Opinion ID: 2065975
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Respondent's Assumption of the Risk

Text: We agree with MSU and the Circuit Court that the question of voluntariness, in the context of an assumption of the risk analysis, is measured by an objective standard. Therefore, when the uncontroverted evidence demonstrated that Respondent knowingly and voluntarily walked across a snow and ice covered parking lot and injured herself, she assumed the risk of her injuries as a matter of law. The Circuit Court was therefore correct to grant MSU's motion for summary judgment and not send the question to the jury. Assumption of the risk is an affirmative defense in a negligence action. Gibson v. Beaver, 245 Md. 418, 421, 226 A.2d 273, 275 (1967). The two leading cases on this issue are ADM P'ship v. Martin, 348 Md. 84, 702 A.2d 730 (1997), and Schroyer v. McNeal, 323 Md. 275, 592 A.2d 1119 (1991). In ADM P'ship, 348 Md. at 90-92, 702 A.2d at 734-35, we set forth the principles of an assumption of the risk analysis: In Maryland, it is well settled that in order to establish the defense of assumption of risk, the defendant must show that the plaintiff: (1) had knowledge of the risk of the danger; (2) appreciated that risk; and (3) voluntarily confronted the risk of danger.    `The doctrine of assumption of risk rests upon an intentional and voluntary exposure to a known danger and, therefore, consent on the part of the plaintiff to relieve the defendant of an obligation of conduct toward [her] and to take [her] chances from harm from a particular risk.'    Assumption of risk means `voluntary incurring that of an accident which may not occur, and which the person assuming the risk may be careful to avoid after starting.' Thus, if established, it functions as a complete bar to recovery because `it is a previous abandonment of the right to complain if an accident occurs.'    `In determining whether a plaintiff had knowledge and appreciation of the risk, an objective standard must be applied and a plaintiff will not be heard to say that he did not comprehend a risk which must have been obvious to him.' Thus, `when it is clear that a person of normal intelligence in the position of the plaintiff must have understood the danger, the issue is for the court.'     Moreover, `there are certain risks which anyone of adult age must be taken to appreciate: the danger of slipping on ice, of falling through unguarded openings, of lifting heavy objects . . . and doubtless many others.' Concerning whether a plaintiff has voluntarily exposed him or herself to the risk of a known danger, `there must be some manifestation of consent to relieve the defendant of the obligation of reasonable conduct.' `The risk will not be taken to be assumed if it appears from [the plaintiff's] words, or from the facts of the situation, that he does not in fact consent to relieve the defendant of the obligation to protect him. Nevertheless, if the plaintiff proceeds to enter voluntarily into a situation which exposes him to the risk, notwithstanding any protests, his conduct will normally indicate that he does not stand on his objection, and has consented, however reluctantly, to accept the risk and look out for himself.' (citations omitted). In ADM P'ship, 348 Md. at 88, 702 A.2d at 733, Keen Martin was employed as a delivery person. On the morning after a snowstorm, she was assigned by her employer to deliver blueprints to a business. She arrived at the business and noticed snow and ice in the parking lot surrounding the building. Martin testified that she feared losing her job if she did not complete the task for her employer. ADM P'ship, 348 Md. at 89, 702 A.2d at 733. To deliver the blueprints, Martin exited her vehicle and walked to the building; she slipped, but caught herself and avoided falling. She made it to the building and delivered the blueprints. She then left the building and walked back to her vehicle along the same path that she had entered; however, Martin slipped and fell, injuring her back. Martin filed a personal injury action against the owners of the building, ADM Partnership. The partnership argued that it was not liable because Martin assumed the risk of her injuries when she walked across the icy parking lot. Martin argued that she did not assume the risk because she did not walk onto the ice voluntarily; she had to walk on the ice or she would lose her job. The trial court applied an objective standard, stating that `[e]verybody knows that walking on ice is slippery . . . the assumption of the risk is [when,] with that knowledge[,]' an individual assumes that she can walk on that ice and does so. ADM P'ship, 348 Md. at 90, 702 A.2d at 733 (citations omitted). The trial court found that Martin assumed the risk as a matter of law. ADM P'ship, 348 Md. at 90, 702 A.2d at 734. The Court of Special Appeals reversed, concluding that there existed questions of fact for the jury to decide; specifically whether Martin's beliefs that she would lose her job if she did not walk on the ice and complete the delivery rendered her actions involuntary. This Court reversed the judgment of the Court of Special Appeals, rejecting that court's conclusion that Martin's actions were rendered involuntary because she was acting at the instruction of her employer. ADM P'ship, 348 Md. at 94-95, 702 A.2d at 736. We determined that despite her employer's instructions, Martin still retained a choice of whether to walk across the ice, after she realized that it would be dangerous. ADM P'ship, 348 Md. at 102-03, 702 A.2d at 740. We held that when Martin chose to walk across the ice, she did so knowingly and voluntarily and therefore assumed the risk as a matter of law. Similarly, in Schroyer, 323 Md. at 278, 592 A.2d at 1120, Frances McNeal arrived at a hotel shortly after four inches of snow had fallen. She noticed that the area in front of the main entrance to the hotel had been cleared of ice and snow, but observed that the rest of the parking lot had not. Nonetheless, she requested a hotel room closest to an exit because she had a lot of paperwork to carry from her car to her room. Schroyer, 323 Md. at 278, 592 A.2d at 1120-21. The room that McNeal was given was accessible from the main lobby, but she chose to drive her car away from the main entrance to a different entrance that was closer to her room so that she could move her paperwork with greater case. Schroyer, 323 Md. at 278, 592 A.2d at 1121. McNeal parked on packed ice and snow and noticed that the area was slippery. Schroyer, 323 Md. at 278-79, 592 A.2d at 1121. She removed her cat and some belongings from her car and entered the hotel without incident. Schroyer, 323 Md. at 278-79, 592 A.2d at 1121. On the way back to her car, however, she slipped and fell, breaking her ankle. McNeal sued, alleging poor maintenance of the parking lot and negligent failure to warn her of the condition. Schroyer, 323 Md. at 276, 592 A.2d at 1120. A jury returned a verdict for McNeal. The Court of Special Appeals affirmed. Although the argument was properly preserved, the intermediate appellate court did not address whether McNeal assumed the risk of her injuries. We reversed the judgment of the Court of Special Appeals and held that, as a matter of law, McNeal assumed the risk of her injuries. We explained: The test of whether the plaintiff knows of, and appreciates, the risk involved in a particular situation is an objective one, Gibson, 245 Md. at 421, 226 A.2d at 275, and ordinarily is a question to be resolved by the jury. Id. ; Kahlenberg v. Goldstein, 290 Md. 477, 494-95, 431 A.2d 76, 86 (1981). Thus, the doctrine of assumption of risk will not be applied unless the undisputed evidence and all permissible inferences therefrom clearly establish that the risk of danger was fully known to and understood by the plaintiff.' Kasten Constr. Co. v. Evans, 260 Md. 536, 544, 273 A.2d 90, 94 (1971). On the other hand, when it is clear that a person of normal intelligence in the position of the plaintiff must have understood the danger, the issue is for the court. Gibson, 245 Md. at 421, 226 A.2d at 275 ( quoting W. Prosser, Handbook of the Law of Torts § 55 at 310 (2nd ed.)). See also Evans v. Johns Hopkins Univ., 224 Md. 234, 167 A.2d 591 (1961). In Gibson, the obvious danger identified was `the possible physical effects on a man [of the plaintiff's] age of the effort to lift . . . or drag [a heavy fuel hose] through the snow.' 245 Md. at 422, 226 A.2d at 275-76. The danger of slipping on ice was identified in Prosser as one of the `risks which any one of adult age must be taken to appreciate.' Schroyer, 323 Md. at 283-84, 592 A.2d at 1123. In examining McNeal's actions, we stated that [i]t is clear, on this record, that McNeal took an informed chance. Fully aware of the danger posed by an ice and snow covered parking lot and sidewalk, she voluntarily chose to park and traverse it. . . . Schroyer, 323 Md. at 288, 592 A.2d at 1125. We therefore concluded that McNeal assumed the risk of her own injuries and that she did so as a matter of law. Schroyer, 323 Md. at 288-89, 592 A.2d at 1126. Hence, her voluntariness was not a question for the jury. In accordance with the test most clearly articulated in ADM P'ship, and our reasoning and holding in Schroyer, it is clear that Respondent had knowledge of the risk of danger of walking across the snowy and icy parking lot and appreciated that risk. The issue, therefore, is whether she voluntarily confronted the risk of that danger. See ADM P'ship, 348 Md. at 90-91, 702 A.2d at 734. In addition, as explained supra, these three factors are analyzed by an objective standard. See ADM P'ship, 348 Md. at 91, 702 A.2d at 734; Schroyer, 323 Md. at 283, 592 A.2d at 1123; see also Gibson, 245 Md. at 421, 226 A.2d at 275 (stating that [i]n determining whether a plaintiff had knowledge and appreciation of the risk, an objective standard must be applied and a plaintiff will not be heard to say that he [or she] did not comprehend a risk which must have been obvious to him [or her]). Respondent's own testimony made clear that she was aware of the snow and ice in the parking lot. She testified that as soon as she drove into the parking lot, she noticed that she was driving on crunchy ice and snow. She stated further that she thought, doggone, they didn't clean this parking lot. Respondent's behavior demonstrates that she was also aware of the risk, and appreciated the risk, of danger of walking on snow and ice. She explained that she walked very slowly, held onto the cars as she walked, and held onto the railing as she walked slowly up the steps. In addition, Respondent explained that she looked down at the ground to make sure that [she] didn't slip and fall. Moreover, as we stated in both ADM P'ship and Schroyer, [t]he danger of slipping on ice . . . [is] one of the `risks which any one of adult age must be taken to appreciate.' Schroyer, 323 Md. at 284, 592 A.2d at 1123; ADM P'ship, 348 Md. at 92, 702 A.2d at 734 (citations omitted). Nothing in the record suggests that Respondent was forced against her will to confront the risk of danger of walking on the snow and ice, such that her behavior could be classified as involuntarily. After hearing the crunch of ice and snow under her tires and acknowledging that MSU had not removed the ice and snow from the parking lot, she proceeded to get out of her car and visit with her daughter. Respondent's motivation stemmed from the fact that she believed that her daughter needed money. In accordance with our prior holdings, Respondent's actions would be considered involuntary only if she lacked the free will to avoid the situation. See ADM P'ship, 348 Md. at 94-95, 702 A.2d at 736 (holding that Martin proceeded voluntarily in the face of danger despite the fact that she thought she would lose her job if she did not deliver the blueprints); Gibson, 245 Md. at 422, 226 A.2d at 276 (stating that even though Gibson was told that he could not have fuel oil in his house if he did not pull the oil hose from the truck to his house, Gibson acted voluntarily because he still had the choice to accept or reject the fuel oil); Burke v. Williams, 244 Md. 154, 158, 223 A.2d 187, 189 (1966) (concluding that appellant acted voluntary when he walked on the slippery, poorly constructed walkway because he was not forced against his will to do so). Therefore, the fact that Respondent wanted to bring her daughter money for gas does not render her actions involuntary. Respondent argues that Schroyer is not apposite here because in Schroyer, McNeal had other alternative paths upon which to walk and, in the case sub judice, Respondent states that she did not have any other reasonable alternative paths from her car to her daughter's dormitory. We disagree with this interpretation of Schroyer. Our holding in Schroyer was not based upon the existence of other alternatives. Schroyer, 323 Md. at 288, 592 A.2d at 1125. Our conclusion was based upon the fact that McNeal knowingly and voluntarily assumed the risk when she walked across the parking lot. That McNeal could have parked near the entrance and walked on the cleared portion of the parking lot merely provided additional support for our conclusion in Schroyer. Moreover, Respondent had alternatives in this case  as soon as she heard the ice underneath her tires, she could have turned her car around and gone home or arranged an alternative plan by which to get her daughter money, instead of voluntarily proceeding in the face of danger by leaving her car and traversing across ice and snow. Schroyer is therefore dispositive. As we have stated in earlier cases involving the assumption of the risk defense, where the facts are not in dispute and the plaintiff intentionally and voluntarily exposed [himself or] herself to a known danger, we will sustain the granting of a summary judgment or the direction of a verdict.' ADM P'ship, 348 Md. at 103, 702 A.2d at 740 (quoting Burke, 244 Md. at 158, 223 A.2d at 189; citing Schroyer, 323 Md. at 288-89, 592 A.2d at 1126; Gibson, 245 Md. at 422, 226 A.2d at 276; Evans, 224 Md. at 239, 167 A.2d at 594; Finkelstein v. Vulcan Rail and Constr. Co., 224 Md. 439, 441, 168 A.2d 393, 394 (1961)). We therefore reverse the portion of the judgment of the Court of Special Appeals that vacated the Circuit Court's grant of summary judgment in favor of MSU.