Arata v. Tonegato

• Decision Date: 29 July 1957
• Citation: 314 P.2d 130,152 Cal.App.2d 837
• Court: California Court of Appeals Court of Appeals
• Parties: Nora ARATA, Plaintiff and Appellant, v. Norma TONEGATO, Individually and doing business under the fictitious name and style of The Vidmar Beauty Salon; Clairol, Inc., a corporation, et al., Defendants and Respondents. Civ. 17227.

Page 130

314 P.2d 130

152 Cal.App.2d 837

Nora ARATA, Plaintiff and Appellant, v. Norma TONEGATO, Individually and doing business under the fictitious name and style of The Vidmar Beauty Salon; Clairol, Inc., a corporation, et al., Defendants and Respondents.

Civ. 17227.

District Court of Appeal, First District, Division 2, California.

July 29, 1957.

Robert B. Bostwick, Jr., Goldstein, Brann & Stern, and Franklyn K. Brann, San Francisco, for appellant.

Wallace, Garrison, Norton & Ray, San Francisco, for respondent Tonegato.

Carroll, Davis & Burdick, San Francisco, for respondent Clairol, Inc.

DOOLING, Justice.

Plaintiff, Nora Arata, appeals from the judgment entered on the verdict for defendants, Norma Tonegato and Clairol, Inc., a corporation. Plaintiff's complaint contained five causes of action: two for negligence and one for breach of warranty against Clairol, Inc.; and a breach of warranty and a negligence count against Tonegato. Nonsuits were granted as to the first cause of action for negligence against Clairol, Inc., and as to both causes of action for breach of warranty. The case was submitted to the jury on the second and fifth causes of action: negligence of Clairol, Inc., through inadequate warning of the dangerous propensity of its product; and negligent application of the product by defendant Tonegato. After a verdict for the defendants, a motion for new trial was denied.

On June 16, 1953, appellant visited the Vidmar Beauty Salon owned and operated by respondent Tonegato. Appellant testified that she came to the shop for a 'wash and set' and that respondent suggested she have her hair tinted. Respondent testified that appellant herself requested the tint.

The product used was 'Miss Clairol,' manufactured by respondent Clairol, Inc., which product contained not more than two percent paraphenylenediamine. The bottle containing this product had labelled directions and a pamphlet with instructions. The label on the bottle read: 'Caution--This product contains ingredients which may cause skin irritation on certain individuals and a preliminary test according to accompanying directions should first be made. This product must not be used for dyeing the eyelashes or eyebrows; to do so may cause blindness.' Both the bottle and the paper carton in which it was packed contain the words 'Read enclosed directions before using.' This caution on the label was the same as or substantially similar to those carried on all hair dyes on the market and is identical with the language prescribed by the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, 21 U.S. C.A. § 301 et seq.

The preliminary test or 'patch test' involved the application to the bend of the elbow or behind the ear of a mixture in equal parts of the dye and hydrogen peroxide. This mixture is left on the skin for 24 hours to test for allergic reaction. Directions accompanying the product and describing the 'patch test' have to be accepted by the Food, Drug & Cosmetic Bureau.

Appellant testified that the patch test was mentioned by respondent Tonegato who explained that it took 24 hours to determine whether there would be a reaction. Appellant further testified that at this time she told respondent to 'just forget the tint' but that respondent assured her that 'it isn't that bad' and that she herself had dyed her own hair without the test. Respondent Tonegato testified that she described the possible reactions to the test and appellant wanted her hair tinted without bothering with the test.

A card was introduced into evidence reading 'I, Nora Arata, will not hold the Vidmar Beauty Shop responsible for breakage on my skin or scalp.' The name was in appellant's handwriting and the remaining words were in respondent's handwriting. Respondent testified that she wrote the note and had appellant insert her name because 'I didn't want to be responsible.' Appellant's testimony is that respondent gave her a blank card to sign and the other words were added later.

Appellant stated that she felt a stinging sensation as soon as the tint was applied and that she mentioned it to respondent, but respondent could not remember this. Appellant returned to the shop the next day and complained of a rash.

Appellant's condition grew worse with considerable swelling around the head and weeping or draining of the scalp. On the evening of June 17, 1953, appellant fainted and was hospitalized. After this the condition grew worse and appellant was hospitalized several times and incurred medical expenses amounting to $11,392.02. She underwent several operations including cutting of the occipital nerves to relieve the pain. Appellant claimed partial loss of vision, partial baldness, and inability to return to her job of owning and operating a gift shop.

Several doctors testified for both sides: those for appellant were of the opinion that she sustained a toxic reaction; those for respondents were of the opinion that she was highly sensitive or allergic to this product. There was evidence of a history of allergies given by appellant on admission to the hospital.

Appellant does not question the granting of a nonsuit as to the first cause of action.

Appellant contends that the nonsuit as to the causes of action for breach of warranty was erroneous because it should have been a question for the jury as to whether the facts were sufficient to constitute notice. Under appellant's theory the oral complaint of a rash plus the exhibiting of the affected portions of her head to respondent Tonegato was sufficient notice under Civil Code, § 1769.

This section provides in part:

'But, if, after acceptance of the goods, the buyer fails to give notice to the seller of the breach of any promise or warranty within a reasonable time after the buyer knows, or ought to know of such breach, the seller shall not be liable therefor.'

It is clear that appellant's actions could not constitute notice to respondent Clairol, Inc., and no indication was given to respondent Tonegato that appellant intended to file suit. Appellant's contention that the filing of the complaint was sufficient notice of the breach of warranty is not sound. Even assuming that the approximately eleven month period elapsing before the suit was filed was not an unreasonable time, the filing of the suit cannot constitute notice.

In Vogel v. Thrifty Drug Co., 43 Cal.2d 184, 272 P.2d 1, the court held that notice must be pleaded and proved. The fact that the giving of notice must be pleaded obviously requires that it be given before filing suit.

Appellant contends that the charge to the jury contained several erroneous, conflicting and misleading instructions which constitute reversible error.

The first instruction objected to is Clairol's instruction number 22 which states:

'In weighing the defense of contributory negligence which has been pleaded by the defendants it is your duty to consider whether the plaintiff, Mrs. Arata, knew that she was allergic to various substances and whether she should have revealed this fact to the defendant Norma Tonegato. In considering this defense it is also your duty to consider whether the plaintiff herself elected not to take the patch test. If after weighing these matters and all other evidence having to do with this subject you should find that the plaintiff herself was negligent in connection with her receiving the hair coloring treatment and that this negligence contributed in any degree to cause her illness, injuries, or disabilities, if any, then the plaintiff cannot recover.'

Appellant contends this instruction is erroneous in that it gives undue prominence to appellant's allergies and to whether respondent Tonegato should have been informed of these allergies. The instruction to the jurors that it was their duty to consider whether the appellant herself elected not to take the patch test is also cited as error. Appellant also contends that the evidence was insufficient to support the giving of instructions on contributory negligence.

There was ample evidence to support a finding of contributory negligence. Respondent Tonegato testified that she informed appellant...