Court Opinion

ID: 9724365
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 10:54:15.66362+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:24:59.757383
License: Public Domain

BENKE, J., Concurring and Dissenting
—I concur in the opinions expressed by the majority except as to the question of the existence of an account stated. I believe the record supports the conclusion an account stated does exist.
The agreement necessary to establish an account stated need not be expressed and is frequently implied from the circumstances. Further, when a statement is rendered to a debtor and no reply is made within a reasonable time, the law implies his agreement that the account is correct as rendered. (Zinn v. Fred R. Bright Co. (1969) 271 Cal.App.2d 597, 600 [76 Cal.Rptr. 663, 46 A.L.R.3d 1317]; California B. G. Ass'n v. Williams (1927) 82 Cal.App. 434, 442 [255 P. 751].) I would not diminish the application of these rules because an employer-employee relationship, rather than a commercial transaction, is involved.
In late 1983, Carl made two telephone calls to Neal concerning repayment of the advances. During both telephone conversations, Neal did not deny owing money to the corporation based on the advances and, indeed, expressly stated that something could be worked out. In April and June of 1984, letters were sent to Neal requesting repayment of the $69,000 in advances. No responses were made to these requests. Neal’s failure to reply to the letters of April and June 1984 was an implied agreement that the statements were correct as rendered. In fact, Neal presented no dispute to Carl regarding the existence of this debt until he responded to the case filed against him by Carl. I would thus afiirm the lower court’s conclusion an account stated has been demonstrated.