N.E.M. v. Eugene Strigel

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SUPREME COURT OF WISCONSIN Case No.: Complete Title of Case: 95-0755 N.E.M., by her Guardian ad Litem, Gary M. Kryshak, Plaintiff-Appellant, Charles Meyer, and Patti Meyer, Plaintiffs, v. Eugene Strigel, and Judy Strigel, Defendants-Respondents-Petitioners, Scott Strigel, Defendant. _______________________________________ REVIEW OF A DECISION OF THE COURT OF APPEALS Reported at: 198 Wis. 2d 719, 543 N.W.2d 821 (Ct. App. 1995) PUBLISHED February 21, l997 Opinion Filed: Submitted on Briefs: Oral Argument: October 17, 1996 Source of APPEAL COURT: COUNTY: JUDGE: Circuit Wood EDWARD F. ZAPPEN, JR. JUSTICES: Concurred: Dissented: Not Participating: ANN WALSH BRADLEY, J. did not partipate For the defendants-respondents-petitioners there were briefs by Steven M. Anderson and Ruder, Ware & Michler, S.C., Wausau and Robert G. Craig, Marshfield and oral argument by Steven M. Anderson. ATTORNEYS: For the plaintiff-appellant there was a brief by Leon S. Schmidt, Jr., and Schmidt, Grace & Duncan, Wisconsin Rapids and oral argument by Leon S. Schmidt. NOTICE This opinion is subject to further editing and modification. The final version will appear in the bound volume of the official reports. No. 95-0755 STATE OF WISCONSIN IN SUPREME COURT : FILED N.E.M. by her Guardian ad Litem, Gary M. Kryshak, FEB 21, 1997 Plaintiff-Appellant, Marilyn L. Graves Clerk of Supreme Court Madison, WI Charles Meyer, and Patti Meyer, Plaintiffs, v. Eugene Strigel, and Judy Strigel, Defendants-RespondentsPetitioners, Scott Strigel, Defendant. REVIEW of a decision of the Court of Appeals. ¶1 JON P. WILCOX, J. Affirmed. This case is before the court on a petition for review filed by Eugene and Judy Strigel. petitioners seek review of a published court of The appeals decision, N.E.M. v. Strigel, 198 Wis. 2d 719, 543 N.W.2d 821 (Ct. App. 1995), that reversed a circuit court judgment. County circuit court Strigels' parental (1993-94)1 was Judge liability limited to Edward under $2,500 Zappen Wis. for between their son, Scott, and N.E.M. 1 F. the held Stat. 20 § Wood that the 895.035(4) sexual contacts The court of appeals held Unless otherwise stated, all future statutory references are to the 1993-94 volume. No. 95-0755 that pursuant to § 895.035(4), the Strigels were liable up to $2,500 for each of the 20 instances of sexual contact, or a $50,000 limit on total liability. ¶2 On review, we consider two issues: (1) whether Wis. Stat. § 895.035(4) limits the Strigels' liability to $2,500 for each of the 20 sexual contacts or to $2,500 for all 20 of the sexual contacts between Scott and N.E.M.; and (2) if the Strigels' liability is limited to $2,500 for each of the 20 instances of sexual contact, whether the jury must determine individual damages for each sexual contact. We hold that the Strigels' liability under § 895.035(4) is limited to $2,500 for each of the 20 instances of sexual contact and that in this case it was not necessary for the jury to make individual damage determinations for each assault. ¶3 The relevant facts are not in dispute. N.E.M., a 10 year old, and her parents brought suit against Scott Strigel, a 15 year old, and his parents, Eugene and Judy Strigel. In the action, N.E.M. alleged that she had sexual contact with both Eugene and Scott Strigel. On April 29, 1994, the jury found that Eugene Strigel had not had sexual contact with N.E.M., but that Scott Strigel had. In a special verdict, the jury concluded that Scott had sexual contact with N.E.M. "20 times" and that his conduct was wanton and willful. The jury awarded N.E.M. $35,000 for past and future pain and suffering.2 2 The jury was presented with the following questions: QUESTION 3: Did the defendant, Scott Strigel, have sexual contact with [N.E.M.]? [Answer:] Yes QUESTION 4: If you answered Question #3 "Yes", then answer this question: Was the sexual contact of [N.E.M.] by Scott Strigel a cause of injury to [N.E.M.]? [Answer:] 2 In No. 95-0755 addition, the jury awarded $10,000 in punitive damages and $8,589 for N.E.M.'s parent's out-of-pocket expenses.3 I. ¶4 The first issue that we address is whether Wis. Stat. § 895.035(4) limits the Strigels' liability to $2,500 for each of the 20 sexual contacts between Scott and N.E.M. or to $2,500 for all of the sexual contacts. Resolution of this issue requires us to determine the meaning of "act" as used in § QUESTION 5: QUESTION 6: QUESTION 7: QUESTION 10: Yes If you have answered Question #3 "Yes", then answer this question: How many times did Scott Strigel have sexual contact with [N.E.M.]? [Answer:] 20 times . . . b.) With respect to the sexual contact of [N.E.M.] by Scott Strigel, what sum of money will reasonably compensate [N.E.M.] for: 1.) Past and future pain and suffering [Answer:] $35,000 . . . b.) With respect to the sexual contact of [N.E.M.] by Scott Strigel, what sum of money will reasonably compensate [the parents of N.E.M.] for: 1.) Out-of-pocket expenses for the treatment & care of [N.E.M.] [Answer:] $1,200 2.) Loss of society and companionship of their daughter, [N.E.M.] [Answer:] $7,000 If you answered "Yes" to question #4, answer this question: Was Scott Strigel's conduct willful and wanton? [Answer:] Yes QUESTION 11: If you answered the preceding question "yes", answer this question: What sum, if any, do you assess against Scott Strigel as punitive damages? [Answer:] $10,000 3 The issue of whether punitive damages should be included in the calculation of the Strigels' liability under Wis. Stat. § 895.035(4) is an open question that is not before this court. The attorneys for both the Strigels and N.E.M. so indicated at oral argument. 3 No. 95-0755 895.035(4). Statutory interpretation and the application of a statute are questions of law that this court reviews de novo. Wagner Mobile, Inc. v. City of Madison, 190 Wis. 2d 585, 527 N.W.2d 301 (1995); Braatz v. LIRC, 174 Wis. 2d 286, 293, 496 N.W.2d 597 (1993). Accordingly, we owe no deference to the decisions of the circuit court and court of appeals. Colby v. Columbia County, 202 Wis. 2d 342, 349, 550 N.W.2d 124 (1996). However, we must strictly construe § 895.035(4) because it is in derogation of the common law. State ex rel. Chain O'Lakes Protective Ass'n v. Moses, 53 Wis. 2d 579, 583, 193 N.W.2d 708 (1972); Poston v. United States Fidelity & Guar. Co., 107 Wis. 2d 215, 224, 320 N.W.2d 9 (Ct. App. 1982). ¶5 The purpose of statutory interpretation is to discern the intent of the legislature. Doe v. American Nat. Red Cross, 176 Wis. 2d 610, 616, 500 N.W.2d 264 (1993). In determining this intent, the court must first look at the language of the statute. Kelly Co., Inc. v. Marquardt, 172 Wis. 2d 234, 247, 493 N.W.2d 68 (1992). If the language of the statute clearly and unambiguously sets forth the legislative intent, it is the duty of the court to apply that intent to the case at hand and not look beyond the statutory language to ascertain its meaning. Id. ¶6 Accordingly, Stat. § 895.035(4). we first examine the language of Wis. Section 895.035(4) states in relevant part: Except for recovery for retail theft under s. 943.51, the maximum recovery from any parent or parents may not exceed $2,500 for damages resulting from any one act of a child in addition to taxable costs and disbursements and reasonable attorney fees, as determined by the court. (emphasis added). Use of the word "one" before the word "act" suggests that the legislature contemplated a situation in which 4 No. 95-0755 parents would be liable for each of a series of acts. without a more precise definition of act, we are However, unable to determine what distinguishes a series of acts from a single act. ¶7 In the absence of a statutory definition, the words of a statute are construed according to their common and approved usage. Swatek v. County of Dane, 192 Wis. 2d 47, 61, 531 N.W.2d 45 (1995), quoting State v. Gilbert, 115 Wis. 2d 371, 377-78, 340 N.W.2d 511, 514 (1983). The court may use a dictionary to determine the common and approved usage of words in a statute. Swatek, 192 Wis. 2d at 61; State v. Oak Creek, 139 Wis. 2d 788, 795, 407 N.W.2d 901 (1987). the most appropriate As used in Wis. Stat. § 895.035(4), definition is "something done performed." THE AMERICAN HERITAGE DICTIONARY 17 (3d ed. 1992). or This definition suggests that an act is a complete course of conduct. Accordingly, from the language of the statute alone, we can presume that the legislature intended parents to be liable for each of a series of complete courses of conduct. definition the meaning of Wis. Stat. § Despite this 895.035(4) may be ambiguous. ¶8 A statute is ambiguous if it is capable of being understood by a reasonably well-informed person in either of two senses. Robinson v. Kunach, 76 Wis. 2d 436, 444, 251 N.W.2d 449 (1977). In consider stones a to resolving whether hypothetical consecutively § 895.035(4) situation break two in which windows. is a ambiguous, child One we uses two reasonable interpretation is that the child completed one course of conduct (or committed one act) and the parents should be liable up to $2,500 for the broken windows. 5 Another reasonable No. 95-0755 interpretation is that each time the child threw a stone and broke a window, he completed a course of conduct (or committed a separate act), thus subjecting the parents to liability up to $5,000. The language of the statute alone does not indicate which interpretation the legislature intended; thus, the statute is ambiguous. ¶9 When the statutory language is found to be ambiguous this court examines the scope, history, context, subject matter, and object legislature. of the statute to discern Swatek, 192 Wis. 2d at 58. the intent of the The parental liability statute4 was enacted in response to growing concern over juvenile vandalism and the perception that juvenile vandalism was the result of negligent supervision by parents.5 4 The goal of the The predecessor of Wis. Stat. § 895.035 was Wis. Stat. § 331.047 (1957). In 1963, Section 331.047 was renumbered to § 895.035. Section 331.047, which was introduced by Assemblyman Earle Fricker, made similar use of the word act: (1) The parent or parents having legal custody of an unemancipated minor child, in any circumstances where he or they may not be otherwise liable under the common law, may nevertheless for cause shown and in the discretion of the court be held liable for damages to property not to exceed $300, in addition to taxable costs and disbursements directly attributable to any wilful, malicious or wanton act of the child. (2) Maximum recovery from any parent or parents of any child may not exceed the limitation provided in sub. (1) for any one wilful, malicious or wanton act of such child and if 2 or more children of the same parent or parents having legal custody commit the same act the recovery may not exceed in the aggregate $300, in addition to taxable costs and disbursements. 5 See REPORT OF THE CHILD WELFARE COMMITTEE TO THE WISCONSIN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, RECOMMENDATIONS RELATING TO SERVICES FOR DELINQUENT CHILDREN, at 3 (December 29, 1954) ("Many persons appearing before the committee were concerned about the a great increase in the amount of vandalism committed by children. . . . A law making parents liable for the amount of damage done by their child was recommended by the Child Welfare Committee as a possible means of curbing the amount of vandalism committed. It was alleged that making a parent monetarily responsible for the damage done by his child would cause the parent to take a greater interest in the activities of his child and to see that the child does not engage 6 No. 95-0755 parental liability financial children. law was responsibility on to impose parents a for certain the degree acts of of their See First Bank Southeast, N.A. v. Bentkowski, 138 Wis. 2d 283, 289, 405 N.W.2d 764 (Ct. App. 1987). Accordingly, we must define act consistent with this statutory purpose. ¶10 We must also define the word act in such a way as to avoid absurd or unreasonable results. Swatek, 192 Wis. 2d at 58. We believe that it is not possible to set forth an exact definition that would render a result both consistent with the statute's purpose and reasonable in all cases. This can only be achieved by considering the surrounding circumstances of each case. In determining what constitutes a complete course of conduct, and, thus, what distinguishes one act from multiple acts we find three factors of particular importance: (1) whether a sufficient period of time separates the conduct, (2) whether the conduct occurred at different locations, and (3) whether there is a distinct difference in the nature of the conduct.6 ¶11 In this case, we find that 20 acts occurred because the instances of sexual contact between Scott and N.E.M. were separated by a sufficient period of time. If, however, the 20 in destructive acts."); Vandalism Cost Bill Sent Back, WIS. ST. J., March 1, 1957, § 1, at 4 ("Assemblyman Earle W. Fricker (D [sic]Milwaukee) [the parental liability bill's] author, told the house the bill aimed to 'hit parents in the pocketbook' to force tighter disciplining of children."); Bill Making Parents Liable for Vandalism Gets First Okay, WIS. ST. J., March 14, 1957, § 2, at 9 ("'Any parents who have children have a duty to properly rear them." [Fricker] said."); Jack Harned, Student Group Backs Liability on Vandalism, WIS. ST. J., March 28, 1957, § 1, at 4. ("'The youth of today needs a firm hand on the part of their parents.' Fricker said.") 6 We decline to adopt a standard for distinguishing one act from multiple acts that is analogous to the criminal standard for determining whether acts are sufficiently different for purposes of bringing multiple charges. See Harrell v. State, 88 Wis. 2d 546, 572-74, 277 N.W.2d 462 (Ct. App. 1979). 7 No. 95-0755 sexual contacts had occurred within an hour we might have a situation in which the contacts could be characterized as one act. This would depend on surrounding circumstances such as the locations where the conduct occurred. Additionally, if there was a distinct difference in the nature of the acts they could not be conduct characterized in question as one act. consisted In this exclusively there can be no distinct difference. of case, where sexual the contact, However, if Scott had both sexually assaulted N.E.M. and vandalized her parents property, the distinct difference in the nature of these two actions would warrant finding that there were two acts and subjecting Scott's parents to liability up to $2,500 for the sexual assault and $2,500 for the vandalism.7 ¶12 the Accordingly, we conclude that it is consistent with legislature's intent to hold the Strigels liable up to $2,500 for each of the 20 sexual contacts between Scott and N.E.M. II. ¶13 The second issue that we address is whether it was necessary for the jury to make individual damage determinations 7 A consideration of the surrounding circumstances, with particular regard to the three factors set forth, has a similar application to the window hypothetical we used to demonstrate that Wis. Stat. § 895.035(4) is ambiguous. The parents of the vandal who consecutively threw two rocks and broke two windows would be liable up to a maximum of $2,500. The breaking of the two windows in this manner would be one act for purposes of § 895.035(4). However, if the child had broken one window on one day and the other window on the following day, the parents would be liable up to $2,500 for each of the acts that caused each broken window. Similarly, if the child broke one neighbor's window, then walked across the street and broke another neighbors window, we would have two acts. Additionally, if the child had broken the neighbor's window and then assaulted the neighbor, the parents would be liable up to $2,500 for the broken window and up to $2,500 for damages caused by the assault. 8 No. 95-0755 for each sexual contact. This is also a question of statutory interpretation that this court reviews de novo. Wagner Mobile, 190 Wis. 2d 585; Braatz, 174 Wis. 2d at 293. ¶14 The Strigels argue that a new trial is necessary so that damages can be determined for each of the sexual contacts. N.E.M. contends that a new trial is not necessary because it is impossible to attribute specific amounts of damage to each act. We hold that in this case the jury need not determine damages for each of the sexual contacts. ¶15 are In other cases where the damages caused by each act distinct, determinations improper the for sexual jury each should act. contact, make However, where the separate in damage cases damages involving are primarily psychological and emotional, the jury need not make individual damage determinations for each act. To require a jury determination of individual damages for each instance of sexual contact would add unnecessary complexity to an already difficult question. Accordingly, we hold that the jury determination of damages in this case was sufficient. By the Court. The decision of the court affirmed. ANN WALSH BRADLEY, J., did not participate. 9 of appeals is

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