Opinion ID: 1854562
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: This then leaves open the question as to whether any warranties by implication existed between plaintiffs and defendants.

Text: In State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. v. Anderson-Weber, Inc., 252 Iowa 1289, 1301, 110 N.W.2d 449, 456, we said: In Iowa the old rule of nonliability for negligence of a manufacturer of goods except to one in privity of contract has been repudiated. See discussion in Thompson v. Burke Engineering Sales Co., 252 Iowa 146, 153, 106 N.W.2d 351, 356, 84 A.L.R.2d 689, and citations. The same reasoning applies in warranty as in negligence cases. And under the provisions of section 554.16, Code 1962, there is an implied warranty that goods are reasonably fit for the purpose for which sold or bailed, of merchantable quality, and have a quality or fitness for a particular purpose annexed by the usage of trade. In the case now before us there was only one purpose for which the instrumentality sold to plaintiffs could be used, which was as obvious to defendants as to buyers. See in this regard Clover Cutting Die Co., Inc. v. Sam Smith Shoe Corp., 96 N.H. 491, 79 A.2d 8, and Pierce v. Crowl, 200 Okl. 27, 190 P.2d 1003, 1005. And in Farmers State Bank v. Cook, 251 Iowa 942, 947, 103 N.W.2d 704, 707, this court said: It is well established in this jurisdiction that a buyer may rely on his own judgment as to some matters visible to him, and may rely upon the seller's representations as to others. Drager v. Carlson Hybrid Corn Co., Inc., 244 Iowa 78, 84, 56 N.W.2d 18, 20, and citations; Evans v. Palmer, 137 Iowa 425, 114 N.W. 912. When he does so and the seller is, or should be, aware that reliance is placed upon an erroneous representation, a breach of warranty results, and certain options set forth in Section 554.70, Code of 1958, I.C.A., become available to the buyer. Undiscovered hidden defects do not deprive the buyer of the benefit of an established warranty. Risser v. Cox, 187 Iowa 990, 174 N.W. 701. In this connection it must be pointed out that the tendency of all modern cases on warranty is to enlarge the responsibility of the seller and restrict the application of the maxim of 'caveat emptor'. 46 Am.Jur., Sales, § 339, p. 522; 77 C.J.S. Sales § 315, page 1160. It is evident an implied warranty of fitness and suitability for intended use was by law woven into the fabric of the transaction here involved. The trial court found there existed an implied warranty of fitness and suitability running from each defendant to plaintiffs, which had been breached. Substantial evidence supports this finding.