Opinion ID: 1936726
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Defendant Hathorne

Text: Plaintiff claims that defendant Hathorne was negligent in failing to perform its contractual obligation to commence construction of the built-up roof on the scheduled date. Hathorne moved for a directed verdict at trial, claiming that plaintiff failed to establish that Hathorne's breach was the proximate cause of the roof failure. Defendant Hathorne's argument regarding proximate cause parallels that of defendant Kenclif, and the facts that we held sufficient to establish proximate cause against Kenclif are equally probative against Hathorne. To the extent that rain and snow fell on the roof after the date it was obliged to commence construction of the built-up roof, Hathorne's breach of duty was a substantial factor leading to South Burlington's injury. Newhall, supra, 133 Vt. at 575, 349 A.2d at 892. The fact that Kenclif also may have been negligent by failing to cover the roof does not relieve Hathorne of its potential liability, for Hathorne's failure to meet its contractual obligations also contributed to South Burlington's injury. We believe that there was sufficient evidence introduced at trial upon which the jury, acting reasonably in its fact finding function, could base a verdict in South Burlington's favor. Accordingly, the trial court's direction of a verdict in favor of defendant Hathorne was in error.