Trautwein v. Sorgenfrei

The fundamental issue examined by both the trial court and the Court of Appeals concerns the concept of res judicata and its application to the record before us. The doctrine of res judicata is. separated into two distinct principles as explained by this court in White*495head v. Genl. Tel. Co. (1969), 20 Ohio St. 2d 108, at page 112:

“The doctrine of res judicata involves two basic concepts. Norwood v. McDonald (1943), 142 Ohio St. 299, 52 N. E. 2d 67. First, it refers to the effect a judgment in a prior action has in a second action based upon the same cause of action. The Restatement of the…