Court Opinion

ID: 9734630
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 17:40:04.857287+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:26:49.582266
License: Public Domain

Caporale, J.,
dissenting in part.
I must, for the reasons stated in LeRoy Weyant & Sons, Inc. v. Harvey, 212 Neb. 65, 321 N.W.2d 429 (1982), dissent from that portion of the majority opinion which remands the counterclaim for further proceedings. The majority opinion herein correctly states the rule as to the defendant-counter claimant’s measure of damages. It fails to make clear, however, that Mr. Vincent’s theory of damages was that the building should be dismantled and removed. Accordingly, none of his evidence was directed to the proper measure of recovery.
Mr. Vincent’s expert testified the building can be “rehabilitated” and outlined ways in which that might be done, but there is no evidence concerning the cost of doing so. We have held that one seeking to recover in a breach of contract action must not only show his right to recover but must also show the elements and facts which comprise the measure of his recovery. Midlands Transp. Co. v. Apple Lines, Inc., 188 Neb. 435, 197 N.W.2d 646 (1972). It is true that in Smith v. Erftmier, 210 Neb. 486, 315 N.W.2d 445 (1982), a case involving an improperly constructed grain bin, we allowed the owner to recover damages in the absence of evidence concerning the difference in the value of the bin as constructed compared to its value had it been properly constructed. The distinction is that in Smith v. Erftmier the owner did adduce evidence of the cost of repair. It was the builder who claimed the building could not be repaired and who failed to offer evidence to support his claim in that regard. More recently, in “L” Investments, Ltd. v. Lynch, 212 Neb. 319, 322 N.W.2d 651 (1982), a case involving negligent *532damage to an improvement on realty, we placed upon the party seeking recovery the burden of proving the cost of repair, and upon the party against whom recovery is sought, the burden, if he so believes, of proving that such cost exceeds the market value of the property before the damage. One seeking to recover damages because of an improperly constructed building, therefore, has the burden of proving the cost of making it conform to the state in which it should have been constructed; the party against whom recovery is sought, if he so believes, has the burden to establish that such cost exceeds the difference in value between the building as constructed compared to its value if it were to have been constructed properly. Mr. Vincent’s failure to prove the cost of repair is fatal; his counterclaim should be dismissed.
White, J., and Moran, D.J., join in this dissent.