Court Opinion

ID: 3839751
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-07-06 08:08:48.385628+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:14:21.134704
License: Public Domain

Plaintiff, in November, 1909, commenced an action to recover upon an express contract the amount alleged to be due for constructing a cement sidewalk. From the judgment rendered in favor of plaintiff, defendant appealed and the cause was reversed and remanded for a new trial for the reason that the evidence failed to show a substantial compliance with the contract. In the opinion of the court it was suggested that, since the sidewalk was of value to the defendant, although it did not conform to the specifications agreed between the parties, plaintiff might recover in an action on quantum meruit: 66 Or. 353
(133 P. 773).
After the cause was remanded, plaintiff, on March 10, 1914, filed in the Circuit Court a motion for leave to file his amended complaint. No action was ever taken with reference to this motion until June 19, 1926, when plaintiff caused the same to be brought on for hearing. We deem it unnecessary to discuss the *Page 571 
various reasons assigned for the unusual delay in disposing of this motion. Suffice it to say the matter was still pending and no action was taken by defendant to have it dismissed for want of prosecution. The motion to file an amended complaint refers to such pleading as being attached thereto, but it is conceded the pleading does not appear among the files in the cause.
The Circuit Court, in the exercise of its discretion, allowed plaintiff to file an amended complaint in which plaintiff seeks to recover the reasonable value of the sidewalk. Defendant thereupon demurred to the amended complaint upon the ground that the action was barred by the statute of limitations. After the overruling of this demurrer, defendant refused further to plead and judgment was entered in favor of plaintiff for $1,068.85, together with interest thereon at the legal rate from date of last payment on account. From this judgment defendant appeals.
Is plaintiff's action barred by the statute of limitations? The answer to this question hinges upon whether the amended complaint sets forth a new cause of action. If it does not, the filing of such pleading relates to the time when the action on express contract was commenced. If the amended complaint state a new cause of action it is equivalent to the commencement of a separate and independent action and, as such, would clearly be barred by the statute: 17 R.C.L. 815. Also, see extensive notes in 3 L.R.A. (N.S.) 259, 33 L.R.A. (N.S.) 196, and 47 L.R.A. (N.S.) 932.
Did plaintiff introduce a new cause of action in changing from one upon express contract to one upon quantum meruit? We answer in the negative. While there are authorities to the contrary, we think the better reasoned causes hold that the change is *Page 572 
only that of form: Cox v. McLaughlin, 76 Cal. 60
(18 P. 100, 9 Am. St. Rep. 164); Turner  Dahnken v. Bauer, 28 Cal. App. 311
(152 P. 308); Wardrobe v. Miller, 53 Cal. App. 370
(200 P. 77). In 31 Cyc. 430, it is said:
"Except in jurisdictions where it is held that no amendments are permissible which change the form of the action, it is very generally held that so long as the cause of action itself is not changed, it is permissible to change by amendment the form of action in an action ex contractu to a different form of actionex contractu. Thus an action on implied contract may be changed to one on an express contract and vice versa."
Mr. Justice BEAN, speaking for the court in McDonald v.Supple, 96 Or. 486 (190 P. 315), said:
"We do not think there is such a difference or inconsistency between an express agreement and a promise implied by law as to preclude an amendment or change from one to the other, to be made before trial."
The action still arose out of contract and involved the same sidewalk. No change was made in the demand for payment. Unquestionably the judgment obtained in one action would be a bar to the prosecution of the other. On former appeal the cause was remanded for further proceedings not inconsistent with the opinion therein rendered and we see no abuse of discretion in permitting the amendment. Judge STEVENSON probably entertained an old-fashioned idea of justice that, as defendant had the benefit of this sidewalk for many years, he should pay to plaintiff its reasonable value.
It was error to include interest from date of last payment. See opinion on former hearing. On this unliquidated claim, plaintiff would be entitled to *Page 573 
interest from date of entry of judgment in the lower court. However, this does not warrant a reversal.
Having the record before us and being advised of the judgment that should have been rendered, this court is permitted, under the Constitution, to make such modification. It therefore follows that judgment is hereby rendered in favor of plaintiff and against defendant in the sum of $1,068.85 together with interest thereon at the rate of 6 per cent per annum from the third day of March, 1926.
AFFIRMED AS MODIFIED.
RAND, C.J., and BEAN and BROWN, JJ., concur.
              Costs disallowed either party March 20, 1928.                       ON OBJECTIONS TO COST BILL.                             (265 P. 1117.)