Court Opinion

ID: 4117107
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-01-19 20:12:35.405647+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:34:36.639633
License: Public Domain

[Cite as Dovel vs. Precision Pest Mgt., 2017-Ohio-203.]

                                        COURT OF APPEALS
                                       STARK COUNTY, OHIO
                                    FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

HAVEN DOVEL                                        :      JUDGES:
                                                   :      Hon. Sheila G. Farmer, P.J.
        Plaintiff - Appellant                      :      Hon. John W. Wise, J.
                                                   :      Hon. Craig R. Baldwin, J.
-vs-                                               :
                                                   :
PRECISION PEST MANAGEMENT                          :      Case No. 2016CA00115
                                                   :
        Defendant - Appellee                       :      OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING:                                  Appeal from the Massillon Municipal
                                                          Court, Case No. 2016-CVI-551

JUDGMENT:                                                 Reversed and Remanded

DATE OF JUDGMENT:                                         January 17, 2017

APPEARANCES:

For Plaintiff-Appellant                                   For Defendant-Appellee

WILLIAM E. WALKER, JR.                                    BRANDON T. PAULEY
333 Erie Street                                           Roderick Linton Belfance, LLP
South 192                                                 50 S. Main Street, 10th Floor
Massillon, Ohio 44648                                     Akron, Ohio 44308
Stark County, Case No. 2016CA00115                                                        2

Baldwin, J.

      {¶1}    Appellant Haven Dovel appeals a judgment of the Massillon Municipal Court

finding in favor of appellee Precision Pest Management on his complaint for termite

damage.

                          STATEMENT OF THE FACTS AND CASE

      {¶2}    During the fall of 2014, appellant purchased a house. As a part of the

process, Title One/Cutler Real Estate hired appellee to perform a pest inspection. On

November 18, 2014, appellee inspected the property and prepared a Wood Destroying

Insect Inspection Report. The report found that there was visible evidence of wood

destroying insects, specifically dead insects and insect parts in the south central portion

of the block basement. The report stated that it was not a structural damage report, and

that it should be understood that some degree of damage, including hidden damage, may

be present. The report noted that the structure or a portion thereof may have previously

been treated. The report further recommended treatment for the control of termites.

      {¶3}    Title One/Cutler Real Estate thereafter hired appellee to treat the property.

Appellee treated the basement and perimeter of the home for termites on December 1,

2014. After buying the house, appellant discovered termites in all of the walls of the

basement, and not just the “south central’ wall that had been referenced in the report. On

September 8, 2015, appellant received an estimate in the amount of $2,900.00 to remodel

the basement.

      {¶4}    Appellant filed the instant action seeking damages from appellee in the

amount of $2,900.00, alleging that appellee failed to perform a property inspection of the

residence prior to purchase and failed to disclose termite infestation in the basement.
Stark County, Case No. 2016CA00115                                                        3

       {¶5}    The case proceeded to trial before a magistrate in the Massillon Municipal

Court. On April 22, 2016, the magistrate filed a report finding that appellant did not prove

his case by a preponderance of the evidence. The magistrate found that appellee did

perform an inspection and did disclose termite infestation. The magistrate further found

that there was no privity of contract between appellant and appellee because appellee

was hired and paid by Title One/Cutler Real Estate.

       {¶6}    Appellant filed objections to the magistrate’s report on May 5, 2016. On the

same day, appellant filed a praecipe to the court reporter for preparation of the transcript

of the proceedings and a motion for an extension of time for the preparation of the

transcript.   The trial court overruled appellant’s objections and entered judgment in

accordance with the magistrate’s decision on May 9, 2016. However, the court then

granted appellant’s motion for an extension of time for the preparation of the transcript on

May 10, 2016, allowing appellant until August 1, 2016 to file the transcript of the

proceedings.

       {¶7}    Appellant assigns three errors on appeal:

       {¶8}    “I.    THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE

MAGISTRATE’S DECISION AND RECOMMENDATION WHERE THE MAGISTRATE

FOUND THE HOMEBUYER WAS NOT A PARTY TO THE TERMITE INSPECTION

AGREEMENT WHEN OHIO LAW PROVIDES HOMEBUYERS HAVE STANDING TO

SUE AS HOMEBUYERS ARE INTENDED BENEFICIARIES OF TERMITE INSPECTION

AGREEMENTS EXECUTED IN CONJUNCTION WITH HOME PURCHASES.

       {¶9}    “II.   THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE

MAGISTRATE’S DECISION AND RECOMMENDATION WHERE THERE WAS
Stark County, Case No. 2016CA00115                                                         4

DOCUMENTARY AND TESTIMONIAL EVIDENCE OF THE DAMAGE AND THE COSTS

TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE.

       {¶10} “III. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN APPROVING AND ADOPTING THE

MAGISTRATE’S DECISION AND RECOMMENDATION BEFORE THE COURT

REPORTER COMPLETED THE TRANSCRIPTION OF PROCEEDINGS BY THE

EXTENSION DATE ORDERED BY THE TRIAL COURT.”

                                                 III.

       {¶11} We address the third assignment of error first, as it is dispositive of the

appeal.

       {¶12} Civ. R. 53(D)(3)(b)(iii) provides for the preparation of a transcript following

the filing of objections to a magistrate’s decision:

              An objection to a factual finding, whether or not specifically

       designated as a finding of fact under Civ.R. 53(D)(3)(a)(ii), shall be

       supported by a transcript of all the evidence submitted to the magistrate

       relevant to that finding or an affidavit of that evidence if a transcript is not

       available. With leave of court, alternative technology or manner of reviewing

       the relevant evidence may be considered. The objecting party shall file the

       transcript or affidavit with the court within thirty days after filing objections

       unless the court extends the time in writing for preparation of the transcript

       or other good cause. If a party files timely objections prior to the date on

       which a transcript is prepared, the party may seek leave of court to

       supplement the objections.
Stark County, Case No. 2016CA00115                                                            5

       {¶13} Appellant filed objections to the magistrate’s report on May 5, 2016, along

with a praecipe for the transcript and a motion for an extension of time to file the transcript.

The trial court overruled appellant’s objections to the magistrate’s report on May 9, 2016,

but granted the motion for an extension of time to file the transcript on May 10, 2016,

giving appellant until August 1, 2016 to file the transcript. The transcript of the proceedings

was filed on June 22, 2016.

       {¶14} Ohio appellate courts have consistently held that a trial court errs in ruling

on a party's objections to a magistrate's factual findings without allotting the party the

requisite 30 days to obtain the necessary transcript. Haverdick v. Haverdick, 11th Dist.

Trumbull No.2010–T–0040, ¶ 17, 23; DeFrank–Jenne v. Pruitt, 11th Dist. Lake No.2008–

L–156, 2009–Ohio–1438, ¶ 12; Bawab v. Bawab, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 96217, 2011–

Ohio–5256, ¶ 28; Cavo v. Cavo, 4th Dist. Pickaway No. 05CA14, 2006–Ohio–928, ¶ 26;

Lincoln v. Callos Mgt. Co., 2nd Dist. Montgomery No. 23848, 2010–Ohio–4921, ¶ 10;

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency v. Lowry, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 23848, 2011-

Ohio-6820, ¶ 14. The trial court ruled on appellant’s objections to the factual findings of

the magistrate four days after they were filed, without giving appellant the thirty days

provided by rule to file a transcript. Further, appellant requested a transcript of the

proceedings at the same time he filed his objections, and requested an extension of time

for its filing, which the trial court ruled on the day after ruling on the objections. The trial

court erred in overruling appellant’s objections without allowing appellant the time set forth

in Civ. R. 53 to file the transcript.

       {¶15} The third assignment of error is sustained. Appellant’s first and second

assignments of error are premature based on our ruling on the third assignment of error.
Stark County, Case No. 2016CA00115                                                  6

      {¶16} The judgment of the Massillon Municipal Court is reversed and this case is

remanded to that court for further proceedings according to law, consistent with this

opinion. Costs are assessed to appellee.

By: Baldwin, J.

Farmer, P.J. and

Wise, J. concur.