ÿWPC+ ‘šÓXV ¿4ÜÊÇÄ©P÷¼òñ0S-G±„)íÄa0kì¹™ c9ë¶rfIŠ\È/n»rÚb'Æ‘ÔHøªbf©çlÉ7ZÛV…§‰*Œ ܽÛ+;Æá **f†Œ:à„$ ÈT×ÚSöfÐ%TYkÚQÓlƒ9^M Ëqˆë´‹Ûe¸>ëlÊþä?™‰Ç,‚†Äï²ýÈ$‚6¼;ÚMý1óiXéä¯`F°Bdâ¢`Üš…ïô€=a.ˆ­¶;w.s÷¡ûåŸûN(x¸Ä |‘º ÍÓ¨Sqä&(‹­A ʈx-Ñš$ä&¿®BU(PýÎsÌì(ŽQ=$Šq–~vªM`ª~RÞû¨o°Ù=X‡ÔÃa|D7 ä Ž2O~’Ï ½OPwúÒ2‘I–_y¸~–ŒÆ3 +Pn1@•ƒw2ñÈ#Õ/–#úË;ÞV`—eŠq‡(£ÜËE ûÔˆ%ïÉ·eDG?ÉÚ…iWÑÇûì|&9`— ¹uÒвõâôk¥ƒ¿G½à‘5hš@H X6±óˆcá0w‹ƒâµ`âwåI’žÜƲOb|`# @UNK %™ 0(Ÿw@Ç4  * 2 b: :B ¢| 0P @Ln omº 'U:,fU:kkkkkkkkkkkkk AQ¥Æö 0D¼¼ 0D D/D Bs B D3­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ 0Dààààààààà A$ D?¥ BGä˜HP LaserJet 4SiHPPCL5MS,ü,,,,,ü0nLhÎ(ÖÃ9 Z ‹6Times New Roman RegularX($¡¡ ÉÀÊDËÌUÍUÎÓÏDÐÓ€ÚÛÖ…#%tttttt3|xÝ- ù- 0Ñ#€Xÿÿd#ÑÑ € Ñ ˜Ý ƒ /Q+ÝÔ d ÔÝ  Ýßq€];+'h 0  ` Á{ â gæ€E°°x@8[ x‰°°x@8qß((3/Q$««Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÔ d ÔC:\OFFICE\WPWIN\GRAPHICS\DRAFT.WPGÿWPC°°—D%&1—D%&1'Ø'3XXXX,,51ÿÿÿ.+3ÿ– `! ¦Ù'¦Ù'þi(²­(S)õc)°«)"G*"G*Óñ)Óñ)|œ)|œ)|œ)-). )–¨(k(×<(yÚ'›ô&[ú%Þ{%U %<I%&|”&¶'½‹'Üj'æ\'3'3'T‰'T‰'¦Ù'1ÿÿÿ3ÿÿÿN `"0(0(¡ª''r&è%äÌ%‚+&\O&=“&9Ê&6'b{'¶Ò'<](Ìx(0(0(13ÿê `#T#+T#+T#+'H+'H+'H+t+t+ÜO+ÜO+ÜO+»-++†×*\*U`*\ *\ *B$*B$**<*I*n*n*¸*¸*eÊ)eÊ)eÊ)±)œ™)¹„)öQ)5)4)gæ( ¨(:(:(R‘(R‘(R‘(§ã(§ã(ê)ê)ê)­¼)™á)•*“=*º“*èÃ*û×*ó*I+I+ÿ `$ñ c,ñ c,â h,Ý i,Ð u,Á ^,± H,¥ ;, $,s ,^ ,I ,0 , D, D,ƒ Ç,ƒ Ç,H -H -H -1 -û$-Ç-…û,-¹,ÐY,lñ+6 +ò++þ*5ò*5ò*?ý*?ý*Te+€¶+Ð ,/k,•,Åa,áF,Ñ,…¸+5O++ãÛ*[*|ú)±Ç)÷ƒ)„¸) J*p ¬*§ +Ç x+ k+; ~+ˆ Î+¯ ÷+Ç ,ñ c,ñ c,1ÿÿÿ3ÿÿÿN `%e É+e É+ˆ ¨+‘ ˆ+„ \+t #+M â* ²*Ê[*r?*Cl*œ*)í*œ†+××+àæ+ &, &,13ÿJ `&Û 50Û 50º 0ž ð/ Þ/U •// F/! ü. ˜. G.\ .\ .v õ-v õ-B Â-1 °-ôw-ôw- e- e- e- N- N- N-k ¢-k ¢-k ¢-š Ò-š Ò- k- k- k-\ -Ž â, [, [,R µ,R µ,¨ -¨ -¨ - -â ¯-} .} .( e.( e.( e.v ¸.v ¸.v ¸.ã $/ã $/ã $/Ë 5/Ë 5/¹ L/¹ L/¹ L/h ó.P ×. ˆ.É ’.± ž.“ ».` í.k 8/± €/Ì œ/è ­/ Ã/ Ã/( Ù/( Ù/ ç/ ç/ ç/ý 0ó 0Û 50Û 50ÿ `'·/·/»/û »/è Ã/Æ ‡/² k/’ J/t +/O /1 / õ.õ ù.Ñ /¹ ,/‹ U/j u/j u/Ê 0Ê 0 a0> †0« î0« î0 1 1z 1z 1z 1 ®0ð …0£ 50q h0` }0, À0 c0ò F0¶ ë/æ Ë/ö ¿/ ¡/ç s/Ô c/™ +/™ +/± /± /Ç /Ç /Ç /þ ;/ O/< |/< |/Ý à.Ý à.P m.P m.P m.Ž ..õ W.{ â.» #/á U/·/·/ ûÝ ƒ"¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ€XYõXXXÔÔ€)]XXYõÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€XYõX)]ÔÐ  ÐÌSeptember€24,€1998ÌÌCecil€W.€CrowsonÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdAhÔó ó,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular ûÝ ƒ"¯"ÝÝ  ÝÔ€XYõXXXÔÔ€)]XXYõÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€XYõX)]ÔÐ  ÐÌSeptember€23,€1998ÌÌCecil€W.€CrowsonÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdAhÔó ó,c½¬AZ‹"Arial Regular!"T$&Cþÿ<< CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(3¯$¢¢Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó ó(('÷ÿ dxd düÿP Pd'''''ÿÿdxd(3¯$££Ý ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝT^yúÿ  <<= 8ÀÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ____3 TripledxdCTriple 1+| d d dÝ ƒ!ÝÝ  ݛҀ°ÒÒ„°ÒÔ‡¼œ ¼XXÔÑTR[  AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÓ'€Ð‡X®è“X°œX'ÓÑ  ÑÑ€ ¦3ÑœñÎñÖ€ ÿÿÖñÎññÚññÐñœñÐñßr€ )<,(j 8` `€€@Eô±` 8ttxP,°ð  rßñÚñWILLIAM›€BAUMGARDNER€à ® à)Ð ° Ðand€wife,€à 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà ® à)Ð À ÐSUSAN€BAUMGARDNER,à 8 àà ® à)Ð Ð  Ðà Ø àà 0 àà ˆ àà à àà 8 àà ® à)ÌÓ6€ü(‚X®˜‘X€Ð‡X®è“X6Óà Ø àPlaintiffs/Appellants,à ® à)à  àAppeal€No.Ð ð@ Ðà Ø àà ® à)à  à01„A„01„9806„CV„00307Ð  P Ðv.à Ø àà ® à)Ð  ` Ðà Ø àà ® à)à  àRutherford€CircuitÐ  p ÐACD€TRIDON€NORTH€AMERICA,à ® à)à  àNo.€€37471Ð 0 € ÐñÛñœßt€ )>.*jx°¢` `€€@E¤â` 8ttxPÜ@Ð ¢ tßñÛñ›ñÛñßt€ )>.*jx°¢` `€€@E¤â` 8ttxPÜ@Ð ¢ tßñÚñœñÚññÛññÚññÚñINC.,à Ø àà ® à)Ð @  Ðà Ø àà ® à)Ìà Ø àDefendant/Appellee.à ® à)Ð `°  Ðà Ø àà ® à)ÌÌÌÔ#†Xö X¼¼œ 8#ÔÔ‡» »XXö ÔÓ  ÓCOURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEÐ  ð ÐÌÌAPPEAL€FROM€THE€CIRCUIT€COURT€FOR€RUTHERFORD€COUNTYÌÌAT€MURFREESBORO,€TENNESSEEÌÌÌTHE€HONORABLE€ROBERT€E.€CORLEW,€III,€JUDGEÌÓ9°,X‚Xì“X€ü(‚X®˜‘X9ÓÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÓ  ÓÌÔ#†Xö X»» @#ÔÔ‡¼œ ¼XXö ÔGUY€R.€DOTSON,€JR.Ð °&"  Ð102€South€Maple€StreetÌMurfreesboro,€Tennessee€€37130Ìà Ø àATTORNEY€FOR€PLAINTIFFS/APPELLANTSÌÌÌÌÌÌJOHN€R.€RUCKER,€JR.Ì14€Public€Square€NorthÌMurfreesboro,€Tennessee€€37130Ìà Ø àATTORNEY€FOR€DEFENDANT/APPELLEEÌÌÓ  ÓÌÌAFFIRMED€AND€REMANDEDÌÌñÐñÑ ¦3ÑÑ7€¶qXXdìXXdì7ÑÑ€ ÑÑ  ÑÑ ¦3ÑÑ#€Xÿÿd#ÑÑ € ÑÑ  ÑñÐñÌÓ  Óà @ àà @ì àWILLIAM€B.€CAIN,€JUDGEÐ à:063Š ÐÑ ¦3ÑÑ7€ö XXdìXXdì7ÑÑ€ ÑÑ  ÑñÐñÑ ¦3ÑÑ7€–cXXdìXXdì7ÑÑ€ ÑÑ  ÑñÐññÎñœñÎñÓÓÓ  ÓòòÔ#†Xö X¼¼œ ù#ÔÔ‡°°XXö ÔOPINIONóóÐ ° ÐÓ  ÓÔ#†Xö X°°j #ÔÔ‡¼œ ¼XXö ÔÓ€ÓÓ9°,X°4ì“X°,X‚Xì“X9Óà  àThis€is€an€appeal€by€plaintiff€from€summary€judgment€rendered€by€theÐ T¤ Ðtrial€court€in€favor€of€the€defendant€in€a€personal€injury€case.ÌÌà  àWilliam€Baumgardner€and€wife€Susan€Baumgardner€are€husband€andÏwife€plaintiffs€in€the€case.€€ACD€Tridon€North€America,€Inc.€is€the€defendant.ÌÌà  àWilliam€Baumgardner€was,€at€the€time€of€the€accident€in€this€case,€a€longÏtime€employee€and€route€driver€for€UPS.€€His€delivery€route€was€in€Smyrna,ÏTennessee€and€involved€driving€80€to€100€miles€a€day€and€making€95€to€120€stopsÏper€day.€€He€also€averaged€about€15€pickups€per€day.€€Among€the€customers€onÏhis€route€for€many€years€was€the€defendant€Tridon.€€He€had€been€making€pickupsÏat€Tridon€for€four€or€five€years€prior€to€the€date€of€the€accident€in€question.ÌÌà  àThe€plaintiffs'€complaint€asserts:ÌÓ€ÓÓH%€ ü(€ z ‡¼è@H!X°,X°4ì“XHÓà8  àà z à4.à ‡ àAt€all€times€mentioned€herein,€Plaintiff,Ð ¤ô ÐWILLIAM€BAUMGARDNER€was€employed€by€UnitedÏParcel€Service€as€a€package€deliveryman€and€duties€includedÏpicking€up€and€delivering€packages€to€Defendant.Ð  Ð  Ð  ÐÌà8  àà z à5.à ‡ àOn€November€6,€1995,€Plaintiff,€WILLIAMÐ ô#D# ÐBAUMGARDNER€was€picking€up€packages€from€DefendantÏas€a€business€invitee€by€using€Defendant's€self€propelled€handÏjack€up€and€down€defendant's€ramp.Ð  Ð  Ð  ÐÌà8  àà z à6.à ‡ àOn€the€above€date€as€Plaintiff,€WILLIAMÐ D)”$( ÐBAUMGARDNER€was€travel[l]ing€down€defendant's€rampÏwith€Defendant's€self€propelled€hand€jack,€Plaintiff,ÏWILLIAM€BAUMGARDNER€lost€control€of€the€hand€jack,Ïwas€knocked€of[f]€balance€and€did€fall€causing€personalÏinjury.Ð  Ð  Ð  ÐÌà8  àà z à7.à ‡ àIt€was€the€duty€of€the€Defendant€to€design,€build,Ð ´0,/ Ðkeep€and€maintain€the€above€described€ramp€in€a€conditionÏreasonably€safe€for€its€intended€uses€and€free€from€all€defectsÏand€conditions€which€would€render€it€dangerous€and€unsafeÏfor€Plaintiff,€WILLIAM€BAUMGARDNER,€or€present€anÏunreasonable€risk€of€harm€to€him€in€his€lawful€use€of€theÏramp.Ð  Ð  Ð  Ð̜Р49„47 Лà8  àà z à8.à ‡ àIt€was€the€duty€of€the€Defendant€to€instructÐ ° ÐPlaintiff,€WILLIAM€BAUMGARDNER,€on€the€proper€use€ofÏthe€self€propelled€hand€jack.Ð  Ð  Ð  ÐÌà8  àà z à9.à ‡ àDefendant€was€negligent€in€that€they€failed€toÐ ð@ Ðperform€the€above€described€duties€and€as€a€proximate€resultÏthereof,€Plaintiff,€WILLIAM€BAUMGARDNER€wasÏknocked€off€balance€and€fell€and€was€injured.€€€Ð  Ð  Ð  ÐÌÓ€ÓÌà  àòòThe€LawÐ Ø(  ÐÌóóà  àThe€Tennessee€Supreme€Court€has€said:Ð X ÐÓ€Óà8  àIt€is€axiomatic€that€three€elements€are€necessary€for€theÏexistence€of€a€cause€of€action€for€negligence;€(1)€a€duty€ofÏcare€owed€by€the€defendant€to€the€plaintiff;€(2)€a€breach€ofÏthat€duty€by€the€defendant;€and€(3)€an€injury€to€the€plaintiffÏwhich€was€proximately€caused€by€the€defendant's€breach€of€aÏduty.Ð  Ð  Ð  ÐÌò òòòLindsay€v.€Miami€Dev.€Corp.ó óóó,€689€S.W.2d€856,€858€(Tenn.€1985).Ð ` ÐÌÓ€ÓÌà  àNo€claim€for€negligence€can€succeed€in€the€absence€of:€€1)€duty,€2)Ïbreach€of€that€duty,€3)€injury€or€loss,€4)€causation€in€fact,€and€5)€promixate€cause.Ìò òòòMcClenahan€v.€Cooleyó óóó,€806€S.W.2d€767€(Tenn.€1991);€ò òòòBradshaw€v.€Danieló óóó,€854Ð ú"J  ÐS.W.2d€865€(Tenn.€1993).ÌÌà  àIn€the€context€of€a€negligence€action€against€a€landowner,€the€summaryÏby€Justice€Henry€two€decades€ago€remains€essentially€viable.ÌÓ€Óà8  àà z à[1,2]€€Owners€and€occupiers€of€land€have€an€obligationÏto€exercise€ordinary€care€and€diligence€in€maintaining€theirÏpremises€in€a€safe€condition€for€invitees.€€òòParadiso€v.€KrogerÐ -e(, ÐCo.óó,€499€S.W.2d€78€(Tenn.App.1973).€€Proprietors€are€underÐ %.u)- Ðan€affirmative€duty€to€protect€invitees,€among€them€businessÏvisitors,€not€only€against€dangers€of€which€they€know€but€alsoÏagainst€those€which€with€reasonable€care€they€might€discover.€ÏòòIllinois€Central€Railroad€Co.€v.€Nicholsóó,€173€Tenn.€602,€118Ð e2µ-1 ÐS.W.2d€213€(1937).Ð  Ð  Ð  ÐÌò òòòMcCormick€v.€Waters,óóó ó€594€S.W.2d€385,€387€(Tenn.€1980).Ð •5å04 ÐÌÓ€ÓÌÐ O9Ÿ48 Ðà  àThe€duty€of€the€defendant€being€thus€settled,€the€next€inquiry€is€as€toÏwhether€or€not€there€is€any€evidence€in€the€record€to€establish€a€breach€of€that€dutyÏby€the€defendant.ÌÌà  àSummary€judgment€having€been€granted€in€the€trial€court€to€theÏdefendant,€this€court,€on€appeal,€must€take€the€strongest€legitimate€view€of€theÏevidence€in€favor€of€the€appellant€(ò òòòDownen€v.€AllState€Ins.€Co.,€óóó ó811€S.W.2d€523Ð @  Ð(Tenn.€1991)),€and€if€reasonable€minds€might€differ€or€there€is€uncertainty€as€toÏwhether€or€not€reasonable€minds€might€differ€as€to€material€facts€(ò òòòEvco€Corp.€v.Ð sà  ÐRossó óóó,€528€S.W.2d€20,€25€(Tenn.€1975)),€the€court€must€then€go€further€and€applyÐ ^ Ðthe€same€standards€to€the€issues€of€injury,€cause€in€fact,€and€proximate€cause.€€IfÏreasonable€minds€could€differ€on€all€of€these€elements,€then€a€grant€of€summaryÏjudgment€is€improper€and€the€case€must€be€remanded€for€trial€on€the€merits.ÌÌà  àIn€1986,€the€United€States€Supreme€Court€decided€ò òòòAnderson,€Celotex,Ð  Y Ðand€Matsushita,€óóó óotherwise€known€as€the€"1986€Trilogy".Ð ¤ô ÐÌà  àSeven€years€later,€after€a€number€of€intermediate€Tennessee€AppellateÏCourt€decisions€had€pointed€the€way,€the€Tennessee€Supreme€Court€essentiallyÏadopted€the€"1986€Trilogy".€€ò òòòByrd€v.€Halló óóó,€847€S.W.2d€208€(Tenn.€1993).Ð #W& ÐÌà  àJustice€Brennan,€dissenting€on€other€grounds€in€ò òòòCelotexó óóó€but€confirmingÐ :&Š!* Ðthe€majority€on€the€treatment€of€summary€judgment€correctly€observed:ÌÓ€Óà8  àà z àWhere€the€moving€party€adopts€this€second€option€andÏseeks€summary€judgment€on€the€ground€that€the€nonmovingÏparty„„who€will€bear€the€burden€of€persuasion€at€trial„„has€noÏevidence,€the€mechanics€of€discharging€Rule€56's€burden€ofÏproduction€are€somewhat€trickier.€€Plainly,€a€œconclusoryÏassertion€that€the€nonmoving€party€has€no€evidence€isÏinsufficient.€€See€ante,€at€328.€€911€Ed€2d,€at€277€(White,€J.,Ïconcurring).€€Such€a€'burden'€of€production€is€no€burden€at€allÏand€would€simply€permit€summary€judgment€procedure€to€beÏconverted€into€a€tool€for€harassment.€€See€Louis€750„751.€ÏRather,€as€the€Court€confirms,€a€party€who€moves€forÏsummary€judgment€procedure€on€the€ground€that€theÏnonmoving€party€has€no€evidence€must€affirmatively€show€theÏabsence€of€evidence€in€the€record.€€Ante.€At€323,€911€Ed€2d,Ïat€273.€€This€may€require€the€moving€party€to€depose€theÏnonmoving€party's€witnesses€or€to€establish€the€inadequacy€ofÐ ]9­4= Ðinadequacy€of€documentary€evidence.€€If€there€is€literally€noÏevidence€in€the€record,€the€moving€party€may€demonstrate€thisÏby€reviewing€for€the€court€the€admissions,€interrogatories,€andÏother€exchanges€between€the€parties€that€are€in€the€record.€ÏEither€way,€however,€the€moving€party€must€affirmativelyÏdemonstrate€that€there€is€no€evidence€in€the€record€to€supportÏa€judgment€for€the€nonmoving€party.Ð  Ð  Ð  ÐÌò òòòCelotex€v.€Catrettó óóó,€91ñÏñ1ñÏñ€L.Ed.2d€265,€279.Ð 0 € ÐÌÓ€ÓÌ›à  àòòBreach€of€DutyÐ ê:  ÐÌóóà  àThe€record€before€the€court€on€summary€judgment€consists€of€theÐ j Ðsummary€judgment€motion€and€the€depositions€of€William€Baumgardner€and€GaryÏWhite,€an€employee€of€the€defendant.ÌÌà  àWhile€credibility€of€witnesses€is€not€an€issue€before€this€court,€it€is€wellÏto€take€note€of€the€candor€and€forthrightness€of€the€plaintiff€WilliamÏBaumgardner.€€Plaintiff,€in€his€complaint,€first€asserts€a€duty€of€the€defendant€toÏdesign,€build,€keep€and€maintain€the€ramp€in€the€condition€reasonably€safe€for€itsÏintended€uses€and€free€from€all€defects€and€conditions€which€would€render€itÏdangerous€and€unsafe€for€the€plaintiff€or€present€an€unreasonable€risk€to€him€in€hisÏlawful€use€of€the€ramp.€ÌÌà  àThis€assertion€is€a€correct€statement€of€the€duty€of€the€defendant€andÏplaintiff€then€asserts€a€breach€of€that€duty€by€the€defendant.ÌÌà  àPlaintiff€offers€no€evidence€at€all€as€to€any€defective,€dangerous,€orÏunsafe€condition€of€the€ramp.€€He€testifies:ÌÓ€Óà8  àÔ#†X–cX¼¼<~­ #Ôà z àQ.à ‡ àDescribe€this€ramp€that€you€used€to€load€your€truck€or€toÐ 2/‚*2 Ðdrive€the€hand€jack€down€so€you€could€load€your€truck.Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àA.à ‡ àI€don't€know€what€degree€the€ramp€is.€€It's€a€concreteÐ  1Z,4 Ðramp.€€I€guess€it's€approximately€forty€feet€long.Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àIs€it€a€steep€slope?Ðâ22.6 Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àA.à ‡ àI€don't€know,€sir.€€I'm€not€an€engineer.€€I€couldn't€tell€you.ÐÎ3/7 Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àJust€from€a€layman's€standpoint,€from€your€observationsÐ º4 08 Ðand€the€numerous€times€that€you've€used€it,€did€you€consider€it€to€beÏsteep?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àA.à ‡ àGosh,€I€don't€know.€€I€guess€it's€fairly€steep.Ð~7Î2; Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àWas€it€so€steep€that€you€considered€it€to€be€dangerouslyÐ j8º3< Ðsteep?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àNo,€sir.Ð B:’5> Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àIt's€made€of€concrete,€is€it€not?а Ð  Ð  Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àI€believe€so.Ð œì Ðà  àà z àQ.à ‡ àDoes€it€have€any€safety€features€on€it?Ð ˆØ Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àNot€that€I'm€aware€of.Ð tÄ Ðà  àà z àQ.à ‡ àIs€it€just€a€flat€ramp?Ð `° Ðà8  àà z àA.à ‡ àI€believe€it's€primarily€a€flat€ramp.€€It€may€have€a€curb€ofÐ L œ Ðso€many€inches€on€each€side.Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àDoes€it,€in€fact,€have€curbs€on€each€side?Ð$ t Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àA.à ‡ àI€believe€maybe€„„€two€or€three€inches€maybe.Ð ` Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àWhat€was€the€condition€of€the€ramp€on€the€night€that€youÐ ü L  Ðwere€using€it€as€far€as€its€surface€condition?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àA.à ‡ àOther€than€being€wet,€I€don't€recall.€€It€may€have€hadÐ Ô$  Ðgravel€where€the€tow€motors€have€come€from€the€parking€lot€up€theÏramp.Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àIt€was€raining€that€night,€was€it€not?Ð˜è  Ð  Ð  Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àYes,€sir.Ð „Ô  Ðà  àà z àQ.à ‡ àSo€the€ramp€was€wet?Ð pÀ Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àYes,€sir.Ð \¬ Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àYou€knew€the€ramp€was€wet€when€you€were€using€it.€€IsÐ H˜ Ðthat€true?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àYes,€sir.Ð  p Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àDo€you€recall€whether€the€ramp€had€any€gravel€on€it€orÐ  \ Ðnot?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àI€don't€recall.Ð ä4 Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àDo€you€recall€whether€the€ramp€had€any€cracks€in€it?ÐÐ  Ð  Ð  Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àI€don't€recall€that.Ð ¼  Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àDo€you€ever€recall€seeing€any€cracks€in€the€ramp?Шø Ð  Ð  Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àNo.Ð ”ä Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àDid€the€ramp€have€any€mud€on€it€since€it€was€raining?ЀРР Ð  Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àNot€that€I€was€aware€of.Ð l¼ Ðà8  àà z àà  àà z àQ.à ‡ àRight€at€the€end€of€the€ramp,€what€is€at€the€end€of€theÐ X ¨ Ðramp€as€it€goes€out€into€the€parking€lot?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àA€gravelled€parking€lot.Ð 0"€  Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àIs€it€„„€is€there€any€grass€or€mud€or€dirt€nearby€the€end€ofÐ #l! Ðthe€ramp?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àYes,€sir.Ð ô$D # Ðà  àà z àQ.à ‡ àWhere€is€that€located?Ð à%0!$ Ðà8  àà z àA.à ‡ àIt's€just€off€to€the€side€there.€€Off€to€the€side€of€theÐ Ì&"% Ðgravelled€parking€lot€it's€a€grassy€area.Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àIf€you're€walking€down€the€ramp,€to€your€left€would€beÐ ¤(ô#' Ðthe€dock€door;€is€that€correct?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àCorrect.Ð |*Ì%) Ðà  àà z àQ.à ‡ àAnd€what€is€to€your€right?Ð h+¸&* Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àThe€grassy€area.Ð T,¤'+ Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àAs€you€get€down€to€the€end€of€the€ramp€near€the€grassyÐ @-(, Ðarea,€is€that€worn€out€from€where€people€have€driven€tow€motors€andÏother€pieces€of€equipment€there?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àIt's€just€a€gravelled€lot.Ð 0T+/ Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àWas€there€mud€or€rocks€at€the€end€of€that€ramp€thatÐ ð0@,0 Ðnight?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àA.à ‡ àThere€were€rocks.€€I€don't€„„€I€couldn't€tell€you€about€mud.ÐÈ2.2 Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àDid€you€back€your€truck€up€to€the€end€of€the€ramp?д3/3 Ð  Ð  Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àYes,€sir.Ð  4ð/4 Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àHow€close€was€your€truck€to€the€end€of€the€ramp?ÐŒ5Ü05 Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àA.à ‡ àIt€was€probably€fifteen,€twenty€feet€from€the€ramp€in€theÐ x6È16 Ðparking€area.Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àWould€you€drive€the€hand€jack€all€the€way€to€your€truckÐ P8 38 Ðor€would€your€drive€it€to€the€end€of€the€ramp€and€then€carry€the€boxesÏfrom€the€end€of€the€ramp€to€your€truck?Ð(:x5: Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àA.à ‡ àI€would€leave€enough€space€there€where€the€pallet€jack€orÐ ° Ðthe€skid€of€package€could€sit€close€to€the€back€of€the€truck.Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àOn€this€particular€night,€since€it€was€raining,€did€youÐ ˆØ Ðdrive€the€pallet€of€boxes€down€to€the€end€of€the€ramp,€leave€them€thereÏand€then€drive€the€hand€jack€back€up€the€ramp?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àA.à ‡ àI€took€the€first€skid€of€packages€down,€loaded€those€ontoÐ L œ Ðmy€truck€and€then€brought€the€empty€skid€back€up€the€ramp€and€wentÏto€get€the€second€skid.Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àWhile€you€were€loading€the€boxes€off€the€skid,€did€youÐ  ` Ðl€eave€the€hand€jack€in€the€rain€or€did€you€drive€it€back€up?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àA.à ‡ àIt€was€in€the€rain.€€It€was€still€sitting€there.Ðè 8  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àWas€it€dark€by€the€time€you€got€to€Tridon?ÐÔ$  Ð  Ð  Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àYes,€sir.Ð À  Ðà  àà z àQ.à ‡ àAre€there€any€lights€out€there?Ð ¬ü  Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àThere€are€outside€lights.Ð ˜è  Ðà  àà z àQ.à ‡ àAre€there€any€lights€in€the€ramp€area?Ð „Ô  Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àNot€that€I€recall.Ð pÀ Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àWas€it€well€lit€enough€to€where€you€could€see€what€youÐ \¬ Ðwere€doing?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àA.à ‡ àJust€pretty€much€from€the€light€coming€out€of€theÐ 4„ Ðwarehouse€area€where€the€door€is,€where€the€door€was€open.Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà  àà z àQ.à ‡ àYou€don't€recall€any€outside€lights?Ð  \ Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àNot€in€that€area.Ð øH Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àWas€it€your€responsibility€to€load€your€own€truck?Ðä4 Ð  Ð  Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àYes,€sir.Ð Ð  Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àHad€you€ever€used€that€ramp€on€other€occasions€when€itÐ ¼  Ðhad€been€raining?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àA.à ‡ àI€don't€recall€any€specific€time,€but€I'm€sure€there€is€aÐ ”ä Ðpossibility.Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àà  àà z àQ.à ‡ àOn€the€night€of€the€accident,€did€you€consider€the€rampÐ l¼ Ðto€be€slick€since€it€was€wet?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àNo,€sir.Ð D!” Ðà8  àà z àà  àà z àQ.à ‡ àOn€any€other€occasions€that€you€might€haà @u àà @u àve€used€theÐ 0"€  Ðramp€in€the€rain,€did€you€ever€find€it€to€be€slick?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àNo,€sir.Ð $X" Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àTo€your€recollection,€was€there€anything€wrong€with€theÐ ô$D # Ðramp€that€night€that€contributed€to€your€accident?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àNot€that€I'm€aware€of.Ð Ì&"% Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àOn€the€night€of€the€accident,€were€you€aware€that€rainÐ ¸'#& Ðwould€make€a€concrete€ramp€slick?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àA.à ‡ àI'm€aware€of€that,€but€I€believe€that€ramp€is€grooved€or€it'sÐ )à$( Ða€rough€type€surface€where€you€can€avoid€that.Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àDo€you€think€the€rain€played€any€part€in€your€accident€atÐ h+¸&* Ðall?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àA.à ‡ àI'm€not€aware.€€If€it€did,€you€know,€it€could€have€been€aÐ @-(, Ðcontributing€factor,€but€I€wouldn't€say€œthat€that›€was€the€sole€cause€of€theÏaccident.Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àBut€the€ramp€itself€was€either€grooved€or€rough€such€thatÐ 0T+/ Ðthe€rain€wouldn't€make€it€any€more€slick€than€it€would€be€ordinarily.€€IsÏthat€true?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àI€believe€so.Ð È2.2 Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àTo€your€knowledge,€during€all€the€times€that€you€usedÐ ´3/3 Ðthat€ramp,€was€there€ever€an€occasion€that€it€was€not€in€good€condition,Ïproperly€maintained?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àA.à ‡ àJust€other€than€having€gravel€scattered€on€it.€€That's€aboutÐ x6È16 Ðit.Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àWould€the€gravel€be€scattered€down€at€the€bottom€whereÐ P8 38 Ðthe€parking€lot€is?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àA.à ‡ àNo,€just€the€entire€length€of€it.€€I€guess€the€tow€motorsÐ (:x5: Ðcoming€and€going€out€of€the€gravelled€parking€lot€would€probably€bringÏsome€up€with€them.Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àOn€this€particular€night,€you€don't€recall€there€being€anyÐ ˆØ Ðgravel€on€the€ramp,€though?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àNo,€I€don't€recall.Ð `° ÐÌÌÓ€Óà  àÔ€¼ìs¼XX0ÔThis€very€candid€testimony€by€the€plaintiff€not€only€fails€to€provideÐ $ t Ðmaterial€evidence€of€a€breach€of€duty€as€to€the€condition€and€maintenance€of€theÏramp,€but€further€fails€to€establish€that€the€ramp€had€any€causal€connection€at€allÏto€his€fall€and€resulting€injuries.€€Indeed,€his€testimony€shows€affirmatively€thatÏhe€has€no€evidence€to€support€his€claim€of€premises€liability.ÌÌà  àHis€second€assertion€of€duty€is€that€the€defendant€had€a€duty€to€instructÏhim€in€the€use€of€the€self€propelled€hand€jack€and€failed€to€do€so.ÌÌà  àAssuming€such€a€duty€to€exist,€which€is€a€doubtful€assumption,€there€isÏsimply€no€evidence€in€the€record€that€the€alleged€failure€to€train€had€anything€toÏdo€with€the€accident€in€issue.€€Plaintiff€had€been€using€the€same€battery€powered,Ïself€propelled€hand€jack€for€four€to€five€years€prior€to€the€occurrence€of€thisÏaccident.ÌÌà  àPlaintiff€testified:ÌñÎñœñÎñÓ€Óà8  àÔ€X0X¼¼ìsÔà z àQ.à ‡ àWhen€your€accident€happened,€were€you€walking€downÐ ¤$ô' Ðthe€ramp€with€the€jack€with€the€skid€of€boxes€on€it?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àYes,€sir.Ð |&Ì!) Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àAnd€was€the€jack€in€front€of€you€and€you€were€walkingÐ h'¸"* Ðbehind€it?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àYes,€sir.Ð @)$, Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àWas€that€the€same€„„€were€you€doing€the€same€thing€youÐ ,*|%- Ðhad€done€on€many€other€occasions?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àYes,€sir.Ð ,T'/ Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àWas€there€anything€different€about€this€particular€nightÐ ð,@(0 Ðthan€what€you€had€done€on€any€other€occasion?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àNo,€sir.Ð È.*2 Ðà8  àà z àà  àà z àQ.à ‡ àWhat€happened€to€cause€the€jack€to€get€away€from€you?д/+3 Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àA.à ‡ àI€don't€know,€sir,€if€there€was€too€much€weight€on€theÐ  0ð+4 Ðskid.€€I€don't€know,€you€know,€if€it€just€got€haywire€with€me€there.€€I€justÏlost€control€of€it€and€it€just€pretty€much€jerked€out€of€my€hand€there.€€IÏcouldn't€control€it.Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àAgain,€looking€at€the€Complaint€you€have€filed€in€thisÐ P4 /8 Ðcase,€it€stated€that€you€were€traveling€down€the€ramp€with€a€self„¼propelled€hand€jack€and€plaintiff,€William€Baumgardner,€lost€control€ofÏthe€hand€jack,€was€knocked€off€balance€and€did€fall,€causing€personalÏinjury.€€Is€that€a€pretty€good€description€of€what€took€place?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àYes,€sir.Ð ì8<4= Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àAll€right.€€When€you€lost€control€of€the€hand€jack,€did€youÐ Ø9(5> Ðlet€go€of€the€handle€so€that€it€would€pop€up€and€stop€the€jack?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àA.à ‡ àLike€I€said,€that€happened€so€fast,€I€don't€really€recall.€Ð œì ÐThat€may€have€been€the€case.Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àDid€the€hand€jack€at€any€time€run€over€you?ÐtÄ Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àA.à ‡ àIt€may€have.€€Like€I€say,€it€happened€so€quick.€€The€nextÐ `° Ðthing€I€knew,€I€was€trying€to€stand€up.Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àIf€the€jack€is€in€front€of€you€and€you're€walking€behind€it,Ð 8 ˆ Ðhow€could€it€run€over€you?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àA.à ‡ àThe€lever€that€comes€back€that€I€was€holding€onto€withÐ  ` Ðthe€controls€on€it,€unless€that€thing€could€have€swing,€you€know,€and€IÏwent€into€it,€I€don't€know€really.€€It's€a€mystery€to€me.Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà  àà z àQ.à ‡ àDid€you€fall€on€the€ramp?Ð Ô$  Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àYes.Ð À  Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àWhen€you€fell,€did€you€let€go€of€the€handle€of€the€handÐ ¬ü  Ðjack?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àA.à ‡ àYes.€€All€I€remember,€after€it€happened,€I€was€on€my€backÐ „Ô  Ðand€I€was€trying€to€get€up.€€So€I'm€sure€at€some€point€I€did€have€to€let€goÏof€it.Ð  Ð  Ð  ÐÌÓ  Ó.€.€.€€€ÌÌÓ  Óà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àMr.€Baumgardner,€were€you€in€a€hurry€as€you€wereÐ  \ Ðcoming€down€the€ramp€with€this€particular€load?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àNo,€sir.Ð ä4 Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àAre€you€certain€that€you€were€behind€the€jack€at€the€timeÐ Ð  Ðthe€accident€happened?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àYes,€sir.Ð ¨ø Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àI€may€have€asked€you€this€before,€but€I€just€want€to€beÐ ”ä Ðsure.€€Can€you€offer€any€explanation€as€to€what€happened€to€cause€thisÏload€to€do€different€than€all€the€rest€of€them€you€had€taken€down€thatÏramp?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àA.à ‡ àI€don't€know,€sir.€€I€wouldn't€have€expected€it€to.ÐD!” Ð  Ð  Ðà  àà z àQ.à ‡ àWas€it€a€particularly€big€load?Ð 0"€  Ðà8  àà z àA.à ‡ àJust€a€normal„sized€load,€just€an€optimal€size€load€for€aÐ #l! Ðskid€there.Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àAs€you€were€going€down€the€ramp,€was€it€actually€rainingÐ ô$D # Ðat€that€time€or€had€it€been€raining€and€was€sprinkling€or€misting?€€WhatÏwas€the€condition€of€the€rain?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àA.à ‡ àI€believe€it€was€sprinkling€at€the€time.и'#& Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àDo€you€know€of€anything€about€the€ramp€or€about€theÐ ¤(ô#' Ðhand€jack€that€caused€you€to€lose€control€of€the€hand€jack€on€thatÏparticular€occasion?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àNo,€sir.Ð h+¸&* Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àWas€there€anybody€other€than€you€who€had€total€controlÐ T,¤'+ Ðof€that€hand€jack?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà  àà z àA.à ‡ àNo,€sir.Ð ,.|)- ÐÌÓ€Ӝ̛à  àÔ€¼ìs¼XX0ÔThere€is€no€material€evidence€in€the€record€establishing€proximate€causeÐ f1¶,1 Ðeven€if€we€assume€a€duty€to€train€and€a€breach€by€the€defendant€of€that€duty.ÌÌà  àFinally,€in€summary€plaintiff€testified:ÌÓ€Óà8  àà z àÔ€X0X¼¼ìsÔQ.à ‡ àIn€the€lawsuit€that€you€filed€against€Trià @¥ àdon,€you€haveÐ Æ739 Ðalleged€that€they€were€in€some€way€negligent€or€did€something€wrongÏto€cause€this€accident.€€And€what€I€would€like€for€you€to€tell€me€just€inÐ ž9î4; Ðyour€own€words€is€what€you€feel€Tridon€did€wrong€or€negligently€toÏcause€this€accident.Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àA.à ‡ àWell,€I€would€say€I€was€never€officially€trained€to€useÐ ˆØ Ðtheir€equipment.€€Maybe€the€maintenance€of€the€ramp€possibly€couldÏhave€something€to€do€with€it.€€That's€„„€I€guess€that's€the€„„€that's€theÏmain€thing€that€I€can€think€of€right€off€at€this€time.€€That's€„„Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àQ.à ‡ àAll€right.€€You€have€mentioned€that€possibly€theÐ 8 ˆ Ðmaintenance€of€the€ramp€may€have€had€something€to€do€with€it.€€WasÏthere€anything€about€the€ramp€that€you€noticed€that€night€that€was€aÏfailure€on€their€part€to€maintain€that€ramp?Ð  Ð  Ð  Ðà8  àà z àA.à ‡ àNothing€that€I€noticed.€€Like€I€said,€there€could€have€beenÐ è 8  Ðdebris€on€the€ramp€that€I€wasn't€aware€of.Ð  Ð  Ð  ÐÌÓ€ÓÌà  àÔ€¼ìs¼XX0ÔViewing€this€case€in€the€light€most€favorable€to€the€non„movingÐ ^  Ðplaintiff,€this€court€presents€only€the€fact€that€an€injury€has€occurred.€€It€is€longÏsettled€in€Tennessee€that€the€mere€fact€than€an€injury€has€been€sustained€neverÏraises€a€presumption€of€negligence.€€ò òòòMullins€v.€Seaboard€Coastline€Railway€Co.ó óóó,Ð Ö& Ð517€S.W.2d€198,€201€(Tenn.€App.€1974).€€The€testimony€of€plaintiff€shows€thatÏhe€has€no€evidence€to€sustain€his€action€for€non„instruction.ÌÌà  àòòConclusionóóÐ 9‰ ÐÌà  àIn€this€unfortunate€accident,€plaintiff€has€the€burden€of€proving€theÏelements€of€his€cause€of€action.€€To€survive€summary€judgment€he€must€at€leastÏoffer€evidence€upon€which€reasonable€minds€could€differ.€€As€to€the€ramp€onÏwhich€he€fell,€he€has€offered€no€evidence€of€a€breach€of€duty€by€the€defendants.€ÏAs€to€the€alleged€failure€to€train€in€the€use€of€the€battery€powered€hand€jack,€evenÏif€one€assumes€a€duty€and€a€breach€thereof,€the€record€is€devoid€of€any€evidenceÏunder€which€reasonable€minds€could€find€proximate€cause.ÌÌñÎñœñÎñà  àThe€judgment€of€the€trial€court€in€granting€summary€judgment€for€theÏdefendant€is€affirmed.ÌœñÊñÌñÊññÎñ›ñÎññËñÓ€ÓñËññÌñÌñÌññËñÓ€ÓñËñ›à  àà z àà ‡ àà ¼ à________________________________Ìà  àà z àà ‡ àà ¼ àñÉñÔ€X0X¼¼ìsÔñÉñWILLIAM€B.€CAIN,€JUDGEÐ y2É-7 МñÉñ›ñÉñCONCUR:›ÌœñÅñÌñÅññÇñ›ÌñÇññÍñÌñÍñ______________________________________›ÌHENRY€F.€TODD,€PRESIDING€JUDGE,€M.S.ÌœñÆñÌñÆñ›Ì______________________________________ÌBEN€H.€CANTRELL,€œJUDGEñÈñÐ a9±4> Лà8 ¼ à›à ¼ àñÈñ›