{ "id": 4288133, "name": "KEVIN STRICKLAND et al., Plaintiffs-Appellants, v. KEVIN KOTECKI et al., Defendants-Appellees", "name_abbreviation": "Strickland v. Kotecki", "decision_date": "2009-07-15", "docket_number": "No. 3\u201407\u20140831", "first_page": "1099", "last_page": "1105", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "392 Ill. App. 3d 1099" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ill. App. Ct.", "id": 8837, "name": "Illinois Appellate Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 29, "name_long": "Illinois", "name": "Ill." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "689 S.W.2d 625", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.2d", "case_ids": [ 9979478 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1985, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "628" }, { "page": "628" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/sw2d/689/0625-01" ] }, { "cite": "368 S.E.2d 258", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1988, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "235 Va. 274", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Va.", "case_ids": [ 2099845 ], "year": 1988, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/va/235/0274-01" ] }, { "cite": "612 A.2d 687", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "A.2d", "case_ids": [ 7938885 ], "year": 1992, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/a2d/612/0687-01" ] }, { "cite": "553 N.W.2d 591", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.W.2d", "case_ids": [ 10701869 ], "year": 1996, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nw2d/553/0591-01" ] }, { "cite": "721 A.2d 1000", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "A.2d", "case_ids": [ 384372, 421813 ], "year": 1998, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nj/156/0524-01", "/nj-super/317/0237-01" ] }, { "cite": "317 N.J. Super. 237", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.J. Super.", "case_ids": [ 421813 ], "year": 1998, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nj-super/317/0237-01" ] }, { "cite": "90 Cal. Rptr. 2d 528", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Cal. Rptr. 2d", "year": 1999, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "76 Cal. App. 4th 577", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Cal. App. 4th", "case_ids": [ 120901 ], "year": 1999, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/cal-app-4th/76/0577-01" ] }, { "cite": "80 P.3d 180", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.3d", "year": 2003, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "119 Wash. App. 310", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Wash. App.", "case_ids": [ 1350096 ], "year": 2003, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/wash-app/119/0310-01" ] }, { "cite": "801 N.E.2d 1201", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "1204", "parenthetical": "where there is an absence of Illinois authority, it is appropriate to look to the law of other states" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "344 Ill. App. 3d 801", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3778490 ], "year": 2003, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "805", "parenthetical": "where there is an absence of Illinois authority, it is appropriate to look to the law of other states" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/344/0801-01" ] }, { "cite": "666 N.E.2d 678", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1996, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "681" }, { "page": "681" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "281 Ill. App. 3d 203", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 150141 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1996, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "207" }, { "page": "208" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/281/0203-01" ] }, { "cite": "469 N.E.2d 445", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1984, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "447" }, { "page": "447" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "127 Ill. App. 3d 618", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 3564080 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1984, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "620" }, { "page": "620" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/127/0618-01" ] }, { "cite": "58 N.E. 367", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.", "year": 1900, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "187 Ill. 463", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 3229754 ], "year": 1900, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill/187/0463-01" ] }, { "cite": "115 N.E.2d 126", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "year": 1917, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "277 Ill. 255", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 4862383 ], "year": 1917, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill/277/0255-01" ] }, { "cite": "404 N.E.2d 950", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 5, "year": 1980, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "954" }, { "page": "954" }, { "page": "954" }, { "page": "954-55" }, { "page": "954" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "83 Ill. App. 3d 1010", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. App. 3d", "case_ids": [ 5554236 ], "weight": 5, "year": 1980, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "1015-16" }, { "page": "1015-16" }, { "page": "1016" }, { "page": "1016-17" }, { "page": "1015-16" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill-app-3d/83/1010-01" ] }, { "cite": "852 N.E.2d 553", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.E.2d", "weight": 8, "year": 2006, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "555" }, { "page": "555" }, { "page": "555" }, { "page": "555" }, { "page": "555" }, { "page": "556" }, { "page": "555" }, { "page": "555" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "366 Ill. App. 3d 1154", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill. 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KEVIN KOTECKI et al., Defendants-Appellees." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "JUSTICE LYTTON\ndelivered the opinion of the court:\nPlaintiffs, Carrie and Kevin Strickland (Kevin S.), filed a three-count complaint against defendants, Janet and Kevin Kotecki (Kevin K.), for injuries Kevin S. sustained when he jumped over a fence to stop Kevin K. from committing suicide. Defendants filed a motion to dismiss, pursuant to section 2 \u2014 615 of the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure (Code) (735 ILCS 5/2 \u2014 615 (West 2006)). The trial court granted the motion. On appeal, plaintiffs argue that the trial court should have applied the rescue doctrine to sustain their complaint. We affirm in part and reverse in part.\nBACKGROUND\nOn January 8, 2006, Janet could not find her husband, Kevin K., and feared that he was going to attempt suicide. As a result, Janet called Carrie, her sister, and requested that she and her husband, Kevin S., help her find Kevin K. The three of them inspected a fenced-in business property and saw Kevin K.\u2019s vehicle behind a locked gate. The vehicle had a hose running from its exhaust pipe to the passenger window. When Kevin S. jumped over the fence to rescue Kevin K., he injured his right foot.\nCarrie and Kevin S. filed a complaint against Janet and Kevin K. The complaint alleged negligence against both Janet and Kevin K. and a loss of consortium claim against only Kevin K. Plaintiffs filed a motion to dismiss pursuant to section 2 \u2014 615 of the Code (735 ILCS 5/2 \u2014 615 (West 2006)). The trial court granted the motion, without prejudice, with leave to file an amended complaint.\nPlaintiffs\u2019 first and second amended complaints were also dismissed without prejudice. In count I of plaintiffs\u2019 third amended complaint, they alleged that Kevin K.:\n\u201ca. Placed himself in a situation where he knew others might or could attempt rescue;\nb. Placed himself in a situation where he knew others might or could attempt rescue, and so placed himself in an area behind a locked gate;\nc. Knew or should have known that others would place themselves in danger to attempt preventing a suicide;\nd. Placed himself in a situation where he knew, or should have known, that an individual like Plaintiff KEVIN STRICKLAND\u2014 untrained in the provision of rescue services \u2014 would attempt to render assistance; [and]\ne. Placed himself in a situation where he knew, or should have known, that Plaintiff KEVIN STRICKLAND, a relative by marriage, would attempt to prevent him from committing suicide.\u201d\nCount I further alleged that Kevin K. owed a \u201creasonable duty of care to others, including Plaintiffs KEVIN STRICKLAND and CARRIE STRICKLAND,\u201d and that Kevin K\u2019s negligent acts caused Kevin S. injuries, lost wages, pain, discomfort, disability and loss of normal life.\nCount II of the third amended complaint alleged that Janet \u201crequested and/or demanded that Plaintiff KEVIN STRICKLAND attempt to rescue KEVIN KOTECKI\u201d and claimed that Janet (1) placed Kevin S. in a situation where she knew or should have known that he would attempt to rescue Kevin K, (2) failed to advise Kevin S. that he did not have to climb over the fence to reach Kevin K, and (3) failed to contact professional rescue personnel. Count II also alleged that Janet \u201cowed a reasonable duty of care to *** Plaintiffs KEVIN STRICKLAND and CARRIE STRICKLAND\u201d and that Kevin S. was injured as a result of Janet\u2019s acts or omissions.\nCount III contained the same allegations as count I but instead of alleging that Kevin S. was injured, alleged that Carrie suffered loss of consortium as a result of the injuries her husband sustained when he attempted to rescue Kevin K. Defendants again filed a section 2 \u2014 615 motion to dismiss. The trial court granted the motion, stating: \u201cI don\u2019t believe there\u2019s any cause of action for negligence when someone attempts to rescue someone in peril in this particular situation under these set of facts ***.\u201d The trial court dismissed plaintiffs\u2019 third amended complaint with prejudice.\nANALYSIS\nWe review the granting of a section 2 \u2014 615 motion to dismiss de novo. Behrens v. Harrah\u2019s Illinois Corp., 366 Ill. App. 3d 1154, 1156, 852 N.E.2d 553, 555 (2006). A section 2 \u2014 615 motion should not be granted unless it clearly appears that no set of facts could ever be proved that would entitle the plaintiffs to recover. Behrens, 366 Ill. App. 3d at 1156, 852 N.E.2d at 555. When reviewing an order granting a section 2 \u2014 615 motion, a court must take as true all well-pled facts and all reasonable inferences. Behrens, 366 Ill. App. 3d at 1156, 852 N.E.2d at 555.\nTo properly plead an action based on negligence, plaintiff must allege facts sufficient to establish that defendant owed a duty of care to plaintiff, that defendant breached that duty, and that the breach was the proximate cause of plaintiffs injuries. Behrens, 366 Ill. App. 3d at 1156, 852 N.E.2d at 555. Whether a duty of care exists is a question of law, which must be resolved by the court. Behrens, 366 Ill. App. 3d at 1156, 852 N.E.2d at 555. When considering whether a duty exists, a court must weigh the foreseeability of the injury, the likelihood of the injury, the magnitude of the burden of guarding against the injury, and the consequences of placing that burden on the defendant. Behrens, 366 Ill. App. 3d at 1157, 852 N.E.2d at 556.\nI\nPlaintiffs argue that the allegations in counts I and III of their complaint were sufficient to establish that Kevin K. was negligent and that the rescue doctrine was applicable. Defendants respond that plaintiffs did not sufficiently plead negligence because counts I and III fail to allege the existence of a duty.\nIllinois has long recognized the rescue doctrine. See Seibutis v. Smith, 83 Ill. App. 3d 1010, 1015-16, 404 N.E.2d 950, 954 (1980), citing Devine v. Pfaelzer, 277 Ill. 255, 115 N.E.2d 126 (1917), and West Chicago Street R.R. Co. v. Liderman, 187 Ill. 463, 58 N.E. 367 (1900). The rescue doctrine arises when a plaintiff brings a negligence action against a defendant whose negligence has placed a third party in a position of peril. Seibutis, 83 Ill. App. 3d at 1015-16, 404 N.E.2d at 954; McGinty v. Nissen, 127 Ill. App. 3d 618, 620, 469 N.E.2d 445, 447 (1984). If the plaintiff is injured in the attempted rescue, he is allowed to negate a presumption that (1) his intentional act of rescue is the superseding cause of his injuries, thereby allowing him to prove that defendant\u2019s negligence is the proximate cause of his injuries, and (2) he is guilty of contributory negligence by the mere act of voluntarily assuming a known risk of harm unless he acts rashly or recklessly. Seibutis, 83 Ill. App. 3d at 1016, 404 N.E.2d at 954; McGinty, 127 Ill. App. 3d at 620, 469 N.E.2d at 447.\n\u201cEssentially, the [rescue] doctrine provides that it is always foreseeable that someone may attempt to rescue a person who has been placed in a dangerous position and that the rescuer may incur injuries in doing so.\u201d Williams v. Foster, 281 Ill. App. 3d 203, 207, 666 N.E.2d 678, 681 (1996). Whether the rescue doctrine applies is generally a question for the jury. See Williams, 281 Ill. App. 3d at 208, 666 N.E.2d at 681; Seibutis, 83 Ill. App. 3d at 1016-17, 404 N.E.2d at 954-55.\nIllinois courts have not decided whether the rescue doctrine allows a rescuer to bring a negligence action against a defendant who places himself in danger when the rescuer is injured in the attempted rescue. Seibutis, 83 Ill. App. 3d at 1015-16, 404 N.E.2d at 954. Thus, we look to decisions and authorities from outside this state. See In re Marriage ofMinix, 344 Ill. App. 3d 801, 805, 801 N.E.2d 1201, 1204 (2003) (where there is an absence of Illinois authority, it is appropriate to look to the law of other states).\nEvery court reaching the issue has held that the rescue doctrine allows a rescuer to recover from defendants who place themselves in danger. See Ganno v. Lanoga Corp., 119 Wash. App. 310, 80 P.3d 180 (2003); Sears v. Morrison, 76 Cal. App. 4th 577, 90 Cal. Rptr. 2d 528 (1999); Saltsman v. Corazo, 317 N.J. Super. 237, 721 A.2d 1000 (1998); Hollingsworth v. Schminkey, 553 N.W.2d 591 (Iowa 1996); Ouellette v. Carde, 612 A.2d 687 (R.I. 1992); Lassiter v. Warinner, 235 Va. 274, 368 S.E.2d 258 (1988); Lowrey v. Horvath, 689 S.W.2d 625 (Mo. 1985); Provenzo v. Sam, 23 N.Y.2d 256, 244 N.E.2d 26, 296 N.Y.S.2d 322 (1968); Henneman v. McCalla, 260 Iowa 60, 148 N.W.2d 447 (1967); Britt v. Mangum, 261 N.C. 250, 134 S.E.2d 235 (1964); Ruth v. Ruth, 213 Tenn. 82, 372 S.W.2d 285 (1963); Talbert v. Talbert, 22 Misc. 2d 782, 199 N.Y.S.2d 212 (1960); Longacre v. Reddick, 215 S.W.2d 404 (Tex. Civ. App. 1948); Lynch v. Fisher, 34 So. 2d 513 (La. App. 1948); Carney v. Buyea, 271 A.D. 338, 65 N.Y.S.2d 902 (1946); Brugh v. Bigelow, 310 Mich. 74, 16 N.W.2d 668 (1944). The Missouri Supreme Court explained:\n\u201cThere is no logical basis for distinguishing between the situation in which recovery is sought against a defendant whose negligence imperiled some third party, and the situation in which recovery is sought against a defendant who negligently imperiled himself.\u201d Lowrey, 689 S.W2d at 628.\nCommentators agree that the rescue doctrine can be used by rescuers to recover for damages they sustain while assisting rescued people who placed themselves in danger. See 1 D. Dobbs, Torts \u00a7184, at 456 (2001) (\u201cEven when the defendant puts only himself in danger, courts have held him liable for injury to his own rescuer suffered in the course of a rescue attempt\u201d); 65A C.J.S. Negligence \u00a7124 (1989) (rescue doctrine \u201cis not rendered inapplicable because suit is brought against the person being rescued\u201d); W. Keeton, Prosser & Keeton on Torts \u00a744, at 307-08 (5th ed. 1984) (a duty of care is owed to a rescuer \u201ceven when the defendant endangers no one\u2019s safety but the defendant\u2019s own\u201d); W Craig, Annot., Rescue Doctrine: Negligence & Contributory Negligence in Suit by Rescuer Against Rescued Person, 4 A.L.R.3d 558, 559 (1965) (\u201cSince recovery would ordinarily be allowed the rescuer as against some third person whose negligence imperiled the victim, it appears to be but a logical application of the well-established doctrine to allow recovery against the victim himself if it was his negligence which prompted the rescuer\u2019s actions\u201d); Restatement (Second) of Torts \u00a7445, Comment d, 472 (1965) (the rescue doctrine \u201capplies equally where the conduct of the actor has created a danger only to himself, if at the time of such conduct he should reasonably anticipate that others might attempt to rescue him from his self-created peril, and sustain harm in doing so\u201d).\nWe agree with the overwhelming authority that allows a rescuer to recover from a rescued party if the rescuer is injured in the course of a rescue. Like them, we find no logical reason to distinguish situations in which defendants place someone else in danger and situations in which defendants place themselves in danger. See Lowrey, 689 S.W.2d at 628.\nHowever, this does not end our analysis. Defendants contend that even if the rescue doctrine can be used against a rescued person, it cannot be applied here because people attempting suicide do not owe a duty to those attempting to rescue them.\nAt least one court has analyzed this issue and found that the rescue doctrine allows a cause of action to be brought by a rescuer against someone who attempts suicide. In Talbert, 22 Misc. 2d 782, 199 N.Y.S.2d 212, the plaintiff sued his father for injuries he sustained when he smashed the door of a garage to stop his father from taking his own life. The defendant filed a motion to dismiss, arguing that he owed no duty to plaintiff. The court denied the motion, finding that defendant owed a duty to those in the vicinity who might attempt to rescue him, stating:\n\u201cThe defendant, by locking all doors to the garage as he did and by sitting in the car with the motor running, exposed himself to undue risk of injury. This act was wrongful to plaintiff because it caused that undue risk of injury to defendant which consequently brought about the attempt to rescue him to plaintiffs injury.\u201d Talbert, 22 Mise. 2d at_, 199 N.Y.S.2d at 216.\nThe court rejected the defendant\u2019s contention that plaintiff\u2019s attempted rescue was not reasonably foreseeable, stating:\n\u201cIt was not necessary that the defendant reasonably foresee the manner in which the attempted rescue was going to be made. It is sufficient that the situation in which defendant placed himself was a dangerous one and invited rescue.\u201d Talbert, 22 Misc. 2d at_, 199 N.Y.S.2d at 216.\nThis analysis follows the simple logic of the rescue doctrine.\nIn his landmark legal treatise, Professor Francis H. Bohlen stated that a person attempting suicide may be liable to a rescuer who is injured while attempting to stop the suicide attempt. According to Professor Bohlen, \u201c[A] person who carelessly exposes himself to danger or who attempts to take his life in a place where others may be expected to be, does commit a wrongful act towards them in that it exposes them to a recognizable risk of injury.\u201d F. Bohlen, Studies in the Law of Torts 569 n.33 (1926).\nHere, plaintiffs alleged in counts I and III of their complaint that Janet contacted them because she was concerned that her husband was going to attempt suicide. Thereafter, plaintiffs and Janet found Kevin K.\u2019s vehicle with a hose running from the exhaust pipe to the passenger window. Plaintiffs alleged that Kevin K. \u201c[p]laced himself in a situation where he knew others might or could attempt rescue *** in an area behind a locked gate\u201d and \u201c[k]new or should have known others would place themselves in danger to attempt preventing a suicide.\u201d These allegations establish that it was foreseeable, if not likely, that someone would attempt to rescue Kevin K. and become injured in the process. By attempting suicide in a location where his wife, sister-in-law and brother-in-law might find him, Kevin K. placed himself in a dangerous situation that invited rescue. Under the rescue doctrine, he owed a duty to his rescuer.\nBecause counts I and III of plaintiffs third amended complaint adequately allege a duty, along with the other elements of negligence, the trial court erred in dismissing those counts for failure to state a claim. See Behrens, 366 Ill. App. 3d at 1156, 852 N.E.2d at 555.\nII\nThe trial court properly found that in count II plaintiffs failed to state a cause of action against Janet. Plaintiffs alleged that Janet was liable for Kevin S.\u2019s injuries merely because she \u201crequested and/or demanded\u201d that Kevin K. assist her husband. These allegations fail to establish the existence of any duty on Janet\u2019s part. In the absence of a duty, there can be no negligence. See Behrens, 366 Ill. App. 3d at 1156, 852 N.E.2d at 555. Thus, the trial court properly dismissed that cause of action.\nCONCLUSION\nThe judgment of the circuit court of LaSalle County is affirmed in part and reversed in part.\nAffirmed in part and reversed in part.\nHOLDRIDGE and SCHMIDT, JJ., concur.", "type": "majority", "author": "JUSTICE LYTTON" } ], "attorneys": [ "Melinda Rowe (argued), of Schweickert & Ganassin, of Peru, for appellants.", "Matthew K. Krueger (argued) and Erik E. Carlson, both of Brassfield, Krueger & Ramlow, Ltd., of Streator, for appellees." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "KEVIN STRICKLAND et al., Plaintiffs-Appellants, v. KEVIN KOTECKI et al., Defendants-Appellees.\nThird District\nNo. 3\u201407\u20140831\nOpinion filed July 15, 2009.\nMelinda Rowe (argued), of Schweickert & Ganassin, of Peru, for appellants.\nMatthew K. Krueger (argued) and Erik E. Carlson, both of Brassfield, Krueger & Ramlow, Ltd., of Streator, for appellees." }, "file_name": "1099-01", "first_page_order": 1115, "last_page_order": 1121 }