Opinion ID: 1960228
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Appellant's Theory of the Case

Text: Haynesworth contends there was adequate evidence introduced at trial from which a reasonable jury could find negligence of omission on the part of Stevens and therefore, the trial court erred in granting the motion for a directed verdict. In support of his claim, Haynesworth relies heavily upon Sections 323 and 324A of the Restatement, which provide: § 323. Negligent Performance of Undertaking to Render Services One who undertakes, gratuitously or for consideration, to render services to another which he should recognize as necessary for the protection of the other's person or things, is subject to liability to the other for physical harm resulting from his failure to exercise reasonable care to perform his undertaking, if (a) his failure to exercise such care increases the risk of such harm, or (b) the harm is suffered because of the other's reliance upon the undertaking. § 324A. Liability to Third Person for Negligent Performance of Undertaking One who ... render[s] services to another which he should recognize as necessary for the protection of a third person or his things, is subject to liability to the third person for physical harm resulting from his failure to exercise reasonable care ..., if (a) his failure to exercise reasonable care increases the risk of such harm, or (b) he has undertaken to perform a duty owed by the other to the third person, or (c) the harm is suffered because of reliance of the other or the third person upon the undertaking. RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF TORTS §§ 323, 324A (1965). Although the Restatement has not been formally adopted by this court, it is clear that the particular concept advanced by Haynesworth is well known and has been readily applied, where appropriate. See Long v. District of Columbia, 261 U.S.App.D.C. 1, 11, 820 F.2d 409, 419 (1987). Here, it is conceded that the plumber was not negligent in repairing the broken pipe. [2] Haynesworth instead contends that once the plumber completed his repairs and realized that the water in the crawl space continued to leak into the alley where it was likely to freeze, he was under a duty to notify Smith, the property management company, of this condition so that the problem could be addressed. In essence, Haynesworth claims that the plumber's failure to inform Smith about the water leaking into the alley was the proximate cause or contributed to Haynesworth's fall.