Joe B. Shaner & Cynthia K. Shaner v. United States of Am., 976 F.2d 990 (6th Cir. 1992). · Go Syfert
Joe B. Shaner & Cynthia K. Shaner v. United States of Am., 976 F.2d 990 (6th Cir. 1992). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
G Cite
cited 2× by 2 distinct cases, last quoted 1998 · 2 courts · …recovery under the good samaritan doctrine is limited to physical harm. at p. 994
28 citation events (17 in the last 25 years) across 16 distinct courts.
Treatment trajectory · 1994 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1994 2010 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 25 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited "but see" St. Denis v. Department of Housing & Urban Development
D. Alaska · 1995 · signal: but see · confidence high
But see Shaner v. United States, 976 F.2d 990, 994 (6th Cir.1992) (applying Ohio law in an action under the Federal Tort Claims Act but recognizing that Restatement (Second) of Torts § 323 (1964) only applies to "physical harm” and would be unavailable where only economic loss was alleged).
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) G. Elliott v. First Federal Community Bank
6th Cir. · 2020 · signal: see also · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the borrower and lender stand at arm's length while negotiating the terms and conditions of the loan and no fiduciary duty exists at this stage of the relationship . . . .
cited Cited as authority (rule) Kelli Prather v. United States of America, et al.
S.D. Ohio · 2025 · confidence medium
Shaner v. United States, 976 F.2d 990, 994 (6th Cir. 1992), citing Ashbrook v. Block, 917 F.2d 918 , 924 (6th Cir. 1990).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Scott v. Department of Justice
E.D. Mich. · 2021 · confidence medium
Shaner v. United States, 976 F.2d 990, 994 (6th Cir. 1992); see also Ziglar, 137 S. Ct. at 1860 (noting that “a Bivens claim is brought against the individual official for his or her own acts” and that “[t]he purpose of Bivens is to deter the officer”) (quoting Meyer, 510 U.S. at 485 ) (emphasis in Ziglar); Meyer, 510 U.S. at 473 (declining to extend Bivens to an agency of the Federal Government).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Mattox v. Memphis Police Department
W.D. Tenn. · 2019 · confidence medium
Shaner v. U.S., 976 F.2d 990, 994 (6th Cir. 1992) (citing Ashbrook v. Block, 917 F.2d 918 924 (6th Cir. 1990)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Metropolitan Atlanta Task Force for the Homeless, Inc. v. the City of Atlanta, Georgia
11th Cir. · 2013 · confidence medium
For Women v. Pataki, 261 F.3d 156 , 164 (2nd Cir.2001); Baldwin v. Daniels, 250 F.3d 943, 946 (5th Cir.2001); Shaner v. United States, 976 F.2d 990, 994-95 (6th Cir.1992). 4.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Van Beek v. Robinson
E.D. Mich. · 2012 · confidence medium
Shaner v. United States, 976 F.2d 990, 994 (6th Cir.1992); FDIC v. Meyer, 510 U.S. 471, 484-86 , 114 S.Ct. 996 , 127 L.Ed.2d 308 (1994).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Renteria v. United States
D. Ariz. · 2006 · confidence medium
Shaner v. United States, 976 F.2d 990, 994 (6th Cir.1992) (Ohio Law); St.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) A.A.A. Always Open Bail Bonds, Inc. v. Dekalb County
11th Cir. · 2005 · confidence medium
See, e.g., Baldwin v. Daniels, 250 F.3d 943 (5th Cir.2001) ("Discretionary statutes do not give rise to constitutionally protectable interests.”); Shaner v. United States, 976 F.2d 990, 994-95 (6th Cir.1992) (no property interest in application for emergency loan from the Farmers Home Administration (FmHa) because the FmHa had "broad discretion in determining whether to approve an application”); New York State Nat’l Org.
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. American Electric Power Service Corp.
S.D. Ohio · 2003 · confidence medium
See Lundstrum v. Lyng, 954 F.2d 1142, 1146 (6th Cir.1991); Shaner v. United States, 976 F.2d 990, 994 (6th Cir.1992).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Snow Pallet, Inc. v. Clinton County Industrial Development Authority
6th Cir. · 2002 · confidence medium
Shaner v. United States, 976 F.2d 990, 994 (6th Cir.1992) (“To have a property interest in a benefit, a person clearly must have more than an abstract need or desire for it.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) New York State National Organization For Women v. Pataki
2d Cir. · 2001 · signal: cf. · confidence medium
Where, as here, a purported property interest is contingent on the exercise of executive discretion, no legitimate claim of entitlement exists. "[A] constitutionally protected interest cannot arise from relief that the executive exercises unfettered discretion to award." Sad v. INS, 246 F.3d 811, 819-20 (6th Cir. 2001); see also Baldwin v. Daniels, 250 F.3d 943, 946 (5th Cir. 2001) ("Discretionary statutes do not give rise to constitutionally protectable interests."); cf. Shaner v. United States, 976 F.2d 990, 994-95 (6th Cir. 1992) (holding that loan contingent on agency's "broad discretion i…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) New York State National Organization for Women v. Pataki
2d Cir. · 2001 · signal: cf. · confidence medium
Where, as here, a purported property interest is contingent on the exercise of executive discretion, no legitimate claim of entitlement exists. “[A] constitutionally protected interest cannot arise from relief that the executive exercises unfettered discretion to award.” Sad v. INS, 246 F.3d 811, 819-20 (6th Cir.2001); see also Baldwin v. Daniels, 250 F.3d 943, 946 (5th Cir.2001) (“Discretionary statutes do not give rise to constitutionally protectable interests.”); cf. Shaner v. United States, 976 F.2d 990, 994-95 (6th Cir.1992) (holding that loan contingent on agency’s “broad dis…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Iron Workers Local Union No. 17 Insurance Fund v. Philip Morris Inc.
N.D. Ohio · 1998 · confidence medium
However, “[Recovery under the Good Samaritan Doctrine is limited to physical harm.” Shaner v. United States, 976 F.2d 990, 994 (6th Cir.1992), cert. denied, 507 U.S. 1051 , 113 S.Ct. 1944 , 123 L.Ed.2d 650 (1993) (citations omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Elizabeth M. Wolverton v. United States of America Tami J. Hooker Janice M. Turner the Department of Defense and the Defense Logistics Agency
6th Cir. · 1997 · confidence medium
We find no error in this regard. 19 In Shaner v. United States, 976 F.2d 990, 994 (6th Cir.1992), cert. denied, 507 U.S. 1051 (1993), the plaintiff sought damages from the United States for what was claimed to be an unconstitutional taking of property.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Wayne L. Patrick v. United States of America Joseph Owczarek Brenda J. Leonard
6th Cir. · 1996 · confidence medium
See, e.g., Whittle v. United States, 7 F.3d 1259, 1262 (6th Cir.1993); Shaner v. United States, 976 F.2d 990, 994 (6th Cir.1992), cert. denied, 507 U.S. 1051 (1993).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) John L. Hinton v. United States Postal Service
6th Cir. · 1995 · confidence medium
However, "[r]ecovery under the Good Samaritan Doctrine is limited to physical harm." Shaner v. United States, 976 F.2d 990, 994 (6th Cir.1992), cert. denied, 113 S.Ct. 1944 (1993) (citations omitted).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Trimble v. United States
6th Cir. · 1994 · confidence medium
Shaner v. United States, 976 F.2d 990, 994 (6th Cir.1992), cert. denied, 113 S.Ct. 1944 (1993).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Clement Nwabueze v. Immigration and Naturalization Service
6th Cir. · 1994 · confidence medium
Shaner v. United States, 976 F.2d 990, 994 (6th Cir.1992). 5 If Nwabueze's complaint is construed as having been brought under the Federal Torts Claim Act (FTCA), 28 U.S.C.
discussed Cited "see" Long v. Niles Co.
Mass. Dist. Ct., App. Div. · 2010 · signal: see · confidence high
See Shaner v. United States 976 F.2d 990, 994 (6th Cir. 1992) (recovery denied under Ohio law, noting that “Good Samaritan Doctrine is limited to physical harm,” and citing §323); Love v. United States 915 F.2d 1242, 1248 (9th Cir. 1989) (affirming, under Montana law, trial courts dismissal of claim for recovery of economic loss, citing lack of physical injury required by §323); Platinum Community Bank v. Marshall Invs.
discussed Cited "see" Green v. United States Ex Rel. Department of Agriculture
W.D. Mich. · 1998 · signal: see · confidence high
See Shaner v. United States, 976 F.2d 990, 995 (6th Cir.1992)(finding plaintiffs’ claim of property right in administrative appeals information without merit); cf. Ramey v. Block, 738 F.2d 756, 762 (6th Cir.1984)(hold-ing that Secretary of Agriculture not required to notify borrower of loan deferral relief).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." McKim v. Dyer
E.D. Ky. · 2022 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence medium
See e.g., Shaner v. United States, 976 F.2d 990, 994 (6th Cir. 1992) (‘[A] Bivens action may be brought only against individual federal officials, not against the United States.”); FDIC v. Meyer, 114 S. Ct. 996, 1006 (1994).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Rocha v. Brown & Gould, LLP
D.D.C. · 2015 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence medium
See, e.g., Shaner v. United States, 976 F.2d 990, 994 (6th Cir.1992) (citing § 323, denying recovery under Ohio law, and holding that the "Good Samaritan Doctrine is limited to physical harm”); Love v. United States, 915 F.2d 1242 , 1248 (9th Cir.1989) (applying Montana law and affirming dismissal of a claim based only on economic loss because § 323 requires physical harm); Platinum Cmty. Bank v. Marshall Invs.
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Schaefer v. IndyMac Mortgage Services
1st Cir. · 2013 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence medium
See, e.g., Shaner v. United States, 976 F.2d 990, 994 (6th Cir.1992); Love v. United States, 915 F.2d 1242, 1248 (9th Cir.1989); Fieldwork Bos., Inc. v. United States, 344 F.Supp.2d 257, 264 (D.Mass.2004); Ass’n of Wash. Pub.
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Merriam v. NATIONAL UNION FIRE INS. CO. OF PITTS.
S.D. Iowa · 2008 · signal: see also · confidence medium
Ctr., Inc., 636 N.W.2d 74, 82 (Iowa 2001) (concluding that a defendant was not liable under § 323 because the plaintiff “did not suffer any physical harm”); see also Shaner v. United States, 976 F.2d 990, 994 (6th Cir.1992) (holding that “[r]ecovery under the Good Samaritan Doctrine [§ 323] is limited to physical harm”); Ass’n of Washington Pub.
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
Joe B. SHANER and Cynthia K. Shaner, Plaintiffs-Appellants,
v.
UNITED STATES of America, Et Al., Defendants-Appellees
91-4173.
Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
Nov 4, 1992.
976 F.2d 990
Edward J. Sebold (argued) and Edward J. Sebold (briefed), Jenner & Block, Chicago, Ill., for plaintiffs-appellants., Charles Hosterman (argued and briefed), U.S. Dist. Court for the State of Ohio, Columbus, Ohio, for defendants-appellees.
Keith, Suhrheinrich, Contie.
Cited by 27 opinions  |  Published

I

SUHRHEINRICH, Circuit Judge.

In 1981, a natural disaster struck Ohio. As a result, the entire state was designated a disaster relief area. The Shaners, who grew corn and beans at their Fairfield County, Ohio, farm, were among the Ohio farmers who suffered crop production losses in excess of thirty percent and thereby qualified for emergency loan relief.

Prior to the disaster, the Shaners had incurred substantial indebtedness to Cambridge Production Credit Association (“PCA”). The crop losses prevented the Shaners from paying the 1981 installment on this debt. PCA demanded payment in full or a liquidation sale.

In January 1982, the Shaners applied to FmHA for an emergency loan. Within two weeks the application was denied for insufficient cash flow and inability to refinance existing loans. The Shaners persisted in their attempts to secure an FmHA loan. On May 6, they met with Douglas Dietrich, FmHA supervisor for Fairfield County.

Subsequent to the May 6 meeting, Dietrich issued a certificate of approval. The lone requirement listed on the certificate was “[security for this loan is a [first] lien on 1982 crops.” Dietrich also sent the Shaners a letter announcing the approval, “subject to the availability of loan funds.” However, Dietrich was concerned about FmHA’s position vis-a-vis PCA. In particular, he was concerned that PCA might encumber the Shaners equipment so as to prevent them from planting a 1982 crop and that, even if a 1982 crop were planted, PCA’s claim to it would be senior to FmHA’s.

Seeking to avoid these risks, Dietrich notified the Shaners in July 1982 of his intention to cancel the loans. The reasons he gave were the failure to obtain for FmHA a first lien on the 1982 crops and the failure to obtain a non-disturbance agreement from PCA. [1] The Shaners filed for bankruptcy in August 1982, and Dietrich canceled the loan approvals effective in September.

Upon cancellation, the Shaners appealed Dietrich’s determination. Their appeal was denied on the grounds of their failure to secure a non-disturbance agreement with PCA. On a subsequent appeal, FmHA’s acting state director held for the Shaners, ruling that, because the Uniform Commercial Code would have given FmHA priority over PCA with respect to the 1982 crops, a first lien was unnecessary. On May 25, 1983, the acting state director reinstated the Shaners’ application. Pursuing the application further, however, was not possible, as the Shaners were now in bankruptcy and the loss of land and equipment to their creditors disabled them from generating sufficient cash flow from their 1983 crops to qualify for a loan.

The parties now agree that Dietrich erred in requiring a first lien. The Shaners claim that this error constitutes negligence entitling them to recovery under the Federal Tort Claims Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1346(b). They also claim that they were unconstitutionally deprived of various property[*993] rights. The District Court rejected these arguments and granted summary judgment against the Shaners. We now affirm.

II

The Shaners bring this claim under the Federal Tort Claims Act, which authorizes negligence suits against the federal government “where the United States, if a private person, would be liable to the claimant in accordance with the law of the place where the act or omission occurred.” The Ohio Supreme Court has recently reviewed the line of cases dealing with the liability of lenders to borrowers in Blon v. Bank One, 35 Ohio St.3d 98, 519 N.E.2d 363 (1988). Under the framework established by the Blon court, the borrower and lender stand at arm’s length while negotiating the terms and conditions of the loan and no fiduciary duty exists at this stage of the relationship. Once, however, the negotiations are complete and the relationship moves into the loan processing stage, a fiduciary duty of disclosure is imposed on the lender. Id. at 102, 519 N.E.2d 363.

The Shaners believe that their relationship with the FmHA had blossomed into the loan processing stage. They contend that FmHA’s decision to cancel their loan resulted from negligence. Specifically, the concern on which the cancellation was based, the Shaners’ failure to secure a first lien for FmHA, was obviated by U.C.C. § 9-312(2), which would have given FmHA the priority it sought through the lien. [2] The Shaners argue that FmHA was negligent in failing to recognize that requiring a first lien was unnecessary and in canceling the loan on this basis. [3] Since FmHA committed this negligence during the loan processing stage, the argument continues, FmHA violated its fiduciary duty to the Shaners.

The Shaners’ reading of Ohio law is overripe. None of the cases it cites creates a broad fiduciary duty or a duty to avoid negligence. They merely create a duty to disclose. Stone v. Davis, 66 Ohio St.2d 74, 78, 419 N.E.2d 1094 (bank has fiduciary duty when “broaching the subject of mortgage insurance”), cert. denied, 454 U.S. 1081, 102 S.Ct. 634, 70 L.Ed.2d 614 (1981). The duty to disclose stands as an exception to the general rule that the borrower-lender relationship is not a fiduciary one. See Umbaugh Pole Bldg. Co. v. Scott, 58 Ohio St.2d 282, 390 N.E.2d 320 (1979) (syllabus # 1). We will not expand the fiduciary duty to disclose absent a clear expression of contrary intent by the Ohio courts, particularly in light of Blon, which sought to circumscribe the scope of this duty. [4]

The Shaners argue alternatively that, if it has not already done so, the Ohio Supreme Court would impose a general fiduciary duty on FmHA, as its relationship with the Shaners is one of “special trust and confidence.” Blon, 35 Ohio St.3d at 102, 519 N.E.2d 363. This argument is predicated, primarily on the public purpose with which FmHA is affected. In this re-[*994] spect, the Shaners liken their relationship with FmHA to that of an insured with its insurer. This analogy is fallow; for even if we accept it, it would only create a duty of good faith. Such a duty would require more than mere negligence as the basis for liability. Instead, the Shaners would be required to show that FmHA acted from a “dishonest purpose, moral obliquity, conscious wrongdoing,” or in “breach of a known duty through some ulterior motive or ill will partaking of the nature of fraud. It also embraces actual intent to mislead or deceive another.” Wasserman v. Buckeye Union Casualty Co., 32 Ohio St.2d 69, 73, 290 N.E.2d 837 (1972). The record offers no hint of such motive or conduct.

The Shaners next contend that the Good Samaritan Doctrine imposes a duty of due care on FmHA. Although the Ohio Supreme Court has never explicitly adopted this doctrine, the Court has cited it favorably, and it appears to be the law of Ohio. See Wissel v. Ohio High School Athletic Assn., Nos. C-900397, C-900566, 1992 WL 42831, at *9, 1992 Ohio App. LEXIS 904, at *19 (Mar. 4, 1992) (final publication pending). As the Shaners fail to satisfy the Good Samaritan Doctrine’s requirements, however, we need not resolve this question.

Recovery under the Good Samaritan Doctrine is limited to physical harm. Restatement (Second) of Torts § 323 (1964). The record contains no evidence of physical injury to the Shaners or their property. Therefore, summary judgment was properly granted as to the Good Samaritan claim.

Ill

The Shaners assert property rights in the FmHA emergency loan they applied for and in access to the FmHA’s administrative appeal process and claim that they have been deprived of this property in violation of the Fifth Amendment. However, the Shaners do not seek to have these property rights restored. [5] Instead, they seek money damages as compensation for injuries resulting from the allegedly unconstitutional deprivation. The kernel of this contention is that the deprivation caused them to lose their farm. This claim, then, is in fact a Bivens [6] action. A Bivens action may be brought only against individual federal officials, not against the United States. See, e.g., Ashbrook v. Block, 917 F.2d 918, 924 (6th Cir.1990). Therefore, this claim may only be asserted against Dietrich individually.

Like the District Court, we do not believe that either of the asserted interests constitutes a property right. “To have a property interest in a benefit, a person clearly must have more than an abstract need or desire for it. He must have more than a unilateral expectation of it. He must, instead, have a legitimate claim of entitlement to it.” Board of Regents v. Roth, 408 U.S. 564, 577, 92 S.Ct. 2701, 2709, 33 L.Ed.2d 548 (1972).

The Shaners cite Association of Orange County Deputy Sheriffs v. Gates, 716 F.2d 733 (9th Cir.1983), cert. denied, 466 U.S. 937, 104 S.Ct. 1909, 80 L.Ed.2d 458 (1984), for the proposition that they have a property interest in the FmHA emergency loan. This case actually supports the opposite conclusion. There, a California statute allowed retired deputy sheriffs to carry concealed weapons if the agency from which they retired issued them a certificate. In addition, this privilege could be denied or revoked for good cause. Several retired deputies claimed that this statute created an entitlement of which they could not be deprived without due process. This argument was rejected on the grounds that the good cause provision left no significant restriction on the agency’s discretion; therefore, no entitlement was created. Id. at 734.

The FmHA has similarly broad discretion in determining whether to approve an application. For instance, the determination of whether an applicant has presented a via[*995] ble farm plan or has offered sufficient security are left largely to the sound judgment of FmHA. See 7 U.S.C. §§ 1961(a), 1964(d). Therefore, the Shaners’ interest in obtaining an emergency loan was too speculative to be considered a property right. Accord Nelson v. United States, 16 Cl.Ct. 510 (1989) (property right does not exist until loan is approved and a contractual right results); cf. Ashbrook, 917 F.2d at 924 (no property right in additional FmHA funding).

When the Shaners’ emergency loan application was first denied in January 1982, FmHA provided them with a complete statement of their appeal rights as required under 7 C.F.R. § 1900.56. After the July 1982 rejection, the notice to the Shan-ers was incomplete, omitting the statements required under section 1900.56(a)(4). The Shaners claim, misguidedly, that they had a property right in this information and that it was deprived without due process.

It is well-established that “due process ‘is simply not implicated by a negligent act of an official causing unintended loss of or injury to life, liberty or property.’ ” Nishiyama v. Dickson County, 814 F.2d 277, 281-82 (6th Cir.1987) (en banc) (quoting Daniels v. Williams, 474 U.S. 327, 328, 106 S.Ct. 662, 663, 88 L.Ed.2d 662 (1986)) (emphasis in original). Even if the Shaners had a property right in information regarding administrative appeals, they must show that Dietrich was grossly negligent in failing to provide the information. See id. at 282. [7] But see, e.g., Collins v. City of Harker Heights, — U.S. -, - n. 10, 112 S.Ct. 1061, 1069 n. 10, 117 L.Ed.2d 261, 274 n. 10 (1992) (intimating that an even more exacting requirement, deliberate or intentional conduct, should be applied). The Shaners have failed to even allege gross negligence. Nor does the rec‘ord contain any evidence that would support such an allegation. Hence, any right the Shaners did have in the administrative appeal information was not deprived in violation of the due process clause.

IV

For the foregoing reasons, the district court’s opinion and order granting summary judgment is AFFIRMED.

1

. The non-disturbance agreement would have prevented PCA interfering with the Shaners' ability to plant a 1982 crop. The cancellation notice was the first occasion on which this requirement had been committed to writing. FmHA contends that Dietrich had orally informed the Shaners of this requirement: the Shaners deny this.

2

. The government concedes that the Shaners’ reading of this provision, codified at Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1309.31(B), is correct and that the first lien requirement was unnecessary.

3

. The question of whether FmHA’s insistence on a first lien was negligent is not before us. Although we assume for the purposes of this appeal that this was negligence, the ultimate determination would rest, of course, with the fact-finder.

4

. FmHA raises a second defense, the Shaners’ failure to obtain a non-disturbance agreement from PCA. FmHA contends that the Shaners were notified of this requirement at their May 6, 1982 meeting with Dietrich. The Shaners claim that they were not so informed until the cancellation. If it was a condition for the loan, the Shaners' failure to obtain a non-disturbance agreement was adequate grounds for the cancellation. However, Mr. Shaner’s affidavit raises sufficient doubt as to whether this was a condition to require a jury determination.

Similarly, FmHA asserts that Dietrich told the Shaners, again at the May 6 meeting, that they would be required to make a delinquent payment to PCA. The Shaners contend that the only condition imposed was that they obtain a first lien for FmHA. Moreover, Dietrich’s notice of cancellation does not list failure to make this payment in any way, let alone as a ground for canceling the loan approvals. Resolution of this argument also lies with the trier of fact. Therefore, neither of these arguments support FmHA's position that summary judgment was appropriate.

5

. Indeed, the FmHA actually restored the asserted property rights, allowing the Shaners to pursue their administrative appeals and reinstating their loan application.

6

. Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, 403 U.S. 388, 91 S.Ct. 1999, 29 L.Ed.2d 619 (1971).

7

. Although Daniels and Nishiyama involved Fourteenth Amendment due process claims against state officials under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, there is no reason to regard the Fifth Amendment due process clause as having a different meaning for the purposes of a suit against a federal official. See Erwin Chemerinsky, Federal Jurisdiction § 9.1, at 452-53 (1989). Thus, the Nishiyama gross negligence requirement applies here.