Court Opinion

ID: 9629332
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 09:40:50.279192+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:07:17.986119
License: Public Domain

WILLIAMS, Justice
(dissenting).
In my opinion, the trial court erred in sustaining Cook’s motion for judgment on *956the opening statement as the remarks of plaintiff’s counsel did not concede either error in the petition or failure of proof to sustain the petition. The gist of the remarks made by plaintiff’s counsel in the opening statement was that the evidence to be adduced in the forthcoming trial would demonstrate that defendant (s) by their actions and by the sale had impliedly warranted that the metal ladder was suited to the use to which it was intended to be put and for use in the same manner as a wooden one, i. e., it could be used to support a scaffold for which use, it is contended, it was not adaptable.
This Court has recognized a warranty of fitness for a particular use applicable to merchandise or goods purchased by a buyer who has communicated to the seller the particular purpose for which he intends to use the purchased merchandise or goods. Prior to the adoption of our Commercial Code, damages for breach of this warranty were recognized by 23 O.S.1961, § 35.
In Ransom v. Robinson Packer Co., 120 Okl. 17, 250 P. 119, Chicago Steel Foundry Co. v. F. M. Crowell Co., 159 Okl. 211, 14 P.2d 1105, and Pierce v. Crowl, 200 Okl. 27, 190 P.2d 1003, we discussed and recognized this warranty of fitness for a particular use without denominating the warranty as either express or implied. In Fairbanks, Morse & Co. v. Miller, 80 Okl. 265, 195 P. 1083, and Wood & Co. v. Val Blatz Brewing Co., 112 Okl. 119, 240 P. 115, we referred to the warranty as an implied one. In the latter cited decision, this Court in the fourth syllabus thereof, held:
“In the absence of contract which negatives the same, there is an implied warranty in the sale of goods, ware, and merchandise, drinks sold for human consumption as a beverage, that it is reasonably fit for the purpose for which it is ordinarily sold, or that it is fit for the special purpose intended by the buyer, if that purpose be communicated to the vendor when the order is given” (Emphasis added.)
In 46 Am.Jur. Sales, § 346, it is stated:
“ * * * The rule as generally stated is that where the buyer orders goods to be supplied for a particular purpose communicated to the seller, and trusts to or relies upon the judgment or experience of the seller to select goods which shall be applicable to and suitable for that purpose, there is an implied warranty that they shall be reasonably fit therefor.”
As recited in the majority opinion, plaintiff alleged in his petition that defendants had impliedly warranted the fitness of the ladder for use by plaintiff’s employer. Although the trial judge restricted plaintiff’s counsel as to this point early in the opening statement, it is my opinion the statement as a whole indicates evidence was to be submitted to establish that the seller (Cook) had reason to know of the particular purpose for which the ladder would be used and had impliedly warranted the metal ladder could be used both to support a scaffold and, possibly, in the same manner as a wooden ladder. In view of the allegations of plaintiff’s petition and the above cited authorities, in the opinion of this writer, such evidence properly could be submitted to support a course of action for breach of an implied warranty for a particular use.
I respectfully dissent.