Opinion ID: 1936726
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Defendant Kenclif

Text: South Burlington claims that Kenclif was negligent in the performance of its contractual obligation to supervise construction of the roof on Orchard Elementary School. In particular, South Burlington contends that Kenclif should have insisted that its subcontractor, Hathorne, construct the built-up roof over the newly laid insulation within the time period required by the contract, and that failing to do so Kenclif should have covered the roof with polyethylene to protect the insulation against exposure to the elements. At trial, Kenclif moved for a directed verdict on these claims, contending that there was insufficient evidence to make out a prima facie case for relief. In the obligation assumed by a party to a contract is found his duty, and his failure to comply with the duty constitutes a breach. Lapoint, supra, 128 Vt. at 10, 258 A.2d at 571. In addition, accompanying every contract is an implied duty to perform with care, skill, reasonable expedience and faithfulness. See, e. g., Gosselin v. Better Homes, Inc., 256 A.2d 629, 639-40 (Me.1969). Pursuant to its contract with South Burlington, Kenclif was obligated to supervise and direct the construction work, was solely responsible for all construction methods, sequences and procedures and for coordinating all portions of the job, and was accountable to South Burlington for the acts and omissions of Kenclif's subcontractors. That Kenclif failed to perform these duties with the requisite degree of care was amply supported by evidence adduced at trial which, if believed by the jury, provided a sufficient basis on which to predicate a verdict. Supportive of plaintiff's claims are the facts that the construction schedule called for installation of the Zonolite Dyzone insulating fill on October 6, 7, and 8, 1969; that defendant Hathorne was scheduled to commence construction of the built-up roof over the insulation on October 15, 1969, but did not arrive on the job until the end of October; that during this interim period the insulating fill was not covered and substantial amounts of rain and snow fell on the partially constructed roof; and that it was Kenclif's normal procedure to cover the insulating fill if the roofer was to be delayed. Since the evidence was sufficient to create a jury question as to whether Kenclif breached its duty of care, it remains to be determined whether South Burlington introduced sufficient evidence which, if believed, would satisfy its burden of proving causation. The evidence, viewed most favorably to the plaintiff, establishes that the insulating fill was left uncovered for approximately two to three weeks and that during that time substantial amounts of rain and snow fell; that the primary cause of failures in built-up roofs was excess water permeating the Zonolite Dyzone insulation; that the manufacturer's specifications called for special procedures should inclement weather be expected during the pouring or curing stages of the insulating fill; that tests performed on the roof showed that the insulating fill contained excessive amounts of moisture; and that the built-up roofing membrane cracked as a result of the Zonolite Dyzone insulating fill cracking beneath it. In light of this evidence we are not prepared to say as a matter of law that Kenclif's failure to cover the roof was not a substantial factor that caused the injury to South Burlington. See Newhall v. Central Vermont Hospital, Inc., 133 Vt. 572, 575, 349 A.2d 890, 892 (1975). While it is often difficult to draw the line between logical inferences and speculation, it nevertheless must be drawn. The facts in this case were vigorously disputed and were subject to different inferences. Where such a situation exists the case generally should be submitted to the jury. As the United States Supreme Court has stated: Whenever facts are in dispute or the evidence is such that fair-minded men may draw different inferences, a measure of speculation and conjecture is required on the part of those whose duty it is to settle the dispute by choosing what seems to them to be the most reasonable inference. Lavender v. Kurn, 327 U.S. 645, 653, 66 S.Ct. 740, 744, 90 L.Ed. 916 (1946) (emphasis added). Accord Patton v. Ballam, 115 Vt. 308, 314, 58 A.2d 817, 821 (1948); Vermont Food Industries, Inc. v. Ralston Purina Co., 514 F.2d 456, 462-63 (2d Cir. 1975) (Oakes, J.). Defendant's argument that expert testimony was necessary to establish proximate cause is without merit. It is true, as defendant argues, that when a physical process is obscure, abstruse or so far outside common experience that lay jurors can only speculate about it expert testimony is required to explain the process. Merrill v. University of Vermont, 133 Vt. 101, 104, 329 A.2d 635, 637 (1974). But when the facts proved are such that any layman would know, from his own knowledge and experiences, that the breach of duty was the proximate cause of the injury expert testimony is not necessary. Id. As stated above, there was sufficient evidence in this case from which the jury could have reasonably inferred the necessary causal connection between Kenclif's failure to cover the roof and the ultimate cracking. Because plaintiff introduced sufficient evidence to meet its burden of showing a prima facie case for relief, the trial court's direction of a verdict in favor of Kenclif was in error.