Dept. of Transportation vs. Sammy/Yvonne Hanna W2002-00152-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Trial Court Judge: C. Creed Mcginley
This is a condemnation case. The Tennessee Department of Transportation alleges that the trial judge committed error by allowing the landowners to discover the opinions of an appraiser not designated to testify at trial and that these errors require overturning the jury's verdict because of the prejudice they caused. We find that errors were committed in the court below, but that these errors were harmless. Therefore, we affirm the verdict of the jury.
Hardin
Court of Appeals
Stella Keltner vs. Open Lake Sporting Club W2002-00449-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Trial Court Judge: Jon Kerry Blackwood
This is a dispute over ownership of the Right Hand Arm portion of Open Lake. The trial court awarded summary judgment to Open Lake Sporting Club. Having determined that there are genuine issues of material facts, we reverse and remand for further proceedings.
Hillsboro Plaza v. H.T. Pope Enterprises M2001-02943-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Trial Court Judge: Carol L. Mccoy
This cause of action involves damages resulting from the breach of a commercial lease agreement. The trial court awarded judgment to the landlord, including forfeiture damages, prejudgment interest and attorney's fees. We affirm in part and reverse in part.
Davidson
Court of Appeals
Krishina Leach v. Nashville and Davidson County M2000-01487-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Per Curiam
Trial Court Judge: Thomas W. Brothers
This is a Tennessee Governmental Tort Liability Act case. A tow truck owned and operated by an employee of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County was traveling northwardly on Second Avenue South when it struck and killed Jacob Leach, age three, and seriously injured his mother, Krishina Leach. Jacob and his mother were walking southwardly on the sidewalk when Jacob broke free of his mother's restraint and darted into the path of the truck. The trial judge concluded that the driver of the tow truck was negligent because he "should have seen what was there to be seen." The judgment is reversed upon a finding that a motorist is under no duty to assume that an escorted child, in the restraint of an adult, will suddenly break free and run into traffic.
Davidson
Court of Appeals
James Killingsworth vs. Ted Russell Ford E2002-01562-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Dale C. Workman
This is an action under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act that arises out of the sale of an SUV. James Killingsworth, and his wife, Kathy Killingsworth ("the purchasers"), sued Ted Russell Ford, Inc. ("the seller"), alleging that the seller failed to advise them about damage to the previously-unowned vehicle sold to the purchasers. At the conclusion of the trial below, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the purchasers, awarding them $2,500. The purchasers then moved for attorney's fees and discretionary costs, which the court granted, but only in the amount of $500. The purchasers appeal, arguing that the fees and expenses awarded by the trial court are unreasonably low. By way of separate issues, the seller argues that the purchasers' second reply brief should be stricken and that the trial court erred in granting any fees and costs to the purchasers. We vacate and remand.
Knox
Court of Appeals
Harper Enterprises vs. City of Bean Station E2002-01734-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Richard R. Vance
The City of Bean Station ("the City") denied the application of the plaintiff ("the applicant") for a permit to sell beer for off-premises consumption. The applicant filed a petition for certiorari, naming the City and seeking a writ of mandamus to compel it to issue the requested permit. On cross motions for summary judgment, the trial court granted the City summary judgment. The applicant appeals. It contends that the City, "by actions and/or inaction," has caused its beer ordinance, which limits beer permits within the municipality to two, to be invalid. In the alternative, it contends that the City "has engaged in discriminatory, arbitrary and capricious application of the ordinance." We vacate the trial court's judgment and remand for further proceedings.
Grainger
Court of Appeals
Denver Waddell vs. Lawrence Ogledzinkski E2001-03131-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Trial Court Judge: Dale C. Workman
Knox County -In this appeal from the Knox County Circuit Court the Appellant, Denver J. Waddell, contends that the Trial Court erred in dismissing his case by grant of summary judgment upon grounds that the cause of action against the Appellee, Lawrence M. Ogledzinkski, is precluded by T.C.A. 50-6-108(a). We affirm the judgment of the Trial Court.
Knox
Court of Appeals
Sammy Vest vs. Francis Goswitz E2001-01613-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Trial Court Judge: James B. Scott, Jr.
This is a medical malpractice case filed on January 3, 2000, and amended on January 11 of the same year. The suit was by Sammy W. Vest and his adult children, Anglia M. Somner, Cheryl D. Travis, and Danny W. Vest, against Dr. Francis Goswitz and Dr. Helen Vodopick. The suit seeks damages for the Defendants' failure to refer Mr. Vest to a specialist, resulting in an injury to him as well as to his children. The Trial Judge sustained a motion by the Defendants to dismiss the children as parties Plaintiff, and later a motion for summary judgment as to Mr. Vest's suit. He further granted sanctions pursuant to Rule 11.03 against counsel for the Plaintiff. We affirm.
Anderson
Court of Appeals
Chelsea Pirkle vs. Justin Parker E2002-01751-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Trial Court Judge: Dale C. Workman
The trial court refused to set aside the Default Judgment. On appeal, we vacate and remand.
Knox
Court of Appeals
Nancy Crawford vs. Roger Crawford E2002-00372-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Trial Court Judge: Thomas R. Frierson, II
Plaintiff/Appellant Nancy Crawford owns an interest in a parcel of real property located in Hawkins County, Tennessee as tenants in common with the Defendants/Appellees. Appellant Nancy Crawford filed suit seeking a partial partition in kind of the subject property and requesting a tract containing approximately .604 acre be set aside for her. The .604 acre adjoins land owned by Ms. Crawford. The .604 acre contains a barn, which Ms. Crawford and her late husband had maintained, improved, and used since the late 1980's believing it was located on their property. Appellees opposed a partition in kind and requested a partition sale. The Trial Court found it in the manifest best interest of all parties for the property to be sold, rather than partitioned in kind, and ordered a sale. We modify the judgment, affirm as modified, and remand.
Hawkins
Court of Appeals
Gweneth J. Freels vs. Evelyn Jones E2002-00895-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Trial Court Judge: Frank V. Williams, III
Defendant demanded a jury in Answer but the trial judge ruled defendant waived right to a jury trial. On appeal, we affirm.
Morgan
Court of Appeals
Alica Rakestraw vs. Gregory Rakestraw E2002-01151-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Trial Court Judge: Jerri S. Bryant
The sole issue in this divorce case is whether the Trial Court reached the correct decision regarding custody of the parties' child. The Court granted primary custodial care of the parties' daughter, Kendra Paige Rakestraw, then 10 years old, to Gregory Keith Rakestraw ("Father"). Alica Delane Rakestraw ("Mother") argues on appeal that the evidence preponderates against the Court's exercise of discretion in rendering its custody decision, and that the Court erred in denying her motion to alter or amend the judgment and her motion for a new trial. We affirm the judgment of the Trial Court in all respects.
Bradley
Court of Appeals
The Rogers Group vs. Anderson County E2002-00409-COA-R9-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Trial Court Judge: Telford E. Forgerty, Jr.
After case was tried, the Trial Judge recused and another Judge was designated who granted a new trial on all issues. On appeal, we affirm.
James Thompson vs. Knoxville Teachers Federal Credit Union E2002-00780-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Trial Court Judge: Daryl R. Fansler
James L. Thompson ("Plaintiff") was the principal stockholder, director, and officer of People Personnel Industrial Corporation. Plaintiff began kiting checks when the corporation started having financial difficulties. Plaintiff's actions resulted in a substantial monetary loss to Knoxville Teachers Federal Credit Union ("Credit Union"). After both the corporation and Plaintiff filed for bankruptcy, the parties entered into an agreement whereby the Credit Union agreed not to pursue or assist any other party in pursuing a cause of action against Plaintiff based on the check kiting. Thereafter, Plaintiff was prosecuted in federal court. The Credit Union supplied information to the United States Government pertaining to the amount of its financial losses. After Plaintiff pled guilty in federal court to defrauding the Credit Union, he was ordered to serve a small amount of time in prison and pay restitution of $74,417.29 to the Credit Union. Plaintiff brought this lawsuit claiming the Credit Union pursued the order of restitution in the criminal proceeding and thereby violated the terms of the settlement agreement. The Trial Court granted summary judgment to Defendants, and Plaintiff appeals. We affirm.
Knox
Court of Appeals
Troy Buckles vs. Shira Riggs E2002-00649-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Trial Court Judge: Thomas R. Frierson, II
Shira Dawn McKay Buckles Riggs ("Mother") and Troy Dale Buckles ("Father") were divorced in 1994. Mother was awarded custody of the parties' minor son. In 2001, Father first sought increased visitation and then custody. Mother claimed Father was in arrears in his child support payments. After a trial, the trial court concluded there had been no material change in circumstances and custody should, therefore, remain with Mother. The trial court determined Father was in arrears in his child support payments in the amount of $13,894. The trial court also prohibited both parties from drinking alcohol "while in possession of the child." Father appeals. We modify the judgment to require the parties to undergo counseling, and affirm as modified.
Hawkins
Court of Appeals
Marisa Lovin vs. Charles Nave E2002-00686-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Trial Court Judge: Ben W. Hooper, II
Marisa R. Lovin ("Plaintiff") was involved in a one car accident on her way home from Dr. Charles E. Nave's ("Defendant") dental office. Although Plaintiff has no memory of the accident itself, she claims she suffered an adverse reaction to an anesthetic agent administered by Defendant, which caused the car accident. Plaintiff sued Defendant for dental malpractice claiming Defendant failed to warn her about potential side effects of the anesthesia and did not properly manage her treatment after administering the anesthetic agent. The Trial Court granted Defendant summary judgment. Plaintiff appeals. We affirm.
Sevier
Court of Appeals
Kanta Keith, et al vs. Gene Ervin Howerton, et al E2002-00704-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Trial Court Judge: Dale C. Workman
This case is on appeal for the second time. In the first appeal, we held that the defendants violated the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act ("the Act") in certain pawn transactions with the plaintiffs. We remanded the case to the trial court for a determination of whether the plaintiffs were entitled to treble damages and attorney's fees under the Act. Following a bench trial on these issues, the court below determined that the plaintiffs were not entitled to treble damages, but that they were entitled to a slight augmentation of their compensatory awards. In addition, the trial court awarded attorney's fees and costs, in amounts which are substantially less than those claimed by counsel. The plaintiffs appeal, arguing that the trial court erred in refusing to award treble damages and in its award of fees and costs. By way of a separate issue, the defendants argue that the trial court erred in granting a declaratory judgment to the plaintiff, Kanta Keith ("Mr. Keith"), following the death of his wife, the plaintiff, Darlene Keith ("Mrs. Keith"). We affirm in part, vacate in part and remand.
Knox
Court of Appeals
Department of Children's Services vs. F.E.B. E2001-00942-COA-R3-JV
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Trial Court Judge: Carey E. Garrett
This appeal from the Knox County Juvenile Court questions whether the Juvenile Court erred in terminating the parental rights of the Appellant, F.E B., with respect to his child, R.B., upon petition of the Appellee, State of Tennessee Department of Children's Services. We affirm the judgment of the Juvenile Court and remand for collection of costs.
Knox
Court of Appeals
William Davis vs. Karen Davis E2002-01404-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Trial Court Judge: William M. Dender
In divorce action the Trial Court ordered husband to pay alimony and ordered division of marital property. The Judgment is affirmed as modified.
