Cummins v. Ohio Dept. of Transp., Dist. 8, (Ohio 2004)
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Summary
Automobile damage, pothole. No notice. Duty of care, burden of proof. Judgment for defendant.
Summary
Automobile damage, pothole. No notice. Duty of care, burden of proof. Judgment for defendant.
Text
[Cite as Cummins v. Ohio Dept. of Transp., Dist. 8, 2004-Ohio-1087.]
IN THE COURT OF CLAIMS OF OHIO
AARON S. CUMMINS :
Plaintiff :
v. : CASE NO. 2003AD
OHIO DEPARTMENT OF : MEMORANDUM DECISION TRANSPORTATION, DISTRICT 8 : Defendant
____________________
FINDINGS OF FACT
1) On November 7, 2003, plaintiff, Aaron S. Cummins, was traveling east on Interstate 275 near milepost 26.45 in Hamilton County, when his automobile struck a pothole causing damage to the vehicle.
2) Plaintiff filed this complaint seeking to recover $914.83, the cost of automotive repair, plus filing fees which plaintiff contends he incurred as a result of negligence on the part of defendant, Department of Transportation, in maintaining the roadway. Plaintiff submitted the filing fee.
3) Defendant has denied liability based on the fact it had no knowledge of the pothole prior to plaintiff's property damage occurrence.
4) Plaintiff has not submitted any evidence to indicate the length of time the pothole existed prior to the incident forming the basis of this claim.
5) Defendant has asserted maintenance records show no pothole patching operations were needed in the general vicinity of plaintiff's incident during the six- month period preceding the November 7, 2003, property damage event. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
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Case No. 2003AD MEMORANDUM DECISION
1) Defendant has the duty to keep roads in a safe, drivable condition. Amica Mutual v. Dept. of Transportation (1982), 81AD.
2) In order to recover on a claim of this type, plaintiff must prove either: 1) defendant had actual or constructive notice of the defect (pothole) and failed to respond in a reasonable time or responded in a negligent manner, or 2) that defendant, in a general sense, maintains its highways negligently. Denis v. Department of Transportation (1976), 75AD.
3) There is no evidence defendant had actual notice of the damage- causing pothole.
4) The trier of fact is precluded from making an inference of defendant's constructive notice, unless evidence is presented in respect to the time the defective condition (pothole) developed. Spires v. Highway Department (1988), 61 Ohio Misc. 2d 262.
5) Size of the defect (pothole) is insufficient to show notice or duration of existence. O'Neil v. Department of Transportation (1988), 61 Ohio Misc. 2d 297.
6) In order for there to be constructive notice, plaintiff must show sufficient time has elapsed after dangerous condition (pothole) appears, so that under the circumstances, defendant should have acquired knowledge of its existence. Guiher v. Jackson (1978), 78AD.
7) No evidence has shown defendant had constructive notice of the pothole.
8) Furthermore, plaintiff has failed to show defendant negligently maintained the roadway.
Having considered all the evidence in the claim file and, for the reasons set forth in the memorandum decision filed concurrently herewith, judgment is rendered in favor of defendant. Court costs are assessed against plaintiff. The clerk shall serve upon all parties notice of this judgment and its date of entry upon the journal.
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Case No. 2003AD MEMORANDUM DECISION
____________________
DANIEL R. BORCHERT Deputy Clerk Entry cc: Aaron S. Cummins Plaintiff, Pro se 1193 Emily Drive Milford, Ohio 45150 Gordon Proctor, Director For Defendant Department of Transportation 1980 West Broad Street Columbus, Ohio 43223 RDK/laa 2/23 Filed 2/25/04 Sent to S.C. reporter 3/10/
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