Opinion ID: 1674262
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 15

Heading: the trial court committed reversible error due to the failure to dismiss century 21 deep south properties at the end of plaintiffs' case in chief.

Text: At the close of the plaintiffs' case Century 21 moved that the trial court dismiss it pursuant to M.R.C.P. 12(b)(6), failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. At this point in the proceedings, the proper motion would have been a motion to dismiss pursuant to M.R.C.P. 41(b). The judge must consider the evidence fairly, rather than in the light most favorable to the plaintiff. Ainsworth v. Callon Petroleum Co., 521 So.2d 1272, 1274 (Miss. 1987); Mitchell v. Rawls, 493 So.2d 361, 362 (Miss. 1986). If he would find for the defendant, the case should be dismissed. Smith v. Smith, 574 So.2d 644, 649 (Miss. 1990), citing Davis v. Clement, 468 So.2d 58, 61 (Miss. 1985); Ezell v. Robbins, 533 So.2d 457, 460 (Miss. 1988); Mitchell, 493 So.2d at 362-63. The court must deny a motion to dismiss only if the judge would be obliged to find for the plaintiff if the plaintiff's evidence were all the evidence offered in the case. Smith, 574 So.2d at 649, citing Davis, 468 So.2d at 61. This Court applies the substantial evidence/manifest error standards to an appeal of a grant or denial of a motion to dismiss pursuant to M.R.C.P. 41(b). Ainsworth, 521 So.2d at 1274, citing Davis, 468 So.2d at 62; Ezell, 533 So.2d at 460. Although the defendant retains the right to challenge the weight or sufficiency of the evidence to sustain the judgment against him, appeal of the denial of a motion to dismiss made at the conclusion of the plaintiff's case will be waived if the defendant proceeds with his case. Stallings v. Bailey, 558 So.2d 858, 859 (Miss. 1990). The evidence before the court showed that although initially owing no duty to the Corsons, Century 21 by its actions created a duty. As discussed previously, there was no breach of this duty by Century 21. Even assuming the hurdles of breach and causation have been cleared, a party alleging negligence must then prove damages. Lyle v. Mladinich, 584 So.2d 397, 399 (Miss. 1991); May v. V.F.W. Post No. 2539, 577 So.2d 372, 375 (Miss. 1991). Despite the chancellor's findings, the Corsons failed in this endeavor. There being no breach and insufficient proof of damages, Century 21 could not be liable to the Corsons in negligence, the only theory alleged. Considering the evidence fairly, the trial court should have granted the motion to dismiss. However, because Century 21 went forward with proof of its own, it waived the right to appeal this issue. If we review this point as though Century 21 had challenged the weight or sufficiency of the evidence to sustain the judgment against it, we must look at all evidence in the record and not merely that before the court at the time of the motion to dismiss. Stallings, 558 So.2d at 859. Even from this point of reference the Corsons failed to prove both breach and damages. The trial court was manifestly in error and we reverse and render as to Century 21.