Rodgers v. Cargotec, Inc., Unpublished Decision (6-3-2004)
Rodgers v. Cargotec, Inc., Unpublished Decision (6-3-2004)
Concurring Opinion
{¶ 9} I concur in judgment only because I see no reason to question whether a plaintiff may voluntarily dismiss, without court order, fewer than all claims asserted, a question the lead opinion raises. (Fn.3 ante) In providing that "a plaintiff, without order of court, may dismiss all claims," Civ.R.41(A)(1)(a) says nothing more to indicate such a dismissal as an "all or nothing" proposition.
{¶ 10} Indeed, this interpretation would deprive a plaintiff of a long established right to dismiss without court order any part of his case. For example, such a requirement would make it impossible for a litigant to settle a claim and voluntarily dismiss that claim and then proceed with the rest of the case. I can see no reason to require a litigant to receive the court's blessing to eliminate less than all claims. Further, I see no reason to question what is well established.
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} Rodgers filed this action against six named defendants and some twenty-one "John Doe" entities and individuals on March 12, 2001. The complaint alleged that Tiffin Loader and other defendant businesses negligently "researched, tested, manufactured, designed, developed, distributed, labeled, advertised, marketed and/or inspected" the crane upon which Rodgers was injured; that they "manufactured, constructed, built, fabricated, designed, assembled, distributed, sold, marketed, tested and/or advertised" a defective product; and that they breached express and implied warranties. Furthermore, the complaint alleged that Tiffin Loader was a supplier of the crane, which was a defective product. The complaint also included claims against Rodgers' employer and the company which maintained the crane.
{¶ 3} In the course of this action, the court either dismissed the claims against the other five named defendants or granted summary judgment in their favor.1 Tiffin Loader moved for summary judgment, averring that "[p]laintiff has instituted the within action sounding in supplier liability against Tiffin Loader Crane Company," and asserting that there was no evidence to support such a claim.2 The court granted this motion "as to the supplier liability claim only," but "reserve[d] ruling on the remaining issues briefed in said motion for summary judgment."
{¶ 4} Rodgers subsequently filed a "notice of voluntary dismissal" which provided: "Plaintiff voluntarily dismisses without prejudice solely the outstanding negligence claims against Tiffin Loader. All remaining claims against Tiffin Loader have been previously adjudicated and dismissed by this Court in its June 6, 2003 order granting Tiffin Loader's Motion for Summary Judgment relative to strict product liability claims." The court "so ordered" on November 7, 2003.
{¶ 5} The court's summary judgment ruling did not adjudicate all claims against Tiffin Loader other than his negligence claim. The complaint also stated claims against Tiffin Loader for breach of express and implied warranties. These claims have not been adjudicated yet, nor were they dismissed by the court.3 Therefore, without Civ.R. 54(B) certification, the court's order is not final.
{¶ 6} See Chef Italiano Corp. v. Kent State Univ. (1989),
{¶ 7} Accordingly, we dismiss.
{¶ 8} This cause is dismissed.
It is, therefore, considered that said appellee recover of said appellant its costs herein.
It is ordered that a special mandate be sent to said court to carry this judgment into execution.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Sweeney, P.J. Concurs. Karpinski, J. Concurs in Judgment only with separateConcurring Opinion.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- William Rodgers v. Cargotec, Inc.
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Unpublished