Trossi v. Nationsrent of Ohio, Inc., Unpublished Decision (6-14-2000)
Trossi v. Nationsrent of Ohio, Inc., Unpublished Decision (6-14-2000)
Opinion of the Court
OPINION
Plaintiff Ali Trosse appeals a summary judgment of the Court of Common Pleas of Tuscarawas County, Ohio, entered in favor of defendant Nationsrent of Ohio, Inc. Appellant assigns a single error to the trial court:THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN GRANTING DEFENDANT/APPELLEE'S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT, IN THAT THE GRANTING OF DEFENDANT/APPELLEE'S MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT WAS CONTRARY TO LAW.
The record before us is scanty. Appellant's complaint alleged he rented a 16 inch chain saw from appellee. While appellant was using it, the chain broke, injuring appellant's hand and leg. Appellant alleged appellee had impliedly warranted the chain saw to be merchantable and fit for the ordinary purposes for which chain saws are used, and was negligent in inspecting and maintaining the chain saw. Appellant alleged appellee failed to adequately warn him of potential dangers, and also alleged the chain saw had defects which were known or should have been known to appellee. Appellee's answer contained a general denial for lack of knowledge and information, and alleged appellant was negligent in the operation of the chain saw, which proximately caused his injuries. In support of its motion for summary judgment, appellee filed a memorandum with a copy of the rental agreement attached thereto as exhibit "A". This contract was apparently provided to appellant in answer to interrogatories, and no other evidence was submitted with it. Although appellee refers to the document as "signed contract" our review of the document disclosed no signature on the line for the renter or his authorized agent. The face of the contract appears to be a receipt, and contains a notation in small print the renter specifically agrees to be bound by all the terms and conditions listed on both sides of the contract, and affirms that the equipment was received in good condition. The back of contract contains 22 paragraphs, in small print, which assert, inter alia, that the lessee acknowledges he had an opportunity to personally inspect the property and acknowledges it is in good condition. The contract provides the lessee understands the proper use of the equipment. The contract also contains a paragraph providing the property is leased in an "as is" condition, and no employee or representative of the lessor is authorized to make a representation, guarantee, or warranty, either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to a warranty of fitness for a particular purpose. The contract asserts the lessor shall not be responsible for any direct, indirect, special or consequential damages of any nature. The trial court's summary judgment reviews Ohio law with regard to summary judgment, and finds reasonable minds could come but to one conclusion on all claims set forth in the complaint, and that there are no genuine issues as to any material fact. Civ.R. 56 (C) states in pertinent part: Summary judgment shall be rendered forthwith if the pleading, depositions, answers to interrogatories, written admissions, affidavits, transcripts of evidence in the pending case, and written stipulations of fact, if any, timely filed in the action, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. No evidence or stipulation may be considered except as stated in this rule. A summary judgment shall not be rendered unless it appears from such evidence or stipulation and only therefrom, 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, such party being entitled to have the evidence or stipulation construed most strongly in his favor. A summary judgment, interlocutory in character, may be rendered on the issue of liability alone although there is a genuine issue as to the amount of damages.
A trial court should not enter a summary judgment if it appears a material fact is genuinely disputed, nor if, construing the allegations most favorably towards the non-moving party, reasonable minds could draw different conclusions from the undisputed facts, Hounshell v. American States Insurance Company (1981),
Gwin, P.J., HOFFMAN, J. and FARMER, J. CONCUR.
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