Baughman v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance

The issue presented is whether the trial court abused its discretion in granting class certification. Stated more precisely, the issue is whether the trial court’s findings with regard to the satisfaction of either Civ.R. 23(A)(3)’s requirement of typicality or Civ.R. 23(B)(3)’s requirement of predominance and superiority constitute an abuse of discretion.

I

STANDARD OF REVIEW

Appellants propose that reversing an order of class action certification is a nearly insurmountable burden, requiring a gross, glaring, and almost intentional blunder on the part of the trial court. Appellants also argue…