Opinion ID: 1429035
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: the state's liability for extra work ordered by poe

Text: Cook originally built the concrete manholes in a manner consistent with the elevations set forth in the specifications and only then determined that they were too high. Poe's project manager advised Cook to lower the manholes and also told him that Poe would be responsible for the cost of the corrective work. As a general rule, the master is liable for the acts of its servants. [54] The damages award for the two manholes was $2,003. This figure also included an amount for removing a retaining wall. The State cannot escape liability for corrective work ordered by Poe. The contract specifications stipulate: 3.03 COORDINATION OF PLANS, SPECIFICATIONS AND SPECIAL PROVISIONS:       In the event the contractor discovers any apparent error or discrepancy (in the plans and specifications), he shall immediately call such error or discrepancy to the attention of the engineer for his interpretation and decision, and such decision shall be final. Supplemental General Provisions, Control of the Work and Materials, page SGP-3-1.) Although the contract's general provisions state that extra work requires a change order, the district court could properly interpret the quoted section of § 3.03 to mean that the extra work done on the manholes at the direction of the engineer because of mistakes in the contract did not require additional approval by the State. [55] The award of $2,003 was hence proper.