Opinion ID: 883672
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Did the District Court err when it granted summary judgment on Phyllis Raddatz's claim of negligence per se in favor of Harold and Betty Patten?

Text: Phyllis Raddatz (Ms. Raddatz) was involved in a sexual relationship with Harold Patten (Mr. Patten) from 1978 to 1992. According to Ms. Raddatz, their relationship began when Mr. Patten invited her to lunch and intimated that he wanted a long-term relationship. She testified that he specifically asked you realize sex goes with this? Thus, Ms. Raddatz alleges she entered this long-term relationship just as one enters a contract. The terms of the arrangement were that Ms. Raddatz would be available to Mr. Patten to have sex, take various tranquilizers and sleeping pills, provide companionship and drink with him. Mr. Patten would, in turn, support her financially. Mr. Patten stopped giving her money in 1992 and refused to provide for her in any other manner. Harold and Betty Patten (Pattens) filed an action for injunction on May 27, 1993, alleging that Ms. Raddatz had harassed them, invaded their privacy, interfered with the Pattens' rights of personal relations, and attempted to seduce Mr. Patten from Mrs. Patten. The court held a hearing on this action and, based on testimony, exhibits, and Ms. Raddatz's stipulation, granted a preliminary injunction to the Pattens. Subsequently, Ms. Raddatz counterclaimed against the Pattens for breach of contract, defamation, infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and negligence per se for giving prescription drugs to Ms. Raddatz during her and Mr. Patten's relationship. Trial was set for May 31, 1994. On April 25, 1994, the Pattens filed a motion for partial summary judgment asking the court to grant judgment in their favor on Ms. Raddatz's counterclaims. Ms. Raddatz filed a motion for partial summary judgment on April 28, 1994, seeking judgment in her favor on the negligence per se counterclaim. Ms. Raddatz then filed a motion to vacate the upcoming trial setting, and stipulated to dismiss all three of her counterclaims leaving her negligence and negligence per se claims to be addressed in connection with the summary judgment motions. The negligence and negligence per se claims were based on Mr. Patten giving his prescription drugs to Ms. Raddatz and causing her to become addicted to them. The court heard oral arguments on all three motions and issued a memorandum and order on May 20, 1994, granting the Pattens' motion for partial summary judgment and denying Ms. Raddatz's motion for partial summary judgment. Ms. Raddatz appeals the District Court's May 20, 1994 decision.