Bates v. Merchants Holding, L.L.C.

{¶ 1} Defendant-appellant, Jeffrey Starner, appeals the August 4, 2017 judgment of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas dismissing his cross-claims against defendants-appellees, Merchants Holding, LLC ("Merchants Holding") and Merchants 5 Star, Inc. ("Merchants Inc."), and third-party claims against Merchants 5 Star, Ltd. ("Merchants Ltd."). For the following reasons, we reverse.

I. Facts and Procedural History

{¶ 2} On August 3, 2015, plaintiff-appellee, James W. Bates, filed a complaint against Merchants Holding, Merchants Inc., and appellant. Bates asserted five claims for relief:…