Opinion ID: 2111177
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The appeal from the Bencich judgment.

Text: With reference to the claim of the second electrical subcontractor, Bencich, the trial judge found that he was put to work on the job after the dispute between Shapiro and Bimblich; that Shapiro hired him to complete the work on the four houses, but within two months discontinued his services and told him that the first subcontractor, Bimblich, was coming back on the job to complete it; that Shapiro orally directed Bencich to install the 200 amperage system and to perform certain other work; that under the oral contract his compensation was to be for labor and material plus a reasonable profit; and that Bencich was unable to complete his work because Shapiro stopped him. In awarding judgment to Bencich, the judge computed the amounts expended by him for labor and materials and for compensation for his assistant, and made allowances for materials left over and for work deliberately done by Bencich in an improper manner. In his memorandum the judge explained that since he had made an allowance on Shapiro's claim against Bimblich in computing judgment for Bimblich, there was no occasion to make the same allowance in the Bencich suit. Much of what we have already said with reference to Bimblich applies to the errors assigned in connection with the judgment in favor of Bencich. Here, too, we are asked to rule that certain findings were contrary to or not supported by the evidence; here, too, the record wholly fails to provide any support for appellant's position. Each of the findings was based on substantial, though disputed, evidence. Additional findings which appellant now urges should have been made were not required by the evidence. Shapiro also contends that because Bencich deliberately and maliciously breached a part of the contract he should not have been allowed any recovery. The breach referred to was the deliberate miswiring of a meter box by Bencich in a fit of anger, after he was discharged by Shapiro. This involved no danger to the houses, and did not substantially delay further construction. It was corrected at a cost of $30.81 for which the trial judge allowed credit to Shapiro. We think the course followed by the trial court was correct. Shapiro would have us require that Bencich forfeit over $1000 in labor and materials because of a minor defect corrected at nominal cost. Such a forfeiture  would not be justified by the circumstances of this case. Bencich faithfully performed his contract until he was stopped by Shapiro; there was no substantial breach of contract. Therefore, the only proper measure of damages was the cost of correcting the improper work. Turner v. Henning, 49 App.D.C. 183, 262 F. 637; United States ex rel. Johnson v. Morley Const. Co., 2 Cir., 98 F.2d 781, certiorari denied, Maryland Const. Co. v. U. S., 305 U.S. 651, 59 S.Ct. 244, 83 L.Ed. 421; Jacob & Youngs v. Kent, 230 N.Y. 239, 129 N.E. 889, 23 A.L.R. 1429. See also 3 Williston, Contracts, §§ 805 and 842 (revised edition). We adopt as the law of this case what the author said in the last section referred to: It is a pretty severe doctrine that any conscious deviation from the contract, of however slight importance, is fatal to recovery upon it, even though there is no express condition. The question must to some extent be one of degree. We think the wilfulness of the breach was just one factor to be considered. The more important factors are the nature of the breach, its effect upon the remainder of the work, and, of course, its cost. Judgments affirmed.