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November 29, 2005 

Vol. 2005/54 

Published and NonPublished Decisions From Kentucky

 

LawWire Contributors

  • Administrative Law, Government, Revenue
    Reed Ennis
  • ADR - Arbitration & Mediation
    Paul C. O'Bryan
  • Appeals
  • Business Law / Contracts
    Paul Schurman
  • Criminal Law 
    Scott Byrd
    Stephen Keller
    Patrick Bouldin
  • Divorce and Family Law
    Volunteers Always Welcomed - Could use two more
    Paul C. O'Bryan
    Michelle Eisenmenger Mapes  
  • Employment Law
  • Federal Decisions (Kentucky)
  • Intellectual Property
    Suzan J. Hixon

 

  • Landlord/Tenant
    Bryan Pierce
  • Medical Negligence
    Richard Schiller
  • Real Estate and Property Law
    Paul C. O'Bryan
    Bryan Pierce
  • Social Security
    Chris Harrell
  • Torts, Insurance, and Civil Procedure
    John Hamlett
    Cherry Henault
    Michael Stevens
    Chad Kessinger
  • Wills, Estates, and Probate
    James Worthington
  • Workers Compensation
    Peter Naake
  • Zoning
    Sam Hinkle

 

Kentucky Court of Appeals Decisions 
NOVEMBER 18,  2005 - 23 Decisions

AOC LINKS - FULL TEXT    SUMMARIES OF DECISIONS
PUBLISHED DECISIONS OF COURT OF APPEALS FOR NOV. 18, 2005
2004-CA-000256
PUBLISHED
AFFIRMING
JUDGE: VANMETER 
Date: 11/18/2005
BROZOWSKI V. JOHNSON, M.D.
APPEALS - Not timely filed (substantial compliance with SCR 3.030(2) does not compel different result)

Denial of Rule 60.02 relief is appealable.

2004-CA-000363
PUBLISHED
AFFIRMING
JUDGE:VANMETER
Date: 11/18/2005
MAGGARD V. BOARD OF EXAMINERS OF PYSCHOLOGY
ADMINISTRATIVE LAW - Trier of fact may consider all the evidence and chose which it believes

An administrative agency's trier of fact may consider all of the evidence and then choose that evidence which it believes.  The fact that inconsistent conclusions may be drawn from the evidence does not prevent the agency’s findings from being supported by substantial evidence. 

2004-CA-001752
PUBLISHED
AFFIRMING
JUDGE:SCHRODER
Date: 11/18/2005
UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE V. RAM ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION
DAMAGES - Prejudgment Interest

CA affirms award of prejudgment interest against UofL on the grounds that statute waives sovereign immunity in contract actions against the state, with the only limitation being a cap on total damages of twice the original contract price.

NON-PUBLISHED DECISIONS OF COURT OF APPEALS FOR NOV. 18, 2005
2004-CA-002071
Not Published 
Date: 11/18/2005
RICHARDSON V. NICHOLS
APPEALS - Untimely Notice and Appeal dismissed for filing notice after 30 days
2004-CA-002185
Not Published 
Date: 11/18/2005
PALMER V. CSX TRANSPORTATION, INC.
CIVIL PROCEDURE - Dismissal for failure to disclose experts timely

In this FELA action, the COA held the trial court did not abuse its discretion in dismissing plaintiff's claims for repeated failures to comply with court ordered pretrial order and disclose expert witnesses.  Ward distinguished.

2003-CA-001116
Not Published 
Date: 11/18/2005
COOK V. CHRISTOPHER FAMILY, LLC
CIVIL PROCEDURE - Trial Continuance (no abuse of discretion)

Not abuse of discretion to deny continuance under the fact of this case, noting that counsel was given a 90-minute opportunity to prepare for cross examination of witness.

2004-CA-000957
Not Published 
Date: 11/18/2005
DONAHOO V. COM.
CRIMINAL - Guilty plea (waives attack on sufficiency of evidence)

 

2004-CA-001943
Not Published 
Date: 11/18/2005
PADGETT V. COM.
CRIMINAL - CR 60.02 denial

 

2004-CA-002449
Not Published 
Date: 11/18/2005
EVANS V. COM.
CRIMINAL - Search & Seizure; Miranda
 
CA affirmed TC's denial of Defendant's suppression motion following arrest for drug trafficking.  When asked for his personal information, the detective did not subject Evans to a custodial interrogation since the detective’s questions were not meant to elicit, nor did they elicit, any incriminating response from Evans. Thus, prior to asking these questions, the detective was not required to advise Evans of his Miranda rights. In addition, the arrest of Evans was clearly proper because the officers had an arrest warrant for him.
2004-CA-002581
Not Published 
Date: 11/18/2005
ELLENBERGER V. COM.
CRIMINAL - CR  60.02 (Kotilla)
2004-CA-001422
Not Published 
Date: 11/18/2005
DUFFY V. COM.
EVIDENCE - Admissibility of tape recording or video tape

CA affirmed Duffy's convictions for Cocaine Possession, PFO 2 and related offenses.  There was no palpable error when the lead investigating officer interpreted a traffic-stop video and gave his opinion to the jury about what the defendant had said to him.  Given that the defendant admitted that a container carrying marijuana and cocaine belonged to him, there was no substantial possibility that the result of the trial would have been different.  Castle v. Commonwealth, 44 S.W.3d 790, 793-94 (Ky.App. 2000).  

 

2004-CA-002532
Not Published 
Date: 11/18/2005
KIRBY V. COM.
EVIDENCE - Admissibility of tape recording; quality

 

 

2004-CA-001883
Not Published 
Date: 11/18/2005
CRAIG AND BISHOP, INC. V. PILES
EVIDENCE - Parol evidence rule (contracts, fraudulent representations)

 

2005-CA-000328
Not Published 
Date: 11/18/2005
SCHERDIN V. SCHERDIN
FAMILY LAW - Maintenance (findings of judge not clearly erroneous)
2004-CA-001067
Not Published 
Date: 11/18/2005
FULMER V. MEADE
PROPERTY - Covenants running with the land

A clause in an oil and gas lease providing for free gas for domestic use on the premises has been universally held to create a covenant running with the land that attaches to the surface of the land. Ella Fulmer appeals the summary judgment granted in favor of Jimmy and Barbara Meade in which the circuit court applied this rule. 

The circuit court concluded the Meades, as the “beneficial owners” of the surface land, were entitled to the benefit of the “free gas clause” in an oil and gas lease.  Seller did get to keep the gas when land disposed of.

 

2003-CA-002154
Not Published 
Date: 11/18/2005
WEISENTHAL V. CITY OF STRATHMOOR MANOR
PROPERTY 

Affirmed SJ dismissing property owners claim city interfered with his walkway.

 

2003-CA-002451
Not Published 
Date: 11/18/2005
STEWART V. FAST FORWARD VIDEO, INC.
TORTS - 

This case has an odd set of facts as Stewart a 50+ year Ph.D. liked to visit the video star and with the young females working there when one night some young men showed up also liking to socialize with the young girls.  At this time, one of these young men exhibited behavior Stewart believed was inappropriate (snapping one of the girl's bra strap).  Stewart was offended and intervened. The exchanged between Stewart and the young black man escalated with allegations that Stewart made racial epithets.  The young black man challenged Stewart to a fight outside, and Stewart responded "that he would not fight Hocker unless a lawyer drafted a contract stating that Hocker would not sue him."  Well, things went from bad to worse, and a fight ensued with Stewart getting the orbit of his eye broken. Stewart left and later sued the store claiming they knew that a dangerous and hazard condition had been created.  Jury deliberated for 13 minutes, returning a verdict in favor of the store.

COA found Stewart the aggressor and affirmed the verdict as bit being flagrantly against the evidence.

Note.  Not much law, but a story on interest nonetheless.

 

2004-CA-001333
Not Published 
Date: 11/18/2005
CHILDERS V. CHILDERS
TORTS - Undue influence (real estate transaction)

Other heirs not to happy with son's development of close relationship with  Ruth, his mother,  when she got ill and claimed undue influence when mom gave him power of attorney.  Ruth’s condition continued to deteriorate, and she soon became entirely dependent upon Danny and his wife for her personal care. Danny became intimately involved in Ruth’s finances.  Danny undertook so close a fiduciary and confidential relationship with Ruth as to suffice to create a climate of undue influence. See Hall v. Orme, 146 Ky. 467, 142 S.W. 1077 (Ky. 1912); Sword v. Fields, 192 Ky. 629, 234 S.W. 202 (Ky. 1921). 

2005-CA-000023
Not Published 
Date: 11/18/2005
CAHILL V. CITY OF ELIZABETHTOWN
TORTS - Defenses (Qualified immunity of police officers)

CA affirms SJ dismissing false imprisonment claims.

Appellant deposited a $15,000 check in his account at First Federal within the WalMart in Elizabethtown. (The money was proceeds of a casualty insurance policy). He withdrew the money a few days later. About a week later, a bank clerk informed him the account was overdrawn b/c First Federal believed the check was forged and dishonored it. The bank filed a civil suit shortly thereafter.

About a month later, a bank employee saw the appellants shopping in the WalMart and called the police claiming the bank had had a warrant issued for Cahill's arrest out of another county. A bank security officer later called the police and erroneously confirmed the warrant's existence. A dispatcher in the allegedly-issuing county also erroneously confirmed the warrant's existence, saying it would be faxed to the local police shortly. A police officer caught up with Cahill at a gas station down the street and held him, handcuffed, in his cruiser for about 10 minutes while local dispatch confirmed that no such warrant ever existed.

CA disagreed with TC, holding that this was an arrest, not just an investigatory stop, but affirmed, holding that the officers were entitled to qualified immunity.

 

2005-CA-000652
Not Published 
Date: 11/18/2005
OGOLEY V. KROGER
WORKERS COMP - Substantial Evidence 

The ALJ chose the 3% impairment rating for an ankle fracture with plate and screws over two 20% impairment ratings.  The issue was whether the claimant had gait derangement, an automatic 20% impairment rating if an assistive device is used, was a result of the ankle problem or due to some other problem.  The ALJ is allowed to rely on the rating she believes is correct, but if the evidence as to the underlying reasons for assigning the rating is uncontroverted, the ALJ may be required to reject a doctor’s testimony. 

 

2005-CA-000868
Not Published 
Date: 11/18/2005
DOLPHIN POOLS V. MEADOWS
WORKERS COMP - Average Weekly Wage, Seasonal employee 

The ALJ’s finding that the employee was not a ‘seasonal’ employee, in other words, his employment could be carried on throughout the year, was affirmed by the Board and Court of Appeals.  Wages for seasonal employees are calculated based on a year of income from all employments, which is a disadvantage for sporadic workers.  

 

2005-CA-000953
Not Published 
Date: 11/18/2005
WHITEHALL FURNITURE V. WILKINS
WORKERS COMP - Substantial Evidence 

The Board and Court of Appeals affirmed the award of benefits based on a finding that the condition the claimant gradually developed was work related.  If there is substantial evidence to support an award of benefits, then the decision cannot be disturbed on appeal.

 

2005-CA-001025
Not Published 
Date: 11/18/2005
BROOKLAWN YOUTH SERVICES V. HANEBERG
WORKERS COMP - Law of the Case 

The Board reversed the ALJ and remanded for a finding pursuant to pre-2000 law, whether the claimant was able to perform the job she was performing at the time of her injury.  The ALJ found on remand that she could not, and amended her decision to reflect that finding.  The employer appealed to the Court of Appeals, which rejected on the basis that since the employer had not appealed the Board’s first decision, which was final and appealable, it was now the law of the case and could not be changed on appeal.

 

 

 

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals Decisions 

Nov. 14 -18, 2005

 CA6 Home

 PUBLISHED OPINIONS

Opinion Pub Date Short Title/District
05a0440p.06 2005/11/14  White v. Columbus Metro
    Southern District of Ohio at Columbus
05a0441p.06 2005/11/14  Spotts v. USA
    Eastern District of Kentucky at Lexington
05a0442p.06 2005/11/16  Blankenship v. Blackwell
    Southern District of Ohio at Columbus
05a0443p.06 2005/11/17  Keeton v. Flying J. Inc.
    Eastern District of Kentucky at Covington
05a0444p.06 2005/11/17  USA v. Martinez, Gilberto
    Northern District of Ohio at Toledo
05a0444p.06 2005/11/17  USA v. Henderson, Jerel
    Northern District of Ohio at Toledo
05a0444p.06 2005/11/17  USA v. Harris, Kevin
    Northern District of Ohio at Toledo
05a0444p.06 2005/11/17  USA v. Garrett, Brian
    Northern District of Ohio at Toledo
05a0445p.06 2005/11/17  Widgren v. Maple Grove, et al
    Western District of Michigan at Grand Rapids
05a0446p.06 2005/11/18  Stratienko v. Cordis Corp
    Eastern District of Tennessee at Chattanooga
05a0447p.06 2005/11/18  Polkow v. CSX Trans
    Northern District of Ohio at Cleveland
05a0448p.06 2005/11/18  Jackson v. Schultz
    Eastern District of Michigan at Detroit

    NOT RECOMMENDED FOR FULL-TEXT PUBLICATION OPINIONS

Opinion Pub Date Short Title/District
05a0893n.06 2005/11/14  Pagan Lewis Motors v. Kirschen
    Western District of Tennessee at Jackson
05a0895n.06 2005/11/15  Swain v. USA
    Eastern District of Michigan at Detroit
05a0896n.06 2005/11/15  Hopson v. DaimlerChrysler Corp
    Eastern District of Michigan at Detroit
05a0897n.06 2005/11/15  Parrett v. SE Boll Weevil
    Western District of Tennessee at Memphis
05a0897n.06 2005/11/15  Parrett v. SE Boll Weevil
    Western District of Tennessee at Memphis
05a0897n.06 2005/11/15  Parrett v. USA
    Western District of Tennessee at Memphis
05a0898n.06 2005/11/15  Perry v. SE Boll Weevil
    Western District of Tennessee at Memphis
05a0898n.06 2005/11/15  Perry v. SE Boll Weevil
    Western District of Tennessee at Memphis
05a0898n.06 2005/11/15  Perry v. SE Boll Weevil
    Western District of Tennessee at Memphis
05a0899n.06 2005/11/15  USA v. Zimmerman
    Western District of Tennessee at Memphis
05a0899n.06 2005/11/15  USA v. Zimmerman
    Western District of Tennessee at Memphis
05a0900n.06 2005/11/15  USA v. Williams
    Eastern District of Tennessee at Knoxville
05a0900n.06 2005/11/15  USA v. Young
    Eastern District of Tennessee at Knoxville
05a0900n.06 2005/11/15  USA v. Smith
    Eastern District of Tennessee at Knoxville
05a0901n.06 2005/11/16  Diamond v. Comm Social Security
    Eastern District of Kentucky at Ashland
05a0902n.06 2005/11/16  Tinsley v. Wal-Mart Stores
    Eastern District of Tennessee at Knoxville
05a0903n.06 2005/11/17  USA v. Rojas-Carillo
    Eastern District of Michigan at Bay City
05a0904n.06 2005/11/17  Jackson v. Madery
    Eastern District of Michigan at Detroit
05a0904n.06 2005/11/17  Jackson v. Madery
    Eastern District of Michigan at Detroit
05a0905n.06 2005/11/17  Century Indemnity Co v. Aero-Motive Company
    Western District of Michigan at Grand Rapids
05a0906n.06 2005/11/17  Taylor v. Howes
    Eastern District of Michigan at Detroit
05a0907n.06 2005/11/17  Lleshdedaj v. Gonzales
    Board of Immigration Appeals
05a0908n.06 2005/11/17  Qumseya v. Gonzales
    Board of Immigration Appeals
05a0909n.06 2005/11/18  Aquino v. Honda of America
    Southern District of Ohio at Columbus
05a0910n.06 2005/11/18  Hildebrandt v. Hyatt Corp
    Southern District of Ohio at Cincinnati
05a0911n.06 2005/11/18  Niemasz v. Comm Social Security
    Eastern District of Michigan at Detroit
05a0912n.06 2005/11/18  Belluardo v. Cox Enterprises Inc
    Southern District of Ohio at Dayton
05a0913n.06 2005/11/18  USA v. Jefferson
    Western District of Tennessee at Memphis
05a0914n.06 2005/11/18  USA v. Hill
    Eastern District of Michigan at Detroit
05b0014n.06 2005/11/18  In Re: Quaker City v.
    Northern District of Ohio at Youngstown



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