Opinion ID: 2120484
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: parties' arguments, issues, and standard of review

Text: ¶ 17 Before this court, McMillon argues that the court of appeals erred in concluding that the known danger exception applies under these circumstances. Pries responds that the court of appeals correctly concluded that the known danger exception applies. Pries further asserts that, even if that exception did not apply, the ministerial duty exception should apply as an alternative ground to affirm the court of appeals. Moreover, at oral argument, counsel for Pries urged this court to reaffirm a general rule initially set forth in Holytz v. City of Milwaukee, 17 Wis.2d 26, 115 N.W.2d 618 (1962). That rule, since abrogated by case law, provided that in cases alleging negligent acts by public officials, liability was the rule and governmental immunity was the exception. [10] ¶ 18 Hence, the issues we confront here focus on whether either the ministerial duty exception or, alternatively, the known danger exception applies under these circumstances to deprive McMillon of the defense of governmental immunity. ¶ 19 A defense of governmental immunity for public employees focuses on whether the action or inaction upon which liability is premised is entitled to immunity. Lodl v. Progressive N. Ins. Co., 2002 WI 71, ¶ 17, 253 Wis.2d 323, 646 N.W.2d 314. Whether an exception to immunity applies requires us to determine the proper scope of the common law doctrine of governmental immunity; that is a question of law that we review de novo without deference to the circuit court or court of appeals, but benefitting from the analysis of each court. Kimps v. Hill, 200 Wis.2d 1, 8, 546 N.W.2d 151 (1996). However, we are to uphold the circuit court's factual findings unless they are clearly erroneous. Phelps v. Physicians Ins. Co., 2009 WI 74, ¶ 34, 319 Wis.2d 1, 768 N.W.2d 615.