Opinion ID: 1699241
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Causal Negligence of Vida Junkans.

Text: Although counsel for Mr. and Mrs. Junkans requested separate inquiries as to their respective negligence, the court declined to grant such request. The jury's finding as to negligence ran against Vida Junkans as well as her husband, and the causation question as amended by the court also included Mrs. Junkans. Vida Junkans was a joint owner of the property, and there is evidence that she went over the plans for the house with her husband and Mr. Cloeter. Mr. Cloeter testified that his oral contract was with both Mr. and Mrs. Junkans. There is also testimony that Mrs. Junkans picked out the type of windows to be installed and changed the plans as to the entryway. However, there is no evidence that as an owner she had control of the  premises, nor is there any evidence that she had notice of the defective scaffolding. In a second memorandum opinion after verdict, Judge DALEY concluded that Mrs. Junkans together with her husband, had control of the premises. The trial court did not purport to make a finding that Henry Junkans was the agent of his wife. No question as to agency was submitted to the jury. It is easier to find an agency relationship between spouses than between strangers. Builder's Lumber Co. v. Stuart (1959), 6 Wis. (2d) 356, 362, 94 N. W. (2d) 630. However, the mere fact of marriage does not empower the husband to act as agent for his wife. Lange v. Andrus (1957), 1 Wis. (2d) 13, 17, 83 N. W. (2d) 140. There has been no proof in the instant case that Henry Junkans was his wife's agent. We find no basis to bind Vida Junkans merely because she was a joint owner and did what an average housewife does when she and her husband decide to build a house.