Court Opinion

ID: 9543271
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 16:43:50.172226+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:10:04.235325
License: Public Domain

STRUCKMEYER, Justice
(concurring).
*27The issue here is whether summary judgment was properly directed where the defendant’s affidavits set forth that there had been compliance with the customary standard of practice in the community of Tucson, Arizona. While conformity to practices in a business or occupation affords a basis for an inference that due care was exercised, customary methods or conduct do not furnish a test which is conclusive on the question of negligence nor fix a controlling standard by which negligence must be gauged. The Supreme Court of California in Leonard v. Watsonville Community Hospital, 47 Cal.2d 509, 305 P.2d 36, 42, succinctly stated the rule applicable:
“ * * * These defendants seek to avoid liability on the theory that they were required to exercise only that degree of skill employed by other hospitals and nurses in the community. It is a matter of common knowledge, however, that no special skill is required in counting instruments. Although under such circumstances proof of practice or custom is some evidence of what should be done and may assist in the determination of what constitutes due care, it does not conclusively establish the standard of care. [Citing cases] ‘General negligence cannot be excused on the ground that others in the same loeality practice the same kind of negligence-.’ Ales v. Ryan, 8. Cal.2d 82, 100, 64 P.2d 409, 418.”
Here defendant did not check the description to determine whether it described the property which Sarti was to receive. As stated, the affidavits on motion for summary judgment set forth that it was the custom and practice of the lawyers in the community of Tucson to rely upon opposing lawyers to correctly and accurately describe property in deeds and other instruments. The jury might find without the aid of experts that under all the facts and circumstances of this case such failure constituted negligence in that defendant did not exercise such reasonable care as known conditions required.
This is not an instance which relates to the exercise of judgment in the application of skill and learning. Whether ordinary care and diligence in applying professional skill and learning has been used is a question for experts and can only be established by their testimony. Stallcup v. Coscarart, 79 Ariz. 42, 46, 282 P.2d 791.