy and the ability of the class members 

to institute individual suits. 

Bolka, 693 N.E.2d at 616 (internal citations omitted).

[20] Here, the trial court found that:

Bowman has, at this time, satisfied the requirements of T.R. 23(A)(1). 

At the class certification hearing Bowman presented evidence that she, 

along with fifty-eight (58) other self-reporting conference attendees, all 

experienced highly similar symptoms of illness upon eating at the 

hotel. This list is not inclusive; it only accounts for those [c]onference 

members who voluntarily reported their complaints to Marriott. [] 

Allowing at least fifty-nine (59) individuals to pursue their claims 

against Marriott via separate lawsuits would not only be impracticable 

for the parties, but it would also be impracticable for this [c]ourt to 
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion | 49A02-1411-CT-811 | August 11, 2015 Page 11 of 26

adjudicate all of these claims individually. As such, the class is too 

numerous for joinder of all of the class members to be practicable.

(Appellant’s App. p. 13).

[21] While Marriott repeatedly suggests that Bowman must establish the class 

boundaries before the class can be certified and cannot rely on the inclusion of 

possible potential class members, Bowman is “not required to specify the 

identities or exact number of persons included in the proposed class, and the 

fact that the number of class members cannot be determined with precision 

does not defeat certification.” 7-Eleven, Inc. v. Bowens, 857 N.E.2d 382, 392 

(Ind. Ct. App. 2006). Although a party moving for class certification may not 

rely on conclusory allegations that joinder is impractical or upon speculation as 

to the size of the class, plaintiffs must supply facts or demonstrate 

circumstances that provide support for a reasonable estimate of the number of 

class members. Id. 

[22] We find that Bowman satisfied the numerosity prerequisite of T.R. 23(A). 

Bowman presented sufficient evidence to define the class boundaries as 

members attending and consuming a meal at the Luncheon and/or Gala and 

suffering gastrointestinal illnesses and other injuries thereafter. Besides the selfreporting attendees, Bowman also submitted proof as to the total number of 

possible attendees at either event. Paring down the list of attendees to fit within 
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion | 49A02-1411-CT-811 | August 11, 2015 Page 12 of 26

the class’ boundaries2 and given the number projected by the trial court, it was 

within the trial court’s discretion to determine that joinder of this reasonable 

estimate was impracticable. 

ii. Commonality

[23] The Marriott also takes issue with the trial court’s determination that the 

commonality requirement of T.R. 23(A)(2) was met and asserts that “[i]n food 

liability cases such as this, similarity of symptoms is not always indicative of 

commonality.” (Appellant’s Br. p. 14).

[24] The commonality prerequisite focuses on the characteristics of the class. 

Connerwood Healthcare, Inc. v. Estate of Herron, 683 N.E.2d 1322, 1327 (Ind. Ct 

App. 1997). This requirement is satisfied if the individual plaintiff’s claims are 

derived from a common nucleus of operative fact, which is described as a 

“common course of conduct.” Id. See also Hollowell, 818 N.E.2d at 950. 

[25] In concluding that commonality was satisfied, the trial court found:

Bowman presented evidence that she and all members exhibited nearly 

identical symptoms, all of their symptoms are consistent with those 

typical of food contamination, including diarrhea; vomiting; 

gastrointestinal cramping; and chills, and the onset of symptoms for all 

class members occurred roughly within twelve hours after eating at the 

Luncheon. Thus, all of the class members present questions of law 

 

2 The names on the list also include individuals who did not dine at either the Luncheon or the Gala and 

consequently cannot participate in the class.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion | 49A02-1411-CT-811 | August 11, 2015 Page 13 of 26

and fact which are common to the class as a whole to make class 

certification proper. 

(Appellant’s App. pp. 13-14).

[26] Focusing on the nature and severity of the members’ symptoms, Marriott 

disputes their commonality because there is no evidence classifying the list of 

symptoms as typical of food contamination. Rather, Marriott argues that “[a]s 

the list of symptoms illustrates, some individuals experienced ‘cold like 

symptoms,’ ‘congestion,’ or general ‘illness.’” (Appellant’s Br. p. 14). 

[27] The fact that members have a different degree of symptoms or damages does 

not negate the commonality component. To this effect, we found in 

Connerwood that “the negligent use and preparation of nonpasteurized egg 

products [which] caused the food poisoning” constituted a common course of 

conduct even though “70 persons developed one or more symptoms of food 

poisoning” while only some class members tested positive for salmonella. 

Connerwood, 683 N.E.2d at 1327, 1325. As such, individual questions do not 

prevent a class action on common questions. Bank One, Indianapolis, N.A. v. 

Norton, 557 N.E.2d 1038, 1042 (Ind. Ct. App. 1990). As one treatise explains, 

“even if only one common issue can be identified as appropriate for class action 

treatment, that is enough to justify the application of the provision as long as 

the other Rule 23 requirements have been met.” 7B Charles Alan Wright, 

Arthur R. Miller and Mary Kay Kane, Federal Practice and Procedure § 1790 (2d 

ed. 1986) (footnotes omitted).

[28] While we agree with Marriott that there is no evidence conclusively establishing 

that the “onset of the symptoms [] occurred roughly within twelve hours” of 
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion | 49A02-1411-CT-811 | August 11, 2015 Page 14 of 26

consuming the allegedly contaminated meal, we find that sufficient facts exists 

which portray a common nucleus of operative facts. Specifically, the claim that 

contaminated meals were served during the Luncheon and Gala on April 6, 

2013, at the Marriott which gave rise to the guests’ complaints of one or more 

symptoms of food poisoning amounts to a “common course of conduct.” 

Connerwood, 683 N.E.2d at 1327. Therefore, the trial court did not abuse its 

discretion in finding the commonality prerequisite satisfied.

iii. Typicality3

[29] Next, Marriott contends that the typicality requirement is not established 

because “there are substantial differences among the putative class members in 

terms of what they ate, where they ate, and what they were exposed to, when 

they became ill, what their symptoms were, and how they were damaged.” 

(Appellant’s Br. p. 15). We disagree.

[30] The typicality requirement does not mandate Bowman to show that all claims 

are identical. 7-Eleven, Inc., 857 N.E.2d at 392. Instead, this requirement is 

satisfied if the representative plaintiff’s claim is neither in conflict nor 

antagonistic to the class as a whole. Id. 

[31] With respect to typicality, the trial court concluded that:

 

3 Marriott’s typicality argument includes an expose on the distinction between general liability and proximate 

cause. As we find this contention more appropriately related to the requirements of T.R. 23(B)(3), we shall 

not address Marriott’s claim with respect to liability at this time. 
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion | 49A02-1411-CT-811 | August 11, 2015 Page 15 of 26

Bowman has, at this time, satisfied the requirements of T.R. 23(A)(3). 

[] All members of the class not only have the same claims, but 

Bowman’s claims as class representative are also “neither in conflict 

with nor antagonistic to the class as a whole.” It is not uncommon for 

individuals that have been afflicted with the same illness to not show 

perfectly identical symptoms and of the same severity. As these 

factual distinctions in the class do not defeat satisfaction of the 

requirements of T.R. 23(A)(3), Bowman has satisfied this requirement.

(Appellant’s App. p. 14) (internal citations omitted).

[32] As noted by the trial court, all plaintiffs complained that their injuries were 

instigated by the contaminated food served by Marriott during the Luncheon 

and/or Gala on April 6, 2013. As Bowman presents a claim which does not 

differ dramatically from the other plaintiffs’ claims, her contentions are neither 

in conflict nor antagonistic to the class as a whole. We affirm the trial court 

with respect to typicality.

iv. Adequacy

[33] Marriott represents that the instant action was improperly certified as a class 

action because Bowman cannot fairly and adequately represent the class. 

Indiana’s Trial Rule 23(A)(4) adequacy requirement has three components: 1) 

the chosen class representative cannot have antagonistic or conflicting claims 

with other members of the class; 2) the named representative must have a 

sufficient interest in the outcome to ensure vigorous adequacy; and 3) counsel 

for the named plaintiff must be competent, experienced, qualified, and generally 

able to conduct the proposed litigation vigorously. Bolka, 693 N.E.2d at 618. 

[34] In this respect, the trial court held that:
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion | 49A02-1411-CT-811 | August 11, 2015 Page 16 of 26

In satisfying prong one of T.R. 23(A)(4), and as previously discussed, 

Bowman, as the chosen class representative, does not have 

antagonistic or conflicting claims with the other members of the class. 

Secondly, Bowman, as class representative, has more than sufficient 

interest in the outcome of the cause of action in order to ensure 

vigorous advocacy. Bowman was not only stricken with the terrible 

symptoms that all class members experienced, she also spent several 

days in the hospital as a result. Bowman’s experiences as a result of 

her illness caused her to have not only sufficient but also a significant 

interest in the outcome to ensure vigorous advocacy. Lastly, lead 

counsel for Bowman has forty-eight (48) years of legal experience 

primarily focused in litigation, and has previously handled a food 

poisoning case. Likewise, counsel and counsel’s firm have handled 

class actions previously such that both are qualified and experienced to 

adequately and professionally conduct the litigation on behalf of 

Bowman and [] all of the class members.

(Appellant’s App. pp. 14-15). 

[35] Focusing on the adequacy of Bowman’s representation, Marriott contends that 

Bowman neither possesses the same interest nor suffered the same injury as the 

class and therefore class certification should be defeated. Specifically, Marriott 

argues that Bowman has no evidence linking her illness to any particular food 

she consumed at the hotel, nor were her physicians able to make a 

determinative diagnosis as to whether her illness was caused by food poisoning. 

Rather, Marriott claims that the record established that Bowman, unlike any 

other class member, “developed an irregular heartbeat as a result of the 

occurrence.” (Appellant’s Br. p. 19).

[36] At the moment, Bowman is a suitable representative of the class. Bowman has 

the same interest and suffered similar injures as the other class members. She 

attended and consumed food at both the Luncheon and Gala. She became 
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion | 49A02-1411-CT-811 | August 11, 2015 Page 17 of 26

violently ill thereafter, experiencing bouts of severe diarrhea and vomiting for 

which she was ultimately hospitalized. It should be remembered that a class 

action certification is not a decision on the merits. See, e.g., id. Thus, the 

availability of potential individualized defenses to Marriott against Bowman’s 

claim is not a bar to class certification. Indiana Trial Rule 23(D)(2) 

contemplates that a representative might have to be replaced, since it provides 

for the appointment by the trial court of new representatives should such 

appointment become necessary. See, e.g., Bolka, 693 N.E.2d at 618 (we rejected 

NIPSCO’s argument that plaintiff’s claim was statutorily barred and therefore 

plaintiff was an inadequate representative of the class.) Once the issue of 

liability is determined, Marriott has the right to present its defense which may 

or may not be applicable to all members, including Bowman. Even if 

Marriott’s defense proves to be a bar to recovery for Bowman personally, it is 

within a trial court’s power to—at that point—decertify the action for damages 

or appoint a new representative. However, until adjudication is made on the 

common issue and Marriott presents a defense to Bowman’s claim, Bowman is 

an adequate representative. 

3. Indiana Trial Rule 23(B)

[37] Of the three listed, additional prerequisites, any one of which is sufficient to 

support class certification, the trial court concluded that T.R. 23(B)(3) was 

satisfied. Indiana Trial Rule 23(B)(3) requires the trial court to “find that the 

questions of law or fact common to the members of the class predominate over 

any questions affecting only individual members, and that a class action is 
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion | 49A02-1411-CT-811 | August 11, 2015 Page 18 of 26

superior to other available methods for the fair and efficient adjudication of the 

controversy.” The matters pertinent to this finding include:

(a) The interest of members of the class in individually controlling the 

prosecution or defense of separate actions;

(b) The extent and nature of any litigation concerning the controversy 

already commenced by or against members of the class;

(c) The desirability or undesirability of concentrating the litigation of 

the claims in the particular forum;

(d) The difficulties likely to be encountered in the management of a 

class action.

T.R. 23(B)(3).

[38] Marriott disputes that Bowman has met the requirements of Indiana Trial Rule 

23(B)(3), which mandates not only the existence of questions of law or fact 

common to the members of the class but also requires these questions to 

predominate over any questions affecting only individual members. See

Associated Med. Networks, Ltd., 824 N.E.2d at 684. There is no precise test for 

determining whether common questions of fact or law predominate; instead, 

Indiana Trial Rule 23(B)(3) requires a pragmatic assessment of the entire action 

and all the issues involved. Id. at 686. 

i. Predominance - Legal Standard of Analysis

[39] Initially, prior to turning to the merits of its T.R. 23(B)(3) argument, Marriott 

contends that the trial court analyzed predominance under an incorrect legal 

standard. To posit its claim of error, Marriott relies on the trial court’s 
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion | 49A02-1411-CT-811 | August 11, 2015 Page 19 of 26

statement that “[t]he requirements of T.R. 23(B)(3) mirror those of T.R. 

23(A)(2) and are ‘satisfied if the claims of the individual plaintiffs are derived 

from a common nucleus of operative facts.’” (Appellant’s App. p. 15) (internal 

citation omitted). Because the analytic evaluation for each statutory subsection 

of T.R 23(B) is distinct from those of T.R. 23(A), Marriott maintains that a 

reversal of the trial court’s decision is warranted.

[40] We have stated before that while there is a certain overlap between T.R. 

23(A)(2) and T.R. 23(B)(3), the “requirement of commonality is [] augmented 

by the predominance requirement of T.R. 23(B)(3), which requires not only the 

existence of ‘questions of law or fact common to the members of the class,’ but 

also that these questions must ‘predominate over any questions affecting only 

individual members.’” Associated Med. Networks, Ltd., 824 N.E.2d at 684. As 

such, we have held that “there must be more than a mere nucleus of facts in 

common with the plaintiff class.” Id. at 685. Thus, predominance requires 

more than commonality. Id. 

[41] The trial court concluded that because “Bowman and the class members’ claims 

all derive from a common nucleus,” the predominance requirement was 

satisfied. (Appellant’s App. p. 15). Although “the claims may arise from ‘a 

common nucleus of operative facts,’ [this] does not mean that the common 

claims necessarily predominate.” Associated Med. Networks, Ltd., 824 N.E.2d at 

685 (citing Wal-Mart Stores Inc., 808 N.E.2d at 1204). We find this to be the case 

here.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion | 49A02-1411-CT-811 | August 11, 2015 Page 20 of 26

ii. Predominance – Characteristics

[42] As noted before, there is no precise test for determining whether common 

questions of law or fact predominate; instead, Indiana Trial Rule 23(B)(3) 

requires a pragmatic assessment of the entire action and all the issues involved. 

7-Eleven, Inc., 857 N.E.2d at 393. 

In making this decision, we consider whether the substantive elements 

of class members’ claims require the same proof for each class 

member; whether the proposed class is bound together by a mutual 

interest in resolving common questions more than it is divided by 

individual interests; whether the resolution of an issue common to the 

class would significantly advance the litigation; whether one or more 

common issues constitute significant parts of each class member’s 

individuals cases; whether the common questions are central to all of 

the members’ claims; and whether the same theory of liability is 

asserted by or against all class members, and all defendants raise the 

same basic defenses.

Associated Med. Networks, Ltd., 824 N.E.2d at 686. 

[43] Marriott contends that the case is dominated by the individual issues of 

causation and damages. It specifies that “even if a jury found that food served 

at the Marriott was contaminated or defective, each claimant would still need to 

prove that his or her injuries were proximately caused by consumption of 

Marriott food, including a diagnosis linking their alleged illness with food 

service associated with the Marriott.” (Appellant’s Br. pp. 21-22). As such, 

Marriott maintains that “[t]his individualized process would predominate over 

any issues common to the class such that class treatment would be ineffective 

and inappropriate.” (Appellant’s Br. p. 22).
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion | 49A02-1411-CT-811 | August 11, 2015 Page 21 of 26

[44] Causation is typically discussed in terms of generic and specific causation. 7-

Eleven, Inc., 857 N.E.2d at 389. General or generic causation has been defined 

by courts to mean whether the substance at issue had the capacity to cause the 

harm alleged, while individual causation refers to whether a particular 

individual suffers from a particular ailment as a result of exposure to a 

substance. Id. To prevail on a claim, the class will have to establish both 

generic and individual causation. Id. Similarly, here, this means that Bowman 

must establish not only that the food was contaminated by Mariott and was 

capable of causing the symptoms and injuries complained of, but in addition, 

that the contaminated food was the cause-in-fact of each class member’s specific 

ailments. 

[45] To account for the distinction in proof between generic and proximate 

causation, this court affirmed the trial court’s limited class certification as to the 

issues of liability and causation in 7-Eleven, Inc. See 7-Eleven, Inc., 857 N.E.2d at 

389. Requesting a class action certification after a neighborhood’s groundwater 

was contaminated by a release of gasoline and plaintiffs incurred health risks 

associated with exposure to the chemicals, plaintiffs advocated for a class 

definition limited to “the issue of general liability in which an expert would 

testify that exposure to the contamination would ‘cause certain health 

symptoms in a general way.’” Id. at 388 (internal reference omitted). The 

plaintiffs proposed that after general causation was determined, “there would be 

a series of individual trials for the class members whose injuries fell within those 

established as a matter of general causation.” Id. Concluding that this limited 
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion | 49A02-1411-CT-811 | August 11, 2015 Page 22 of 26

class certification would reduce repetitious litigation as “those class members 

who cannot establish the issues of general liability would not be entitled to 

recover, effectively limiting the scope of the class,” we affirmed the trial court’s 

decision. Id. at 399. 

[46] However, prior to our decision in 7-Eleven, Inc., this court stated:

In the typical mass tort situation, such as an airplane crash or a cruise 

ship food poisoning, proximate cause can be determined on a class-wide 

basis because the cause of the common disaster is the same for each of 

the plaintiffs. 

Connerwood, 683 N.E.2d at 1327 (quoting In re Northern Dist. of Cal., Dalkon 

Shield IUD Prod. Liab. Litig. v. A.H. Robbins Co., 693 F.2d 847, 853 (9th Cir. 

1982), cert. denied, 459 U.S. 1171 (1983)) (emphasis in original). In Connerwood, 

the estate of a deceased nursing home resident sought certification for a class 

action arising out of the food poisoning of approximately seventy residents and 

employees after developing one or more symptoms of food poisoning. Id. at 

1325. We affirmed the trial court’s certification because “[t]he potential class 

members are elderly and medically compromised and may be incapable of 

exercising their own rights. This action originates from common operative facts 

and both state and federal courts have determined that class action treatment is 

appropriate for a mass tort such as food poisoning.”4

 Id. at 1329. 

 

4 We decided Connerwood several years prior to our opinion in 7-Eleven, Inc. which elaborately explained the 

predominance requirements of T.R. 23(B)(3). Without having had the benefit of this detailed analysis, 

Connerwood appears to equate the requirements of the common facts in T.R. 23(A)(2) with the predominance 

requirements of T.R. 23(B)(3). 
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion | 49A02-1411-CT-811 | August 11, 2015 Page 23 of 26

[47] The class action certification of an airplane crash or a cruise line food poisoning 

case, and even Connerwood, must be distinguished from the instant cause at 

Marriot. While in the former, proximate cause exists in a controlled and 

limited environment and can be determined on a class-wide basis because the 

cause and consequences of the common disaster are identical for all the 

members, causation in the case at bar is more wide-ranging. Not only is there 

no consistency among the individual member’s dining options and locations—

some members attended the Luncheon or the Gala, and some attended both—

there are differences in the food consumed—as Bowman has not yet 

conclusively established the exact cause of the alleged food contamination—

and there is a distinction in injuries—some members complained of vomiting 

while others incurred “illness” or “congestion.” (Appellant’s Conf. App. pp. 

203-04). 

[48] By applying the procedural device of a class action certification, the court can 

initially assess Marriott’s potential liability for its conduct without regard to the 

individual components of each class member’s injuries, i.e., whether 

contaminated food was served during the Luncheon and/or Gala. However, 

after Marriott’s general liability is established, it becomes the responsibility of 

each individual member to show that the member ingested the contaminated 

food and that his or her specific injuries or damages were proximately caused 

thereby. We cannot emphasize this point strongly enough because generalized 

proof will not suffice to prove individual damages. The main problem this 

appellate court has on review stems from a failure to differentiate between the 
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion | 49A02-1411-CT-811 | August 11, 2015 Page 24 of 26

general and the particular. Although many common issues of fact and law will 

be capable of resolution on a group basis, customized and particularized 

damages must be established at an individual level. 

[49] Thus, the practical reality of a class certification in this case reveals that while it 

will be relatively easy to establish Marriott’s generic liability, the case will 

become inevitably dominated by the individual issues of extent and nature of 

the injuries, and the degree of exposure. As such, there would be inextricable 

entanglement with the individualized issues of proximate cause that will no 

doubt subsume any common questions that may be present. Accordingly, we 

cannot conclude that the class, as certified by the trial court, would contribute 

to the economies of time, effort, and expense that a class certification is 

intended to achieve. See Gomez, 622 F. Supp. 2d at 717. Finding that the 

questions of law and fact common to the members of the class do not 

predominate over the issues affecting the individual members, we reverse the 

trial court’s certification. See T.R. 23(B)(3). 

iii. Option on Remand

[50] Even though we have determined that the class as defined is not properly

maintainable, the class may be redefined in order to sustain the lawsuit. See

T.R. 23(C)(1). Indiana Trial Rule 23(C)(4)(a) provides that when appropriate, 

“an action may be brought or maintained as a class action with respect to 

particular issues[.]” As we have recognized:
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion | 49A02-1411-CT-811 | August 11, 2015 Page 25 of 26

The theory of Rule 23(C)(4)(A) is that the advantages and economies 

of adjudicating issues that are common to the entire class on a 

representative basis should be secured even though other issues in the 

case may have to be litigated separately by each class member. 

Accordingly, even if only one common issue can be identified as 

appropriate for class action treatment that is enough to justify the 

application of the provision as long as the other Rule 23 requirements 

have been met. As a result, cases have applied subdivision (C)(4)(A) 

to allow a partial class action to go forward and have left questions of 

reliance, damages, and other issues to be adjudicated on an individual 

basis.

Bank One Indianapolis, N.A. v. Norton, 557 N.E.2d 1038, 1041 (Ind. Ct. App. 

1990) (quoting 7B C. Wright, A. Miller & M. Kane, Federal Practice and 

Procedure: Civil 2d § 1790, 271-74 (1986) (footnotes omitted)).

[51] In light of the possibility that Bowman wishes to proceed with certification 

under T.R. 23(B)(3), we recommend the trial court to follow the lead of the 7-

Eleven, Inc. court and certify the class with respect to Marriott’s general liability 

only, with proximate cause of the members to be determined in a series of 

individual hearings. As to generic causation, we believe the substantive 

elements of the claims require the same proof for each class member, the class is 

bound together by a mutual interest in resolving this common question more 

than it is divided by individual interests, that the resolution of this common 

issue will significantly advance the litigation, and that a common question

central to all of the members’ claims exists. See Associated Med. Networks, Ltd., 

824 N.E.2d at 685. As our supreme court has explained:

The predominance test really involved an attempt to achieve a balance 

between the value of allowing individual actions to be instituted so 

that each person can protect his own interests and the economy that 
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion | 49A02-1411-CT-811 | August 11, 2015 Page 26 of 26

can be achieved by allowing a multiple party dispute to be resolved on 

a class action basis.

Id. at 685. We believe that by certifying only the general causation issue, this 

balance between the individual’s values and the judicial economy of jointly 

adjudicating common issues will be achieved. We remand to the trial court.

CONCLUSION

[52] Based on the foregoing, we conclude that the trial court entered a judgment in 

favor of Bowman solely with respect to her class certification request and did 

not enter a judgment on the merits. Furthermore, because we conclude that 

Bowman did not satisfy the predominance requirement of T.R. 23(B)(3), we 

reverse the trial court’s certification of the class and remand the cause for 

further proceedings consistent with this opinion. 

[53] Reversed and remanded.

[54] Bailey, J. and Barnes, J. concur