The Ohio Court of Claims has ruled in favor of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) in a case brought by inmate Derrick Maxey. The court granted a motion for summary judgment, meaning that the court found no genuine issue of material fact and that the state was entitled to judgment as a matter of law. This ruling affects Maxey, who claimed he suffered injuries due to the actions of corrections officers during a power outage at the Lake Erie Correctional Institution.
The case, filed under docket number 2025-00095JD, stemmed from an incident that occurred on August 26, 2023, when the correctional facility experienced a power outage. Maxey alleged that during this outage, a corrections officer used mace on inmates, causing him breathing difficulties and loss of sight. The court's decision highlights the complexities surrounding liability when private contractors operate correctional facilities.
Background
Derrick Maxey is the plaintiff in this case, having filed a complaint against the ODRC. He alleged that during a power outage at the Lake Erie Correctional Institution (LAECI), tensions between inmates and staff escalated. Maxey claimed that corrections officers used mace on inmates, which he said directly affected him due to his proximity to the incident.
The ODRC, however, argued that it is not liable for the actions of the employees at LAECI because the facility is operated by CoreCivic, a private corporation. The state contended that CoreCivic is an independent contractor, and therefore, the ODRC cannot be held responsible for any alleged negligence by CoreCivic's employees. The case reached the Ohio Court of Claims after Maxey filed his complaint, seeking damages for the injuries he claimed to have sustained.
The Ruling
On April 15, 2026, the ODRC filed a motion for summary judgment, which Maxey did not oppose. Judge Lisa L. Sadler presided over the case and ultimately granted the motion. In her ruling, she stated, "There are no genuine issues of material fact and that defendant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." This means that the court found no evidence to support Maxey's claims against the state.
Judge Sadler's opinion emphasized that CoreCivic operates independently of the ODRC, stating that the Department is not involved in the daily operations of CoreCivic or its employees. The court noted, "CoreCivic controls the daily decision-making and details of the work at LAECI and that defendant is not involved in hiring, paying, supervising, disciplining, or terminating CoreCivic’s employees." This ruling effectively absolved the ODRC from liability for the actions of CoreCivic's staff.
Impact
This ruling has significant implications for inmates and their ability to seek damages against state entities for injuries allegedly caused by private contractors. By affirming that the ODRC is not liable for the actions of CoreCivic employees, the court reinforced the legal principle that independent contractors cannot be held accountable for the negligent acts of their employees when the contractor operates independently.
The decision may set a precedent for future cases involving claims against the state when private companies run correctional facilities. Inmates or individuals injured in similar circumstances may find it more challenging to pursue claims for damages if the state can successfully argue that it is not liable for the actions of its contractors.
What's Next
Maxey's case is now concluded unless he decides to appeal the ruling. The court's decision can potentially be challenged in a higher court, depending on the legal strategies pursued by Maxey and his representation. There are no related cases pending that were mentioned in the court filing.