Opinion ID: 1708793
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Facts and Posture of Case

Text: The primary purpose of the summary judgment procedure is to pierce the allegations made in the pleadings and show conclusively that the controlling facts are other than as pled, and thus resolve, without the expense and delay of trial, those cases where there exists no genuine issue either as to any material fact or as to the ultimate inferences to be drawn therefrom, and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Neb.Rev.Stat. § 25-1332 (Reissue 1979); Cummings v. Curtiss, 219 Neb. 106, 361 N.W.2d 508 (1985); Gilbreath v. Ridgeway, 218 Neb. 822, 360 N.W.2d 474 (1984); Stromsburg Bank v. Nuttelman, 218 Neb. 687, 358 N.W.2d 746 (1984); Straub v. American Bowling Congress, 218 Neb. 241, 353 N.W.2d 11 (1984); Galyen Petroleum Co. v. Hixson, 213 Neb. 683, 331 N.W.2d 1 (1983); Mutual Benefit Life Ins. Co. v. Chisholm, 213 Neb. 301, 329 N.W.2d 103 (1983). In considering a motion for summary judgment, the evidence is to be viewed most favorably to the party against whom the motion is directed, giving to that party the benefit of all the favorable inferences which may reasonably be drawn from the evidence. McHenry v. First Nat. Bank, 216 Neb. 580, 344 N.W.2d 652 (1984); Strong v. K & K Investments, 216 Neb. 370, 343 N.W.2d 912 (1984). Since the party moving for summary judgment has the burden of showing that no genuine issue as to any material fact exists, that party must therefore produce enough evidence to demonstrate his entitlement to a judgment if the evidence remains uncontroverted, after which the burden of producing contrary evidence shifts to the party opposing the motion. Bailey v. City of North Platte, 218 Neb. 810, 359 N.W.2d 766 (1984); Hanzlik v. Paustian, 211 Neb. 322, 318 N.W.2d 712 (1982), appeal after remand 216 Neb. 575, 344 N.W.2d 649 (1984). The evidence, viewed in accordance with the applicable rule, establishes that in 1968 or 1969 Witherspoon retained How to design a house to be constructed on land Witherspoon owned. How then selected Alvine to be the engineer for the project. Witherspoon next contracted with Sides to build the house according to the plans and specifications provided by How and Alvine. Sides engaged Martig to install the plumbing, including a 3-inch water supply pipe required by the plans and specifications. The water utility required that a ductile iron pipe be used; however, a cast iron pipe fabricated by McWane was installed. Burial of the pipe on Witherspoon's land was completed in September of 1969, and the pipe provided water for construction purposes from October 1, 1969. Construction of the house was completed around Christmas of 1970. Because the cast iron pipe had been installed without sufficient thrust restraint at the point where it entered the house, it broke on December 31, 1979. As a consequence, a foundation wall collapsed and the basement flooded, resulting in damages of $353,753.84. Witherspoon commenced this suit on December 9, 1980. He bases his action against McWane on strict liability in tort, and against Sides, How, and Alvine on negligence.