In re CERTIFIED QUESTIONS
KARL
v.
BRYANT AIR CONDITIONING COMPANY
Supreme Court of Michigan.
Ronald R. Stempien, P.C., for the plaintiff.
Law Offices of Gofrank & Kelman (by Sally Steinhart, Barry M. Kelman, and Philip G. Bozzo) for the defendants.
Amici Curiae:
Plunkett, Cooney, Rutt, Watters, Stanczyk & Pedersen (by Ernest R. Bazzana) for Association of *561 Defense Trial Counsel and Michigan Defense Trial Counsel.
Lopatin, Miller, Freedman, Bluestone, Erlich, Rosen & Bartnick (by Steven G. Silverman and Richard E. Shaw) for Michigan Trial Lawyers Association.
WILLIAMS, J.
INTRODUCTION
This is а case of first impression. The issues are whether the comparative negligence provisions of MCL 600.2949; MSA 27A.2949,[1] applies to a products liability action sounding in "negligence, breach of warranty and other misconduct"; and, if so, whether it is retrospective; and, if retrospective, whether it is constitutional.
This diversity case was removed from Oakland Circuit Court to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Plaintiff was injured when the terminal of an industrial air *562 conditioner manufactured by defendant, a foreign corporation, blew out. After a verdict for the plaintiff, the federal trial judge, under MCL 600.2949; MSA 27A.2949, reduced plaintiff's damagеs by the corresponding amount that plaintiff was negligent, which was 95% of the total.
Specifically, we have agreed to answer three questions certified to us by the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. The three questions are the following:
"I. Whether the Michigan products liability statute, MCL 600.2945 et seq.; MSA 27A.2945 et seq., is to be construed as abrogating the principle of Michigan implied warranty jurisprudence that a plaintiff injured by breach of an implied warranty is entitled to recover the full measure of damages sustained, irrespective of any negligence by the plaintiff.
"II. Whether the Michigan products liability statute, MCL 600.2945 et seq.; MSA 27A.2945 et seq., if so сonstrued, is to be applied to an implied warranty action accruing and sued upon prior to the enactment of the statute and brought to trial after the effective date of the statute.
"III. Whether the Michigan products liability statute, MCL 600.2945 et seq.; MSA 27A.2945 et seq., if so construed and applied, violates the Due Process Clause (art 1, § 17) of the Michigan Constitution of 1963."
We hold first that under MCL 600.2949; MSA 27A.2949 a plaintiff injured by breach of an implied warranty is not entitled to recover the full damages sustained, if the plaintiff was negligent. Second, under Michigan law, the comparative negligence principle established in MCL 600.2949; MSA 27A.2949 can be applied to an implied warranty action accruing and sued upon prior to the enactment of the provision, but brought to trial *563 after the effective date of that provision. Third, applying the statute in that way does not violate the Due Process Clause of the Michigan Constitution. Const 1963, art 1, § 17.
FACTS
In certifying the instant case from the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit under GCR 1963, 797.2, the following statement of facts was entered by order:
"On May 23, 1975, while employed in Southfield, Michigan, as an air conditioner repairman, plaintiff William Karl was injured when the terminal of an industrial air conditioner manufactured by defendants blew out. On Fеbruary 28, 1978, plaintiff filed suit in Oakland Circuit Court, alleging negligence and breach of implied warranty. Thereafter, the action was removed by defendants to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan pursuant to 28 USC 1441. As a case falling within federal diversity jurisdiction, the substantive law which the trial judge was obliged to apply, and which this Court is required to apply, is the substantive law of the State of Michigan.
"While this case was pending in the trial court, the Michigan Legislature, on December 13, 1978, enacted the Michigan products liability statute, MCL 600.2945 et seq. [MSA 27A.2945 et seq.], effective immediately. Thereafter, this action came for trial before the Hon. Charles W. Joiner and a jury. At the conclusion of trial, the jury returned a special verdict finding, in pertinent part, that the total damages sustained were $52,000.00, that defendants breached an implied warranty, that plaintiff was negligent, and that plaintiff's negligence amounted to 95% of the total.
"Defendants then sought entry of judgment in the amount of $2,600 (5% of $52,000), while plaintiff sought entry of judgment in the amount of $52,000, the full measure of damages. Judge Joiner accepted the position *564 advocated by defendant. Plaintiff then appealed to this Court, presenting the above-described issues of Michigan law."
I. WHETHER THE MICHIGAN PRODUCTS LIABILITY STATUTE, MCL 600.2945 ET SEQ.; MSA 27A.2945 ET SEQ., IS TO BE CONSTRUED AS ABROGATING THE PRINCIPLE OF MICHIGAN IMPLIED WARRANTY JURISPRUDENCE THAT A PLAINTIFF INJURED BY BREACH OF AN IMPLIED WARRANTY IS ENTITLED TO RECOVER THE FULL MEASURE OF DAMAGES SUSTAINED, IRRESPECTIVE OF ANY NEGLIGENCE BY THE PLAINTIFF.
The United States Cоurt of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit has requested that we consider whether the federal trial judge erred, as a matter of Michigan law, in reducing plaintiff's recovery by 95% under the comparative negligence principle adopted in MCL 600.2949; MSA 27A.2949. This requires us to determine whether the comparative negligence principle in that section was intended to apply to products liability actions sounding in implied warranty.[2]
*565 The plaintiff argues that both historically and presently products liability actions may sound either in negligence or breach of warranty without establishing privity with the defendant. See Spence v Three Rivers Builders & Masonry Supply, Inc,
Defendant, on the other hand, has made two main arguments. First, referring to Jorae, supra, and to Justice LEVIN'S opinion, as a Court of Appeals judge, in Cova v Harley Davidson Motor Co,
*567 Our reading of the statute does not require us to determine whether the Legislature completed the possible confluence of products liability negligence and implied warranty actions into one cause of action or whether two separate actions still remain extant. We hold that the combination of § 2949, the products liability comparative negligence section, and § 2945, the section defining products liability actions, by plain, unambiguous language, indicates that the Legislature intended to apply comparative negligence to all products liability actions, regardless of whether two separate actions in negligence and breach of warranty remain extant or whether a new unified products liability action was created by the act.
Before examining the actual language of the statute, it is well to have in mind certain rules of statutory construction. The most important rule, of course, is to discover and give effect to the legislative intent. Spartan Asphalt Paving Co v Grand Ledge Mobile Home Park,
The next rule is to derive the legislative intention from the actual language used in the statute. Grand Rapids v Crocker,
We believe that the language of § 2949, particularly *568 in conjunction with § 2945, is clear and unambiguous. Sections 2949 and 2945 are here set out for review:
"Sec. 2949. (1) In all products liability actions brought to recover damages resulting from death or injury to person or property, the fact that the plaintiff may have been guilty of contributory negligence shall not bar a recovery by the plaintiff or the plaintiff's legal representatives, but damages sustained by the plaintiff shall be diminished in proportion to the amount of negligence attributed to the plaintiff." (Emphasis added.)
"Sec. 2945. As used in sections 2946 to 2949 and section 5805, `products liability action' means an action based on any legal or equitable theory of liability brought for or on account of death or injury to person or property caused by or resulting from the manufacture, construction, design, formula, development of standards, preparation, processing, assembly, inspection, testing, listing, certifying, warning, instructing, marketing, advertising, packaging, or labeling of a product or a component of a product." (Emphasis added.)
In § 2949, the operative language is "all products liability actions". This language is defined in § 2945 as follows: "`products liability action' means an action based оn any legal or equitable theory of liability". It is difficult to imagine any language more all-inclusive.
As a consequence, it is clear and unambiguous that the Legislature intended that comparative negligence should apply to "all products liability actions", which include a "`products liability action' * * * based on any legal or equitable theory of liability".[6] It is inescapable that any and every *569 products liability action is included regardless of whether it is labeled a possible unified action, a possible negligence action, or a possible implied warranty action.
We believe that the Legislature's use of the words "all" and "any" require, without further interpretative inquiry, the constructiоn that comparative negligence applies to all and any products liability actions, including those sounding in implied warranty. See Paquin v Harnischfeger Corp,
Thus, we hold that the comparative negligence principle adopted in MCL 600.2949; MSA 27A.2949 dictates that "damages sustained by the plaintiff shall be diminished in proportion to the amount of negligence attributed to the plaintiff" irrespective of the fact that a plaintiff is injured by the breach of an implied warranty.[7]
*570 II. WHETHER THE MICHIGAN PRODUCTS LIABILITY STATUTE, MCL 600.2945 ET SEQ.; MSA 27A.2945 ET SEQ., IF SO CONSTRUED, IS TO BE APPLIED TO AN IMPLIED WARRANTY ACTION ACCRUING AND SUED UPON PRIOR TO THE ENACTMENT OF THE STATUTE AND BROUGHT TO TRIAL AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE STATUTE.
A. The Four Rules of Retrospectivity
In answering Question I, we have held that the products liability statute, in light of § 2949, establishes the principle of comparative negligence in an action based on implied warranty. In considering Question II, we address whether § 2949 applies where the statutе was enacted subsequent to the injury and commencement of an implied warranty action, but prior to the trial and judgment in that action. We hold that § 2949 should be applied under such circumstances.
In answering this question, we must consider four rules in determining whether a new act applies to a pre-enactment cause of action. First, is there specific language in the new act which states that it should be given retrospective or prospective application. See headnote no. 1, Hansen-Snyder Co v General Motors Corp,
B
The first and second rules are inapplicable to the instant case. As to the first rule, the products liability statute contains no specific language indicating either retrospective or prospective application. Second rule cases relate to measuring the amount of entitlement provided by a subsequent statute in part by services rendered pursuant to a prior statute, whereas the instant case relates to what if any changes may be made with respect to a cause of action begun under one rule of law by a subsequent statute. Examples of second rule cases are measuring the amount of a judicial pension not only by years served subsequent to enactment but alsо by years served under a previous act, Hughes, supra, and measuring the amount of highway entitlement not only by expenditures subsequent to enactment but also by expenditures under a previous act. Clearwater Twp v Kalkaska County Supervisors,
*572 C
Rules three and four define the issue in Question II. Both rules relate to retrospective application of a new law to prior facts. The third rule and the cases thereunder define those retrospective situations that are not legally acceptable, whereas the fourth rule defines those that are acceptable.
The third rule states that retrospective application of a law is improper where the law "takes away or impairs vested rights acquired under existing laws, or creates a new obligation and imposes a new duty, or attaches a new disability with respect to transactions or considerations already past". Hughes, supra, p 85. The fourth rule was stated in Hansen-Snyder, supra (headnote no. 1):
"1. STATUTES REMEDIES RETROSPECTIVE OPERATION AMENDMENT. Statutes related to remedies or modes of procedure which do not create new or take away vested rights, but only operate in furtherance of a remedy or confirmation of rights already existing will, in the absence of language clearly showing a contrary intention, be held to operate retrospectivеly and apply to all actions accrued, pending or future, there being no vested right to keep a statutory procedural law unchanged and free from amendment."
We will examine the general statement of each rule and the specific factors in the cases relating to that rule. When we have done this, we will then compare the facts in the instant case with those rules and factors to determine which rule should cover the instant case.
D. Rule Three Cases
1. Impairment of Contractual Rights
In marshaling his arguments under this certified *573 question, the plaintiff relies on two lines of cases which have a distinct cleavage, even though the Court in both lines of cases hаs invoked the general proscription found in rule three. Under the first line of cases, the plaintiff asserts that a retrospective application of the products liability statute interferes with his "contractual cause of action" since "implied warranty litigation is essentially contractual in nature". E.g., Campbell v Judges' Retirement Board,
A review of these cases, however, does not support plaintiff's position, since the contracts in those cases did not involve implied warranties but were "express" contracts.
2. Abolition of a Cause of Action
The general rule against retrospective application has been appliеd in cases where a new statute abolishes an existing cause of action. It is clear that once a cause of action accrues, i.e., all the facts become operative and are known it becomes a "vested right". See Connelly v Paul Ruddy's Equipment Repair & Service Co,
In Devlin, for example, this Court held that the guest passenger act should not have been applied to a plaintiff's claim which accrued prior to the new act. When the plaintiff passenger was injured, the common law reсognized his right to sue the driver of the car for ordinary negligence. The new *574 act, however, only allowed suit when a driver was grossly negligent. This Court refused to apply the new act to the plaintiff's common-law claim, which was sued upon after the new act became effective, but where the injury had occurred before its enactment, because the new law abolished the plaintiff's accrued cause of action. Devlin, supra, p 116.
Similarly, in Cusick v Feldpausch,
Finally, in Minty v Board of State Auditors,
The converse factual setting to the cases discussed is found in Rookledge, supra. At the time of the plaintiff's work-related accident, he had to elect between workers' compensation benefits from his employer and bringing an action against a third-party tortfeasor. The plaintiff electеd to receive *575 compensation benefits, thereby barring his third-party claim. After he received his compensation benefits, the workers' compensation act was amended to permit the worker both options. He brought suit against the third-party tortfeasors, and this Court held that the defendant did not have a "vested right" in the statutory defense dependent upon the plaintiff's election accorded him prior to the new act.
E. Rule Four Cases
The case law development of rule four establishes the corollary to the general proscription found in rule three. A remedial or procedural statute may operate retrospectively if it does not "take away vested rights". Ballog v Knight Newspapers, Inc, supra, pp 533-534, quoting from headnote no. 1 of Hansen-Snyder Co v General Motors Corp,
Moreover, in Guardian Depositors Corp v Brown,
Although Rookledge, supra, was considered in our discussion of rule three, its holding supports our analysis of rule four. While the Rookledge Court found that the defendant third-party tortfeasor did not have a vеsted right in a statutory defense which barred the plaintiff from suit once he elected workers' compensation benefits, that Court implicitly recognized, consistent with rule four, that the fact that the new statute changes *576 the legal consequences of a prior act does not prevent a retrospective application of that statute, since that statute is remedial in nature.
In Hansen-Snyder, supra, this Court held that a plaintiff could take advantage of a statutory amendment which extended the period for serving notice of intent to claim a lien from 60 days to 90 days from the date of first furnishing labor and mаterial. The plaintiff, who had begun work under the prior statute, had failed to file within the old act's 60-day prescription. Nevertheless, the new act was viewed as a procedural amendment which was applicable to the plaintiff's claim.
Once again, in Ballog, supra, this Court, in a case procedurally similar to the instant case, applied a new act retrospectively. The Court in Ballog had to determine whether a statute in effect at the time of the plaintiff's injury which granted interest "from the date of judgment" or a new act which granted interest "from the date of filing the complaint" was applicable. The plaintiff's personal injury cause of action accrued before the new act became effective, and he also filed suit before its enactment. Nevertheless, we indicated that the new act fell within the remedial or procedural classification which did not take away a vested right, and, thus, we gave the new act retrospective effect.
F. Comparing the Instant Case to Rule Three and Four Cases
In comparing the instant case to rule three and rule four cases discussed, it is immediately apparent that the federal trial judge did not err under Michigan law in applying the products liability statute in the case at bar where plaintiff's claim accrued and was sued upon prior to the time the new statute became еffective. On the one hand, it *577 is conceded that plaintiff's right became "vested" when his cause of action accrued. But, on the other hand, two things are clear. First, § 2949 is part of a remedial statute which may be applied retrospectively. Second, the relevant case law indicates to us, when we compare it to the case at bar, that plaintiff's right was not taken away in the technical meaning of the case law proscription.
1. Rule Three Cases
Comparison of "rule three cases" to the instant case indicates that application of the products liability statute did not trigger the proscription found in rule three. First, the statute did not interfere with plaintiff's "contractual cause of action" since an implied warranty action for personal injuries caused by a defective product is different from an express contract. Second, this rule is also triggered when a plaintiff's accrued cause of action would be totally barred or taken away by a new act. While the total damages which plaintiff could have received were significantly reduced by § 2949, plaintiff's cause of action was not legally barred or taken away.
Section 2949 does not bаr any claim, legal or equitable, but it states that "damages sustained by the plaintiff shall be diminished in proportion to the amount of negligence attributed to the plaintiff". See, also, Li v Yellow Cab Co of California, 13 Cal 3d 804, 828-829; 119 Cal Rptr 858, 875;
In short, we hold that the applicability of the products liability statute in the instant case did not offend Michigan's general rule against the retrospective application of a statute which *578 "take[s] away vested rights". Ballog, supra, pp 533-534.
2. Rule Four Cases
Notwithstanding the general proscription of rule three, this Court has recognized that new remedial оr procedural statutes which do not destroy vested rights should be given retrospective application. The plaintiff does not contend that his cause of action was destroyed by the application of § 2949. Thus, the key factor is to determine whether the new act concerns remedies or modes of procedure.
The tenor of the products liability statute and the legislative history referred to in the briefs indicate that the Legislature was responding to complaints about the cost of products liability insurance and the operation of products liability law prior to its еnactment. See Products Liability Task Force, 58 Mich Bar J 524, 525 (1979). See, also, Jorae v Clinton Crop Service,
Thus, rule four supports our holding that the federal trial judge did not err, as a matter of Michigan law, in applying the comparative negligence principle adopted in § 2949 to an implied warranty action for personal injuries cаused by a defective product which had accrued and was sued upon prior to the enactment of the products liability statute and was brought to trial after the effective date of that statute.
*579 III. WHETHER THE MICHIGAN PRODUCTS LIABILITY STATUTE, IF SO CONSTRUED AND APPLIED, VIOLATES THE DUE PROCESS CLAUSE (ART 1, § 17) OF THE MICHIGAN CONSTITUTION.
The plaintiff asserts that if this Court holds that the Legislature intended the act to be given retroactive effect, such an interpretation violates the Due Process Clause of the Michigan Constitution.[8] He argues that once his claim accrues, it becomes a vested property right subject to due process protection. The plaintiff contends that his cause of action aсcrued and vested on May 23, 1978, and that any impairment of this "vested property right in an implied warranty action must be measured against due process guarantees".
The nature of plaintiff's argument is the undoing of his constitutional claim. An application of the comparative negligence provision at trial, besides promoting important societal policy, did not destroy or bar plaintiff's cause of action. This Court is reluctant, on constitutional grounds, to apply statutes which accomplish this evil. See Minty v State, supra, pp 389-391. As the defendant so adroitly points out, the products liability statute neither dеstroys nor bars plaintiff's cause of action, nor does it impair plaintiff's right to contract. Simply stated, the statute only affects a remedy which "has been changed so that the measure of plaintiff's damages is to be reduced by the amount of the plaintiff's own fault which also proximately *580 caused the injuries complained of". Thus, the Legislature's adoption of such a remedial scheme is reasonable and does not violate the Due Process Clause of the Michigan Constitution.
CONCLUSION
Our review of MCL 600.2949; MSA 27A.2949 and the relevant case law indicates that the Legislature intended comparative negligence to apply in an action for breach of implied warranty. Moreover, our interpretation of Michigan law leads us to hold that MCL 600.2949; MSA 27A.2949 can be applied in a case where the implied warranty action accrues and is sued upon prior to the enactment of the provision and is brought to trial after the effective date of that provision. Finally, such an application does not violate the Due Process Clause of the Michigan Constitution. Const 1963, art 1, § 17.
FITZGERALD, C.J., and KAVANAGH, LEVIN, COLEMAN, and RYAN, JJ., concurred with WILLIAMS, J.
RILEY, J., took no part in the decision of this case.
NOTES
Notes
[1] MCL 600.2949; MSA 27A.2949 provides that:
"(1) In all products liability actions brought to recover damages resulting from death or injury to рerson or property, the fact that the plaintiff may have been guilty of contributory negligence shall not bar a recovery by the plaintiff or the plaintiff's legal representatives, but damages sustained by the plaintiff shall be diminished in proportion to the amount of negligence attributed to the plaintiff.
"(2) If the court determines that the claim or defense is frivolous, the court may award costs and reasonable attorney's fees to the prevailing party in a products liability action. Moreover, MCL 600.2945; MSA 27A.2945 provides that:
"As used in sections 2946 to 2949 and section 5805, `products liability action' means an аction based on any legal or equitable theory of liability brought for or on account of death or injury to person or property caused by or resulting from the manufacture, construction, design, formula, development of standards, preparation, processing, assembly, inspection, testing, listing, certifying, warning, instructing, marketing, advertising, packaging, or labeling of a product or a component of a product."
[2] During oral arguments, Justice RYAN addressed the following question to defense counsel: "whether it is within the competence of the Legislature to make a law concerning what is аnd what is not admissible evidence". He further asked whether counsel was familiar with Perin v Peuler,
The certified questions in the instant case do not raise the propriety of applying the statutory rules of evidence found in the products liability statute. See MCL 600.2946; MSA 27A.2946, MCL 600.2947; MSA 27A.2947, MCL 600.2948; MSA 27A.2948.
Since the issue has not been raised or briefed and its consideration is not necessary in answering the certified questions, the general rule of law is that this Court will not consider such an extraneous issue. See Turner v Consumers Power Co,
[3] See Comment, Products Liability in Michigan: Implied Warranty, Strict Tort, or Both, 15 Wayne L Rev 1558 (1969). See, also, Dolan, Commercial Transactions, 1980 Annual Survey of Michigan Law, 27 Wayne L Rev 589, 605 (1981).
[4] In Smith v E R Squibb & Sons, Inc,
"This opinion is limited solely to its facts. We do not suggest that implied warranty and negligence are not independent causes of action. When the factual issue is the adequacy of the warnings given, the legal standard under either theory is one of reasonable care under the circumstances. Note should be made, however, that on different facts it could be prejudicial error not to give the implied warranty instruction. See, e.g., Midgley v S S Kresge Co, 55 Cal App 3d 67; 127 Cal Rptr 217 (1976) (issue of contributory negligence requires instruction on both negligence and strict liability)."
[5] On May 15, 1978, the second draft of House Bill 5689, which preceded MCL 600.2949; MSA 27A.2949, was introduced. This provision stated:
"Sec. 2949. (1) IT SHALL BE A REBUTTABLE DEFENSE IN A PRODUCTS LIABILITY ACTION THAT THE PLAINTIFF WAS COMPARATIVELY NEGLIGENT OR AT FAULT. THE COURT OR A JURY IN DETERMINING LIABILITY OR THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGES IF THIS DEFENSE IS ALLEGED SHALL WEIGH THE COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE OR FAULT OF EACH PARTY AND ASSESS A PORTION OF THE LIABILITY OR DAMAGES BASED ON THE COMPARATIVE NEGLIGENCE OR FAULT OF EACH PARTY."
See, also, 12 ULA, Civil Procedural & Remedial Laws, Uniform Comparative Fault Act, § 1b, p 34 (1982 Cum Supp); Products Liability Task Force, 58 Mich Bar J 524, 525 (1979).
[6] See, generally, Note, Timmerman v Universal Corrugated Box Machinery Corp An Exception to the Doctrine of Comparative Negligence in Products Liability Litigation: Michigan Courts Speak out on Public Act 495, 1981 Det C L Rev 222, 235. See, also Comment, Public Act 495 A Beginning Step in Products Liability Reform in Michigan, 1979 Det C L Rev 677, 688 ff.
[7] In Hardy v Monsanto Enviro-Chem Systems, Inc,
"We decline to speculate about the effect of Placek and the products liability statute, MCL 600.2945; MSA 27A.2945, on the law of products liability. This case, as well as Tulkku and Funk, are negligence cases. The cases cited in our brother's opinion for the proposition that comparative negligence should not apply are inapplicable. Zerby v Warren, 297 Minn 134, 141;
[8] Const 1963, art 1, § 17, states that:
"No person shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty or property, without due process of law. The right of all individuals, firms, corporations and voluntary associations to fair and just treatment in the course of legislative and executive investigations and hearings shall not be infringed."