Mischner v. Thalheim

Smith, J.: The plaintiff sues upon a contract for services. There is a sharp conflict between the plaintiff and the defendant as to the terms of the contract. The plaintiff made claim for upwards of $14,000. The defendant denies any liability whatsoever. Prior to the commencement of this action there was an attempt made by the parties to arbitrate their claims. The plaintiff was allowed to show, under the objection and exception of the defendant, that, in negotiating for that arbitration, the defendant offered to settle his claim for $3,500 or $4,000, which was rejected by the plaintiff. That this testimony was incompetent would hardly seem to require authority. (See Tennant v. Dudley, 144 N. Y. 504, 507; Franklin v. Hoadley, 115 App. Div. 538.) The judgment rendered was for about $5,000. It cannot be said that this offer of compromise did not influence the jury in reaching the conclusion represented by its verdict, and for this material error the judgment and order must be reversed and a new trial granted, with costs to appellant to abide the event. Clarke, P. J., Dowling, Page and Merrell, JJ., concurred. Judgment and order reversed, new trial ordered, costs to appellant to abide event.