Opinion ID: 2974237
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Negligent Hiring, Retention, and Supervision

Text: Negligent hiring, retention, and supervision claims under Ohio law require proof of five elements: (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 plaintiff’s injuries; and (5) the employer’s negligence in hiring or retaining the employee was the proximate cause of the plaintiff’s injuries. Linder v. Am. Nat’l Ins. Co., 798 N.E.2d 1190, 1197 (Ohio Ct. App. 2003). -19- Watson’s claim that Romero was negligently hired, retained, and supervised cannot survive summary judgment because Watson only has evidence to support the first element of the cause of action. She has no evidence to suggest that Romero was incompetent or that the City and Mayor Campbell knew of his incompetence. More importantly, Watson has not identified any injury she suffered at the hands of Romero or any harmful act that he committed. From her complaint it appears that Watson is alleging that she was injured when Romero discriminated against her, but she never substantiates this allegation. Moreover, she cannot substantiate this allegation because she failed to prove that Romero discriminated against her when her Title VII and § 1983 claims required it. Apart from her failure of proof on the other elements of her claim, Watson’s negligent hiring, retention, and supervision claim cannot survive summary judgment because she has not put forth evidence of harmful discrimination by Romero.