No. 3--04--0798

IN THE

APPELLATE COURT OF ILLINOIS

THIRD DISTRICT

A.D., 2005

JUSTICE SCHMIDT delivered the opinion of the court:

Plaintiff, Kristina Lulay, filed a complaint against defendants, Randy Parvin and Walters Brothers Harley-Davidson, Inc. (Walters Brothers), seeking damages for injuries received in a motorcycle accident. The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of Parvin and Walters Brothers, and Lulay appeals that decision.

BACKGROUND

Lulay and Parvin were both employees of Walters Brothers. Walters Brothers allows its employees to use company-owned motorcycles for their personal use. On September 5, 1998, Lulay signed a release which, on its face, exculpates Walters Brothers, its employees and agents from any claims resulting from Lulay's participation in a "demonstration ride on September 5, 1998." In the release, Lulay agreed to assume the risk of any accident or personal injury that she might suffer as a result of her participation in the demonstration ride on September 5, 1998. "During Term of Employment" is written after the word "Dated" on the signature line.

At approximately 10:20 p.m., on September 19, 1998, while Lulay was a passenger on a motorcycle owned by Walters Brothers and operated by Parvin with Walters Brothers' permission, Parvin collided with a vehicle driven by Carrie Smock. Lulay was thrown from the motorcycle. Lulay filed suit, ultimately filing an amended complaint against Smock, Parvin and Walters Brothers. Count I seeks relief from defendant Smock and is not relevant to this appeal. Count II seeks relief from Parvin on a theory of negligence; counts III and IV are directed toward Walters Brothers under theories of vicarious liability and negligent entrustment, respectively. Walters Brothers and Parvin filed, inter alia, answers and affirmative defenses to plaintiff's amended complaint.

Ultimately, Walters Brothers and Parvin moved for summary judgment, which was granted by the trial court. The trial court relied on the release as the basis for its summary judgment award.

ANALYSIS

The issue before this court is whether it was error for the trial court to grant summary judgment in favor of Parvin and Walters Brothers and against Lulay.

On appeal, the reviewing court applies a de novo standard of review to a grant of summary judgment. General Casualty Insurance Co. v. Lacey, 199 Ill. 2d 281, 284, 769 N.E.2d 18, 20 (2002). Thus, the reviewing court, when viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmovant, must determine whether a genuine issue of material fact exists and whether the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Majca v. Beekil, 183 Ill. 2d 407, 416, 701 N.E.2d 1084, 1088 (1998).

I. Construction of Release

First, we consider the release. Lulay argues that the terms of the release only apply to the demonstration ride of September 5, 1998. She argues that the release does not apply to the incident which occurred on September 19, 1998, when Lulay and Parvin were using the motorcycle at about 10:20 p.m. for their sole personal use, benefit and enjoyment. Lulay claims that the release, on its face, shows that it did not extend to the use of the motorcycle on September 19, and therefore, the release does not apply and the court erred in finding, as a matter of law, that it did.

Defendants claim that because "During Term of Employment" is written in the blank on the signature line after "Dated," the release was intended to apply during the duration of Lulay's employment with Walters Brothers for all rides, including rides for employees' sole personal use. Walters Brothers argues that the intent of the parties should be considered and states that the parties' intent was to have the release apply during the length of their employment.

After taking the summary judgment motion against Parvin under advisement, the trial court granted summary judgment in favor of Parvin, finding that the release extended to Parvin as an employee of Walters Brothers. The court found that the release, without contrary evidence, exculpates Parvin from any liability with regard to the accident that occurred on September 19, 1998. In its order, the trial court noted that there was no distinction made in the release as to whether or not it applies to employees outside the scope of their employment.

We disagree with the trial court. We find that a question of material fact exists with regard to the release signed by Lulay. The release was signed by Lulay at the request of Walters Brothers. It specifically provides for exculpation of Walters Brothers and their employees from claims "resulting from or arising out of or in connection with my demonstration ride on September 5, 1998." Throughout the release, it refers to the "demonstration ride." It states that the release is "*** for and in consideration of the opportunity to engage in a demonstration ride ***. This release extends to any and all claims I have or may have against the released parties *** with respect to the design, manufacture, repair, or maintenance of the motorcycle which I will be demonstration riding or with respect to the conditions, qualifications, instructions, rules, or procedures under which the demonstration ride is conducted. *** I am voluntarily participating in the demonstration ride ***. I expressly agree to assume the entire risk of any accidents or personal injury, *** which I might suffer as a result of my participation in the demonstration ride."

In support of its argument, Walters Brothers cites an affidavit by the president of Walters Brothers, stating that the release was intended to apply during the duration of Lulay's employment. Lulay does not deny that she was employed by Walters Brothers on the date of the incident. However, she did not agree that she intended the release of September 5, 1998, to apply during the length of her employment and for nondemonstration rides.

Clearly, there are genuine issues of material fact regarding the intent of the parties and the terms of the release. There are contradictory terms on the face of the release itself, referring to both the "demonstration ride" on September 5, 1998, and "During Term of Employment." Therefore, we reverse the trial court's award of summary judgment in favor of Lulay and against Parvin.

Although the same is true regarding the release vis-a-vis Walters Brothers, Walters Brothers also moved for summary judgment on bases independent of the release. We can affirm the trial court for any reason supported by the record. Canada Life Assurance Co. v. Salwan, 353 Ill. App. 3d 74, 817 N.E.2d 1021 (2004). For reasons discussed below, we affirm the granting of summary judgment in favor of defendant Walters Brothers.

II. Respondeat Superior

In count III of Lulay's second amended complaint, Lulay alleges that immediately prior to and at the time of the incident, Parvin was employed by Walters Brothers and was operating a motorcycle for the purposes of Walters Brothers. Lulay further alleges that as a result of the relationship between Parvin and Walters Brothers, Parvin's actions were attributable to Walters Brothers and, therefore, Walters Brothers is liable under respondeat superior.

For an employer to be liable for an employee's tort under the doctrine of respondeat superior, the tort must have been committed within the scope of the employment. Pyne v. Witmer, 129 Ill. 2d 351, 359, 543 N.E.2d 1304, 1308 (1989). In general, the question of whether an act is within the scope of an employee's employment is left to the jury. Gaffney v. City of Chicago, 302 Ill. App. 3d 41, 49, 705 N.E.2d 914, 919 (1998). However, the issue may be decided as a matter of law if the answer is sufficiently clear. Gaffney v. City of Chicago, 302 Ill. App. 3d at 49. Conduct of an employee is not within the scope of employment if it is different in kind from that authorized, far beyond the authorized time or space limits or too little actuated by a purpose to serve the master. Pyne v. Witmer, 129 Ill. 2d at 360, 543 N.E.2d at 1308; Montgomery v. Petty Management Corp., 323 Ill. App. 3d 514, 517, 752 N.E.2d 598 (2001), quoting Pyne v. Witmer, 129 Ill. 2d at 360, 543 N.E.2d at 1308, quoting Restatement (Second) of Agency,