Court Opinion

ID: 2823231
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-07-30 21:51:55.705439+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:24:32.655440
License: Public Domain

Supreme Court

                                                          No. 2013-306-Appeal.
                                                          No. 2014-27-Appeal.
                                                          (PM 12-4203)

                                       :
 Atwood Health Properties, LLC

               v.                      :

  Calson Construction Company          :

               v.                      :

Gem Plumbing & Heating Co., Inc.       :

         NOTICE: This opinion is subject to formal revision before
         publication in the Rhode Island Reporter. Readers are requested to
         notify the Opinion Analyst, Supreme Court of Rhode Island,
         250 Benefit Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02903, at Telephone
         222-3258 of any typographical or other formal errors in order that
         corrections may be made before the opinion is published.
                                                                  Supreme Court

                                                                  No. 2013-306-Appeal.
                                                                  No. 2014-27-Appeal.
                                                                  (PM 12-4203)

                                              :
     Atwood Health Properties, LLC

                     v.                       :

      Calson Construction Company             :

                     v.                       :

    Gem Plumbing & Heating Co., Inc.          :

              Present: Suttell, C.J., Goldberg, Flaherty, Robinson, and Indeglia, JJ.

                                         OPINION

       Justice Goldberg, for the Court.           The defendant, Calson Construction Company

(Calson), and the third-party defendant, Gem Plumbing & Heating Co., Inc. (GEM),

(collectively, defendants), appeal a Superior Court order confirming an arbitration award in favor

of the plaintiff, Atwood Health Properties, LLC (Atwood or plaintiff). This case came before the

Supreme Court for oral argument pursuant to an order directing the parties to show cause why

the issues raised in this appeal should not summarily be decided. After hearing the arguments of

the parties and examining the record and memoranda that were filed in this case, we are of the

opinion that cause has not been shown, and we summarily affirm the order confirming the

arbitration award.

                                        Facts and Travel

       In December 1999, Atwood contracted with Calson to construct a three-story medical

office building in Johnston, Rhode Island. Calson engaged GEM, as a subcontractor, to design

and install a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in accordance with

                                               -1-
specifications provided by the project architect, Robinson Baretta Corporation (RBC). The

project was completed in January of 2001, and Calson issued a one-year warranty, as required by

its contract with Atwood. Thereafter, Atwood experienced compressor failures at the newly

constructed facility. 1 For several years, the manufacturer replaced the compressors under its

warranty with GEM. However, in 2005, the manufacturer refused to provide more replacement

compressors, and the compressors continued to improperly function.

         On January 23, 2006, Atwood sold the building to Atwood Medical Properties, LLC

(AMP). However, after the compressors in the HVAC system continued to fail, AMP filed suit

against Atwood, alleging that Atwood had misrepresented the condition of the HVAC system.

Atwood agreed to pay for a new HVAC system and, in turn, initiated arbitration proceedings

against Calson to recover the cost of the new HVAC system. Calson consequently initiated a

separate arbitration proceeding against GEM, for indemnification in accordance with its contract

with GEM. The two proceedings subsequently were consolidated. 2

         The arbitration proceeding included not only witness testimony but also more than 500

pages of exhibits. The arbitrator issued an “Interim Award of Arbitrator[,]” which was later

affirmed and incorporated in a “Final Award of Arbitrator” (arbitration award). The arbitration

award declared that Calson breached its contract with Atwood, “in that it designed and built,

through subcontractor GEM, an HVAC system that experienced repeated compressor failures[.]”

The arbitration award also found that “GEM breached its contract with Calson in that it designed

1
    All the compressors that failed had been installed by GEM.
2
  A hearing was held in Superior Court, on February 12, 2013, to determine whether or not the
two proceedings had been merged or consolidated; however, the trial justice declined to make a
ruling. Because the question of whether or not the cases were merged or consolidated has no
bearing on our decision in this case, we decline to address it. What is clear is that we are
confronted with a single arbitration award.

                                                -2-
and built the defective system.” Accordingly, the arbitrator concluded that Calson should pay

Atwood $358,223.42 on or before August 1, 2012 and that GEM should pay Calson that same

amount on or before July 20, 2012. 3

       On August 15, 2012, Atwood filed a motion in Providence County Superior Court to

confirm the arbitration award. In response to Atwood’s motion, GEM moved to vacate or

modify the arbitration award. Thereafter, Calson also filed a motion to confirm the arbitration

award. 4    On September 24, 2013, the trial justice issued a final judgment confirming the

arbitration award and denying GEM’s motion to vacate or modify it. Calson and GEM timely

appealed.

                                       Standard of Review

       “Judicial review of arbitration awards is ‘statutorily prescribed and is limited in nature.’”

Wheeler v. Encompass Insurance Co., 66 A.3d 477, 480 (R.I. 2013) (quoting Buttie v. Norfolk &

Dedham Mutual Fire Insurance Co., 995 A.2d 546, 549 (R.I. 2010)). Grounds for vacating or

modifying an arbitration award are found in the Arbitration Act, G.L. 1956 chapter 3 of title 10.

Section 10-3-12 sets forth the narrow conditions pursuant to which an arbitration award must be

vacated:

                      “(1) Where the award was procured by corruption, fraud or
                undue means.

                        “(2) Where there was evident partiality or corruption on the
                part of the arbitrators, or either of them.

3
  The arbitration award also declared that “Calson [was] entitled to be reimbursed by GEM for
attorney’s fees and costs in the amount of $27,381.21” on or before July 20, 2012 and that
interest was to be added onto all amounts if not paid by the date specified in the arbitration
award.
4
  Calson’s motion was titled “motion for clarification and for entry of order or in the alternative,
to confirm the final arbitration award[.]”
                                               -3-
                      “(3) Where the arbitrators were guilty of misconduct in
               refusing to postpone the hearing, upon sufficient cause shown, or
               in hearing legally immaterial evidence, or refusing to hear
               evidence pertinent and material to the controversy, or of any other
               misbehavior by which the rights of any party have been
               substantially prejudiced.

                      “(4) Where the arbitrators exceeded their powers, or so
               imperfectly executed them that a mutual, final, and definite award
               upon the subject matter submitted was not made.”

Additionally, § 10-3-14 directs the courts to modify or correct an award under the following

limited circumstances:

                       “(a) * * *

                       “(1) Where there was an evident material miscalculation of
               figures, or an evident material mistake in the description of any
               person, thing, or property referred to in the award.

                       “(2) Where the arbitrators have awarded upon a matter not
               submitted to them, unless it is a matter not affecting the merits of
               the decision upon the matters submitted.

                       “(3) Where the award is imperfect in matter of form not
               affecting the merits of the controversy.

                       “(b) The order must modify and correct the award, so as to
               effect the intent thereof and promote justice between the parties.”

       “Generally, arbitration awards cannot be vacated or modified for errors of law and may

be disturbed only in narrow circumstances.” Wheeler, 66 A.3d at 481 (citing Aponik v.

Lauricella, 844 A.2d 698, 703-04 (R.I. 2004)). “This Court will overturn an arbitration award

‘only if the award was irrational or if the arbitrator[ ] manifestly disregarded the law.’” Id.

(quoting Aponik, 844 A.2d at 703). “We hasten to add, however, that in passing on an appeal

from an order confirming or vacating an arbitration award, this Court is not without authority to

‘make such orders * * * as the rights of the parties and the ends of justice require.’” Id. (quoting

§ 10-3-19).

                                               -4-
                                               Analysis

         On appeal, defendants assert that the trial justice erred in confirming the arbitration

award. Although Calson argues before this Court that the trial justice improperly confirmed the

arbitration award, it failed to object to Atwood’s request for confirmation and, in fact, also

requested that the Superior Court confirm the arbitration award. Thus, according to this Court’s

“raise-or-waive” doctrine, we deem Calson’s appeal waived. 5

         Turning to GEM’s appeal, GEM argues that the trial justice improperly confirmed the

arbitration award, alleging that: (1) the arbitrator manifestly disregarded the contract and

applicable law when he failed to make a finding of negligence before determining that GEM was

in breach—a finding that GEM avows was required according to the indemnity clause in the

contract with Calson; (2) the arbitrator’s reliance on the indemnification provision was in

violation of G.L. 1956 § 6-34-1; (3) Atwood’s claims are time-barred; and (4) the calculation of

damages was irrational. After a thorough review of the record, we are not persuaded by GEM’s

contentions. Accordingly, we affirm the trial justice’s determination and confirm the arbitration

award.

         First, GEM asserts that the arbitrator irrationally invoked the indemnification provision. 6

An arbitrator’s award will not be overturned for mere errors of law. See Wheeler, 66 A.3d at

483. “In fact, ‘awards premised on “clearly erroneous” interpretations of [a] contract have been

5
  See Berard v. HCP, Inc., 64 A.3d 1215, 1219 n.2 (R.I. 2013) (noting that the Court “shall ‘not
review issues that were not presented to the trial court in such a posture as to alert the trial justice
to the question being raised,’” quoting State v. Kluth, 46 A.3d 867, 876 (R.I. 2012)).
6
  The indemnity provision in the subcontract agreement between Calson and GEM stated that
GEM would indemnify Calson if GEM was negligent. Because the arbitrator found that GEM
breached its contract with Calson, he did not make a finding as to GEM’s negligence;
accordingly, GEM asserts that it was irrational for the arbitrator to find that it owed Calson
damages without so doing.
                                                 -5-
affirmed where the result was rationally based upon the contract.’” Purvis Systems, Inc. v.

American Systems Corp., 788 A.2d 1112, 1117-18 (R.I. 2002) (quoting Jacinto v. Egan, 120 R.I.

907, 912, 391 A.2d 1173, 1176 (1978)). Here, the arbitrator determined that GEM was obligated

to pay Calson damages, attorneys’ fees, and costs, pursuant to Section 5.1 of their agreement—

the indemnity clause. We agree with GEM that the arbitrator’s reliance on this provision is

erroneous because the indemnity clause is designed to protect Calson from negligent acts by

GEM and its agents and does not embrace negligent performance of the contract. This error,

however, does not affect the award in this case. Although the arbitrator may have erred in

relying on the indemnification clause of the contract when declaring that GEM pay damages to

Calson, this is not a manifest disregard of the contract and is an insufficient basis to overturn the

arbitration award. In order to find GEM responsible for damages to Calson, the arbitrator did not

need to resort to the indemnity clause because other sections of the agreement support his

determination, including Article 3, section 3.1, which provides in relevant part that:

               “[GEM is obligated to] take down and/or rebuild all portions of the
               Work which the Architect, Owner, or Contractor shall * * *
               condemn as unsound or improper, or as in any way failing to
               conform to the Contract Documents.”

Section 3.17 provides in pertinent part:

               “[GEM] guarant[eed] its Work and, without limiting the foregoing,
               agrees to make good, at no cost to [Calson] or the Owner, any and
               all defects due to nonconformity or imperfect workmanship or
               material; and [GEM] shall pay for any damages resulting
               therefrom, including any for which [Calson] may be liable under
               the Contract Documents or by law.”

In this case, the findings of the arbitrator that the HVAC system improperly was installed fall

within this provision of the contract. We are satisfied that the arbitrator’s decision “‘draws its

essence’ from the contract and is sufficiently ‘grounded in the contract’ to be within the scope of

                                                -6-
his authority.” Jacinto, 120 R.I. at 913-14, 391 A.2d at 1176 (quoting United Steelworkers of

America, AFL-CIO v. United States Gypsum Co., 492 F.2d 713, 731, 732 (5th Cir. 1974)).

       Next, GEM asserts that the arbitrator’s reliance on the indemnification provision was in

violation of § 6-34-1 and constituted a manifest disregard for the law. 7 The record does not

support GEM’s contention that the arbitrator manifestly disregarded the law. A “review of an

arbitration award does not permit ‘judicial re-examination’ of the relevant contractual language.”

Berkshire Wilton Partners, LLC v. Bilray Demolition Co., 91 A.3d 830, 837 (R.I. 2014) (quoting

Jacinto, 120 R.I. at 912, 391 A.2d at 1175). “Only when the arbitrator’s decision rises above the

high-water marks of implausibility, irrationality, manifest disregard, or failure to draw its

essence from the agreement may a court intervene and strike it down.” Id. at 838. Section 3.17

of the agreement between GEM and Calson provided that GEM was required to deliver

workmanship that was “first-class quality, free from faults and defects and in conformance with

the Contract Documents.” Also, GEM agreed,

               “to make good, at no cost to the Contractor or the Owner, any and
               all defects due to nonconformity or imperfect workmanship or
               material; and [GEM] shall pay for any damages resulting
               therefrom, including any for which the Contractor may be liable
               under the Contract Documents or by law.”

The arbitrator determined that GEM breached its agreement with Calson and, therefore, was

liable for the corrective work performed on the HVAC system.           Although the arbitrator’s

reliance on the indemnity clause may have been erroneous, we are of the opinion that the

arbitrator’s interpretation of the agreement was plausible and rational and did not manifestly

disregard the law.

7
 General Laws 1956 § 6-34-1 provides that a subcontractor cannot be required to indemnify a
general contractor for the general contractor’s own negligence and that any indemnification
agreement to the effect is void.
                                              -7-
          GEM also argues that Atwood’s claims against Calson are time-barred and that,

therefore, Calson’s claims against GEM also are time-barred. According to GEM, Atwood failed

to challenge Calson’s work within the time limit specified in its contract with Calson. However,

Calson failed to raise this argument in Superior Court and is precluded from doing so here. See

Berard v. HCP, Inc., 64 A.3d 1215, 1219 n.2 (R.I. 2013). GEM also is precluded from asserting

that Atwood’s claims are time-barred under the Atwood-Calson contract because GEM was not a

party to that contract.

          Lastly, GEM contends that the arbitration award was irrational, as the arbitrator

miscalculated the amount of damages and failed to support his calculations by reference to the

record.     “This Court has held that unless provided otherwise, ‘arbitrators of a commercial

dispute, like a jury, are under no obligation to set out the reasons for their award or the findings

of fact or conclusions of law on which that award is premised.’” Purvis Systems, Inc., 788 A.2d

at 1118 (quoting Westminster Construction Corp. v. PPG Industries, Inc., 119 R.I. 205, 209, 376

A.2d 708, 710 (1977)). In this case, the damages awarded appear to be rationally related to the

costs incurred in investigating and correcting the defective HVAC system.

                                             Conclusion

          For the reasons articulated in this opinion, we affirm the judgment of the Superior Court.

The record is remanded to the Superior Court.

                                                 -8-
                            RHODE ISLAND SUPREME COURT CLERK’S OFFICE

                                 Clerk’s Office Order/Opinion Cover Sheet

TITLE OF CASE:        Atwood Health Properties, LLC v. Calson Construction Company
                      v. Gem Plumbing & Heating Co., Inc.

CASE NO:              No. 2013-306-Appeal.
                      No. 2014-27-Appeal.
                      (PM 12-4203)

COURT:                Supreme Court

DATE OPINION FILED: March 17, 2015

JUSTICES:             Suttell, C.J., Goldberg, Flaherty, Robinson, and Indeglia, JJ.

WRITTEN BY:           Associate Justice Maureen McKenna Goldberg

SOURCE OF APPEAL:     Providence County Superior Court

JUDGE FROM LOWER COURT:

                      Associate Justice William E. Carnes, Jr.

ATTORNEYS ON APPEAL:

                      For Plaintiff: David D. Barricelli, Esq.

                      For Defendants: Daryl E. Dayian, Esq.
                                      Kevin M. Daley, Esq.