Mann v. Jack Roach Bissonnet, Inc.

• Citation: 623 S.W.2d 716
• Decision Date: 30 July 1981
• Docket Number: No. 18004,18004
• Parties: Marilyn O'Neill MANN et al., Appellants, v. JACK ROACH BISSONNET, INC. d/b/a Jack Roach Ford, Appellee. (1st Dist.)
• Court: Court of Appeals of Texas. Court of Civil Appeals of Texas

Page 716

623 S.W.2d 716

Marilyn O'Neill MANN et al., Appellants, v. JACK ROACH BISSONNET, INC. d/b/a Jack Roach Ford, Appellee.

No. 18004.

Court of Civil Appeals of Texas, Houston (1st Dist.).

July 30, 1981.

Ragan & Russell, Linda Harvey and John L. Russell, Houston, for appellants.

Mark B. Collins, Thompson & Associates, Houston, for appellee.

COLEMAN, C. J., and PEDEN and SMITH, JJ.

COLEMAN, Chief Justice.

This is an appeal from a summary judgment in favor of Jack Roach Bissonnet, Inc. (hereinafter called Jack Roach) and against Horace M. Mann and Marilyn O'Neill Mann. The suit was based on a sworn account and, in the alternative, on quantum meruit. The judgment will be affirmed as to Horace Mann and reversed as to Marilyn O'Neill Mann.

There is evidence that an automobile held in the name of Horace Mann was stolen and recovered in a damaged condition. The car was taken to Jack Roach, who repaired it. During this period of time Horace Mann and Marilyn Mann were separated pending a divorce suit. On authorization of the divorce court Mrs. Mann took possession of the repaired vehicle from Jack Roach. An insurance check was issued in payment of the repair bill, but payment was subsequently stopped on the check. Jack Roach has secured a judgment against both Horace Mann and Marilyn Mann jointly and severally.

Neither Horace Mann nor Marilyn Mann, who filed separate answers, filed a sworn denial in the form required by Tex.R.Civ.P. 185. Horace Mann filed an answer consisting of a general denial and the statement that he did not authorize the repair of the automobile. He filed no answer to the motion for a summary judgment. Mrs. Mann filed an answer which included a plea of limitations. She also filed an answer to the motion for summary judgment preserving this plea. In addition she pled that she was not named in the itemized statement of account attached to the plaintiff's petition and that, therefore, she was not liable on the sworn account.

Neither defendant raised a point in the briefs challenging the plaintiff's compliance with the requirements of Rule 185, supra. Where a defendant fails to file a sworn denial substantially in the form required by Rule 185, a summary judgment is proper. Wilson v. Browning Arms Co., 501 S.W.2d 705 (Tex.Civ.App.-Houston (14th Dist). 1973, writ ref'd.). There can be no issue of fact as to whether all or part of the account is due and owing in the absence of a proper sworn denial. Airborne Freight Corporation v. CRB Marketing, Inc., 566 S.W.2d 573 (Tex.1978).

Both defendants assert that the statement of account attached to the petition raises an issue of fact on its face as to their liability, under the reasoning adopted by the Supreme Court of Texas in Sundance Oil Company v. Aztec Pipe and Supply Company, Inc., 576 S.W.2d 780 (Tex.1978). Mr. Mann relies on the fact that on the work order under the heading "Labor Instructions," appear the words "Firemans Linda" and a telephone number. He says that his general denial raises an issue as to whether he was a "party to the transaction" by reason of this notation, in which event the sworn account is not prima facie proof of the debt. This position is not supported by the Sundance Oil case in that the quoted words do not raise a fact issue as to what party purchased the goods and services. The court properly granted the plaintiff a summary judgment on the pleadings against Horace Mann.

Mrs. Mann is not named in the itemized account on which the plaintiff relies. The first amended petition does not allege that she was married to Horace Mann at the time the services were rendered. While the petition states that the services and materials were furnished and performed "for the defendants," the itemized account does not support this allegation. The plaintiff has not shown that Mrs. Mann was a "party to the transaction" in this action on the sworn account. Her failure to file a sworn denial under Rule 185 is not fatal to her defense. Sundance Oil Company v. Aztec Pipe and Supply Company, Inc., supra. The plaintiff was not entitled to recover against Mrs. Mann individually on the sworn account.

The right to recover on quantum meruit is independent of contract. It is a claim based on the promises implied by law to pay for beneficial services rendered and knowingly accepted....