Opinion ID: 1175810
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: admission into evidence of proof of jnp's costs of feeding.

Text: It is contended by Pellandini that the jury verdict reflects a determination based upon the JNP exhibit which summarized, with attached checks and vouchers, an actual outlay by them to others of $12,661.19 for hay, corn-cobs, and related charges necessarily incurred in feeding the Pellandini cattle. Pellandini submits that, where the jury found no express contract, and where these costs were introduced into evidence in connection with the JNP version of the oral agreement, it was somehow unfair to Pellandini that the jury might have considered such expenses of feeding in reaching its verdict. This argument is untenable. On a quantum meruit theory, JNP was entitled to show, as part of its proof, the actual cost of the feed, leaving it to both parties to respectively show the reasonableness or unreasonableness of those costs. As noted in 66 Am.Jur.2d, Restitution and Implied Contracts, § 89 at 1031: Generally, in order to be entitled to recover the value of his services, the plaintiff must prove such value. Thus, evidence of the value of work or materials is ordinarily essential to a recovery under the common counts. In an action to recover the value of services rendered, any competent evidence which reasonably tends to establish such value is, of course, admissible. Evidence of what others received for like services may properly be considered. Proof of the value of services may also be shown by the opinion of witnesses who are familiar with the value of such services, including, it is generally held, the opinion of the person who performed the services. As defensive matter, the following section, (§ 90) has this statement: Where, in an action to recover for the reasonable worth of services rendered, the charge made therefor is contested as exorbitant and excessive, their value is a question for the jury. Further support for our conclusion is found in the case of Evans v. Mason, 82 Ariz. 40, 308 P.2d 245 (1957). In that quantum meruit services case, the Arizona Supreme Court held that a plaintiff, to make a prima facie case, is required to prove performance and reasonable value, and that defenses available against such an action include showing that the services were not in fact furnished, and were not of value claimed  and that the measure of recovery is the actual value of services rendered.