{ "id": 11434696, "name": "CHRISTOPHER S. SAWYER, Plaintiff v. FOOD LION, INC., WM. C. VICK CONSTRUCTION CO., COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION OF VIRGINIA, INC., and FROSTEMP MECHANICAL, INC., Defendants", "name_abbreviation": "Sawyer v. Food Lion, Inc.", "decision_date": "2001-06-19", "docket_number": "No. COA00-533", "first_page": "398", "last_page": "403", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "144 N.C. App. 398" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C. Ct. App.", "id": 14983, "name": "North Carolina Court of Appeals" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "249 S.E.2d 858", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1978, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "860" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "39 N.C. App. 183", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8550819 ], "year": 1978, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "186" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/39/0183-01" ] }, { "cite": "532 S.E.2d 560", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 5, "year": 2000, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "562" }, { "page": "562" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "139 N.C. App. 76", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 9495850 ], "year": 2000, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "79" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/139/0076-01" ] }, { "cite": "438 S.E.2d 449", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1994, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "113 N.C. App. 362", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8522272 ], "year": 1994, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/113/0362-01" ] }, { "cite": "472 S.E.2d 176", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1996, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "180", "parenthetical": "\"Under North Carolina law, a plaintiff is contributorily negligent if the evidence shows that, as a matter of law, plaintiff failed to keep a proper lookout for his own safety.\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "123 N.C. App. 70", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 11911687 ], "year": 1996, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "75", "parenthetical": "\"Under North Carolina law, a plaintiff is contributorily negligent if the evidence shows that, as a matter of law, plaintiff failed to keep a proper lookout for his own safety.\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/123/0070-01" ] }, { "cite": "268 S.E.2d 504", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1980, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "507" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "300 N.C. 669", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8564386 ], "year": 1980, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "673" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/300/0669-01" ] }, { "cite": "29 C.F.R. \u00a7 1926.452", "category": "laws:admin_compilation", "reporter": "C.F.R.", "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "w" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "533 S.E.2d 823", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 2000, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "824" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "139 N.C. App. 415", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 9496869 ], "year": 2000, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "416" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/139/0415-01" ] }, { "cite": "405 S.E.2d 789", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1991, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "790" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "103 N.C. App. 407", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8521116 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1991, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "408" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/103/0407-01" ] }, { "cite": "261 S.E.2d 666", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1980, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "668" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "299 N.C. 360", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8575106 ], "year": 1980, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "363" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/299/0360-01" ] }, { "cite": "479 S.E.2d 259", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1997, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "261" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "125 N.C. App. 102", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 11865404 ], "year": 1997, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "104" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/125/0102-01" ] }, { "cite": "495 S.E.2d 362", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1998, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "365" }, { "page": "365", "parenthetical": "\" 'Plaintiff may be contributorily negligent if his conduct ignores unreasonable risks or dangers which would have been apparent to a prudent person exercising ordinary care for his own safety.' \"" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "347 N.C. 541", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 551291 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1998, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "545" }, { "page": "545-46", "parenthetical": "\" 'Plaintiff may be contributorily negligent if his conduct ignores unreasonable risks or dangers which would have been apparent to a prudent person exercising ordinary care for his own safety.' \"" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/347/0541-01" ] }, { "cite": "291 S.E.2d 287", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1982, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "290" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "57 N.C. App. 321", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8524156 ], "year": 1982, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "325" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/57/0321-01" ] }, { "cite": "29 C.F.R. \u00a7 1900", "category": "laws:admin_compilation", "reporter": "C.F.R.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "436 S.E.2d 276", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1993, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "278" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "112 N.C. App. 604", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8523032 ], "year": 1993, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "606-07" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/112/0604-01" ] }, { "cite": "539 S.E.2d 289", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1999, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "citing N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 56 (1990)" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "350 N.C. 833", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 132195, 132323, 131917, 131956, 131993 ], "year": 1999, "pin_cites": [ { "parenthetical": "citing N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 56 (1990)" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/350/0833-03", "/nc/350/0833-04", "/nc/350/0833-05", "/nc/350/0833-01", "/nc/350/0833-02" ] }, { "cite": "515 S.E.2d 483", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1999, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "485" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "133 N.C. App. 256", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 11218771 ], "year": 1999, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "258" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/133/0256-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 701, "char_count": 13127, "ocr_confidence": 0.767, "pagerank": { "raw": 1.835837374766866e-07, "percentile": 0.7213910926853264 }, "sha256": "a41f53fa28f8344d339503889e193bd625b21d69662510d4633eb52f041b88c7", "simhash": "1:bb41fc20fa17655e", "word_count": 2132 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T14:55:44.896074+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "Judges WALKER and HUNTER concur." ], "parties": [ "CHRISTOPHER S. SAWYER, Plaintiff v. FOOD LION, INC., WM. C. VICK CONSTRUCTION CO., COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION OF VIRGINIA, INC., and FROSTEMP MECHANICAL, INC., Defendants" ], "opinions": [ { "text": "CAMPBELL, Judge.\nChristopher Sawyer (\u201cplaintiff\u2019) was working as an acoustical ceiling installer for Asheville Acoustics. Asheville Acoustics had been hired by the general contractor, Wm. C. Vick Construction Co. (\u201cVick\u201d), to install ceiling tiles in a new addition to a Food Lion store in Cumberland County.\nCeiling tiles are placed individually by hand, and require the installer to stand on a scaffold and place the tile overhead, fitting it into a ceiling grid. The installation sometimes requires a great amount of pressure in order to set the tile in place, and also may require the installer to lean over the edge of the scaffold. If the installer is not using a stationary scaffold, this pressure and leaning can cause the scaffold to move or roll. The scaffold that plaintiff used was approximately six feet tall and six feet long, and had wheels on each of the four legs so it could be easily moved. Each of the wheels had brakes that could be set so the scaffold would not move while plaintiff was using it.\nAt the same time that Asheville Acoustics was working on the addition, Commercial Refrigeration of Virginia, Inc. (\u201cCommercial\u201d) was also at work, having been hired to install the refrigeration system needed to cool the grocery cases. This work included running copper piping underneath the floor that would carry coolant to the grocery cases.\nOn 26 March 1996, plaintiff arrived at the worksite and noticed that the holes in the floor, where Commercial had been installing the piping, were uncovered. These holes were approximately two feet long, two feet wide, and twelve to eighteen inches deep. Plaintiff spoke to Vick\u2019s job superintendent about the holes, and was warned to be careful. Plaintiff then looked for covers for the holes, but was unable to find any so he began installing the ceiling tiles.\nDuring the installation, plaintiff placed the scaffold so that one of the wheels was approximately eight to ten inches away from an uncovered hole and climbed the scaffold without setting any of the four wheel brakes. While plaintiff was placing a tile in the ceiling grid, the scaffold moved and the wheel rolled into the hole, causing the scaffold to collapse, throwing plaintiff approximately six feet to the floor, and thereby injuring him. Plaintiff brought this suit to recover for his injuries.\nThe trial judge granted summary judgment for the defendants, finding that in each case there was no genuine issue of material fact, and that summary judgment was proper. Plaintiff has appealed this Court for review.\n\u201cSummary judgment is properly granted when the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, admissions and affidavits show no genuine issue of material fact exists and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.\u201d Lilley v. Blue Ridge Elec. Membership Corp., 133 N.C. App. 256, 258, 515 S.E.2d 483, 485 (1999), disc. rev. denied, 350 N.C. 833, 539 S.E.2d 289 (1999) (citing N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 56 (1990)). It requires the lower court to view the evidence in the light most favorable to the non-moving party, meaning the trial judge must accept the non-movant\u2019s evidence as true, and draw all reasonable inferences therefrom. Id.\nIt is the movant in a summary judgment motion who bears the burden of proving either: \u201c(1) an essential element of the non-movant\u2019s claim is nonexistent, (2) the non-movant cannot produce evidence to support an essential element of his claim, or (3) the non-movant cannot surmount an affirmative defense which would bar his claim.\u201d Taylor v. Ashburn, 112 N.C. App. 604, 606-07, 436 S.E.2d 276, 278 (1993). If the movant is able to prove any one of these three things, then summary judgment is proper.\nAt the heart of plaintiff\u2019s claim is the alleged negligence by Commercial. Plaintiff contends that Commercial violated the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OSHA), 29 C.F.R. \u00a7 1900 el. seq. (2000), when it left the floor holes uncovered, and that taking this evidence in the light most favorable to the movant, this is evidence of Commercial\u2019s negligence. We agree.\nOSHA regulations may be used as evidence of custom in the construction industry, which in turn, is admissible in proving the requisite standard of care. Cowan v. Laughridge Constr. Co., 57 N.C. App. 321, 325, 291 S.E.2d 287, 290 (1982). However, while an OSHA violation is some evidence of a defendant\u2019s negligence, it is not dispositive. It is just one factor to be considered and weighed by the jury. Nonetheless, since it does require a jury determination, evidence of an OSHA violation is sufficient to survive a motion for summary judgment.\nDespite this finding, we nevertheless uphold the trial court\u2019s award of summary judgment, because we find that plaintiff was contributorily negligent in his actions as a matter of law.\nIn North Carolina, if an issue of contributory negligence is raised as an affirmative defense, and proved, it completely bars plaintiff\u2019s recovery for injuries resulting from defendant\u2019s negligence. Cobo v. Raba, 347 N.C. 541, 545, 495 S.E.2d 362, 365 (1998).\nWe recognize that ordinarily, summary judgment is not proper in actions involving contributory negligence, Jenkins v. Lake Montonia Club, Inc., 125 N.C. App. 102, 104, 479 S.E.2d 259, 261 (1997), since the standard used in contributory negligence cases, that of reasonable care, usually requires a jury determination. Ragland v. Moore, 299 N.C. 360, 363, 261 S.E.2d 666, 668 (1980). There are instances though, where summary judgment is proper. \u201c[W]here the evidence is uncontroverted that a party failed to use ordinary care and that want of ordinary care was at least one of the proximate causes of the injury,\u201d summary judgment is appropriate. Diorio v. Penny, 103 N.C. App. 407, 408, 405 S.E.2d 789, 790 (1991).\nHere, plaintiff knew there were holes in the floor, and that they might prove hazardous if he worked around them while they were uncovered. \u201cThe doctrine of contributory negligence will preclude a defendant\u2019s liability if [plaintiff] actually knew of the unsafe condition or if a hazard should have been obvious to a reasonable person.\u201d Allsup v. McVille, Inc., 139 N.C. App. 415, 416, 533 S.E.2d 823, 824 (2000). The undisputed evidence in this case showed that plaintiff told Vick\u2019s supervisor about the problem, and even looked for covers for the holes himself, because he knew the holes might be dangerous.\nDespite being armed with this knowledge, plaintiff still decided to place his rolling scaffold only eight to ten inches away from one of the two feet square, twelve to eighteen inches deep holes. Moreover, in addition to placing the scaffold in such close proximity to a hole, plaintiff failed to set any of the four wheel brakes which are designed to prevent the scaffold from moving while in use, and then proceeded to install the ceiling tiles, which required him to lean over the edge of the scaffold and apply pressure to set the tile in place. By his own admission, plaintiff knew that if the scaffold wheels were not locked, such acts could cause the scaffold to move. We further note that failing to lock the wheel brakes so as to prevent the scaffold from moving is in itself an OSHA violation. 29 C.F.R. \u00a7 1926.452 (w)(2) (2000).\nUnder North Carolina law, a person who knowingly exposes himself to a risk which he has an opportunity to avoid may be contribu-torily negligent as a matter of law. See, Cobo v. Raba, 347 N.C. 541, 545-46, 495 S.E.2d 362, 365 (1998) (\u201c \u2018Plaintiff may be contributorily negligent if his conduct ignores unreasonable risks or dangers which would have been apparent to a prudent person exercising ordinary care for his own safety.\u2019 \u201d) (quoting Smith v. Fiber Controls Corp., 300 N.C. 669, 673, 268 S.E.2d 504, 507 (1980)); Conner v. Continental Indus. Chemicals, 123 N.C. App. 70, 75, 472 S.E.2d 176, 180 (1996) (\u201cUnder North Carolina law, a plaintiff is contributorily negligent if the evidence shows that, as a matter of law, plaintiff failed to keep a proper lookout for his own safety.\u201d); see also, Crane v. Caldwell, 113 N.C. App. 362, 438 S.E.2d 449 (1994); Diorio v. Penny, 103 N.C. App. 407, 405 S.E.2d 789 (1991).\nWe find that the evidence conclusively shows plaintiff had knowledge of the uncovered holes, understood the risks associated with this hazard, disregarded these risks by placing his rolling scaffold in close proximity to one of the holes, failed to take additional safety precautions by failing to set any of the wheel brakes, and that as a result of his actions, plaintiff was injured.\nWe therefore conclude that plaintiff was contributorily negligent as a matter of law, and that as such, he is precluded from recovering damages for his injuries from Commercial. Thus, plaintiff is also barred from recovering from Vick and Food Lion, since plaintiff\u2019s claims against them were predicated upon the claim against Commercial.\nAs an additional matter, we note that plaintiff in his brief, also contends that Vick and Food Lion were grossly negligent by allowing the holes in the floor to remain uncovered. A claim for gross negligence, if proved, will overcome a finding of contributory negligence. Yancy v. Lea, 139 N.C. App. 76, 79, 532 S.E.2d 560, 562 (2000).\nGross negligence requires a finding that the conduct is willful, wanton, or done with reckless indifference. Id. Willful conduct is done with a deliberate purpose. Id. Conduct is wanton when it is carried out with a wicked purpose or with reckless indifference. Id. Thus, gross negligence \u201c \u2018encompasses conduct which lies somewhere between ordinary negligence and intentional conduct.\u2019 \u201d Lea, 139 N.C. at 79, 532 S.E.2d at 562 (quoting Siders v. Gibbs, 39 N.C. App. 183, 186, 249 S.E.2d 858, 860 (1978)).\nWe find that the conduct complained of here, wherein Vick\u2019s supervisor and Food Lion failed to cover the floor holes, was not willful or wanton, that it was neither deliberate nor wicked in its purpose, and therefore that it does not rise to the level of gross negligence. Accordingly, we conclude this assignment of error is without merit.\nAs we have found no gross negligence on the parts of Vick or Food Lion, and since plaintiff was contributorily negligent as a matter of law, he is barred from recovery for his injuries. The award of summary judgment by the trial court in favor of all defendants was proper.\nAffirmed.\nJudges WALKER and HUNTER concur.\n. For clarification we note that Frostemp Mechanical, Inc. is also a party to this action. Commercial Refrigeration of Virginia, Inc. and Frostemp Mechanical, Inc. merged, leaving Frostemp Mechanical, Inc. as the surviving corporation.", "type": "majority", "author": "CAMPBELL, Judge." } ], "attorneys": [ "Beaver, Holt, Richardson, Stemlicht, Burge & Glazier, RA., by Mark A. Stemlicht, for plaintiff-appellant.", "Poyner & Spmill, L.L.P., by Douglas M. Martin and Rebecca B. Wofford, for defendant-appellee Food Lion, Inc.", "Patterson, Dilthey, Clay & Bryson, L.L.P., by Reid Russell, for defendant-appellee Wm. C. Vick Construction Co.", "Teague, Campbell, Dennis & Gorham, L.L.P, by J. Matthew Little; and Barber & Associates, P.A., by Sean T. Partrick, for defendants-appellees Commercial Refrigeration of Virginia, Inc., and Frostemp Mechanical, Inc." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "CHRISTOPHER S. SAWYER, Plaintiff v. FOOD LION, INC., WM. C. VICK CONSTRUCTION CO., COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION OF VIRGINIA, INC., and FROSTEMP MECHANICAL, INC., Defendants\nNo. COA00-533\n(Filed 19 June 2001)\n1. Evidence; Negligence\u2014 OSHA regulations \u2014 evidence of industry custom \u2014 sufficient to survive summary judgment\nOSHA regulations may be used as evidence of custom in the construction industry, which is admissible in proving the requisite standard of care, but is just one factor to be considered by the jury and is not dispositive; however, evidence of an OSHA violation is sufficient to survive a motion for summary judgment.\n2. Negligence\u2014 contributory \u2014 collapsing scaffold\nThe trial court correctly granted summary judgment for defendants in a negligence action brought by a construction worker who was injured when the scaffolding on which he was standing collapsed after a wheel rolled into an uncovered hole. The evidence conclusively showed that plaintiff had knowledge of the uncovered holes, understood the risks associated with this hazard, disregarded those risks by placing his rolling scaffold in close proximity to one of the holes, and failed to take additional safety precautions by failing to set any of the wheel brakes. Plaintiff was contributorily negligent as a matter of law.\n3. Negligence\u2014 gross \u2014 construction accident \u2014 evidence insufficient\nThe trial court did not err by granting summary judgment for defendants in an action arising from an injury suffered by a construction worker when his scaffold rolled into an uncovered hole intended for piping where plaintiff contended that defendants were grossly negligent in allowing the holes to remain uncovered, but the negligence was not willful or wanton, or deliberate or wicked in purpose.\nAppeal by plaintiff from judgments entered on the 3rd, 7th, and 20th of January, 2000 by Judge James Floyd Ammons, Jr. in Cumberland County Superior Court. Heard in the Court of Appeals 5 February 2001.\nBeaver, Holt, Richardson, Stemlicht, Burge & Glazier, RA., by Mark A. Stemlicht, for plaintiff-appellant.\nPoyner & Spmill, L.L.P., by Douglas M. Martin and Rebecca B. Wofford, for defendant-appellee Food Lion, Inc.\nPatterson, Dilthey, Clay & Bryson, L.L.P., by Reid Russell, for defendant-appellee Wm. C. Vick Construction Co.\nTeague, Campbell, Dennis & Gorham, L.L.P, by J. Matthew Little; and Barber & Associates, P.A., by Sean T. Partrick, for defendants-appellees Commercial Refrigeration of Virginia, Inc., and Frostemp Mechanical, Inc." }, "file_name": "0398-01", "first_page_order": 426, "last_page_order": 431 }