Opinion ID: 1830345
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: whether under the terms of the retail installment contract, the arbitration clause applies only to the retail installment contract.

Text: ¶ 67. At the heart of this issue is the fact that Parkerson signed several sets of papers, when purchasing her mobile home. Parkerson claims the arbitration clause was located in the retail installment contract; therefore, it only applies to the retail installment contract and problems that might arise concerning financing. Since her claims are based in warranty and negligence, the arbitration clause is ineffective. ¶ 68. However, the plain language of the arbitration agreement states, Any controversy or claim between or among you and me or our assignees arising out of or relating to this contract or any agreements or instruments relating to or delivered in connection with this contract, including any claim based on or arising from an alleged tort, shall, if requested by either you or me, be determined by arbitration. ... (emphasis added). Clearly, the language of arbitration agreement means that warranty claims are subject to arbitration. ¶ 69. In Raesly, the plaintiff similarly signed separate documents: namely a purchase agreement, an installment contract and an arbitration agreement. Raesly, 105 F.Supp.2d at 567. The plaintiff argued that the arbitration agreement was not enforceable because it was not part of the main contract or the purchase agreement. Id. In rejecting that argument, the Fifth Circuit said: The fact that the arbitration provision/agreement was presented, while contemporaneously, on a separate page or as a separate document does not detract from the plain and inescapable fact that the arbitration provision was presented to and signed by the plaintiffs as part of their agreement respecting the purchase of the subject mobile home and is therefore enforceable, unless some other cognizable ground exists for invalidating the putative agreement. Id. I conclude that this argument is without merit, and would affirm the trial court on this issue.