Court Opinion

ID: 9683407
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 13:28:08.528668+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:17:47.627818
License: Public Domain

RALEIGH BROWN, Justice,
dissenting.
I dissent. The performance bond expressly provided the measure of damages to be “the reasonable cost of completing performance.” Appellee requested, and the court submitted, an inquiry as to “financial loss”, an improper measure of damages not merely an improperly worded damage issue. Appellant in his motion for judgment non obstante veredicto clearly challenged the materiality of the issues. There are numerous cases in Texas that hold by failing to object to an improper measure of damages appellant may not later complain of such submission. Employment Advisors, Inc. v. Sparks, 368 S.W.2d 199 (Tex.1963); Whitson Company v. Bluff Creek Oil Company, 293 S.W.2d 488 (Tex.1956). Such cases reveal the damage issue was merely improperly worded and failure to object waived the defect or the materiality of the issues was not challenged.
In McCreless Properties, Ltd. v. F. W. Woolworth Company, 533 S.W.2d 863 (Tex.Civ.App. — San Antonio 1976, writ ref. n.r. e.), relied upon by the majority, no objection was made that the issues submitted were an improper measure of damages. In the case at bar, objection to the submission of the improper measure of damages as being immaterial was made but such complaint was not included in a motion for new trial. Appellant, however, filed a motion for judgment non obstante veredicto based on the immateriality of the issues.
Special Issues 8 and 9 in the case at bar are immaterial issues. The court erred in failing to disregard the issues as requested by appellant. Grubb v. Grubb, 525 S.W.2d 38 (Tex.Civ.App. — El Paso 1975, writ ref. n.r.e.). Appellee waived its right to recover damages as provided in the contract. Sharp v. Stacy, 535 S.W.2d 345 (Tex.1976).
I would reverse and render the cause.