Court Opinion

ID: 9641912
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 17:43:08.972419+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:10:40.723221
License: Public Domain

NIX, Justice,
dissenting.
It is inequitable to permit one to become unjustly enriched from another’s misfortune. I agree that appellants (Small-hoover) must be given credit for the $15,000.00 paid to prior counsel, Harry E. Walk, and counsel of record, Lawrence May, for appellee (Hazelwood) albeit the $15,000.00 was not received by Hazelwood. However, since appellants purchased goods from appellee and failed to pay for those goods, the majority’s decision is a $57,372.65 boon (the un*188paid balance minus the $15,000.00 paid to Walk and May) to Smallhoover.
To depart from the longstanding rule that “payment of a lesser sum than is claimed is ordinarily insufficient consideration to support an accord and satisfaction” under the facts of this case produces a result as unjust as that produced by the conduct of Hazelwood’s agent.
In general, current conditions may call for some refinement of, or exceptions to the ancient rule. However, the present case in controversy is not the appropriate instance where modification is either warranted or proper. As valid as the majority’s simile of the Uniform Written Obligations Act, Act of May 13, 1927, P.L. 985, § 1, 33 P.S. § 6, may appear to be on first reading, close scrutiny reveals it inopposite to the instant case since that Act applies to signers, rather than binds principals of the agents who have signed they “intend to be legally bound.” 33 P.S. § 6; Hoober v. Charles, 42 Lane. 673 (1931).
McDERMOTT, J., joins in this dissenting opinion.