Opinion ID: 1288968
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Unreasonable delay justifying abandonment of the contract

Text: A number of courts recognize an exception to a no-damage clause where delays are so unreasonable in length or duration that they amount to an abandonment of the contract, or would justify the contractor's abandonment. 74 A.L.R.3d at 226-230, § 7(i). Both this Court and the Court of Appeals have recognized that a contract may be abandoned. Quality Concrete Products, Inc. v. Thomason, 253 S.C. 579, 172 S.E.2d 297 (1970); Ro-Lo Enterprises v. Hicks Enterprises, 294 S.C. 111, 362 S.E.2d 888 (Ct. App.1987). An abandonment need not be express but may be inferred from the conduct of the parties and attendant circumstances. Quality Concrete, supra . Abandonment of contract by one party is the giving up of the right to a benefit due from the other party. Ro-Lo, supra . As with the above-mentioned exceptions, an abandonment of the contract involves a breach of the implied obligation of good faith and fair dealing. Accordingly, we adopt this exception and find that if a party abandons the contract, they also abandon their right to rely on a no damage for delay clause.