Opinion ID: 2692037
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Contractual Consideration

Text: {¶ 42} Although the issue of contractual consideration was not raised by Oakridge’s propositions of law, we feel compelled to briefly address this issue in light of the court of appeals’ holding. The appellate court held that the arbitration 11 SUPREME COURT OF OHIO agreement was invalid for lack of consideration on the grounds that Hayes gave up her right to trial and received nothing in return. Hayes v. Oakridge Home, 175 Ohio App.3d 334, 2008-Ohio-787, 886 N.E.2d 928, ¶ 20. We disagree. {¶ 43} The waiver of the right to a jury trial is a necessary consequence of agreeing to arbitration and is not unconscionable. Taylor Bldg., 117 Ohio St.3d 352, 2008-Ohio-938, 884 N.E.2d 12, ¶ 55. Under the court of appeals’ opinion, every arbitration agreement would lack consideration and be rendered invalid. Such a result defies the strong policy favoring arbitration of disputes and the longstanding recognition of arbitration agreements as valid instruments. Both parties gave up their right to trial, as well as all correlating rights in the judicial process as discussed above. Moreover, Hayes was not required to sign the agreement, and it was unequivocally not a condition of her admission to the nursing home. Sufficient consideration exists for the arbitration agreement, notwithstanding the lower court’s opinion to the contrary.