O. G. Thompson & Sons, Inc. v. Koury Hosiery Mills, Inc.

Morris, J. The sole question presented by this appeal is one of interpretation of pleadings. The plaintiff contends that the orig [349] inal defendant’s counterclaim and offset sounds in tort, and it is, therefore, permissible to implead the additional defendants upon a primary-secondary liability consideration or, alternatively, for contribution as a joint tort feasor. The original defendant, on the other hand, contends that the cause of action stated in the counterclaim and setoff asserted by it is in contract; and, therefore, there is a defect of parties and causes of action since the additional defendants were under no contractual obligation with the original defendant, and the matters contained in the cross action pertained solely to matters and things existing between the plaintiff and additional defendants; that there is no connection whatsoever with the relief sought by the plaintiff against the additional defendants and the original defendant; that the controversy between the said parties does not involve the controversy between the plaintiff and the orig-; inal defendant as alleged in the pleadings between said parties. Plaintiff alleges a contract between it and the original defendant, a balance due thereon, demand therefor, failure to pay, and that “no portion or part thereof is subject to any setoff or counterclaim”. The complaint also alleges that defendant “without justification, withheld from the amount due the plaintiff pursuant to said contract” the balance allegedly due and sued for in this action. The original defendant, by answer, admitted the contract but denied that construction was completed in all respects as agreed, denied that any sum was withheld without justification, denied that any balance was due, denied the allegation that no portion of the balance due was subject to setoff or counterclaim and, in its further answer, counterclaim and offset, averred that the contract between the parties included an agreement that defendant would continue its manufacturing operations and administrative work in the existing plant and office and that the plaintiff would take all necessary precautions to protect the existing properties and operations of the original defendant during the construction. The original defendant additionally averred that plaintiff knew there were supplies in the existing facilities; that although notified by defendant that these supplies had been left exposed when there was imminent probability of rain, plaintiff failed to take necessary precautions as it agreed to do and defendant’s supplies and properties were damaged by water; that the damage resulted from plaintiff’s negligent breach of the contract and defendant is entitled to offset its damages against the contract price; that defendant had tendered a check to plaintiff for the balance due less its damage and by reason of the payment and offset it was not indebted to plaintiff. The counterclaim sounds in contract and riot in tort. Here, the [350] contract between the parties included the agreement of the contractor to take all necessary precautions to protect the property of the owner while the addition was being constructed. This agreement was a necessary and integral part of the contract because the owner intended to continue its operations in its existing facilities while the addition was being constructed and the contractor agreed to perform the construction so as not to interfere with this continued operation. This is not the situation in Peele v. Hartsell, 258 N.C. 680, 129 S.E. 2d 97, relied on by plaintiff. There the complaint alleged that defendant contracted to move their house trailer some 82 miles for a consideration of $30.00; that it was implied in the contract with defendant that defendant would' use due care in moving the trailer so as not to damage it in the performance of the contract. The complaint then set forth a series of alleged negligent acts of defendant in moving the trailer; i.e., attempted to move the trailer in a circle over soft earth when it could have been backed over solid ground; that he should have known that it could not be moved in safety over such wet, mushy ground; that as a result it became partially buried in mud; that defendant then further was negligent in pulling the trailer out of the mud at an angle with a wrecker. The opinion of the Court by Justice Sharp, in stating that the cross action was in tort and not in contract, quoted from Jackson v. Central Torpedo Co., 117 Okla. 245, 246 Pac. 426: “ ‘If the transaction complained of had its origin in a contract which placed the parties in such a relation that, in attempting to perform the promised service, the tort was committed, then the breach of the contract is not the gravamen of the suit. The contract in such case is mere inducement, creating the state of things which furnishes the occasion of the tort, and in all such cases the remedy is an action on the case. For illustration, take the contract of a carpenter to repair a house, — the implication of his contract is that he will bring to the service reasonable skill, good faith, and diligence. If he fails to do the work, or leaves the house incomplete, the only remedy against him is ex contractu; but suppose he, by want of care or skill, destroys or wastes material, or makes the repairs so unskillfully as to dam.age other portions of the house; this is tort, for which the contract only furnished the occasion. Mobile L. Ins. Co. v. Randall, 74 Ala. 170.' ” Here, the plaintiff, as a part of the contract, specifically agreed to use all necessary precaution to protect the existing properties of original defendant during construction of the addition. Possible dam [351] age to these properties by reason of the construction of the addition was within the contemplation of the parties at the time of the making of the contract. The counterclaim and offset of the original defendant is based upon the same contract upon which the plaintiff brings the action. However, the cross action of the plaintiff against the additional defendants is based upon an entirely different contract between them in which the original defendant has no interest and to which it is not privy. There is, therefore, a misjoinder of parties and causes. The two causes of action are separate and distinct and set up against different parties. Rose v. Warehouse Co., 182 N.C. 107, 108 S.E. "389; Schnepp v. Richardson, 222 N.C. 228, 22 S.E. 2d 555. An issue as to primary and secondary liability does not arise in this case nor is G.S. 1-240, permitting the bringing in for contribution of a joint tort feasor, applicable. Gaither Corp. v. Skinner, 238 N.C. 254, 77 S.E. 2d 659; Durham v. Engineering Co., 255 N.C. 98, 120 S.E. 2d 564. The ruling of the court below sustaining original defendants demurrer to plaintiff’s cross action is Affirmed. Campbell and Perker, JJ., concur.