Opinion ID: 2001791
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 12

Heading: Accord and SatisfactionSettlement

Text: Though High Plains pleaded accord and satisfaction and settlement, the trial court refused to instruct on them, ruling that they had inadequate evidentiary support. When Gebauer agreed to reduce Stamison's 1990 bill by almost $12,000, he believed that would end Stamison's complaints. He testified that High Plains would not have done so if the issues were to remain open. No evidence in the record, however, establishes that anyone from High Plains told that to Stamison. In accord and satisfaction, there must first exist an accord: An accord is an agreement to accept, in extinction of an obligation, something different from that to which the person agreeing to accept is entitled. SDCL 20-7-1. Stamison testified that the reduced bill did not compensate him for the pregnancies lost. Likewise, the record fails to disclose that High Plains communicated to Stamison that the bill reduction was in full settlement of any claims. To be enforceable, an oral agreement must be clear and definite in its terms. When terms are vague, there is no contract. Garrett, 459 N.W.2d at 839. The trial court did not err by refusing instructions on settlement and accord and satisfaction.