Opinion ID: 1999216
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Interpretation of the Release

Text: After carefully examining the record, particularly the release, settlement proposal, and WCC decree, in a light most favorable to plaintiff as the nonmoving party, it is my opinion that there are genuine issues of material fact about whether plaintiff's release encompasses only her workers' compensation claim or, alternatively, whether it extinguishes all claims, including her premises-liability claim. Aetna Casualty & Surety Co. v. Farr, 594 A.2d 379, 381 (R.I.1991) (citing Lennon v. MacGregor, 423 A.2d 820 (R.I.1980)). In the absence of a record that could illuminate what, if any, negotiations occurred between the parties concerning the release, and without evidence of their intent when they agreed to its terms, the release, in my opinion, is ambiguous. See 2 Modern Workers Compensation § 204:16 at 27 (explaining that the scope of a release is primarily a question of intent as manifested by the settlement agreement terms). Therefore, the extraordinary remedy of summary judgment was inappropriate, and I would vacate it. See Canavan v. Lovett, Schefrin and Harnett, 862 A.2d 778, 783 (R.I.2004) (citing Johnston v. Poulin, 844 A.2d 707, 710 (R.I.2004)). For these reasons, I respectfully dissent from the majority's holding.