Colorado Bridge & Construction Co. v. Preuit

Mr. Justice Allen delivered the opinion of the court. This is an action which was instituted in a justice court. On appeal to the county court, a trial resulted in a verdict and judgment for plaintiff. The defendant has sued out this writ of error. Both sides request that the case be finally disposed of here on the application for a supersedeas. The plaintiff’s evidence discloses sixteen claims against defendant. The defendant introduced evidence in opposition thereto and also for the purpose of proving a counterclaim against plaintiff. The defendant, The Colorado Bridge and Construction Company, in the fall of 1922 was engaged in the construction of a bridge on a highway upon or adjoining the land of plaintiff. Defendant’s agent in charge of the work, L. W. Roller, employed the plaintiff to perform certain services in connection with the bridge work. One of the claims of plaintiff against defendant is for the sum of $75 for painting the bridge, and defendant opposes the claim on the theory that there was but part performance. Some of the work was actually done by defendant’s other employees. If defendant voluntarily assisted the plaintiff, it cannot set up partial performance as a defense. Numerous questions are discussed in this connection, and without overlooking them, we are of the opinion that the evidence is sufficient to support a verdict for plaintiff as to the above item or claim. Another claim of plaintiff is for damages for trespass upon plaintiff’s land. The defendant’s employees dumped asphalt thereon. It is contended that plaintiff’s damages could not exceed seven cents, under the rule that the measure of damages cannot exceed the value of the land taken. [109] The asphalt covered about 36 square feet. The rule invoked by defendant must have reference to some entire tract, and not merely to the ground at the exact place of injury. 38 Cyc. 1126. The measure of damages for injury to real property is not invariable. 17 C. J. 880. The rule to be applied should be such as will enable the jury to determine, as near as may be, the actual loss suffered. Big Five Mining Co. v. Left Hand Ditch Co., 73 Colo. 545, 216 Pac. 719. It would not have been improper, in this case under all the circumstances, to measure the damages by the cost of removing the asphalt. There was no such error or defect in the trial as to this item, which amounts to only $10, as to warrant a reversal or a modification of the judgment. The principal contention of plaintiff in error is that the court erred in allowing the jury to find against the defendant on its counterclaim against plaintiff. There is evidence that defendant agreed to give plaintiff the lumber in the old bridge in consideration of having a contour road on plaintiff’s land while a new bridge was being constructed. The defendant prevented plaintiff from getting more than a third of the old lumber. Plaintiff then took a certain amount of form lumber which had been used in the construction of the new bridge. The counterclaim is for this form lumber. There is evidence that defendant’s employees authorized plaintiff to substitute the form lumber for the old lumber. Here again, the briefs are voluminous with a discussion of various questions, but we find nothing in them to preclude us from affirming the judgment under section 439 of the Code of 1921, providing that the supreme court “shall disregard any error or defect in the proceedings which shall not affect the substantial rights of the parties,” and that “no judgment shall be reversed or affected by reason of such error or defect.” The application for a supersedeas is denied and the judgment affirmed. Mr. Chief Justice Teller and Mr. Justice Burke con-, cur.