Dukes v. Ohio Dept. of Transp.
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[Cite as Dukes v. Ohio Dept. of Transp., 2003-Ohio-7137.] IN THE COURT OF CLAIMS OF OHIO TERRI DUKES : Plaintiff : v. : CASE NO. 2003-09734-AD : MEMORANDUM DECISION OHIO DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION : Defendant ::::::::::::::::: FINDINGS OF FACT {¶1} 1) On August 31, 2003, plaintiff, Terri Dukes, was traveling on the Interstate 77 South entrance ramp at milepost 15.8 in Cuyahoga County, when her automobile struck a pothole causing damage to the vehicle. {¶2} 2) Plaintiff filed this complaint seeking to recover $373.16, the cost of automotive repair which plaintiff contends she incurred as a result of negligence on the part of defendant, Department of Transportation, in maintaining the roadway. Plaintiff submitted the filing fee. {¶3} 3) Defendant has denied liability based on the fact it had no knowledge of the pothole prior to plaintiff s property damage occurrence. {¶4} 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} 5) Defendant has asserted maintenance records show three pothole patching operations were needed in the general vicinity of plaintiff s incident during the sixmonth period preceding the August 31, 2003, property damage event. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW {¶6} 1) Defendant has the duty to keep roads in a safe, drivable condition. Amica Mutual v. Ohio Dept. of Transp. (1982), 81-02289-AD. {¶7} 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. Ohio Dept. of Transp. (1976), 75-0287AD. {¶8} 3) There is no evidence defendant had actual of the damage-causing 4) The trier of fact is precluded from making an inference of defendant s pothole. {¶9} constructive notice, unless evidence is presented in respect to the time the defective condition (pothole) developed. Spires v. Highway Dept. (1988), 61 Ohio Misc. 2d 262. {¶10} 5) Size of the defect (pothole) is insufficient to show notice or duration of existence. O Neil v. Ohio Dept. of Transp. (1988), 61 Ohio Misc. 2d 297. {¶11} 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), 78-0126-AD. {¶12} 7) No evidence has shown defendant had constructive notice of the pothole. {¶13} 8) Furthermore, plaintiff has failed to show defendant negligently maintained the roadway. {¶14} 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. ________________________________ DANIEL R. BORCHERT Deputy Clerk Entry cc: Terri Dukes 2907 Hudson Drive Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio 44221 Gordon Proctor, Director Department of Transportation 1980 West Broad Street Columbus, Ohio 43223 RDK/laa 11/24 Filed 12/9/03 Sent to S.C. reporter 12/29/03 Plaintiff, Pro se For Defendant
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