Case ID: misc_55/html/0224-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Platzek, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

William Brown, Respondent, v. Frank T. Morrill, Appellant.
    (Supreme Court, Appellate Term,
    June, 1907.)
    Evidence — Parol evidence — The general rule and its applications — Invalidating written instruments — Fraud.
    Deceit — Pleading — Falsity; Knowledge of falsity and intent to deceive; Injury.
    Damages — Measure for torts — Liability for fraud or deceit — In general — Fraudulent representations of landlord.
    In an action for deceit, the rights' of the parties are not controlled by the written contract executed by the plaintiff as a result of the alleged fraudulent representations; and evidence in support of plaintiff’s contention is admissible, though it tends to vary and contradict the written instrument.
    In an action for deceit, a convlaint is insufficient which merely alleges the representations without alleging their falsity, or defendant’s knowledge of their falsity, or his intent to deceive, or any damage to plaintiff.
    In such an action, where the allegation is that plaintiff was induced to sign a lease of a building upon the representation there was electric power in it which plaintiff could use, it was error to permit plaintiff to offer proof of lost profits as an element of damages. The true measure ivas the difference between the value of the lease for the unexpired term and the stipulated rent and the cost of moving. It was also error for the judge in his charge to the jury to submit to them as an element of plaintiff’s damages the profits he testified he had lost.
    Appeal from a judgment of the City Court of the city of New York.
    C. S. Tabor (George D. Graves, of counsel), for appellant.
    J. H. Laird, for respondent.
   Platzek, J.

This is an appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the City Court in favor of plaintiff for $573.70. The respondent’s counsel in his points states: The plaintiff’s action is for deceit. He claims that he was induced by false representations to execute a lease to defendant’s premises, to move in at a cost and expense and pay a month’s rent,” and specifying these items and the loss of the use and profits of his plant as his resulting damages. The trial below was had on that issue and on that theory alone.” The "defendant interposed a general denial and asserted a counterclaim for past due rent. The appellant’s theory is that the rights and obligations of the parties were measured and controlled by the written lease, and objected to the admission of testimony, and conducted the defense on the assumption that the lease entirely controlled and that evidence was admitted and given to vary and contradict the written instrument. The defendant’s counsel is wrong in his view of the law, xfor the reason that the plaintiff is not suing for a breach o' the covenant of the lease, but is seeking to recover damages for deceit in being fraudulently induced to sign the lease, relying upon the representations of the defendant. It is elemental that, in an action for deceit and false representations, the necessary allegations ar : First. The fraudulent representation relied upon to sustain the cause of action. Second. The falsity of the representation. Third. The scienter. Fourth. The intent to deceive. Fifth. Proper damages. The only one of these elements found in the complaint is the representation; and that is not stated to he fraudulent, the alleged representation in this case being: “Mr. Lovejoy, the agent, showed me the electric service in the building, and said to me that all I needed is to go on and start to do work.” “ It was said, the electric service was right in the building, and I could have it if I want to.” Lovejoy testified: “I told him that it was up to him to make arrangements to have his electricians come there. That was while I was in the building showing him the place.” Plaintiff moved in and claims to have procured motor and wiring, but a tenant who had the basement refused to allow any connection to be made. It must always be remembered that no such condition or promise or suggestion is contained in the lease executed between the parties, which is in evidence and part of the record. It is nowhere alleged in the complaint that any representation was false and made with the intent to deceive, or that the defendant had knowledge of the falsity and induced the plaintiff to rely on the representation, knowing it to be false. In an action for deceit, no recovery can be had on proof of the mere breach of a contract, unless all the necessary allegations to sustain a recovery for fraud and deceit are alleged, and then the breach of the contract may be. averred by way of inducement only and not for any other purpose. Search will be made in vain in the complaint for any allegations and in the evidence in the ease for any testimony to sustain an action for deceit and fraudulent representations relating to the lease in question. The plaintiff offered evidence of lost profits as an element of damagej. Objection was made and overruled and duly excepted to. It was, in my judgment, reversible error to admit proof of lost profits in this case. The true rule of damages in this case is analogous to that of an evicted tenant, and is the difference between the value of the lease for the unexpired term and the stipulated rent, as well as the cost of moving into and out of the premises. An evicted tenant cannot recover prospective or lost profits. The measure of damages is, whether the action he on contract or in tort, the same, viz., the difference between the rent reserved and the value of the premises for the term, and the cost of moving in and out. Trull v. Granger, 8 N. Y. 115. This case was cited with approval in Eastman v. Mayor, 152 N. Y. 473. See also Oehlhof v. Solomon, 73 App. Div. 329, on rule as to damages generally, in actions for deceit and fraudulent representation. This judgment should be reversed. First. Because the allegations of the complaint are insufficient and do not^set out a cause of action for deceit and fraudulent representations. Second. Because the evidence in the case is wholly insufficient to sustain a cause of action for deceit and false representations in the making of the said lease. Third. Because of error in admitting evidence, against objection, covering items for lost profits in the business of the plaintiff, amounting to $300. Fourth. Because the judge in his charge to the jury submitted to them as an element of damages: “ That he also lost certain profits in his business, which he has detailed to you, amounting to about $300, which, added to the $315, makes $615, which is the amount he seeks to recover at your hands,” to which the defendant’s counsel duly excepted.

Gildersleeve and Seabury, JJ., concur.

Judgment reversed and new trial ordered, with costs to appellant to abide event.