Source: https://law.justia.com/cases/georgia/court-of-appeals/1983/65697.html
Timestamp: 2019-11-15 22:43:38
Document Index: 389670363

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 51', '§ 105', '§ 51', '§ 105', '§ 51', '§ 105']

Brewer v. Williams :: 1983 :: Court of Appeals of Georgia Decisions :: Georgia Case Law :: Georgia Law :: US Law :: Justia
Justia › US Law › Case Law › Georgia Case Law › Court of Appeals of Georgia Decisions › 1983 › Brewer v. Williams
167 Ga. App. 151 (1983)
305 S.E.2d 891
Appellee Strange testified that she initially contacted Brewer about the condominium in June 1980. She testified that she was told by Brewer that a new proof had been installed as a part of the overall repair and reconstruction of the condominium. Both appellees testified that they first noticed leaks in the portion of the roof over their condominium approximately one month after closing.
1. Appellants challenge the trial court's denial of their motions for directed verdict and for judgment notwithstanding the verdict on the contract count of the complaint. This argument is based upon an attempt to distinguish Worthey v. Holmes, 249 Ga. 104 (287 SE2d 9), affirming 159 Ga. App. 262 (282 SE2d 919). However, this argument is wholly irrelevant to this case, because the real estate sales contract in question provided that "[a]ll repairs . . . [would] be completed by *152 seller in a good and workmanlike manner prior to closing." The closing documents specifically provided that the terms and conditions of the real estate sales contract would survive closing and would not merge upon delivery of the warranty deed. Appellees based their contract claim upon the contention that the repairs to the roof were not done "in a good and workmanlike manner," and there was ample evidence adduced at trial to support this claim. Consequently, the trial court ruled properly in submitting this issue to the jury.
2. Equally without merit is appellants' contention that the trial court erred in submitting appellees' negligence count to the jury. There was ample evidence indicating that work directly performed by Bill Brewer & Associates was the cause of the problems with the roof. Thus, the general rule that an employer is not responsible for the negligent acts of an independent contractor (OCGA §§ 51-2-4 and 51-2-5 (Code Ann. §§ 105-501, 105-502)) does not eliminate recovery in this case on the basis of negligence. Furthermore, under the evidence in this case, the negligence of the roofing subcontractor might be imputed to the appellants as the violation of a duty imposed by contract (OCGA § 51-2-5 (3) (Code Ann. § 105-502)) or as having been ratified by appellants (OCGA § 51-2-5 (6) (Code Ann. § 105-502)).
5. Appellants' contention that the verdict is in excess of appellees' actual damages is without merit. The verdict could properly have included an award of punitive damages, and it must be construed on appeal in a manner upholding its validity. West Ga. Pulpwood &c. Co. v. Stephens, 128 Ga. App. 864 (3, 4) (198 SE2d 420). The record contains no indication that the verdict was the result of bias or prejudice, or that it was "exorbitant," "outrageous," or *153 "extravagant." Id., p. 871. Consequently, it is not subject to attack on appeal. Id.