Baker v. Wayne Cty. (Slip Opinion)

{¶ 1} In this discretionary appeal from the Ninth District Court of Appeals, we consider for the first time the meaning of the statutory definition of “public roads” set forth in R.C. 2744.01(H) for purposes of the sovereign-immunity exception for the negligent failure “to keep public roads in repair” under R.C. 2744.02(B)(3). Appellants, Wayne County and its employees, advance two propositions of law:

1. R.C. 2744.01(H) is the exclusive definition of “public roads” for purposes of determining the immunity of a political subdivision in all claims which allege a negligent failure to maintain.

2.…