Case Name: WESTERN STATES MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS, INC., a New Mexico corporation, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. SANDIA CORPORATION, a New Mexico corporation d/b/a Sandia National Laboratories, Defendant-Appellee
Court: Court of Appeals of New Mexico
Jurisdiction: New Mexico
Decision Date: 1990-08-16
Citations: 110 N.M. 676
Docket Number: No. 10117
Parties: WESTERN STATES MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS, INC., a New Mexico corporation, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. SANDIA CORPORATION, a New Mexico corporation d/b/a Sandia National Laboratories, Defendant-Appellee.
Judges: ALARID, J., concurs.
Reporter: New Mexico Reports
Volume: 110
Pages: 676–683

Head Matter:
798 P.2d 1062
WESTERN STATES MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS, INC., a New Mexico corporation, Plaintiff-Appellant, v. SANDIA CORPORATION, a New Mexico corporation d/b/a Sandia National Laboratories, Defendant-Appellee.
No. 10117.
Court of Appeals of New Mexico.
Aug. 16, 1990.
Certiorari Denied Sept. 26, 1990.
Robert C. Kavanagh, Threet & King, Albuquerque, for plaintiff-appellant.
Richard C. Minzner, Rodey, Dickason, Sloan, Akin & Robb, P.A., Albuquerque, for defendant-appellee.

Opinion:
OPINION
CHAVEZ, Judge.
Western States Mechanical Contractors, Inc. (Western) brought an action against Sandia Corporation (Sandia) for negligent misrepresentation of certain plans and specifications published by Sandia to prospective bidders. Western used the plans and specifications in submitting a successful bid, and subsequently carrying out, a certain earthwork project for Sandia. Following the close of all the testimony, the trial court granted a directed verdict in favor of Sandia. Western appeals. We reverse.
On or about March 24, 1982, Western and Sandia entered into a contract for the construction of a "small arms firing range" to be located at Kirtland Air Force Base. Sandia furnished plans and specifications indicating that it would be necessary to remove approximately 2,400 cubic yards of rock as part of the work to be performed. Western claims to have relied on that representation in formulating its final approved bid as well as in requesting bids from subcontractors. Subcontractors alleging removal of 15,000 cubic yards of rock were paid on a quantum meruit basis as a result of lawsuits against Western. Specifically, Western's complaint states that Sandia negligently misrepresented a material fact, i.e., the amount of rock to be removed, thereby causing damage to Western.
The sole issue on appeal is whether the trial court erred in directing a verdict for Sandia after all the evidence was presented to the jury.
Western's claim centers around the interpretation of Clifford E. Anderson's testimony. Mr. Anderson was an engineer for Scanlon and Associates, a civil engineering firm. Scanlon and Associates were retained by Sandia to gather information concerning the area to be excavated. Anderson engaged Albuquerque Testing Laboratories (ATL) to dig test holes in order to enable him to make computations regarding the amount of rock to be removed. In its report, ATL recommended that additional tests be made in order to better assess the amount of rock. No additional tests were done. Instead, Sandia changed the design substantially in order to stay away from the rock. The whole excavation was raised, and the location of the design changed.
The proceedings of this case on appeal have been somewhat unusual and disturbing. While this case was on summary calendar, we were presented with different versions of a critical portion of Anderson's testimony. Western directed us to a portion of Anderson's testimony where Anderson said he indicated concern to Sandia that there might be more rock than was shown on the plans, and Sandia has disputed the transcript of the testimony and has presented us with a different version. The court reporter testified that any interpretation could be correct and the district court ordered all versions of the testimony certified to this court. By the time this case was assigned to the limited calendar, we had four versions. Depending on the placement of a period or a comma, or whether Anderson used the word "final," "previous," or "preparation," different meanings, crucial to the action below, can be ascribed to the testimony. We remanded the case to the trial court to settle the record. SCRA 1986, 12-211(C)(4). The trial court resolved the record. The true and correct version of the testimony is as follows:
Question: Did you ever indicate to Sandia that you were concerned about whether there was considerably more rock than was shown on the plans? Answer: Not, not for this phase in the previous design, where we went considerably deeper we did indicate concern that there might be more rock in the areas than where we specifically tested.
In its brief, before the resolution of the record, Western argued that since different meanings can be gleaned from the different versions of the testimony, the jury, like the court reporter, could have reasonably interpreted the testimony in different ways and reached a verdict other than for Sandia. We do not address this argument as the record is settled. We do, however, find that the trial court erred in directing a verdict for Sandia and removing the case from the jury.
As a preliminary matter, we came upon a provision in the record which appeared to disclaim a soil investigation report. We asked for supplemental briefing to explain this provision and whether it disclaimed the representation as to the amount of rock. Sandia explained that the disclaimer applies to the report prepared by ATL and that the rock estimate, computed by Clifford Anderson, was partially based on this report. They also argue that since the rock estimate was an interpretation of the soil investigation report, Western should not have relied on any representation regarding the character of the materials to be encountered. We disagree. While the soil report may have been disclaimed and no reliance on it was warranted, the plans, specifications and drawings representing the amount of rock to prospective bidders were part of the contract and were not disclaimed. See Hollerbach v. United States, 233 U.S. 165, 34 S.Ct. 553, 58 L.Ed. 898 (1914) (general exculpatory clauses which disclaim any responsibility for the accuracy of data are of no effect when positive specifications were obviously intended to be used by bidders in making bids).
Exculpatory clauses do not preclude liability. Hollerbach v. United States held that exculpatory clauses in a contract do not relieve a defendant from liability when positive representations are made. The court stated that where the specification in a contract left no doubt as to what kind of material was behind a dam, reliance was justified and plaintiffs did not need to investigate the truth of this assertion. Requiring a contractor to examine the site and assume responsibility for the completion of the work does not overcome a positive representation as to job site conditions. United States v. Spearin, 248 U.S. 132, 137, 39 S.Ct. 59, 61, 63 L.Ed. 166 (1918). As indicated in Western's supplemental briefs, many courts have held that absent a disclaimer specifically disclaiming responsibility for the contested information, general disclaimers will not absolve defendant for positive and material representations upon which the contractor had a right to rely. Hollerbach v. United States; McKee, Inc. v. City of Atlanta, 414 F.Supp. 957 (N.D.Ga.1976); Tonkin Const. Co. v. County of Humboldt, 188 Cal.App.3d 828, 233 Cal.Rptr. 587 (1st Dist.1987); Midwest Dredging Co. v. McAninch Corp., 424 N.W.2d 216 (Iowa 1988). Here, the exculpatory clause, upon admission of both parties, applied to the soil investigation report performed by ATL. Both parties have also conceded that Sandia made a positive representation apart from the soil investigation report, in the plans and specifications as to the amount of rock to be encountered. This representation, based on estimates prepared by Scanlon and Associates, was not disclaimed.
In McKee, Inc. v. City of Atlanta, the court identified two conditions imposed by state courts on a claim for misrepresentation. First, the information supplied must be false or inaccurate and material to the contract; second, the bidder is not reasonably able to discover the true facts for itself. Here, there is no doubt that the information as to the amount of rock to be removed was false and material to the contract in the sense that it defined the scope of the project. See Gardner-Zemke Co. v. State, 109 N.M. 729, 790 P.2d 1010, 1014 n. 2 (1990).
Whether the contractor can discover the true facts through a reasonable investigation depends on the facts of each case. McKee, Inc. v. City of Atlanta. "If every bidder were required to perform all the investigations, even though the chance of receiving the bid was remote, the number of bids would decrease and the dollar amount of the bids would increase." Id. at 959; see also Haggart Construction Co. v. State Highway Commission, 149 Mont. 422, 427 P.2d 686 (1967). Some of the factors to consider are time constraints, the cost of investigation in comparison to the total bid price, and the detailed nature of the data supplied to the contractor. See McKee, Inc. v. City of Atlanta, and cases cited therein. Under the facts of this case, whether Western was reasonable in relying on the plans and specifications is a question for the jury.
Directed verdicts are not favored and should only be granted when the jury cannot reasonably and logically reach any other conclusion. Strickland v. Roosevelt County Rural Electric Coop., 94 N.M. 459, 612 P.2d 689 (Ct.App.1980), cert. denied, 463 U.S. 1209, 103 S.Ct. 3540, 77 L.Ed.2d 1390 (1983). Our supreme court stated the proper standard in reviewing a directed verdict in Melnick v. State Farm Mutual Auto Ins. Co., 106 N.M. 726, 749 P.2d 1105 (1988). See also Skyhook Corp. v. Jasper, 90 N.M. 143, 560 P.2d 934 (1977). In ruling upon and reviewing a motion for a directed verdict, the court must consider all of the evidence. If there are conflicts or contradictions, they must be resolved in favor of the party resisting the motion. Id. If the evidence is uncontroverted, it must also be considered. "However, if any uncontradicted evidence, including the reasonable inferences deducible therefrom, may reasonably be interpreted in different ways, then the interpretation most favorable to the resisting party must be accepted". Id. at 146, 560 P.2d at 937. Interference with the jury function should be minimized, and before removing a case from the jury, it must be clear that no true issues of fact remain. Id.
Sandia argues that even if all the evidence is viewed in the light most favorable to Western, no jury could find that Sandia was negligent under the applicable jury instruction. SCRA 1986, 13-819 provides in part:
A negligent misrepresentation is one where the speaker has no reasonable ground for believing the statement made was true. [Emphasis added.]
Sandia claims it had reasonable grounds to believe its representation was true. It argues the test is not whether it was unreasonable in believing the truth of its representations but rather, whether Sandia had any reasonable grounds for believing its rock estimate was true. Therefore, Sandia argues, no reasonable jury could find that Sandia lacked a reasonable ground for its representation.
Sandia, however, has misinterpreted the test. The theory of liability for negligent misrepresentation is grounded in negligence. Sims v. Craig, 96 N.M. 33, 627 P.2d 875 (1981); State ex rel. Nichols v. Safeco Ins. Co., 100 N.M. 440, 671 P.2d 1151 (Ct.App.1983). The issue in a negligence action is always one of reasonableness. The reasonableness or unreasonableness of anything is ordinarily a mixed question of law and fact which should be determined by a jury. C & H Const. & Paving Co. v. Citizens Bank, 93 N.M. 150, 597 P.2d 1190 (Ct.App.1979). Sandia may have had grounds on which to believe its representations were true, but whether those grounds were reasonable depends on what a reasonable person would believe under all the surrounding circumstances. Cf. Matter of Doe, 89 N.M. 507, 554 P.2d 669 (Ct.App.1976); Yucca Ford, Inc. v. Scarsella, 85 N.M. 89, 509 P.2d 564 (Ct.App.1973) ("reasonable grounds" are facts and circumstances which would warrant a prudent and cautious person in believing something was true).
Before the supreme court's adoption of the jury instruction, we stated that the Restatement (Second) of Torts, Section 552 (1977), defines negligent misrepresentation in New Mexico. Amato v. Rathbun Realty, Inc., 98 N.M. 231, 647 P.2d 433 (Ct.App.1982); State ex rel. Nichols v. Safeco Ins. Co. The Restatement defines negligent misrepresentation as a failure "to exercise reasonable care or competence in obtaining or communicating the information," and states that reasonable care and competence are ordinarily questions for the jury. We do not believe our supreme court intended to change the reasonableness standard applied in all actions for negligent misrepresentation when it drafted UJI 13-819. The theory urged by Sandia approaches a recklessness standard for this action.
Interpreting the record most favorably to Western's claim, we find that evidence exists upon which a jury could return a verdict for Western. That such a recovery may appear remote to the presiding judge should not deprive a party of a jury determination. Melnick v. State Farm Mutual Auto Ins. Co.; Sanchez v. Gomez, 57 N.M. 383, 259 P.2d 346 (1953). Anderson's testimony lends support to Western's claim of misrepresentation. It can support a conclusion that he was concerned there may be more rock in areas other than where the testing was done. The geologist's report also recommended additional tests. Apparently, the final design was substantially changed in order to avoid the rocky areas and no further tests were performed. A juror could find that when both ATL and Anderson recommended the need for further testing, Sandia did not act as a prudent and cautious person in not following their recommendations and in believing the amount of rock to be only 2400 cubic yards.
Whether Sandia had reasonable grounds to believe its representation was true and whether Western justifiably relied on the representation are questions for the jury. See C & H Const. & Paving Co. v. Citizens Bank. The criteria are not what the jury could have concluded, but . whether they could have concluded in any other way than for the beneficiary of the directed verdict. Under these circumstances, depriving plaintiffs of their right to have the jury weigh evidence, decide facts, determine reasonableness, and render a verdict was error.
The directed verdict is reversed and this case is remanded for a new trial.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
ALARID, J., concurs.
DONNELLY, J., dissents.
. In finding no justifiable reliance by Western, the dissent only looks to the provision regarding the soil investigation report and disregards the unequivocal estimate in the plans and drawing which are part of the contract.
. It is not necessary for appellants to submit all of the trial transcripts or tapes on appeal. SCRA 1986, 12-211(C)(1). We find the record sufficient to determine this appeal.