Mullins v. Progressive Companies, Unpublished Decision (6-16-1999)
Mullins v. Progressive Companies, Unpublished Decision (6-16-1999)
Opinion of the Court
This appeal is taken from the March 4, 1999 "Decision and Judgment" which grants partial summary judgment in favor of appellee on appellant's claims for bad faith and punitive damages. Appellee filed a motion to dismiss the appeal on the grounds that the March 4th decision is not a final appealable order.
We agree. If an order is not final and appealable pursuant to R.C.
(1) An order that affects a substantial right in an action that in effect determines the action and prevents a judgment;
(2) An order that affects a substantial right made in a special proceeding or upon a summary application in an action after judgment;
(3) An order that vacates or sets aside a judgment or grants a new trial;
(4) An order that grants or denies a provisional remedy * * *."
The only definition of a final order or judgment which could be applied to the March 4th decision is R.C.
In the case, sub judice, appellant filed a complaint against appellee which alleges three causes of action: (1) appellee breached the parties' insurance contract thereby damaging appellant in the amount of Seven Thousand Five Hundred Dollars; (2) appellee's actions were made in bad faith which entitles her to damages and attorney fees; and, (3) appellee's bad faith actions entitles appellant to punitive damages. The March 4th decision resolves only the bad faith and punitive damages issues, but leaves the underlying contract claim unresolved. The decision does not contain the language required by Civ.R. 54(B) stating that the court finds no just reason for delay. In addition, a trial has been scheduled to resolve the remaining issues. Accordingly, we find that the March 4, 1999, decision is not a final appealable order, thus this Court does not have jurisdiction to consider the merits of the appeal. Appellee's motion to dismiss is granted.
Appeal DISMISSED. Costs to Appellant.
Abele, J. and Evans, J.: Concur
_______________________________ Roger L. Kline Presiding Judge
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