Opinion ID: 1805250
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Duty to Control Conduct of a Third Person.

Text: In our review of the district court's ruling on a motion for a judgment n.o.v., we are limited to the grounds urged in the motion for a directed verdict. Federal Land Bank of Omaha v. Woods, 480 N.W.2d 61, 65 (Iowa 1992). We consider the evidence in a light most favorable to the nonmoving party. Id.; Iowa R.App.P. 14(f)(2). Simply put, we ask, was there sufficient evidence to generate a jury question? Konicek v. Loomis Bros., Inc., 457 N.W.2d 614, 617 (Iowa 1990). Generally, a person does not have a duty to aid or protect another. Husker News Co. v. South Ottumwa Sav. Bank, 482 N.W.2d 404, 407-08 (Iowa 1992); Restatement (Second) of Torts § 314. Nor does a person have a duty to control the conduct of a third person to prevent that person from causing physical harm to another. Leonard v. State, 491 N.W.2d 508, 509-10 (Iowa 1992); Restatement (Second) of Torts § 315. However, exceptions to the general rules arise when a special relationship exists between the persons involved. Kelly v. Sinclair Oil Corp., 476 N.W.2d 341, 354 (Iowa 1991); Restatement (Second) of Torts § 315 & cmt c. We view the duties described in Restatement sections 315 to 319 quite narrowly, guided by the principle that the scope of the duty turns on the foreseeability of harm to the injured person. Leonard, 491 N.W.2d at 511.
Here Morgan's initial petition was framed upon the principles of section 342 of the Restatement (Second) of Torts. He alleged six unknown guests constituted a dangerous condition known to the defendant but hidden from him. Before resting his case, Morgan amended his petition to include the elements of a claim under section 318 of the Restatement (Second) of Torts. Section 318 provides: § 318. Duty of Possessor of Land or Chattels to Control Conduct of Licensee If the actor permits a third person to use land or chattels in his possession otherwise than as a servant, he is, if present, under a duty to exercise reasonable care so to control the conduct of the third person as to prevent him from intentionally harming others or from so conducting himself as to create an unreasonable risk of bodily harm to them, if the actor (a) knows or has reason to know that he has the ability to control the third person, and (b) knows or should know of the necessity and opportunity for exercising such control. The court submitted the case to the jury based upon the amended petition. In his motion for a directed verdict, Perlowski urged that (1) he had no duty to protect Morgan, (2) that Morgan assumed the risk of his own injury, and (3) the evidence at trial failed to establish any of the elements requisite to a finding of liability. He argued that the general principles of premises liability should be applied. Under these principles when the dangerous condition and risk is obvious to an invitee or licensee, the possessor of the land has no duty to warn or protect them from injury. See Schnoor v. Deitchler, 482 N.W.2d 913, 917-18 (Iowa 1992).
Under Iowa law the scope of the duty of care which a possessor of land owes to an entrant is based upon the entrant's status as either a trespasser, licensee, or invitee. Id. An invitee is a person who enters or remains on land open to the public by invitation or permission and is owed the highest standard of care. Restatement (Second) of Torts § 332 & cmt. a. A licensee is one who may enter or remain on land only with the possessor's consent. Reasoner v. Chicago, Rock Island & Pac. R.R. Co., 251 Iowa 506, 511, 101 N.W.2d 739, 742 (1960); Restatement (Second) of Torts § 330. As social guests, Morgan and the uninvited men were licensees in Perlowski's home. See Restatement (Second) of Torts § 330 cmt. h. Perlowski urged the trial court's fundamental error was characterizing the case as something other than a premises liability case. The trial court determined that the duty under section 318 of a possessor of land to control the conduct of a licensee applies to harm from persons on the land, not from the physical condition of the land or the activities of the possessor. The duty to control the conduct of licensees arises from the existence of a special relationship between a possessor of land and a licensee on the property. See Davis v. Kwik-Shop, 504 N.W.2d 877, 879 (Iowa 1993). We agree with the trial court that this is something other than a premises liability case. Section 318 of the Restatement (Second) of Torts is found in chapter 12 dealing with general principles of negligence. Under the topic of duties of affirmative action, section 318 is under the title dealing with duty to control conduct of third persons. Section 342, by contrast, is found in chapter 13 dealing with liability for condition and use of land. Under the topic of liability of possessors of land to persons on the land, section 342 is under the title dealing with special liability of possessors of land to licensees. Section 318 relates to the duty of a possessor of land to control conduct of a licensee to prevent harm to others, while section 342 relates to the duty of a possessor of land to make safe or to warn licensees of the existence of a dangerous condition on the land. Under section 342, the injured licensee must prove he or she did not know or have reason to know of the condition and risk involved. Under section 318, however, there is no such requirement. We believe the principles of section 318 should be adopted. We have recognized the duty of care owed by a possessor of land who holds it open to the public for business purposes to members of the public to protect against physical harm caused by the accidental, negligent, or intentional harmful acts of third persons. Young v. Gregg, 480 N.W.2d 75, 79 (Iowa 1992); Galloway v. Bankers Trust Co., 420 N.W.2d 437, 438 (Iowa 1988); Restatement (Second) of Torts § 344. We have applied the Restatement principles of other special relationships that give rise to a duty to control third persons. See, e.g., Fitzpatrick v. State, 439 N.W.2d 663, 667 (Iowa 1989) (citing Restatement (Second) of Torts § 319); Smith v. Shaffer, 395 N.W.2d 853, 856 (Iowa 1986) (citing Restatement (Second) of Torts § 316); Clark v. Mincks, 364 N.W.2d 226, 231-32 (Iowa 1985) (citing Restatement (Second) of Torts § 320). The duty imposed under section 318 is narrower than the duty imposed under section 344. As a matter of public policy, it is reasonable to impose a limited duty upon a possessor of land, who is present on the land, to control the conduct of social guests. We have addressed the limited nature of the duty imposed under section 318. Davis, 504 N.W.2d at 879; Kelly, 476 N.W.2d at 354. Having concluded the trial court correctly viewed Morgan's claim as arising under the principles of section 318, we now consider whether there was sufficient evidence to justify submission of the case to the jury.
The parties do not dispute that Perlowski was the possessor of the home and was present when Morgan was injured. There was substantial evidence that the person or persons causing the injury were invited to the party or were permitted to remain at the home with Perlowski's consent. Perlowski had made arrangements for alcoholic beverages at the party, although he was underage and many of the persons coming to the party were also underage. There is evidence that Perlowski recognized the troublesome nature of the unknown guests, that they did not socialize with other guests, and that they were engaged in harassing activities. When they first arrived, Morgan talked with Perlowski about the possibility of asking them to leave. Later, Perlowski considered suggestions that the party be called off to avoid any harm. His response was, We'll wait and see. Although he was aware that the police could have been called to have the men removed if they did not go voluntarily, Perlowski made a conscious decision not to call the police or to call off the party. Approximately thirty minutes after the uninvited guests arrived, Perlowski told Morgan that he would call off the party. However, he did not do so. Fifteen minutes later a fight broke out downstairs involving the uninvited guests. At that time Morgan was upstairs. When the initial disturbance ended, Perlowski remained downstairs where the fight had occurred but he took no action. Five or ten minutes later a second brawl developed in the basement area. It was at this point that Morgan went downstairs and observed a guest being beaten up by a member of the uninvited group. He attempted to go to the rescue of the guest and was injured as a result. Under these facts a jury issue was generated as to whether Perlowski knew or should have known he had the ability to control the person or persons causing injury, and whether he knew of the necessity and opportunity to exercise such control. See Restatement (Second) of Torts § 318.
Perlowski strongly argues that Morgan must establish he did not know or have reason to know of the condition and risk involved. Lack of knowledge is a general requirement in premises liability cases made by a licensee under section 342 of the Restatement (Second) of Torts. See also Iowa Civil Jury Instruction 900.2. We have recognized that a possessor of land is generally not liable for injuries to an invitee caused by a known or obvious danger from conditions or activities on the land. See Schnoor, 482 N.W.2d at 917; Restatement (Second) of Torts §§ 343, 343A. Although knowledge and control are closely related, we believe under the principles of section 318 the duty to control is not dependent upon proof of a superior knowledge. The knowledge or obviousness of a danger does not excuse the duty to control but may limit the liability. Where a genuine issue of fact remains on the question of foreseeability, we will not resolve it as a matter of law. See Galloway, 420 N.W.2d at 440. Perlowski further argues that, as a matter of law, Morgan assumed the risk of injury and a directed verdict should be entered. The trial court correctly concluded that the issue of assumption of risk was not a separate defense but would be considered under our comparative fault principles. See Coker v. Abell-Howe Co., 491 N.W.2d 143, 147 (Iowa 1992). This defense was properly submitted to the jury to be considered under comparative fault. We conclude the trial court did not err in denying the defendant's motion for a directed verdict and the posttrial motion for a judgment n.o.v.