Opinion ID: 1192010
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: idaho statement of the law

Text: From Rawson v. United Steelworkers of America, 111 Idaho 630, 726 P.2d 742 (1986): The trial court also granted the Union's motion for summary judgment of dismissal on the Miners' negligence claim. The court concluded that the Miners had not established that the Union owed a duty to the deceased miners. The trial court's memorandum opinion in support of its order granting the motion for summary judgment on the negligence claims reads: Plaintiffs seek to hold the Union responsible on negligence theories. A fundamental component of a negligence claim is the existence of a duty toward another. Hoffman v. Simplot Aviation, Inc., 97 Idaho 32, 539 P.2d 584 (1975). A duty is a standard of conduct to which the defendant is required to conform. Algeria v. Payonk, 101 Idaho 617, 619 P.2d 135 (1980). Plaintiffs rely on the collective bargaining agreement and RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF TORTS, §§ 323 and 324A (1965), as the sources for the legal duty owed by defendant Steelworkers. A breach of contract is not in and of itself a tort. A contract, may, however, create a situation which furnishes the occasion for a tort. When a person renders services to another pursuant to a contract or otherwise, the law imposes a duty of care in the performance of those services. `The duty of care arises ... irrespective of contract.' ... Taylor v. Herbold, 94 Idaho 133, 484, [483] P.2d 664 (1971). Mere failure to carry out contractual obligations cannot support a tort action while misfeasance in the performance of contract obligations may support a tort action. Rawson, 111 Idaho at 632-33, 726 P.2d at 744-45. In an action to prove actual fraud, the claimant must prove that the other party had an intent to deceive. In a case of constructive fraud, that element is not required. Bethlahmy v. Bechtel, 91 Idaho 55, 415 P.2d 698 (1966). Consider this discussion in Sorenson v. Adams, 98 Idaho 708, 571 P.2d 769 (1977): The act of `representing' may take many forms: While false representations generally consist of verbal or written statements, a misrepresentation in words is not essential... . [A] misrepresentation need not be express, but may be implied or inferred from circumstances which are in fact equivalent to positive representation, or from acts or conduct, such as the exhibiting of fraudulent or misleading documents, or maps or plats... . (Emphasis supplied.) 37 Am.Jur.2d Fraud § 42 (168). Brooks v. Jensen, 75 Idaho 201, 215-216, 270 P.2d 425 (1954). Even silence, in circumstances where a prospective purchaser might be led to harmful conclusions, is a form of `representation.' Sorenson, 98 Idaho at 715, 571 P.2d at 776. Additionally: The allegations set forth in respondent's cross-complaint are sufficient to state a cause of action against appellant for constructive fraud. The distinction between actual fraud and constructive fraud is stated in 37 C.J.S. Fraud § 2, p. 211, as follows: Constructive fraud is a breach of legal or equitable duty which, irrespective of the moral guilt of the fraud feasor, the law declares fraudulent because of its tendency to deceive others, to violate public or private confidence, or to injure public interests. Neither actual dishonesty of purpose nor intent to deceive is an essential element of constructive fraud. McGhee v. McGhee, 82 Idaho 367, 371, 353 P.2d 760, 762 (1960) (citations omitted).