Owens v. Bridgestone

Citations

• 2020 Ohio 5156

Syllabus

The trial court did not err in granting summary judgment in favor of defendant-appellee. The release executed by plaintiff-appellant in connection with the settlement of his claim for an additional award based on violation of specific safety requirements (\VSSR\) clearly and unambiguously bars Owens' spoliation of evidence claim. A person executing a broadly worded release has a duty to investigate whether there are certain claims he or she wishes to exclude from the scope of the release. Furthermore, particularly where the parties have negotiated such a release with the assistance of counsel, there is an assumption that the parties are fully aware of the terms and scope of their agreement. Judgment affirmed.