Phillips v. Hardwick

• Decision Date: 18 May 1981
• Docket Number: No. 7880-1-I,7880-1-I
• Citation: Phillips v. Hardwick, 628 P.2d 506, 29 Wn.App. 382 (Wash. App. 1981)
• Parties: Eric C. PHILLIPS, Jr., and Theresa A. Phillips, his wife, Respondents, v. Jack B. HARDWICK and Kathi Hardwick, his wife, Appellants.
• Court: Washington Court of Appeals

Page 382

29 Wn.App. 382

628 P.2d 506

Eric C. PHILLIPS, Jr., and Theresa A. Phillips, his wife, Respondents, v.Jack B. HARDWICK and Kathi Hardwick, his wife, Appellants.

No. 7880-1-I.

Court of Appeals of Washington, Division 1.

May 18, 1981.

Robert G. Maslan, Seattle, for appellants.

R. Drake Bozarth, Seattle, for respondents.

RINGOLD, Judge.

Jack and Kathi Hardwick appeal from a judgment for outrageous conduct in the amount of $11,379 plus interest in favor of Eric and Theresa Phillips.We reverse in part, affirm in part.

On September 21, 1977, the Hardwicks and Phillips entered into an earnest money agreement for the sale and purchase of the Hardwicks' home in Bothell, Washington.The agreement provided for possession on closing which was not to occur before November 21, 1977.After the Phillips obtained bank financing, the parties were notified that closing would occur on the 25th of November.In the third week of November the Hardwicks were advised that their new home could not be completed by November 25.The parties entered into a rental agreement permitting the Hardwicks to rent the Bothell residence until December 1, 1977, or if properly vacated earlier, to that date, whichever should come first.

During the evening of November 30, Phillips telephoned Hardwick who advised that there was a problem and that he would be unable to vacate the premises by December 1.On Friday, December 2, Phillips again called to see if the Hardwicks would be out by Saturday noon.Hardwick replied that they would not be out and that there was nothing Phillips could do about it since he was a tenant and had a right to notice prior to eviction.

In the early afternoon of Saturday, December 3, Phillips drove by the house and it appeared vacant.He entered the residence and observed that everything had in fact been removed.He telephoned his attorney and informed him that the house had apparently been vacated and was advised that he could take possession.He contacted approximately 16 friends to aid in the move which he arranged for Sunday morning, the 4th.The Phillips remained up all night in preparation for the move.The next morning, at approximately 8:30 a. m., Phillips arrived at the residence with a car-load of furniture.Hardwick's automobile was blocking the driveway, but was moved at Phillips request.Phillips unloaded his automobile and returned to his residence to secure another load.Upon his return at approximately 10 a. m.he observed two deputy sheriffs on the scene and a dispute arose between Hardwick and Phillips concerning who had the right to possession.After much controversy, and although advised by the deputy sheriffs that they did not have a right to possession, the Hardwicks refused to move and the Phillips had to retrieve all their possessions and move back to their old residence.Although nothing was in the Bothell residence, Mr. Hardwick slept there that night in a sleeping bag and permanently moved out the next day.On Monday, December 5, Phillips, through his attorney, commenced two separate lawsuits; an unlawful detainer action, and an action seeking damages for the intentional infliction of emotional distress and outrage.Summons and complaints in both actions were served on the Hardwicks on the same day.On December 8, 1977, Hardwick formally relinquished possession of the premises and delivered the keys to Phillips' counsel and paid rent through December 8, 1977.The Phillips moved into the residence on December 10, 1977.On December 13 the trial judge dismissed with prejudice the unlawful detainer action.The Phillips continued the second cause of action, alleging: (a) breach of contract for failure to vacate the premises on December 1, 1977; (b) additional rent due on the premises; (c) business interruption; and (d) intentional infliction of emotional distress.

RES JUDICATA

The Hardwicks contend that the trial court erred when it refused to dismiss the action for intentional infliction of emotional distress and outrage under the theory of res judicata.They argue that: (1) under the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act of 1973, RCW 59.18, not only is the issue of possession before the court, but also related damages, and that the damages relating to intentional infliction of emotional distress and outrage could have been determined under the unlawful detainer action; (2) once that action was dismissed, the second action should also have been dismissed under the doctrine of res judicata.

Unlawful detainer actions under RCW 59.18 are special statutory proceedings with the limited purpose of hastening recovery of possession of rental property, and the superior court's jurisdiction in such action is limited to the primary issue of the right of possession, plus incidental issues such as restitution and rent, or damages.Any issue not incident to the right of possession within the specific terms of RCW 59.18 must be raised in an ordinary civil action.

The doctrine of res judicata bars the relitigation of a cause of action because of an identity of parties and issues culminating in a final judgment.Bordeaux v. Ingersoll Rand Co., 71 Wash.2d 392, 395-96, 429 P.2d 207(1967);Restatement of Judgments§ 68, Comment a (1942).For the doctrine of res judicata to apply, the matters must have been, or in the exercise of reasonable diligence could have been, decided in the prior cause.E. g., Bradley v. State, 73 Wash.2d 914, 442 P.2d 1009(1968);Sanwick v. Puget Sound Title Ins. Co., 70 Wash.2d 438, 441-42, 423 P.2d 624, 38 A.L.R.3d 315(1967);Meder v. CCME Corp., 7 Wash.App. 801, 804, 502 P.2d 1252(1972).Res judicata requires a concurrent identity of subject matter, claim for relief, persons and parties, and the quality of the persons for or against whom the claim is made.Meder v. CCME Corp., supra at 805, 502 P.2d 1252.Here, the Phillips' separate cause of action did not specifically relate to possession or related damages but was much broader and included issues relating to (1) breach of contract; (2) business interruption; and, (3) intentional infliction of emotional distress.Under such circumstances the trial court properly denied the motion to dismiss.

INTENTIONAL INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS AND OUTRAGE

The Hardwicks next contend that their refusal to move until after an unlawful detainer action proceeding had been commenced was not such extremely outrageous conduct that would make them liable for intentional infliction of emotional distress and outrage.They also argue that the evidence is insufficient to meet the requirements in Grimsby v. Samson, 85 Wash.2d 52, 530 P.2d 291, 77 A.L.R.3d 436(1975), to establish the tort of outrageous conduct.

Where the trial court has weighed the evidence, appellate review is limited to determining whether the trial court's conclusion of law and judgment are supported by the findings, and whether the findings in their turn are supported by substantial evidence.Holland v. Boeing Co., 90 Wash.2d 384, 390, 583 P.2d 621(1978).Substantial evidence is evidence sufficient in quantum to persuade a fair-minded person that a given premise is the truth.In re Snyder, 85 Wash.2d 182, 532 P.2d 278(1975).The tort of intentionally inflicting emotional distress by outrageous conduct was first recognized in this jurisdiction in Grimsby v. Samson, supra.In that case, the Supreme Court adopted Restatement (Second) of Torts§ 46(1965):

Outrageous Conduct Causing Severe Emotional Distress

(1) One who by extreme and outrageous conduct intentionally or recklessly causes severe emotional distress to...