Court Opinion

ID: 5128290
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2021-11-22 16:11:45.730937+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:23:05.499006
License: Public Domain

[Cite as Beair v. Mgt. & Training Corp., 2021-Ohio-4110.]

                      IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
                          THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
                              MARION COUNTY

SCOTT D. BEAIR,
                                                            CASE NO. 9-21-07
       PLAINTIFF-APPELLANT,

       v.

MANAGEMENT & TRAINING CORP.,                                OPINION

       DEFENDANT-APPELLEE.

                 Appeal from Marion County Common Pleas Court
                           Trial Court No. 2019 CV 628

                       Judgment Reversed and Cause Remanded

                          Date of Decision: November 22, 2021

APPEARANCES:

        Adam Houser for Appellant

        Kenneth E. Smith for Appellee
Case No. 9-21-07

WILLAMOWSKI, P.J.

       {¶1} Plaintiff-appellant Scott D. Beair (“Beair”) appeals the judgment of the

Marion County Court of Common Pleas, alleging that the trial court erred in

granting the Defendant-Appellee Management & Training Corporation’s (“MTC”)

motion for summary judgment. For the reasons set forth below, the judgment of the

trial court is reversed.

                           Facts and Procedural History

       {¶2} In December 2011, Beair had surgery on his back to “address bulging

and/or herniated cervical discs * * *.” Doc. 1. In January of 2012, Beair was

incarcerated in the North Central Correctional Center (“NCCC”). Doc. 1, 19. At

this time, MTC had a contract with Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and

Correction (“ODRC”) to operate NCCC. Doc. 1, 19. In December of 2013, Beair

had another surgical procedure performed on his back. Doc. 1, 19. Beair alleges

that his back issues required ongoing care during the term of his incarceration. Doc.

1, 23. On December 18, 2014, Beair was released from NCCC. Doc. 1, 19.

       {¶3} On December 30, 2014, Beair filed a complaint (“December 30, 2014

Complaint”) with the Marion County Court of Common Pleas (“trial court”) that

named MTC; the ODRC; the Warden at NCCC; and five John Does as defendants.

Doc. 31; 20, Ex. 1-A. Beair alleged that the defendants failed to ensure that he

received proper medical care during his term of incarceration in NCCC. Doc. 20,

Ex. 1-A. He raised a negligence claim; a negligence in hiring, training, and

                                         -2-
Case No. 9-21-07

supervising claim; a gross negligence claim; an Eighth Amendment claim; and a

punitive damages claim.1 Doc. 20, Ex. 1-A.

        {¶4} On June 22, 2015, this case was removed to the United States District

Court for the Northern District of Ohio (“Federal District Court”). Doc. 31; 20, Ex.

1-B. On July 5, 2015, Beair filed an amended complaint with the Federal District

Court (“July 5, 2015 Amended Complaint”) that named MTC; Management &

Training Corporation Medical, LLC (“MTC Medical”); and five John Does as

defendants. Doc. 20, Ex. 1-B. MTC Medical was “a subsidiary corporation of

defendant MTC, and operate[d] the medical facility located at NCCC.” Doc. 20,

Ex. 1-B. The five “John Does * * * [were] employees, staff, agents and/or medical

personnel hired and/or employed by defendants MTC and [MTC] Medical * * *.”

Doc. 20, Ex. 1-B.

        {¶5} In the July 5, 2015 Amended Complaint, Beair raised an Eighth

Amendment claim; a Fourteenth Amendment claim; a negligence claim; and a claim

for punitive damages. Doc. 20, Ex. 1-B. As part of his negligence claim, Beair

alleged that “MTC, [MTC] Medical and [the John] Does fail[ed] to provide * * *

timely, adequate medical care, treatment and services * * *.” Doc. 20, Ex. 1-B. In

response, MTC filed a motion to dismiss. Doc. 20, Ex. 1-C.

1
 There was one additional claim in this initial complaint. Doc. 20, Ex. 1-A. However, the tenth page of the
complaint is missing in the filing made with MTC’s motion for summary judgment. Doc. 20, Ex. 1-A. Thus,
we cannot determine the exact claim that was raised on this page.

                                                   -3-
Case No. 9-21-07

        {¶6} On January 19, 2016, the Federal District Court issued an order

(“January 19, 2016 Order”) deciding MTC’s motion to dismiss. Doc. 20, Ex. 1-C.

The Federal District Court addressed two main arguments that MTC had asserted

against Beair’s negligence claims. Doc. 20, Ex. 1-C. MTC argued (1) that Beair

had, in fact, raised a medical claim in this action but had failed to file an affidavit

of merit as required by Ohio Civ.R. 10(D)(2); and (2) that Beair’s allegations of

negligence were conclusory. Doc. 20, Ex. 1-C.

        {¶7} The Federal District Court determined that Beair’s allegations did, in

fact, include a medical claim. Doc. 20, Ex. 1-C. However, the Federal District

Court found that Beair was not required to file an affidavit of merit pursuant to Ohio

Civ.R. 10(D)(2) in federal court. Doc. 20, Ex. 1-C. The Federal District Court then

found that MTC’s “argument that Beair’s negligence claim is conclusory lacks

merit.” Doc. 20, Ex. 1-C.             The Federal District Court dismissed the Eighth

Amendment claim, the Fourteenth Amendment claim, and the punitive damages

claim.2 Doc. 31; 20, Ex. 1-C. However, the trial court denied MTC’s motion to

dismiss as to the negligence claim. Doc. 20, Ex. 1-C.

        {¶8} On October 2, 2018, Beair voluntarily dismissed the remaining claims

pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 41(A)(1)(a). Doc. 20, 31. On October 1, 2019, Beair filed

a complaint (“October 1, 2019 Complaint”) against MTC with the Marion County

2
 The Eighth Amendment claim and the punitive damages claim were dismissed without prejudice. Doc. 20,
Ex. 1-C. The Fourteenth Amendment claim was dismissed with prejudice. Doc. 20, Ex. 1-C.

                                                -4-
Case No. 9-21-07

Court of Common Pleas.         Doc. 1.     Beair raised claims of negligence; gross

negligence; and negligence in hiring, training, and supervising. Doc. 1. On

November 20, 2019, MTC filed a Civ.R. 12(B)(6) motion to dismiss. Doc. 4. On

February 14, 2020, the trial court granted MTC’s motion to dismiss. Doc. 12.

       {¶9} Beair appealed the trial court’s decision to grant MTC’s motion to

dismiss. Doc. 14. On July 27, 2020, this Court, in an accelerated opinion, reversed

the trial court’s decision to grant MTC’s motion to dismiss. Doc. 16. We concluded

that, “at this stage of the proceedings it is too early to state, merely based on the face

of the complaint, that there is no set of facts under which Beair could recover.”

(Emphasis sic.) Doc. 16. We then remanded this case to the trial court. Doc. 16.

       {¶10} On November 4, 2020, MTC filed a motion for summary judgment.

Doc. 20. MTC argued that the negligence claims in Beair’s October 1, 2019

Complaint were, in fact, medical claims. Doc. 20. MTC argued these medical

claims should be dismissed because Beair failed to file an affidavit of merit with

these medical claims in compliance with Ohio Civ.R. 10(D)(2). Doc. 20.

       {¶11} Further, MTC pointed to the fact that the Federal District Court had

determined, in its January 19, 2016 Order, that Beair had raised a medical claim in

his July 5, 2015 Amended Complaint. Doc. 20. On this basis, MTC then argued

that the issue of whether Beair was raising negligence claims or medical claims had

been previously litigated and that Beair was, therefore, precluded from “argu[ing]

that his negligence claims are not true medical claims * * *.” Doc. 20.

                                           -5-
Case No. 9-21-07

       {¶12} On February 3, 2021, the trial court issued its judgment entry. Doc.

31. The trial court found that the issue of whether Beair’s negligence claim was, in

fact, a medical claim had been litigated by the Federal District Court and that the

doctrine of res judicata was, therefore, applicable. Doc. 31. The trial court then

determined that, notwithstanding the applicability of res judicata in this case, Beair’s

negligence claim “would still fit the definition of a medical claim on the facts.”

Doc. 31.

       {¶13} On the basis of these conclusions, the trial court determined that Beair

(1) had failed to file an affidavit of merit as required by Ohio Civ.R. 10(D)(2); and

(2) that “all claims” raised by Beair in his October 1, 2019 Complaint were barred

by the statute of repose for medical claims. Doc. 31. The trial court granted MTC’s

motion for summary judgment and dismissed all of Beair’s claims. Doc. 31.

       {¶14} Beair filed his notice of appeal on March 3, 2021. On appeal, he raises

the following four assignments of error:

                             First Assignment of Error

       The trial court decision violated appellant’s due process rights
       when it misinterpreted the federal court order regarding res
       judicata.

                           Second Assignment of Error

       The trial court decision was against the manifest weight of the
       evidence when it misconstrued appellant’s negligence claim as a
       medical malpractice claim instead of a non-medical negligence
       claim.

                                           -6-
Case No. 9-21-07

                            Third Assignment of Error

      The trial court decision misconstrued the inferences of appellant’s
      complaint and the federal court decision and is against the
      manifest weight of the evidence in violation of Ohio Civil Rule 56.

                            Fourth Assignment of Error

      The trial court decision relying on the statute of limitations
      misinterpreted Ohio law and violated appellant’s due process
      rights when it applied the statu[t]e of limitations to a timely refiled
      complaint.

Since Beair’s four assignments of error ultimately challenge the trial court’s

decision to grant summary judgment to MTC, we will begin by setting forth the

general legal standard for summary judgment.

                     Legal Standard for Summary Judgment

      {¶15} “Appellate courts consider a summary judgment order under a de novo

standard of review.” Schmidt Machine Company v. Swetland, 3d Dist. Wyandot

No. 16-20-07, 2021-Ohio-1236, ¶ 23, citing James B. Nutter & Co. v. Estate of

Neifer, 3d Dist. Hancock No. 5-16-20, 2016-Ohio-7641, ¶ 5. According to the Ohio

Rules of Civil Procedure,

      [s]ummary judgment shall be rendered forthwith if the pleadings,
      depositions, answers to interrogatories, written admissions,
      affidavits, transcripts of evidence, and written stipulations of fact,
      if any, timely filed in the action, show that there is no genuine issue
      of material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment
      as a matter of law * * *. A summary judgment shall not be
      rendered unless it appears from the evidence or stipulation, and
      only from the evidence or stipulation, that reasonable minds can
      come to but one conclusion and that conclusion is adverse to the
      party against whom the motion for summary judgment is made,

                                        -7-
Case No. 9-21-07

       that party being entitled to have the evidence or stipulation
       construed most strongly in the party’s favor.

Civ.R. 56(C). Thus, summary judgment is to be granted

       only when it is clear ‘(1) that there is no genuine issue as to any
       material fact; (2) that the moving party is entitled to judgment as
       a matter of law; and (3) that reasonable minds can come to but
       one conclusion, and that conclusion is adverse to the party against
       whom the motion for summary judgment is made, who is entitled
       to have the evidence construed most strongly in his favor.’

State ex rel. Whittaker v. Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office, 164 Ohio St.3d 151,

2021-Ohio-1241, 172 N.E.3d 143, ¶ 8, quoting Harless v. Willis Day Warehousing

Co., 54 Ohio St.2d 64, 66, 375 N.E.2d 46, 47 (1978).

       {¶16} Initially, “[t]he party moving for summary judgment bears the burden

of showing that there is no genuine issue of material fact and that it is entitled to

judgment as a matter of law.” Zivich v. Mentor Soccer Club, Inc., 82 Ohio St.3d

367, 370, 1998-Ohio-389, 696 N.E.2d 201, 204 (1998). “In doing so, the moving

party is not required to produce any affirmative evidence, but must identify those

portions of the record which affirmatively support his argument.” Neal v. Treglia,

2019-Ohio-3609, 144 N.E.3d 1045, ¶ 12 (3d Dist.), quoting Carnes v. Siferd, 3d

Dist. Allen No. 1-10-88, 2011-Ohio-4467, ¶ 13. “Where * * * the moving party

does not satisfy its initial burden under Civ.R. 56, the motion for summary judgment

must be denied.” Dresher v. Burt, 75 Ohio St.3d 280, 296, 1996-Ohio-107, 662

N.E.2d 264, 276 (1996).

                                         -8-
Case No. 9-21-07

       {¶17} If the moving party carries this initial burden, “[t]he burden then shifts

to the party opposing the summary judgment.” Bates Recycling, Inc. v. Conaway,

2018-Ohio-5056, 126 N.E.3d 341, ¶ 11 (3d Dist.), quoting Middleton v. Holbrook,

3d Dist. Marion No. 9-15-47, 2016-Ohio-3387, ¶ 8. “In order to defeat summary

judgment, the nonmoving party may not rely on mere denials but ‘must set forth

specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial.’” Byrd v. Smith, 110

Ohio St.3d 24, 2006-Ohio-3455, 850 N.E.2d 47, ¶ 10, quoting Civ.R. 56(E).

       {¶18} “[B]ecause summary judgment is a procedural device to terminate

litigation, it must be awarded with caution.” Williams v. ALPLA, Inc., 2017-Ohio-

4217, 92 N.E.3d 256 (3d Dist.), quoting Murphy v. Reynoldsburg, 65 Ohio St.3d

356, 358-359, 1992-Ohio-95, 604 N.E.2d 138, 140 (1992). “The court must thus

construe all evidence and resolve all doubts in favor of the non-moving party * *

*.” Webster v. Shaw, 2016-Ohio-1484, 63 N.E.3d 677, ¶ 8 (3d Dist.). Thus, on

“appeal from summary judgment, the reviewing court should look at the record in

the light most favorable to the party opposing the motion.” Hamilton v. Hector, 117

Ohio App.3d 816, 820, 691 N.E.2d 745, 747 (3d Dist. 1997), quoting Campbell v.

Hosp. Motor Inns, Inc., 24 Ohio St.3d 54, 58, 493 N.E.2d 239, 242 (1986).

                             First Assignment of Error

       {¶19} Beair argues that the trial court incorrectly relied on the Federal

District Court’s January 19, 2016 Order to conclude that he could not assert

negligence claims in his October 1, 2019 Complaint.

                                         -9-
Case No. 9-21-07

                                   Legal Analysis

       {¶20} In its motion for summary judgment, MTC asserted that the negligence

claims in Beair’s complaint were, in fact, medical claims. Doc. 20. MTC pointed

to the fact that the Federal District Court, in its January 19, 2016 Order, had

concluded that the allegations in Beair’s July 5, 2015 Amended Complaint included

a medical claim. Doc. 20, Ex. 1-C. MTC argued that the issue of whether Beair

was raising a negligence claim or a medical claim had been previously litigated and

that res judicata, therefore, precluded Beair from arguing that he had raised

negligence claims, not medical claims, in his October 1, 2019 Complaint.

       {¶21} MTC then argued that Beair had failed to file an affidavit of merit with

the medical claims in his October 1, 2019 Complaint as required by Ohio Civ.R.

10(D)(2). Doc. 20. See Jackson v. Northeast Pre-Release Ctr., 10th Dist. Franklin

No. 09AP-457, 2010-Ohio-1022, ¶ 13 (“Ohio Civ.R. 10(D)(2) requires that every

complaint which contains a medical claim, as defined in R.C. 2305.113, must be

accompanied by an affidavit of merit.”). On this basis, MTC argued that the trial

court should dismiss Beair’s complaint. Doc. 20.

       {¶22} Further, medical claims are also subject to a four-year statute of

repose. R.C. 2305.113(C). Wilson v. Durrani, 164 Ohio St.3d 419, 2020-Ohio-

6827, 173 N.E.3d 448, ¶ 9, quoting Black’s Law Dictionary 1707 (11th Ed.2019)

(“A statute of repose * * * bars ‘any suit that is brought after a specified time since

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Case No. 9-21-07

the defendant acted * * * even if this period ends before the plaintiff has suffered a

resulting injury.’”).

         {¶23} In its judgment entry, the trial court determined that the issue of

whether Beair had raised negligence claims or medical claims had been “litigated

and [that] res judicata applie[d].” Doc. 31. The trial court then concluded that Beair

had failed to file an affidavit of merit in compliance with Ohio Civ.R. 10(D)(2) and

that “all claims” raised by Beair in his October 1, 2019 Complaint were barred by

the statute of repose for medical claims.3 Doc. 31. On these bases, the trial court

granted MTC’s motion for summary judgment. Doc. 31.

         {¶24} On appeal, Beair argues that, “for the doctrine of res judicata to apply,

the Federal Court Order must be a final order where the issue or claim was decided

on the merits.” Appellant’s Brief, 12.

         The doctrine of res judicata involves both claim preclusion
         (historically called estoppel by judgment in Ohio) and issue
         preclusion (traditionally known as collateral estoppel). See
         Whitehead v. Gen. Tel. Co. (1969), 20 Ohio St.2d 108, 49 O.O.2d
         435, 254 N.E.2d 10 [(overruled in part by Grava v. Parkman Twp.,
         73 Ohio St.3d 379, 382, 1995-Ohio-331, 653 N.E.2d 226, 229
         (1995)]; Krahn v. Kinney (1989), 43 Ohio St.3d 103, 107, 538
         N.E.2d 1058, 1062; 46 American Jurisprudence 2d (1994) 780,
         Judgments, Section 516.

3
  Beair was released from NCCC on December 18, 2014 and filed his initial complaint on December 30,
2014. Doc. 1. He voluntarily dismissed his remaining claims from the Federal District Court on October 2,
2018. Doc. 31. He refiled his complaint on October 1, 2019 within the one-year period permitted under the
saving statute but almost five years after his release from NCCC. Doc. 1. The trial court noted that the Ohio
Supreme Court, in Wilson v. Durrani, supra, held that “[e]xpiration of the statute of repose precludes the
commencement, pursuant to the saving statute, of a claim that has previously failed otherwise than on the
merits in a prior action.” Durrani, supra, at ¶ 38. Doc. 31. For this reason, the trial court concluded that the
statute of repose barred Beair from raising any medical claims that arose during his term of incarceration in
NCCC that ended on December 18, 2014. Doc. 31.

                                                     -11-
Case No. 9-21-07

Grava v. Parkman Twp., 73 Ohio St.3d 379, 381, 1995-Ohio-331, 653 N.E.2d 226,

228 (1995). Generally, “claim preclusion precludes relitigation of the same cause

of action * * *.” State ex rel. Davis v. Pub. Emps. Retirement Bd., 174 Ohio App.3d

135, 2007-Ohio-6594, 881 N.E.32d 294, ¶ 17 (10th Dist.).

      The doctrine of * * * issue preclusion[] precludes further action
      on an identical issue that has been actually litigated and
      determined by a valid and final judgment as part of a prior action
      among the same parties or those in privity with those parties.
      Hicks v. De La Cruz (1977), 52 Ohio St.2d 71, 74, 6 O.O.3d 274,
      276, 369 N.E.2d 776, 777; Goodson v. McDonough Power Equip.,
      Inc. (1983), 2 Ohio St.3d 193, 2 OBR 732, 443 N.E.2d 978,
      paragraph one of the syllabus.

(Emphasis added.) State v. Williams, 76 Ohio St.3d 290, 294, 1996-Ohio-408, 667

N.E.2d 932, 935 (1996).

      {¶25} In its January 19, 2016 Order, the Federal District Court denied MTC’s

motion to dismiss as to Beair’s negligence claims. Doc. 20, Ex. 1-C. Subsequently,

Beair voluntarily dismissed his remaining claims without prejudice on October 2,

2018. Doc. 20, Ex. 1-C; 31.

      It is axiomatic that a dismissal without prejudice is not an
      adjudication on the merits and therefore not a final appealable
      order. Lovins v. Kroger Co., 150 Ohio App.3d 656, 782 N.E.2d
      1171 (2d Dist. 2002). “Because res judicata only applies to ‘valid,
      final judgments,’ an order must be final and appealable to
      preclude further litigation of the issue.” Fifth Third Mtge. Co. v.
      Goodman Realty Corp., 3d Dist. Hancock No. 5-08-30, 2009-Ohio-
      81, 2009 WL 57577, ¶ 20. “‘A dismissal without prejudice leaves
      the parties as if no action had been brought at all.’” Denham v.
      New Carlisle, 86 Ohio St.3d 594, 596, 716 N.E.2d 184 (1999),

                                       -12-
Case No. 9-21-07

       quoting De Ville Photography, Inc. v. Bowers, 169 Ohio St. 267,
       272, 159 N.E.2d 443 (1959).

Deutsche Bank National Trust Company v. Baxter, 2017-Ohio-1364, 89 N.E.3d 91,

¶ 22 (8th Dist.). See also 50 Corpus Juris Secundum, Judgment, Section 798, at

362-363 (1997) (“A judgment dismissing an action ‘without prejudice’ is not

conclusive as to any issues joined, and does not constitute either res judicata or

collateral estoppel.”).   In the absence of “a valid and final judgment,” issue

preclusion does not operate to prevent Beair from pleading non-medical negligence

claims in his October 1, 2019 Complaint. Williams at 294.

       {¶26} However, even if the doctrine of issue preclusion were applicable in

this situation, the Federal District Court’s January 19, 2016 Order would still not

prevent Beair from pleading non-medical negligence claims in his October 1, 2019

Complaint. To rule on MTC’s motion to dismiss, the Federal District Court had to

determine whether Beair was required to file an affidavit of merit pursuant to Ohio

Civ.R. 10(D)(2). Doc. 20, Ex. 1-C. The Federal District Court concluded that

Beair’s complaint included a medical claim but then determined that Beair was not

required to follow Ohio Civ.R. 10(D)(2) in federal court. Doc. 20, Ex. 1-C.

       {¶27} But immediately after this Ohio Civ.R. 10(D)(1) analysis, the Federal

District Court considered whether Beair’s “negligence claim [was] * * * conclusory

and lack[ed] merit” as MTC had argued in its motion to dismiss. Doc. 20, Ex. 1-C.

(Emphasis added.) The January 19, 2016 Order states that

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Case No. 9-21-07

      Beair has adequately alleged the Doe defendants breached their
      duty of care by delaying necessary follow-up care and ignoring
      doctors’ order re. Beair’s access to medications and physical
      therapy. The complaint also alleges in plausible, non-conclusory
      terms, these breaches caused Beair physical and emotional harm.

Doc. 20, Ex. 1-C. Thus, the Federal District Court concluded that Beair had

“adequately alleged” his negligence claims. Doc. 20, Ex. 1-C. The Federal District

Court then stated that MTC could “be vicariously liable for the negligence of the

Doe defendants” and denied MTC’s motion to dismiss “as to the negligence claim

* * *.” (Emphasis added.) Doc. 20, Ex. 1-C. Thus, the Federal District Court did

not proceed as though Beair had only raised medical claims.

      {¶28} In its January 19, 2016 Order, the Federal District Court’s analysis

addressed some of the “breaches” of care alleged by Beair as medical claims while

addressing others as negligence claims. Doc. 20, Ex. 1-C. This is evident in the

way that the Federal District Court determined that Beair’s negligence claims were

not conclusory; stated that MTC could be vicariously liable for negligence; and

denied the motion to dismiss as to his negligence claim. Doc. 20, 1-C. In sum, a

Federal District Court order that concluded Beair raised medical claims and

“adequately alleged” negligence claims in his July 5, 2015 Amended Complaint

would not preclude Beair from pleading non-medical negligence claims in his

October 1, 2019 Complaint.

      {¶29} Having reviewed the record in a light most favorable to Beair, we

conclude that MTC did not, as to its arguments based on issue preclusion, carry the

                                       -14-
Case No. 9-21-07

burden of establishing that it was entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Since the

January 19, 2016 Order was not a “valid and final judgment,” the trial court erred

in determining that issue preclusion prevented Beair from pleading non-medical

negligence claims in his October 1, 2019 Complaint. Williams, supra, at 294.

Further, even if issue preclusion were applicable herein, the January 19, 2016 Order

would still not prevent Beair from pleading non-medical negligence claims in this

action. Thus, Beair’s first assignment of error is sustained.

                            Second Assignment of Error

       {¶30} Beair argues that the trial court erred in independently determining

that he did not raise negligence claims in his October 1, 2019 Complaint.

                                   Legal Analysis

       {¶31} Under the first assignment of error, we determined that the Federal

District Court’s January 19, 2016 Order does not preclude Beair from arguing that

he raised a negligence claim in his October 1, 2019 Complaint. However, in its

judgment entry, the trial court also determined that Beair’s “claims are medical

claims on the merits * * *.” Doc. 31. Since the trial court dismissed “all [of Beair’s]

claims under the four-year statute of repose” for medical claims, we turn to

examining whether the trial court was correct in concluding that all of Beair’s

negligence claims were, in fact, medical claims. Doc. 31.

       {¶32} The Ohio Revised Code defines a “medical claim” in R.C.

2305.113(E), which reads, in its relevant part, as follows:

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Case No. 9-21-07

       ‘Medical claim’ means any claim that is asserted in any civil
       action against a physician, podiatrist, hospital, home, or
       residential facility, against any employee or agent of a physician,
       podiatrist, hospital, home, or residential facility, or against a
       licensed practical nurse, registered nurse, advanced practice
       registered nurse, physical therapist, physician assistant,
       emergency medical technician-basic, emergency medical
       technician-intermediate, or emergency medical technician-
       paramedic, and that arises out of the medical diagnosis, care, or
       treatment of any person. * * *

R.C. 2305.113(E)(3). Based on the “plain and unambiguous” wording of this

statute, the Supreme Court of Ohio held that

       a medical claim under R.C. 2305.113(E)(3) is a claim that both (1)
       arises out of the medical diagnosis, care, or treatment of any
       person and (2) is asserted against one or more of the statutorily
       enumerated medical providers.

Estate of Stevic v. Bio-Med. Application of Ohio, Inc., 121 Ohio St.3d 488, 2009-

Ohio-1525, 905 N.E.2d 635, ¶ 16, 19. “If either requirement is not met, no medical

claim exists.” Notario v. American National Red Cross, S.D. Ohio No. 2:20-CV-

6034, 2021 WL 3738895, *2 (Aug. 24, 2021).

       {¶33} In his December 30, 2014 Complaint and his July 5, 2015 Amended

Complaint, Beair alleged that various employees of MTC had committed breaches

of their duties of care. Doc. 20, Ex. 1-A, 1-B. These listed employees included, but

were not limited to, “medical personnel.” Doc. 20, Ex. 1-A, 1-B. Beair also named

MTC Medical as a defendant in his July 5, 2015 Amended Complaint. Doc. 20, Ex.

1-B.

                                       -16-
Case No. 9-21-07

         {¶34} In his October 1, 2019 Complaint, Beair alleges a number of the same

breaches of duty that he did in his December 30, 2014 Complaint and his July 5,

2015 Complaint. Doc. 1; 20, Ex. 1-A, 1-B. He averred that “staff, employees,

and/or agents” of MTC breached their duties of care in each of his three complaints.

Doc. 1; 20, Ex. 1-A, 1-B. However, he does not mention “medical personnel” in

his October 1, 2019 Complaint. Doc. 1. Beair also did not assert any claims against

an “enumerated medical provider[] * * *” in the text of his October 1, 2019

Complaint. Estate of Stevic, supra, at ¶ 18. Further, MTC Medical is not named as

a defendant. Doc. 1.

         {¶35} However, in his response to MTC’s 12(B)(6) motion to dismiss, Beair

did state that that “[t]he staff at MTC of concern are nurses, schedulers, supervisors,

and the like.” Doc. 9. The alleged breaches of duty committed by the nurses could

qualify as medical claims if any of the implicated nurses qualify as a “licensed

practical nurse, registered nurse, [or] advanced practice registered nurse” and the

alleged breaches arose from Beair’s “medical diagnosis, care, or treatment * * *.”

R.C. 2305.113(E)(3).4 If these the alleged breaches do qualify as medical claims

4
  The record, in this regard, is meager. In its motion for summary judgment, MTC relied almost entirely on
the Federal District Court’s January 19, 2016 Order to argue that issue preclusion prevented Beair’s from
arguing he raised negligence claims, not medical claims. Doc. 20. MTC did not attempt to establish that
Beair’s negligence claims were, in fact, medical claims by arguing or establishing that the alleged breaches
of duty were committed by enumerated medical providers in the course of Beair’s medical diagnosis, care,
or treatment. Estate of Stevic, supra, at ¶ 19. For this reason, there is very little evidence in the record as to
who committed the alleged breaches and which of these alleged breaches were committed in the course of
medical diagnosis, care, or treatment. See Lerner v. Braodview NH, LLC, 2017-Ohio-8001, 98 N.E.3d 1014
(10th Dist.) (distinguishing between medical care and general care).

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under R.C. 2305.113(E)(3), the statute of repose in R.C. 2305.113(C) would bar

them. Durrani, supra, at ¶ 38.

       {¶36} However, in this motion, Beair also pointed to alleged breaches of duty

that were committed by “schedulers, supervisors, and the like.” Doc. 9. While he

admitted the possibility that some of his allegations “could be construed as medical”

claims, he identified allegations that raised common law negligence claims. Doc.

9. He stated the following:

       Defendant fail[ed] in its duty to make medical appointments for
       plaintiff resulted in Mr. Beair: 1) not having access to the
       necessary neurosurgeon at UTMC [the University of Toledo
       Medical Center]; 2) not having access to necessary physical
       therapy; 3) and, Beair, several times, being transported to UTMC
       for scheduled appointments with his neurosurgeon but due to
       defendant’s staff failing to ensure Beair’s prison medical records
       accompanied him to appointments, the neurosurgeon would not
       meet with him.

Doc. 9. Beair also pointed to the fact that he had alleged that

       the policies and procedures promulgated and implanted [sic] [by
       MTC] failed to ensure Plaintiff received timely and adequate
       medical care and treatment for serious medical needs. This is
       evidenced by Plaintiff having to repeatedly file grievances and
       appeals in order to secure necessary medical care.

Doc. 9, citing Doc. 1. Subsequently, Beair identified the following negligence

claims in its arguments to the trial court:

       [MTC’s] employees conduct and/or failure to comply with basic
       ODRC policies, procedures, and/or protocol caused plaintiff * * *
       harm: i) by not allowing appellant access to needed physical
       therapy; ii) by transporting appellant to his neurosurgeon
       appointments in Toledo but appellant missed the appointment

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        because appellee’s employees failed to bring with them
        appellant’s necessary prison medical records; iii) by failing to
        schedule needed follow-up appointments at UTMC for both,
        missed appointments and requested ones by the neurosurgeon; iv)
        by ignoring and/or not responding to Plaintiff’s repeated requests
        for said care and treatment and his complaints * * *.

Doc. 29. These filings and allegations indicate that Beair has asserted claims against

MTC employees, such as “schedulers [and] supervisors” who do not appear to be

medical providers that are enumerated in R.C. 2305.113(E). Doc. 9. For this reason,

it is not evident from the record before us that Beair raised medical claims, not

negligence claims, in alleging that these MTC employees breached their duties of

care.

        {¶37} In its judgment entry, the trial court concluded that “all claims” raised

by Beair were barred by the statute of repose for medical claims. (Emphasis added.)

Doc. 31. As we have previously noted, the alleged breaches of duty committed by

the nurses employed by MTC may qualify as medical claims to which the statute of

repose in R.C. 2305.113(C) is applicable. However, the record before us does not

establish that Beair did not raise any negligence claims and that all of his claims are,

therefore, subject to the statute of repose for medical claims.

        {¶38} In conclusion, we do not make any decision regarding the ultimate

merits of Beair’s claims. In this assignment of error, our essential task was to

determine whether the trial court erred in determining that “all” of Beair’s

negligence claims were, in fact, medical claims that were barred by the statute of

                                         -19-
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repose in R.C. 2305.113(C). Doc. 31. Having reviewed the materials in the record

in a light most favorable to Beair, we cannot conclude from the record before us that

he did not raise any non-medical negligence claims in his October 1, 2019

Complaint.

       {¶39} Since the record does not establish that all of Beair’s negligence claims

are, in fact, medical claims, granting summary judgment as to “all claims” on the

basis of the statute of repose in R.C. 2305.113(C) was not appropriate at this stage

of this litigation. Doc. 31. Similarly, the failure to provide an affidavit of merit in

compliance with Ohio Civ.R. 10(D)(2) did not provide the trial court with a basis to

dismiss any of Beair’s non-medical negligence claims at this stage in this litigation.

Since the record does not establish that MTC is entitled to judgment as a matter of

law on these bases, Beair’s second assignment of error is sustained as to any non-

medical negligence claims.

                             Third Assignment of Error

       {¶40} Beair argues that the trial court erred in dismissing his claim against

MTC for negligence in hiring, training, and supervising its employees.

                                   Legal Analysis

       {¶41} In this assignment of error, Beair largely reasserts the arguments that

he raised against the trial court’s conclusion that his non-medical negligence claims

were, in fact, medical claims. However, he now uses these arguments primarily to

assert that the trial court erred in dismissing his claim of negligence in hiring,

                                         -20-
Case No. 9-21-07

training, and supervising. In his October 1, 2019 Complaint, Beair alleged that

MTC

       was negligent in its training and/or supervising its staff, agents,
       and/or employees as the policies, protocol, and/or procedures
       relied upon by [MTC’s] * * * employees failed to ensure medical
       appointments were timely made; medical records accompanied
       Beair to the neurosurgeon’s appointments; medical appointments
       were not delayed or missed due to errors by [MTC’s] * * * staff.

Doc. 1. In its judgment entry, the trial court dismissed “all claims” pursuant to “the

four year statute of repose” for medical claims. (Emphasis added.) Doc. 31. Thus,

Beair’s negligence in hiring, training, and supervising claim was dismissed pursuant

to the statute of repose for medical claims.

       {¶42} However, we concluded in the first and second assignments of error

that the record does not establish, at this point, that Beair has only raised medical

claims. His negligence in hiring, training, and supervising arise from similar

allegations to those negligence claims examined under the second assignment of

error. Following the reasoning in our analysis of the second assignment of error,

we conclude that the statute of repose for medical claims does not provide an

appropriate basis for dismissing Beair’s claims of negligence in hiring, training, and

supervising in their entirety at this juncture in this litigation.

       {¶43} Having reviewed the evidence in the record in a light most favorable

to Beair, we conclude that the trial court erred in determining that Beair’s claim of

negligence in hiring, training, and supervising was barred by the statute of repose

                                           -21-
Case No. 9-21-07

for medical claims and in granting summary judgment to MTC on this basis. Since

the record does not establish that MTC is entitled to judgment as a matter of law on

this claim at this time, Beair’s third assignment of error is sustained.

                             Fourth Assignment of Error

       {¶44} Beair argues that the trial court erred in applying the statute of

limitations for medical claims in this case.

                                    Legal Analysis

       {¶45} After concluding that Beair’s negligence claims were, in fact, medical

claims, the trial court, in its judgment entry, applied the one-year statute of

limitations for medical claims to this case. Doc. 31. See R.C. 2305.113(A). Thus,

the trial court stated the following in its judgment entry:

       In conclusion, all claims alleged more than one year before
       December 30, 2014 are barred by the statute of limitations. Those
       claims within one year of December 30, 2014 would survive
       summary judgment if they were not independently barred.

Doc. 31. However, under the first and second assignments of error, we determined

that the record does not, at this juncture, establish that Beair has not raised any non-

medical negligence claims. For this reason, the record before us does not support

the application of the statute of limitations for medical claims to “all claims alleged”

by Beair. Doc. 31. Inasmuch as the trial court applied the statute of limitations for

medical claims to claims that are not discernibly medical claims based on the

evidence currently in the record, his fourth assignment of error is sustained.

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                                    Conclusion

       {¶46} Having found error prejudicial to the appellant in the particulars

assigned and argued, the judgment of the Marion County Court of Common Pleas

is reversed.   This cause of action is remanded to the trial court for further

proceedings that are consistent with this opinion.

                                                           Judgment Reversed
                                                         And Cause Remanded

MILLER and SHAW, J.J., concur.

/hls

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