Opinion ID: 1124174
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Transactions regulate only the differences which appear clearly to be comprehended in them by the intention of the parties:

Text: The code provides that a compromise covers only those matters clearly contemplated by the compromise instrument. Under the code, the release instrument here can be construed as precluding Plaintiff's wrongful death action only if the parties clearly contemplated that the release would cover that future action. Neither the district court nor the court of appeal considered this contractual intent issue, relying instead on Schiffman, and Daigle, respectfully. In both of those cases, however, the release instrument expressly referred to death claims. Turning to the wording of the release instrument here, it lacks reference either generally to death as a potential outcome of the claimed tort, as in Schiffman, or specifically to wrongful death claims, as in Daigle. In their attempt to bring Ruth Brown's wrongful death claim within its terms, Defendants thus must rely on one or more of the following general recitals in the Release Agreement: (1) a full release, discharge, and acquittance... of and from any and all claims, demands, causes or rights of action or suits at law or in equity of whatsoever kind of [sic] nature ... particularly on account of or relating in any way to injuries suffered by Buel Brown on or about February 9, 1979 [the date of the claimed tort] (Paragraph 1); (2) a full and final payment, settlement, and compromise of any and all claims, demands, causes and/or rights of action... which Buel and/or Ruth Brown ... have or may have against [Defendants] ... it being the intent hereof that Buel Brown and Ruth Brown ... grant a full and complete release and discharge in connection with the aforesaid matters ... to [Defendants] (Paragraph 1); or (3) in full and final settlement and discharge of all of his legal rights ... arising out of or resulting from his injuries (Paragraph 4). The latter disclaimer, as pointed out in oral argument, obviously is directed solely at Buel Brown's personal injury claims and is thus inapposite. As to the former two general recitals, these, by their express terms, cover all claims arising out of Buel Brown's personal injuries. The issue before us thus can be narrowed to whether these general recitals are sufficient to clearly express the parties' intent that the release instrument cover Ruth Brown's future wrongful death claim.