Cole v. Fairchild
Annotate this Case
September 1996 Term
____________
No. 23081
____________
LONNIE COLE, ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF
STEPHEN BRANT COLE II,
Plaintiff Below, Appellee
v.
JACK DOUGLAS FAIRCHILD, JR.,
Defendant Below, Appellee,
FLAT TOP LAKE ASSOCIATION,
A WEST VIRGINIA CORPORATION,
Defendant and Third-Party Plaintiff Below, Appellant,
MYRLEEN B. FAIRCHILD, EXECUTRIX OF THE ESTATE OF
JACK R. FAIRCHILD, INTERVENOR
` Third-Party Defendant Below, Appellee
AND
___________
No. 23111
____________
LONNIE COLE, ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF
STEPHEN BRANT COLE II,
Plaintiff Below, Appellant
v.
JACK DOUGLAS FAIRCHILD, JR.,
Defendant Below, Appellee,
and
FLAT TOP LAKE ASSOCIATION,
A WEST VIRGINIA CORPORATION,
Defendant and Third-Party Plaintiff Below, Appellee
___________________________________
Appeal from the Circuit Court of Raleigh County
Honorable Robert A. Burnside, Jr., Judge
Civil Action No. 93-C-1543-B
AFFIRMED, IN PART, REVERSED,
IN PART, AND REMANDED
___________________________________
Submitted: September 17, 1996
Filed: December 20, 1996
Michael E. Froble
John D. Wooton
Wooton, Wooton & Fragile
Beckley, West Virginia
Attorneys for Lonnie Cole
James R. Sheatsley
Gorman, Sheatsley & Company, L.C.
Beckley, West Virginia
Attorney for Jack Douglas Fairchild, Jr.
Gary E. Pullin
Scott D. Maddox
Pullin, Knopf, Fowler & Flanagan
Charleston, West Virginia
Attorneys for Flat Top Lake Association
James M. Brown
Jane E. Harkins
Brown & Levicoff
Beckley, West Virginia
Attorneys for the Myrleen B. Fairchild
JUSTICE WORKMAN delivered the Opinion of the Court.
JUDGE RECHT sitting by temporary assignment.
SYLLABUS BY THE COURT
1. "We have consistently recognized and applied the distinctions for liability
purposes among trespassers, licensees and invitees." Syl. Pt. 1, Miller v. Monongahela
Power Co., 184 W. Va. 663, 403 S.E.2d 406, cert. denied 502 U.S. 863 (1991).
2. A person is a licensee when he or she has permission or consent to enter
the premises of another not in response to any inducement offered by the owner or occupant,
or for a purpose having some connection with a business actually or apparently carried on
there by the occupant, but for his own mere pleasure, convenience, or benefit.
3. "Mere permissive use of the premises, by express or implied authority
ordinarily creates only a license, and as to a licensee, the law does not impose upon the
owner of the property an obligation to provide against dangers which arise out of the existing
condition of the premises inasmuch as the licensee goes upon the premises subject to all the
dangers attending such conditions." Syllabus, Hamilton v. Brown, 157 W. Va. 910, 207 S.E.2d 923 (1974).
4. "'An agent in the restricted and proper sense is a representative of his
principal in business or contractual relations with third persons; while a servant or employee
is one engaged, not in creating contractual obligations, but in rendering service, chiefly with reference to things but sometimes with reference to persons when no contractual obligation
is to result.' Syllabus Point 3, State ex rel. Key v. Bond, 94 W. Va. 255, 118 S.E. 276
(1923)." Syl. Pt. 2, Teter v. Old Colony Co., 190 W. Va. 711, 441 S.E.2d 728 (1994).
5. "One of the essential elements of an agency relationship is the existence of
some degree of control by the principal over the conduct and activities of the agent." Syl.
Pt. 3, Teter v. Old Colony Co., 190 W. Va. 711, 441 S.E.2d 728 (1994).
6. "In order to obtain a proper assessment of the total amount of the plaintiff's
contributory negligence under our comparative negligence rule, it must be ascertained in
relation to all of the parties whose negligence contributed to the accident, and not merely
those defendants involved in the litigation." Syl. Pt. 3, Bowman v. Barnes, 168 W. Va. 111,
282 S.E.2d 613 (1981).
7. The parental immunity doctrine does not prohibit the negligence of a parent
from being asserted as a defense in an action brought by the parent for the wrongful death
of a child.
8. "A party is not barred from recovering damages in a tort action so long as
his negligence or fault does not equal or exceed the combined negligence or fault of the other parties involved in the accident." Syl. Pt. 3, Bradley v. Appalachian Power Co., 163 W. Va.
332, 256 S.E.2d 879 (1979).
9. Where one or both of the parents of a deceased child are found negligent
in contributing to the death of such child, either the judge or the jury should apportion the
damages between the parents and other beneficiaries, if any, pursuant to West Virginia Code
§ 55-7-6 (1994), and then assess the relative liability of each tortfeasor in order to apply our
comparative negligence rule.
Workman, Justice:
Although the two appealsSee footnote 1 addressed in this opinion involve different
assignments of error, we consolidated these actions because they arise from the same set of
facts litigated in a single trial. On March 31, 1995, a jury verdict was returned for the
wrongful death of Stephen Brant Cole, II, (hereinafter Stephen), in favor of the plaintiff
below, Lonnie Cole (hereinafter Mr. Cole), Administrator of the Estate of Stephen Brant
Cole II, awarding $6,398.98 for stipulated medical and funeral expenses and $88,000 for
sorrow, mental anguish, and solace, totaling $94,398.98. The jury awarded no damages for
projected lost income or for loss of services, protection, care, and assistance. The jury also
assessed 80% of the negligence against Flat Top Lake Association (hereinafter Flat Top), a
defendant below, and 20% of the negligence against Jack Douglas Fairchild, Jr., (hereinafter
Fairchild, Jr.), also a defendant below.
I.
FACTS
On July 28, 1991, six-year-old Stephen was killed in a motorcycle accident on
property owned by Flat Top. Stephen was invited to go motorcycle riding that day by
Fairchild, Jr., who had taken Stephen to Flat Top to ride motorcycles on other occasions.
Stephen was given permission to go either by his mother, Diane Lilly (hereinafter Stephen's
mother ), his father, Stephen B. Cole, Sr., (hereinafter Stephen's father), and/or his paternal
grandparents, Mr. Cole and his wife, Ginger Cole.
At the time of the accident, Stephen's parents were divorced, and Stephen's
father lived with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Cole.See footnote 2 As a result of this situation, Stephen spent
a significant amount of time at his paternal grandparents' house located in Beckley, West
Virginia. The Coles were neighbors with Fairchild, Jr., and, according to Fairchild, Jr.,
Stephen and his son, Justin, frequently would play together on weekends when Stephen was
at his grandparents' house.
Stephen's father testified he taught Stephen to ride a motorcycle when Stephen
was around five years old, and he believed Stephen was a pretty good rider. In addition,
Stephen's mother and stepfather, Ken Lilly, purchased a motorcycle for Stephen which they kept at their house. Stephen also rode an "Indian" model motorcycle which belonged to
Fairchild, Jr., but was repaired by Stephen's father and stored at the Mr. Coles' house.
Before Stephen left to go motorcycle riding on the day of the accident, his mother dropped
off his boots and a motorcycle helmet at the Cole residence. However, she did not bring
Stephen's chest protection equipment. Flat Top states the trial court improperly excluded
evidence that Stephen was not wearing his chest protection equipment when the accident
occurred because his mother failed to drop it off with the other equipment. According to the
report filed by the Office of the West Virginia Medical Examiner, Stephen died of chest
injuries.
On the day of the accident, Fairchild, Jr., took his two sons, Jeremy and Justin;
Stephen; and his brother-in-law, Robert Douglas Meador to Flat Top. The accident occurred
when the group was motorcycle riding on an area of property owned by Flat Top referred to
as the "upper field" and "upper track." Fairchild, Jr., testified that he stayed in front of Justin
and Stephen as they rode the motorcycles around the upper track and he taught them to ride
in a clockwise direction.See footnote 3 At some point, all five members of the group stopped at the
entrance to the upper track and Fairchild, Jr., began talking to Gene Kessler.
At the time of trial, Mr. Kessler had worked as a conservator/superintendent
at Flat Top for the past fourteen years.See footnote 4 While Fairchild, Jr., and Mr. Kessler were talking,
Mr. Kessler noticed that Jeremy rode one of the motorcycles toward an area known as the
"big field," but Jeremy then returned to the upper track and began traveling in a
counterclockwise direction. In the meantime, Mr. Kessler observed that Stephen took off in
a clockwise direction around the upper track with Mr. Meador following behind him. Mr.
Kessler said that Fairchild, Jr., "kind of yelled out to [Jeremy], but he didn't hear or
anything." As they "went around the upper turns"of the track, Mr. Meador testified that
Jeremy and Stephen collided at a point where high grass caused a "blind spot." Mr. Meador
said the grass was about four to four and one-half feet high and over Stephen's head. At the
point of the accident, Mr. Meador described the upper track to be approximately eight feet
wide. Several experts testified on behalf of the parties generally with regard to the condition
of the property, the high grass, and the suitability of the areas for motorcycle riding.
II.
DISCUSSION
A.
Standard of Review
Many issues presented in this case involve mixed questions of facts and law.
Resolving these mixed questions entails merging "fact-finding with an elucidation of the applicable law." Fraternal Order of Police v. Fairmont, 196 W. Va. 97, 100 n.3, 468 S.E.2d 712, 715 n.3 (1996). Ordinarily, we review a resolution of mixed questions "along the
degree-of-deference continuum . . . ." Id. When a question is more dominated by facts, the
more apt we are to accept the trier of fact's resolution of the matter, unless the decision is
clearly erroneous. Tennant v. Marion Health Care Foundation, Inc., 194 W. Va. 97, 106,
459 S.E.2d 374, 383 (1995). Ostensible "findings of fact," however, are subject to de novo
review when they involve applying the law or making legal judgments which exceed ordinary
factual determinations. Appalachian Power Co. v. State Tax Dept. of West Virginia, 195 W.
Va. 573, 443 n.5, 466 S.E.2d 424, 477 n.5 (1995). Moreover, when we are presented with
an interrelationship between factual and legal conclusions, our review is plenary. Id.
Therefore, we proceed to address the merits of this case applying these principles.
B.
Status of Child and Duty of Flat Top
The first issue we address is whether Stephen was a licensee or a business
invitee for purposes of determining the duty of care Flat Top owed him.See footnote 5 Flat Top moved
for summary judgment based upon its belief Stephen was a licensee to whom it breached no
duty. However, when the issue was raised at trial, the trial court determined Stephen was
a business invitee when the accident occurred, stating the recreational facilities provided to
Flat Top members and guests are for "economic benefit," not charity. After careful review of the record, we conclude the trial court's ultimate determination was clearly erroneous with
respect to Stephen being a business invitee.See footnote 6
"We have consistently recognized and applied the distinctions for liability
purposes among trespassers, licensees and invitees." Syl. Pt. 1, Miller v. Monongahela
Power Co., 184 W. Va. 663, 403 S.E.2d 406, cert. denied 502 U.S. 863 (1991). We have
said "[a] person is an invitee when for purposes connected with the business conducted on
the premises he enters or uses a place of business." Syl. Pt. 2, Puffer v. Hub Cigar Store,
Inc., 140 W. Va. 327, 84 S.E.2d 145 (1954).See footnote 7 However, a person is a licensee when he or she has permission or consent to "'enter[] the premises of another, not in response to any
inducement offered by the owner or occupant, or for a purpose having some connection with
a business actually or apparently carried on there by the occupant, but for his own mere
pleasure, convenience, or benefit.'" McMillion v. Selman, 193 W. Va. 301, 303, 456 S.E.2d 28, 30 (1995) (quoting 62 Am.Jur.2d Premise Liability § 91 (1990)). Thus, when
determining whether someone falls within the category of invitee or licensee, it is necessary to examine the purpose of the visit. Id. at 304, 456 S.E.2d at 31. Additionally, it also is
important to recognize the distinction between an "invitation" to enter upon the premises and
mere "permission" to enter upon the premises.
An "invitation" occurs when a possessor of certain premises exhibits conduct
which makes others believe the possessor wants them to be on the premises. Restatement
(Second) on Torts § 332, cmt. b at 176-77 (1965). In other words, as we explained in
Waddell v. New River Co., 141 W. Va. 880, 93 S.E.2d 473 (1956):
[An] invitation is the act of one who solicits or incites
others to enter upon, remain in, or make use of, his
property or structures thereon, or who so arranges the
property or the means of access to it or of transit over
it as to induce the reasonable belief that he expects
and intends that others shall come upon it or pass
over it.
Id. at 883, 93 S.E.2d at 476. On the other hand, "permission" indicates the possessor of the
premises will allow an individual to be on the premises if the individual so desires.
Restatement (Second) on Torts § 332, cmt. b at 176-77.
An invitation, by itself, will not establish a person as an invitee. For example,
a social guest, although invited, generally is considered a licensee, not an invitee. See Syl.
Pt. 9, Jack v. Fritts, 193 W. Va. 494, 457 S.E.2d 431 (1995) (providing "[s]ince a tenant's
social guest is nothing more than a licensee, a landlord owes only the minimal duty of
refraining from willfully or wantonly injuring the licensee"). However, to be considered an invitee there must be an invitation. Restatement (Second) on Torts § 332, cmt. b at 176. In
addition, permission will not confer upon a visitor the status of an invitee, but it will confer
the status of a licensee. Id. at 177; see also 62 Am.Jur.2d Premise Liability § 95 (1990).
In Turpin v. Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, 202 S.E.2d 351 (N.C. App.
1974), a North Carolina appellate court distinguished these two concepts in a civil injury
case brought by a basketball player who was hurt in a church gym. The evidence
demonstrated that the gym was not open to the general public but, on occasions, the church
permitted the gym to be used by nonmembers. Id. at 352. The plaintiff in the case was not
a member of the church, but he played on a team which was allowed to practice in the gym.
Id. The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of the church, and the appellate court
affirmed. Id. at 352-53. The appellate court found the church merely gave the team
permission, not an invitation, to use the gym as there was no mutuality of benefit between
the plaintiff and the church. Therefore, the appellate court determined the plaintiff was a
social guest, holding the status of a licensee. Id. at 352.
The significance of being a licensee rather than an invitee goes directly to the
duty of care owed that person. In the syllabus of Hamilton v. Brown, 157 W. Va. 910, 207 S.E.2d 923 (1974), we characterized a licensee and the duty owed a licensee in the following
way:
Mere permissive use of the premises,
by express or implied authority ordinarily creates
only a license, and as to a licensee, the law does not
impose upon the owner of the property an obligation
to provide against dangers which arise out of the
existing condition of the premises inasmuch as the
licensee goes upon the premises subject to all the
dangers attending such conditions.
Quoted in Miller, 184 W. Va. at 667-68, 403 S.E.2d at 410-11. Furthermore, it is generally
stated that the duty owed to a licensee simply is to refrain from committing wilful or wanton
injuries. Atkinson v. Harman, 151 W. Va. 1025, 1031, 158 S.E.2d 169, 174 (1967) (quoting
65 C.J.S. Negligence § 63(32) at 692 (1966)).
To the contrary, a much higher duty is owed to an invitee. Ordinarily, a
possessor of property must keep the premises in a reasonably safe condition for an invitee.
Syl. Pt. 2, Burdette v. Burdette, 147 W. Va. 313, 127 S.E.2d 249 (1962); accord Syl. Pt. 4,
Puffer (providing, in part, "[t]he owner or the occupant of premises owes to an invited person
the duty to exercise ordinary care to keep and maintain the premises in a reasonably safe
condition"). Moreover, if a possessor of a premise "is not guilty of negligence or willful or
wanton misconduct and no nuisance exists, he is not liable for injuries there sustained by
such invited person." Syl. Pt. 3, Puffer, in part.
Turning to the present case, the trial court inferred from the facts that Stephen
was a business invitee when he was riding the motorcycle upon Flat Top's property. We find this conclusion is clearly erroneous. By pretrial order dated March 15, 1995, the parties
stipulated that Flat Top "is a homeowners' association for persons who own real property
at Flat Top Lake." Flat Top also "owns certain real property and recreational facilities . . .
surrounding Flat Top Lake to which the homeowners in the association have access by virtue
of their membership in the Association. Access to the homes . . . and to the Lake area is
restricted and controlled by rules of the Association." According to Flat Top's handbook,
dated April 5, 1990, the original purpose of this organization was to provide recreational
opportunities exclusively to benefit its members. The handbook further provides such
recreational opportunities include tennis courts, playground equipment, a softball field, a
basketball court, and a man-made lake for water activities, such as boating, fishing, and
swimming. However, it equally is clear from the handbook that, in reality, Flat Top does
more than just provide recreational opportunities for its members. Among other things for
instance, as a homeowners' association, it maintains the perimeter road which provides
access to the residential houses around the lake. In addition, it maintains the Flat Top's
property and regulates the way homeowners may develop and maintain their privately owned
property.
According to Mr. Kessler, Flat Top's property consists of approximately 2,200
acres, including about a 258-acre lake. There are 374 lots surrounding the lake with around
272 seasonal and full-time houses located thereon. Mr. Kessler estimated that about 1,800
acres of Flat Top's property extends beyond the perimeter road. He stated this area is mainly woodland and fire trails, but he said it also contains some fields and maintenance buildings.
Mr. Kessler also mentioned that all members of Flat Top can use this property for things like
hiking, camping, riding motorcycles, and riding four-wheelers.See footnote 8 Moreover, the area of the
upper field where Stephen died was used by members and guests of Flat Top for motorcycle
riding and other recreational activities.
At the time of trial, the president of Flat Top was Constance Duffy Woods.
Ms. Woods testified the area is restricted from the general public by a gate system. To enter
the premises, one must have a card to raise the gate, be admitted by a member via a phone
system, or be on a standing guest list. Guards are posted at the gate on Saturdays, Sundays,
and holidays to admit guests on the list. Ms. Woods explained that to be a member of Flat
Top one must first apply for membership and, if accepted, must purchase property usually
within thirty days. According to Ms. Woods, members in good standing and their guests are
entitled to use Flat Top's recreational areas. To be in good standing, members are required
to pay annual dues and assessments.
When the status of Stephen was being debated at trial, the trial court deemed
the property as a "recreational subdivision." In addition, the trial court stated it is reasonable
to conclude that people buy lots along the lake and become members of Flat Top because of the recreational areas. By allowing members to bring guests onto the property and use the
facilities, the trial court found it enhances the value of the membership. Therefore, the trial
court concluded this "economic benefit" to Flat Top makes Stephen an invitee "because the
business of . . . [Flat Top] is recreation and the child was there, not just passing through, but
he was there because of the way in which they set this up in which members could have
guests as a part of their membership rights." We agree with the trial court that people may
buy lots at Flat Top to use the recreational areas, however, we find the "economic benefit"
gained by Flat Top, if any, by permitting guests to use the facilities is much too tenuous to
declare Stephen a business invitee.
Applying the aforementioned legal principles to the present facts, we find
Stephen clearly was a social guest. First, it is obvious that this six-year-old child did not
enter upon the property to conduct business in any way. He was there to ride a motorcycle
for "his own mere pleasure, convenience, or benefit.'" McMillion, 193 W. Va. at 303, 456 S.E.2d at 30 (citation omitted). In addition, although Flat Top "permits" its members to
"invite" guests to use the recreational areas, there must be some underlying business purpose,
to elevate Stephen from a mere social guest to a business invitee.
Upon review of the facts, we find it extremely dubious that this homeowners'
association permits guests to use the recreational areas so the homeowner's can derive an
"economic benefit" by increasing the value of Flat Top membership. In fact, we do not see any evidence which causes us to believe Flat Top or its members either explicitly or
implicitly solicited or enticed young Stephen to make use of its premises for its economic
gain. There simply is no mutuality of benefit in this case. We find Stephen's presence on
the property was purely a gratuitous act and, a fortiori, Stephen is a licensee. Consequently,
Flat Top generally owes Stephen a duty to refrain from committing wilful or wanton
injuries.See footnote 9 Atkinson, 151 W. Va. at 1031, 158 S.E.2d at 174. However, it does not owe
Stephen a duty to protect him "against dangers which arise out of the existing condition of
the premises inasmuch as the licensee goes upon the premises subject to all the dangers
attending such conditions." Syllabus, Hamilton.
We make no finding whether Flat Top violated the threshold of this lower duty
owed to Stephen. Instead, we believe the interests of justice require giving Mr. Cole the
opportunity on remand to argue Flat Top failed to meet even this duty of care. If Flat Top
renews its motion for summary judgment with proper support and affirmative evidence
establishing "no genuine issue of material fact" exists, the nonmoving parties will have the
burden to "either (1) rehabilitate the evidence attacked by . . . [Flat Top], (2) produce
additional evidence showing the existence of a genuine issue for trial, or (3) submit an
affidavit explaining why further discovery is necessary as provided in Rule 56(f) of the West
Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure."See footnote 10 Syl. Pt. 3, in part, Williams v. Precision Coil, Inc., 194
W. Va. 52, 459 S.E.2d 329 (1995); see also Syl. Pt. 2, Gentry v. Mangum, 195 W. Va. 512,
518-19, 466 S.E.2d 171, 177-78 (1995) (explaining further the criteria for summary
judgment). Thereafter, the trial court must ascertain whether, "from the totality of the
evidence presented, the record could not lead a rational trier of fact to find for the nonmoving
part[ies]." Syl. Pt. 2, in part, Williams. When viewed in a light most favorable to the
nonmoving parties, summary judgment is required if the trial court finds no trialworthy issue
exists. Id. at 60, 459 S.E.2d at 337.
C.
Motion for Summary Judgment
in Favor of Myrleen B. Fairchild
To further complicate this case, it is undisputed that Fairchild, Jr., who took
Stephen motorcycle riding on Flat Top property, was neither a property owner nor member
of Flat Top at the time the accident occurred. However, his father, Jack R. Fairchild
(hereinafter referred to as Fairchild, Sr.),See footnote 11 now deceased, owned three lots along the lake and
was a member. Fairchild, Sr., gave Fairchild, Jr., a gate card so Fairchild, Jr., always would
have access to his parents' house.
As a result of the lawsuit brought by Mr. Cole, Flat Top instituted an action
as a third-party plaintiff against Myrleen B. Fairchild, the widow of Fairchild, Sr., and the
Executrix of his estate (hereinafter referred to as Mrs. Fairchild). Flat Top generally bases
its claim against Mrs. Fairchild on an indemnity theory, alleging an indemnity contract was
created by the rules and regulations in its handbook, and an agency theory, asserting
Fairchild, Jr., was exercising the membership rights of his father when Fairchild, Jr., invited
Stephen to go motorcycle riding at Flat Top. Thereafter, Mrs. Fairchild made a motion for
summary judgment which was granted by the trial court by order dated March 14, 1995. In
its order, the trial court found the by-laws, rules, and regulations of Flat Top did not give rise to a cause of action against Fairchild, Sr., for the alleged negligence of Fairchild, Jr., who
was on the property as a guest. Additionally, because Fairchild, Jr., was a social guest, he
was not an agent of his father when the negligent act occurred. Both Flat Top and Fairchild,
Jr., assert the trial court erred by granting the motion.
Our review of summary judgment is de novo. Syl. Pt. 1, Painter v. Peavy, 192
W. Va. 189, 451 S.E.2d 755 (1994). Additionally, we apply the same standards that a trial
court uses, as announced above in part II(B), supra, for our determination whether summary
judgment was proper. See Payne v. Weston, 195 W. Va. 502, 506, 466 S.E.2d 161, 165
(1995). Based upon such review, we find no merit to Flat Top's indemnity theory and make
short shrift of this argument.See footnote 12 However, we believe the agency theory warrants discussion.
Therefore, we proceed to address this issue.
We set forth some general principles of agency law in syllabus points two and
three of Teter v. Old Colony Co., 190 W. Va. 711, 441 S.E.2d 728 (1994), where we said:
2. "'An agent in the restricted and
proper sense is a representative of his principal in
business or contractual relations with third persons;
while a servant or employee is one engaged, not in
creating contractual obligations, but in rendering
service, chiefly with reference to things but
sometimes with reference to persons when no
contractual obligation is to result.' Syllabus Point 3,
State ex rel. Key v. Bond, 94 W. Va. 255, 118 S.E. 276 (1923)."
3. "One of the essential elements of an
agency relationship is the existence of some degree of
control by the principal over the conduct and
activities of the agent."
In a broader sense, agency means a "fiduciary relation[ship] which results from the
manifestation of consent by one person to another that the other shall act on his behalf and
subject to his control, and consent by the other so to act." Restatement (Second) of Agency
§ 1 at 7 (1957). Moreover, we have held that if an agent "is acting within the scope of his
employment, then his principal . . . may . . . be held liable." Syl. Pt. 3, Musgrove v. Hickory
Inn, Inc., 168 W. Va. 65, 281 S.E.2d 499 (1981).
Looking at the facts of the present case in a light most favorable to the
nonmoving parties, we find it could be said that Fairchild, Sr., conveyed express or implied
authority to Fairchild, Jr., to invite other social guests to use Flat Top property by virtue of
Fairchild, Sr.'s, membership rights. In a pretrial memorandum submitted on behalf of Mrs. Fairchild, she agrees that Fairchild, Jr., was given a gate card to access Flat Top property.
Additionally, Mrs. Fairchild admits Stephen accompanied Fairchild, Jr., on four or five other
occasions to ride motorcycles at Flat Top prior to the day of the accident and, on the day of
the accident, Fairchild, Jr., called her and said he was bringing his sons, Stephen, and Mr.
Meador out to Flat Top.
The parties opposed to Mrs. Fairchild's motion assert, Fairchild, Sr., had
control over Fairchild, Jr.'s, authority to invite other social guests because Fairchild, Jr.'s,
authority existed solely under the auspice of Fairchild, Sr.'s, membership rights. Thus,
Fairchild, Sr., simply could have terminated Fairchild, Jr.'s, privileges. For these reasons,
the opponents to the motion for summary judgment claim Fairchild, Jr., acted as an agent of
Fairchild, Sr., when Fairchild, Jr., would bring other social guests with him to Flat Top.
The agency theory advanced in this case is a novel one for this Court. The
parties do not cite any cases from other jurisdictions directly on point with the facts of this
case, nor can we find any cases directly on point. Even if we assume Fairchild, Jr., was
acting under the authority and control of his father, the question remains whether this
situation is the type that falls within the realm of agency law and may bind a person for the
alleged negligent acts of another.
In many respects, this case is very atypical because Stephen was not a business
invitee of Flat Top and his presence on the property as a social guest was the result of an
invitation by another social guest, who allegedly was negligent in supervising the child.
Generally speaking, in this case, we have an emancipated-adult child who was granted
authority by his father to exercise a certain privilege of the father. In exercising this
privilege, the son allegedly committed a negligent act injuring a third party. The third party
then attempted to impute liability for the alleged negligent acts of the son onto the father
because the father permitted the son to use his privilege. However, the third party was a
social guest to whom the father ordinarily only owed a duty to refrain from inflicting wilful
or wanton injuries. See Syl. Pt. 9, Jack. Moreover, the injury occurred while exercising a
membership right of the father to enter upon property owned by a homeowners' association
to which the father belonged. The third party also is considered a social guest of the
homeowners' association because the homeowners' association gratuitously allowed the third
party upon its property for the third party's "'own mere pleasure, convenience, or benefit.'"
McMillion, 193 W. Va. at 303, 456 S.E.2d at 30 (citation omitted). However, if we would
agree that agency theory applies to this situation, the father, and possibly the homeowners'
association, may be held responsible for the negligent acts of the Fairchild, Jr., regardless of
the fact that Stephen was a social guest. Upon careful review of the unusual facts of this
case and extensive research on agency law, we do not believe this situation is the type in
which agency principles should be applied.
As previously mentioned, we could find no cases directly on point with the
situation at bar. The most analogous cases we can find are those involving the family
purpose doctrine which applies in some automobile liability cases. Therefore, we look to
those cases for guidance.
In Freeland v. Freeland, 152 W. Va. 332, 162 S.E.2d 922 (1968), overruled on
other grounds, Syl. Pt. 3, Lee v. Comer, 159 W. Va. 585, 224 S.E.2d 721 (1976), we
explained the family purpose doctrine is grounded on principles of agency or those of master
and servant. 152 W. Va. at 336, 162 S.E.2d at 925. Under the doctrine, when a family
member operates an automobile purchased and maintained for the family's "comfort,
convenience, pleasure, entertainment and recreation," the family member who uses the
automobile for such purposes is "regarded as an agent or servant of the owner . . . ." Id.
Consequently, if a family member operates the automobile in a negligent manner while
pursuing a family purpose, the owner of the automobile will be liable for damages sustained
by a third party which occurred as a result from the negligent operation. "Were not liability
incurred by the owner of the automobile in such circumstances, an innocent victim of the
negligence of a financially irresponsible driver would be entirely without recourse." Id. In
Freeland, we refused to condone such a result. Id.See footnote 13 Additionally, we stated in syllabus point two of Freeland, in part, that "[t]he owner of an automobile is liable under the family
purpose doctrine for personal injuries sustained by a guest passenger as the result of the
negligent operation of the automobile by an unemancipated minor son of the owner . . . ."
However, we have limited the family purpose doctrine in some situations. For
instance, in Bell v. West, 168 W. Va. 391, 284 S.E.2d 885 (1981), a father loaned his truck
to his son for his son's enjoyment and convenience. Id. at 392, 284 S.E.2d at 886. At the
time, the son was living and working in New Jersey and merely was visiting his father in
West Virginia. While using the truck to help a friend haul some furniture, the plaintiff fell
from the back of the truck and sustained injuries. Id. at 391-92, 284 S.E.2d at 886. Under
these facts, the trial court dismissed the action against the father with prejudice,See footnote 14 finding the
father was not liable for the negligence of his son pursuant to the family purpose doctrine
because his son had not lived in the father's house for a number of years. Id. at 392, 284 S.E.2d at 886. We affirmed the trial court's decision by referring to the reasoning of other
jurisdictions which generally held a parent is not liable under the family purpose doctrine
when an emancipated child, who is self-supporting and no longer resides with the parent, uses the parent's automobile. Id. at 394-95, 284 S.E.2d at 887-88 (citing, in part, Platt v.
Gould, 26 Ariz. App. 315, 548 P.2d 28 (1976); McGinn v. Kimmel, 36 Wash. 2d 786, 221 P.2d 467 (1950); Clemons v. Busby, 144 Ga. App. 207, 240 S.E.2d 764 (1977)).
Although the current case concededly is different from those applying the
family purpose doctrine, there are some similarities which make those cases relevant. In the
present case, the best that can be said in establishing an agency relationship is that Fairchild,
Jr., was granted authority to use his father's membership rights at Flat Top to fulfill some
family purpose by inviting social guests to join him on the property. It is clear from the
record, Fairchild, Jr., was not using the rights of his father to accomplish some other business
purpose on behalf of his father or, for that matter, as stated in part II(B), supra, any business
purpose on behalf of Flat Top.
By analogy to the family purpose doctrine, it therefore could be argued that
either an agency relationship existed between Fairchild, Jr., and his father, or the attempt to
bring Fairchild, Sr., into the suit at least expands the pool from which Mr. Cole may collect
a judgment in favor of the estate and the beneficiaries. However, at the time of the accident,
Fairchild, Jr., was an emancipated-adult child who lived with his wife and his children.
Fairchild, Jr., no longer resided with his parents. Comparing the unusual facts of this case
to Bell, we, therefore, conclude Fairchild, Sr.'s, estate cannot be held liable for the alleged
negligent acts of Fairchild, Jr., as Fairchild, Jr., and the victim of the alleged negligent acts were social guests in pursuit of their own enjoyment and pleasure under the auspice of
Fairchild, Sr.'s, membership rights to use Flat Top's recreational areas. As in Bell, Fairchild,
Jr., lived separately and apart from his father when the accident occurred and should be held
responsible for his own negligent acts without the parties resorting to filing claims against
Fairchild, Sr.'s, estate--where we find the best that can be said in favor of doing so falls
under the guise of accomplishing some inchoate family purpose. We simply do not find this
reason sufficient to hold Fairchild, Sr., liable under agency principles. Therefore, we believe
summary judgment was granted properly in favor of Fairchild, Sr.'s, estate.
D.
Contributory Negligence of Parents
in Wrongful Death Action of Child
Flat Top and Fairchild, Jr., filed third-party complaints against Stephen's
parents and Stephen's paternal grandparents, acting in loco parentis, in an attempt to implead
them as third-party defendants. The trial court denied the motions, finding any alleged
negligent supervision on the part of Stephen's parents or his grandparents is not actionable
under the doctrine of parental immunity. Flat Top and Fairchild, Jr., argue the trial court
erred in denying this motion. For the following reasons, we find the comparative negligence
rule should be applied when a wrongful death action is brought against a third-party
tortfeasor and when a parent's negligence proximately caused the death of a child and the
parent stands as a beneficiary to the action.
We begin by recognizing that the doctrine of parental immunity prohibits a
child from bringing a civil action against his or her parents. Lee v. Comer, 159 W. Va. at
587-88, 224 S.E.2d at 722 (1976). The underlying purpose of this doctrine is to preserve the
peace and tranquility of society and families by prohibiting such intra-family legal battles.
Id. at 588, 224 S.E.2d at 722. Additionally, it is said that the real purpose behind the
doctrine "is simply to avoid undue judicial interference with parental discretion. The
discharge of parental responsibilities . . . entails countless matters of personal, private choice.
In the absence of culpability beyond ordinary negligence, those choices are not subject to
review in court." Shoemake v. Fogel, LTD., 826 S.W.2d 933, 936 (Tex. 1992).
Despite its purpose, however, the parental immunity doctrine is subject to
several exceptions. For instance, in syllabus point two of Lee we stated: "An
unemancipated minor may maintain an action against his parent for personal injuries
sustained in a motor vehicle accident caused by the negligence of said parent and to that
extent the parental immunity doctrine is abrogated in this jurisdiction." We later clarified
our discussion in Lee to make plain that, although there may be some exceptions, the parental
immunity doctrine remains a viable concept in West Virginia. Courtney v. Courtney, 186
W. Va. 597, 606, 413 S.E.2d 418, 427 (1991). In Courtney, we explained the exception
carved out in Lee relates to automobile accidents where there usually is liability insurance.
When a parent is insured, a suit brought by a child does not result in the family disharmony which the parental immunity doctrine is designed to prevent. Consequently, there is no
reason to invoke the doctrine. Id.
Likewise, we found in syllabus point nine of Courtney that the parental
immunity doctrine "is abrogated where the parent causes injury or death to his or her child
from intentional or wilful conduct, but liability does not arise from reasonable corporal
punishment for disciplinary purposes." In reaching this conclusion, we quoted the California
Supreme Court which generally stated that, while it may appear improper under public policy
to permit a child to sue a parent, it would be a much worse public policy to prevent a child
from seeking compensation for damages caused by the child's parent's wilful or malicious
infliction of personal injuries which fall outside the boundaries of reasonable discipline. Id.
at 607, 413 S.E.2d at 428 (quoting Emery v. Emery, 45 Cal. 2d 421, 429-30, 289 P.2d 218,
224 (1955)).
In light of the purpose of the doctrine and the exceptions we have carved out,
we now turn to resolve the issue of whether the parental immunity doctrine prevents
consideration of a parent's negligent acts, proximately causing the death of his or her child,
when a wrongful death action is brought against a third party and an award derived therefrom
may enure to the benefit of the parent as a beneficiary to the action. Based upon equitable
principles of fairness, as well as concepts underlying the doctrine of comparative negligence, we believe any parental negligence which proximately causes the death of the parent's child
should be considered when determining the liability of a third party.
Initially, we recognize the espoused purpose of the doctrine of parental
immunity is less forceful when a child dies and a wrongful death suit is brought. As a result
of the child's death, the potential conflict between the child and the parent no longer exists.
In addition, it generally is stated that a party should not benefit from his or her own
wrongdoing, but, in cases like the present one, the parents are seeking compensation for the
death without consideration of their own alleged culpability in proximately causing the death
due to negligent supervision. We believe it would be inequitable for such a parent to collect
the total amount of an award when the parent is found to be at least partially at fault.
In some draconian cases issued by this Court near the beginning of the
twentieth century, we held parents were unable to collect for the death of their children when
the parents consented or acquiesced to their children working in coal mines. We found the
parents were contributorily negligent and barred them from any recovery because their
children's employment violated certain statutes. See Dickinson v. Stuart Colliery Co., 71 W.
Va. 325, 329, 76 S.E. 654, 656 (1912) (stating "where the child is dead, and the father is .
. . the beneficiary of any recovery, his negligence in consenting to and in becoming a party
to the contract of unlawful employment, will bar recovery . . . unless the . . . death . . . was
the result of defendant's willful or wanton act as the proximate cause"); Swope v. Keystone Coal & Coke Co., 78 W. Va. 517, 520, 89 S.E. 284, 285 (1916) (finding "in the case of the
death of a child by wrongful act, the negligence of the father or other person standing in loco
parentis, contributing to his death, bars the right of action, if [such person] . . . is the sole
beneficiary"); Daniels v. Thacker Fuel Co., 79 W. Va. 255, 259, 90 S.E. 840, 842 (1916)
(assuming boy was employed unlawfully, father, who knew and consented to employment,
could not receive a recovery as son's sole beneficiary). Although, in light of the facts of
these cases, we find the ultimate result harsh, we agree with them to the extent they say the
wrongdoing of a parent should be considered in wrongful death cases involving a child when
the parent stands to benefit from a recovery.
In other contexts, we have held a plaintiff's contributory negligence may be
considered in assessing damages under our comparative negligence rule. In syllabus point
three of Bowman v. Barnes, 168 W. Va. 111, 282 S.E.2d 613 (1981), we stated:
In order to obtain a proper assessment
of the total amount of the plaintiff's contributory
negligence under our comparative negligence rule, it
must be ascertained in relation to all of the parties
whose negligence contributed to the accident, and not
merely those defendants involved in the litigation.
See also Cline v. White, 183 W. Va. 43, 45, 393 S.E.2d 923, 925 (1990) ("defendants are
entitled to have a jury consider the fault of all the joint tortfeasors involved in the injury).
We believe this rule also should apply to cases involving the wrongful death of a child where
one of the beneficiaries is alleged to have negligently supervised the child and thereby played a role in the proximate cause of the child's death, and we find this decision is supported by
a number of other jurisdictions.
According to 2 Stuart M. Speiser, et al., Recovery for Wrongful Death and
Injury § 5:9 (1992), the comparative negligence rule frequently is raised as a defense and
applied to wrongful death cases where one or both of the parents are alleged to be negligent.
Id. at 5-44. In fact, in Nelson v. Northern Leasing Co., 657 P.2d 482 (Idaho 1983), the
Supreme Court of Idaho found "a great majority of the jurisdictions permit the contributory
or comparative negligence of parents to be raised as a defense in a wrongful death action
brought by parents of a deceased child." Id. at 484 (citations omitted). Additionally, the
court found this same principle is applied in jurisdictions where parental immunity continues
to exist. Id. (citations omitted). According to the court, the basic reason for permitting this
defense is to prevent a tortfeasor from benefitting from his or her wrongdoing. Id. (citations
omitted).See footnote 15 In deciding the case before it, the court determined the parental immunity doctrine does not prohibit "the negligence of the parents [from] be[ing] asserted as a defense
in an action brought by the parents for the wrongful death of a child." Id. at 485.See footnote 16
By reaching the same conclusion in the present case, we next are confronted
with the problem of whether the negligence of one parent should defeat a claim of the other
parent. We believe the best policy for this Court to follow already exists under our
comparative negligence rule. In syllabus point three of Bradley v. Appalachian Power Co., 163 W. Va. 332, 256 S.E.2d 879 (1979), we said: "A party is not barred from recovering
damages in a tort action so long as his negligence or fault does not equal or exceed the
combined negligence or fault of the other parties involved in the accident." We find this
syllabus point applied in conjunction with the distribution section of our wrongful death law,
contained in West Virginia Code § 55-7-6 (1994), eliminates many of the problems other
states have experienced in determining how to assess damages against parents in wrongful
death cases where one parent is negligent and the other is not.See footnote 17
Pursuant to West Virginia Code § 55-7-6, the jury and judge "may award such
damages as to it may seem fair and just, and, may direct in what proportions the damages
shall be distributed to" the listed beneficiaries. By treating each beneficiary separately and
apportioning the damages, the trial court simply may apply our comparative negligence
doctrine to the negligent parent.See footnote 18 If a parent's actions proximately caused the death of his
or her child along with other third-party tortfeasors, the parent and other third-party tortfeasors may be held jointly and severally liable for the award.See footnote 19 Therefore, we hold, in
a wrongful death action, where one or both of the parents of a deceased child are found
negligent in contributing to the death of such child, either the judge or the jury should
apportion the damages between the parents and other beneficiaries, if any, and assess the
relative liability of each tortfeasor in order to apply our comparative negligence rule.See footnote 20
In sum, we explicitly state we make no finding with respect to whether the
parents and grandparents were negligent. Such determination is better left to the trier of fact.
See Syl. Pt. 2, Wehner v. Weinstein, 191 W. Va. 149, 444 S.E.2d 27 (1994) (stating
"[q]uestions of negligence, due care, proximate cause and concurrent negligence present
issues of fact for jury determination when the evidence pertaining to such issues is
conflicting or where the facts, even though undisputed, are such that reasonable men may
draw different conclusions from them" (internal quotes and cites omitted)). Therefore, we
remand this issue for such resolution.See footnote 21
III.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, we affirm, in part, and reverse, in part, the final
order of the Circuit Court of Raleigh County. This case, therefore, is remanded for further
proceedings.See footnote 22
Affirmed, in part,
reversed, in part,
and remanded.
Footnote: 1
The Honorable Arthur M. Recht resigned as Justice of the West Virginia
Supreme Court of Appeals effective October 15, 1996. The Honorable Gaston Caperton,
Governor of the State of West Virginia, appointed him Judge of the First Judicial Circuit on
that same date. Pursuant to an administrative order entered by this Court on October 15,
1996, Judge Recht was assigned to sit as a member of the West Virginia Supreme Court of
Appeals commencing October 15, 1996, and continuing until further order of this Court.Footnote: 2
As indicated above, Mr. Cole brought the underlying action as the
Administrator of the Stephen's Estate. Footnote: 3
Jack Douglas Fairchild, Jr., explained there was not a rule to go one direction
or the other, but "it was for safety factors to go clockwise" because on "the left side of the
track is a small, upgrade hill and to come down that direction could build speed . . . ."Footnote: 4
Mr. Kessler was employed through the Raleigh County Commission. Footnote: 5
We find no merit to Flat Top's assertion in its brief that Stephen was "quite
possibly a trespasser."Footnote: 6
This issue was not presented to the jury, rather the parties agreed to let the
trial court judge decide the matter. Footnote: 7
For purposes of this opinion, our references to "invitee" are made with respect
to the trial court's conclusion that Stephen was a "business invitee." Another type of invitee
is a "public invitee." "A public invitee is a person who is invited to enter or remain on land
as a member of the public for a purpose for which the land is held open to the public."
Restatement (Second) on Torts §332(2) at 176 (1965). Under the present facts, we find it
clear that Stephen does not qualify as a "public invitee." Flat Top property is set aside
exclusively for use by its members and guests, and the general public is not welcome to use
its facilities or property.
Likewise, we find for purposes of this case, Flat Top was not a "public"
recreational area under the provisions contained in West Virginia Code § 19-25-1 to -7 (1993
& Supp. 1996) (limiting duties and liability of landowners who permit the public to use their
land and water areas for recreational, wildlife propagation, or military training purposes); see
generally Stamper by Stamper v. Kanawha County Bd. of Educ., 191 W. Va. 297, 445 S.E.2d 238 (1994) (referencing Model Act and holding in syllabus point three that these
provisions are "not designed to cover real property owned by a county board of education");
24 Suggested State Legislation, Public Recreation on Private Lands: Limitation on Liability
150 (1965) (providing in introduction to Model Act that it "is designed to encourage" private
landowners "to make their land available to members of the general public without charge"
to meet the "need for additional recreational areas to serve the general public").
In a similar case as the present one, the Supreme Court of Wisconsin found
under its recreational use act that a pier on a lake, which was jointly owned, kept, and
maintained by six landowners, was not open to the general public and permission was not
given "to one or more members of the 'public' to use the land for recreational purposes."
LePoidevin by Dye v. Wilson, 330 N.W.2d 555, 557 & 563 (Wis. 1983). An action arose
when a seventeen-year-old girl dove off a pier and suffered injuries. The girl was invited
onto the property by the son of one of the landowners. Id. at 557. The court ruled that
granting recreational use act protection "to a landowner who invites a friend of the family
to the summer cottage as a guest to join the family in water sports does not foster the purpose
of . . . [the recreational use act] to encourage landowners to make land and water areas
available to the public for recreational use." Id. at 563.
We acknowledge, as did the Wisconsin court, "it is difficult to draw a bright
line between a landowner who grants permission to persons to use the premises for
recreational purposes . . . [under the recreational use act] and a landowner who invites a
person to use the premises for recreational purposes and is not protected by . . . [the act]."
Id.; see also Robin C. Miller, Annotation, Effect of Statute Limiting Landowner's Liability
for Personal Injury to Recreational User, 47 A.L.R.4th 262 (1986). However, for purposes
of this case, clearly Flat Top was not being used as a "public" recreational area. As a result
of this finding, we make no determinations as to whether Flat Top otherwise meets the
criteria for limited liability under West Virginia Code §§ 19-25-1 to -7. Moreover, we also
expressly make no comment whether Flat Top previously acted, currently acts, or eventually
will act as a "public" recreational area under facts different from this case.Footnote: 8
Mr. Kessler asserted there are some areas where vehicles are not permitted,
but those areas are not at issue in this case.Footnote: 9
We note, however, that application of the wilful, wanton, and reckless
standard with respect to the duty owed to a six-year-old child may result in a different
conclusion than if this standard is applied to an adult. Moreover, we find Fairchild, Jr., may
be held to a higher standard if he is the one found to be directly responsible for Stephen's
care while at Flat Top. As stated in Laite v. Baxter, 191 S.E.2d 531 (Ga. App. 1972):
"'As a general rule, a person who undertakes the
control and supervision of a child, even without
compensation, has the duty to use reasonable care to
protect the child from injury. Such person is not an
insurer of the safety of the child. He is required only
to use reasonable care commensurate with the
reasonably foreseeable risks of harm.'"
Id. at 534 (quoting Whitney v. Southern Farm Bureau Cas. Ins. Co., 225 So. 2d 30, 33 (La.
App. 1969); see also Standifer v. Pate, 282 So. 2d 261, 265 (Ala. 1973) (finding "defendant's
duty to exercise due care arises, not out of the parties' relationship of land occupier and
licensee or invitee, but rather, out of the duty to exercise due care assumed by a babysitter
toward his infant charge"); Restatement (Second) on Torts § 320.Footnote: 10
Motions for summary judgment may be made pursuant to Rule 56 of the West
Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure.Footnote: 11
We are aware that Jack R. Fairchild is not designated as "Sr." in the style of
this case; however, we use this reference to distinguish these two Fairchilds in the text of this
opinion.Footnote: 12
After reviewing the handbook, we can find no specific mention of indemnity.
In its brief, Flat Top primarily relies upon one sentence contained in section "VIII. General,"
paragraph D, to support its position. This paragraph states: "Members of the Association
will be responsible for the conduct of their guests." We stated in syllabus point three of
Sellers v. Owens-Illinois Glass Co., 156 W. Va. 167, 191 S.E.2d 166 (1972), that
"[g]enerally, contracts will not be construed to indemnify one against his own negligence,
unless such intention is expressed in clear and definite language." In addition, we have said
when "'a court properly determines that the contract is unambiguous on the dispositive issue,
it may then properly interpret the contract as a matter of law and grant summary judgment
because no interpretive facts are in genuine issue.'" Williams, 194 W. Va. at 66 n.26, 459 S.E.2d at 343 n.26 (quoting Goodman v. Resolution Trust Corp., 7 F.3d 1123, 1126 (4th
Cir.1993). In light of our holding in syllabus point three of Sellers, we find the trial court
properly found as a matter of law that this provision is insufficient to present a genuine issue
as to whether an indemnity relationship exists between Flat Top and its members.Footnote: 13
See also Jones v. Cook, 90 W. Va. 710, 111 S.E. 828 (1922) (adopting family
purpose doctrine in this State for first time and giving similar rationale as expressed in
Freeland); cf. Bartz v. Wheat, 169 W. Va. 86, 90-91, 285 S.E.2d 894, 896 (1982) (stating,
while agency principles may be useful in some circumstances to understand the family
purpose doctrine, we are not constrained by agency labels where the real purpose of the
doctrine is to better a plaintiff's chance of financial award).Footnote: 14
We treated the dismissal as a summary judgment because the trial court
considered matters outside the pleadings. 168 W. Va. at 392, 284 S.E.2d at 886. Footnote: 15
Moreover, as quoted by the court in Nelson, the Restatement (Second) of
Torts § 496 (1965), provides:
"A parent is barred from recovery for harm to his
legally protected interest in the services of his child
if
"(a) the child is so young as to be
incapable of effectively exercising self-protective
care, and
"(b) the child's incapacity is a
contributing factor in bringing about the harm or
death, and
"(c) the parent has failed to exercise
reasonable care to prevent the child from placing
itself in a situation in which its lack of self-protective
capacity may reasonably be expected to result in
harm to it."
657 P.2d at 484 (quoting Restatement (Second) of Torts § 496 at 558).Footnote: 16
For other cases permitting the negligence of a parent to be established in a
wrongful death case of a child, see Helton v. Reynolds, 640 S.W.2d 5, 11 n.2 (Tenn. App.
1982) (stating "the parents being next of kin are the beneficiaries of the proceeds of any
recovery and, consequently, a defense may unquestionably be based upon their negligence);
Bachman v. Lieser, 184 N.W.2d 11, 12-13 (Minn. 1971) (holding father, as trustee and
potential beneficiary in wrongful death action of eleven-year-old son, suffered no prejudice
by jury instruction stating father acted negligently if he did not use care of reasonable person
in allowing son to ride motorbike on highway or instructing son in proper way); Clark v.
Sears, Roebuck & Co., 731 S.W.2d 469, 473 (Mo. App. 1987) (finding where "parent brings
an action in her own name for the wrongful death of her infant, the negligence of the parent
that contributes to the casualty which produced the death can be assessed against the parent);
see generally Annotation, Contributory negligence of beneficiary as affecting action under
death or survival statute, 2 A.L.R. 785 (1948 & Supp. 1985).Footnote: 17
See generally Michael A. DiSabatino, Annotation, Negligence of One Parent
Contributing to Injury or Death of Child as Barring or Reducing Damages Recoverable by
Other Parent for Losses Suffered by Other Parent as Result of Injury or Death of Child 26
A.L.R. 396 (1983).Footnote: 18
Thus, merely because one parent's negligence may "equal or exceed the
combined negligence or fault of the other parties," the other parent still may recover. See
Syl. Pt. 3, Bradley.Footnote: 19
Of course, in this scenario, it will be necessary for the trier of fact to find the
degree of fault of the tortfeasors. Cf. Syl. Pt. 7, Kodym v. Frazier, 186 W. Va. 221, 412 S.E.2d 219 (1991) (holding "[j]oint or concurrent tortfeasors who contribute to a plaintiff's
injuries are jointly and severally liable for the entire injury. They are not entitled to have a
jury weigh whose negligence caused what portion of the plaintiff's injuries").Footnote: 20
Some courts express concern that the comparative negligence rule is an empty
gesture if either a husband or wife is able to collect an entire wrongful death award for a
child when the other spouse partially is at fault in a child's death. For instance, in Stull v.
Ragsdale, 620 S.W.2d 264 (Ark. 1981), the Supreme Court of Arkansas found most "non-
community property jurisdictions . . . have held that where the negligence of one parent
combines with the act of a third person . . . to cause injury to the parent's child that parent's
negligence is not imputed to the other parent . . . However, there are numerous jurisdictions
which hold to the contrary." Id. at 266 (emphasis added; citations omitted). The court
continued by saying some of the jurisdiction's which permit imputation of negligence from
one spouse to the other do so by reasoning "the realities of the situation are that the negligent
parent will undoubtedly share or jointly benefit in the full recovery by the other spouse, in
spite of what may be substantial negligence on his or her part and thus benefit or profit from
his or her own wrong." Id. at 267.
However, we find this rationale ignores the fact that parents are often divorced, as is the situation in the present case. Furthermore, under our statute and our comparative negligence rule, we find this concern is diminished because each spouse is getting a separate award based upon their individual loss. Moreover, we believe it would be just as inequitable to deny a wrongful death beneficiary an award based upon the tortious conduct of another beneficiary as it would be to hold a negligent tortfeasor totally liable without any right to seek contribution from another negligent tortfeasor. We, therefore, will permit application of the comparative negligence rule to a parent whose own negligent acts contributed to the death of his or her child. Footnote: 21 As to the issue of whether the parties can show negligence by failure of Stephen's mother to bring Stephen his chest protector, we find the trial court should reconsider this issue in light of our decision that parental negligence may be considered in a wrongful death case.Footnote: 22 The parties raise a number of other alleged errors in their briefs, including, but not limited to, faulty jury instructions, improper juror selection, and an inadequate jury award. We carefully have reviewed each alleged error and find they either now are rendered moot by our above decision or are otherwise not meritorious. In closing, we mention that this opinion does not purport to address every issue which may arise at a new trial, and the trial court carefully should consider such issues as they are presented.
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