OPINION AND ORDER
The above referenced action alleges that Defendant Parker-Hannifin Corporation (“Parker”) improperly designed, manufactured, marketed, and serviced defective industrial oil seals sold to Plaintiff Omni USA, Inc. (“Omni”) specifically for use in its gearboxes,, sold as part of agricultural irrigation systems to a third party. The Court’s Opinion and Order of March 27, 2012,
Pending before the Court are the following motions: (1) Parker’s motion for partial summary judgment (# 33) on Omni’s remaining claims on the grounds that there is no defect or no evidence of any defect in Parker’s seals; (2) Parker’s second motion for summary judgment (# 36) on all of Omni’s claims; (3) Parker’s motion for partial summary judgment against Omni on Parker’s counterclaims
After reviewing the briefs, the record and the applicable law, for the reasons stated below the Court concludes that Parker’s three motions for partial summary judgment should be granted as indicated in this document.
Because Omni’s response to # 37 refers the Court to its responses to Parker’s motions for partial summary judgment as evi
I. Standard of Review
Summary judgment under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56(c) is appropriate when, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmovant, the court determines that “the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” A dispute of material fact is “genuine” if the evidence would allow a reasonable jury to find in favor of the nonmovant. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc.,
Initially the movant bears the burden of identifying those portions of the pleadings and discovery in the record that it finds demonstrate the absence of a genuine issue of material fact and that the movant is entitled to summary judgment as a matter of law; the movant may, but is not required to, negate elements of the nonmovant’s case to prevail on summary judgment. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett,
If the movant meets its burden and points out an absence of evidence to prove an essential element of the nonmovant’s case on which the nonmovant bears the burden of proof at trial, the nonmovant must then present competent summary judgment evidence to support the essential elements of its claim and to demonstrate that there is a genuine issue of material fact for trial. National Ass’n of Gov’t Employees v. City Pub. Serv. Board,
The court must consider all evidence and draw all infеrences from the factual record in the light most favorable to the nonmovant. Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio,
II. Relevant Substantive Law
Parker’s motions for partial summary-are grounded in several provisions of the Texas Business and Commerce Code.
Breach of Contract
Under the UCC, a breach of warranty, which is created when a seller makes an affirmation of fact or a promise to the purchaser that relates to the sale of a product and warrants a conformity to the affirmation or promise, is distinguishable from a breach of contract based on whether the buyer has finally accepted the goods
Breach of Contract
Section 2.204, “Formation in General,” provides,
(a) A contract or sale of goods may be made in any manner sufficient to show agreement, including conduct by both parties which recognizes the existence of such a contract.
(b) An agreement sufficient to constitute a contract for sale may be found even though the moment of its making is undetermined.
(c) Even though one or more terms are left open a contract for sale does not fail for indefiniteness if the parties have intended to make a contract and there is a reasonably certain basis for giving an appropriate remedy.
Section 2.206, “Offer and Acceptance in Formation of Contract,” recites,
(a)Unless otherwise unambiguously indicated by the language or circumstances
(1) an offer to make a contract shall be construеd as inviting acceptance in any manner and by any medium reasonable in the circumstances;
(2) an order or other offer to buy goods for prompt or current shipment shall be construed as inviting acceptance either by a prompt promise to ship or by the prompt or current shipment of conforming or non-conforming goods, but such a shipment of nonconforming goods does not constitute an acceptance if the seller seasonably notifies the buyer that the shipment is offered only as an accommodation to the buyer.
(b)Where the beginning of a requested performance is a reasonable mode of acceptance an offeror who is not notified of acceptance within a reasonable time may treat the offer as having lapsed before acceptance.
To recover for breach of contract, a plaintiff must prove (1) the existence of a valid contract', (2) performance or tendered performance by the plaintiff; (3) breach by the defendant, and (4) harm to the plaintiff as a result of the breach. Adams v. H & H Meat Prods., Inc.,
Section 2.201 addresses “Formal Requirements; Statute of Frauds,” and recites,
(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section a contract for the sale of goods for the price of $500 or more is not enforceable by way of action or defense unless there is some writing sufficient to indicate that a contract for sale has been made between the parties and signed by the party against whom enforcement is sought or by his authorized agent or broker. A writing is not insufficient because it omits or incorrectly states a term agreed upon but the contract is not enforceable under this paragraph beyond the quantity of goods shown in such writing.
(b) Between merchants if within a reasonable time a writing in confirmation of the contract and sufficient against the sender is received and the party receiving it has reason to know its contents, it satisfies the requirements of Subsection (a) against such party unless written notice of objectiоn to its contents is given within ten days after it is received.
(c) A contract which does not satisfy the requirements of Subsection (a) but which is valid in other respects is enforceable
(1) if the goods are to be specially manufactured for the buyer and are not suitable for sale to others in the ordinary course of the seller’s business and the seller, before notice of repudiation is received and under circumstances which reasonably indicate that the goods are for the buyer, has made either a substantial beginning of their manufacture or commitments for their procurement; or
(2) if the party against whom enforcement is sought admits in his pleading, testimony or otherwise in court that a contract for sale was made, but the contract is not enforceable under this provision beyond the quantity of goods admitted; or
(3) with respect to' goods for which payment has been made and accepted or which have been received and accepted (§ 2.606).6
Comment 2 to § 2.201 states, “Receipt and acceptance either of goods or of the price constitutes an unambiguous overt admission by both parties that a contract actually exists.”
Breach of Express Warranties
Section 2.313, titled “Express Warranties by Affirmation, Promise, Description, Sample,” states,
(a) Express warranties by the seller are created as follows:
(1)Any affirmation of fact or promise made by the seller to the buyer which relates to the goods and becomes part of the basis of the bargain creates an express warranty that the goods shall conform to the affirmation or promise.
(2) Any description of the goods which is made part of the basis of the bargain creates an express warranty that the goods shall conform to the description.
(3) Any sample or model which is made part of the basis of the bargain creates an express warranty that the whole of the goods shall conform to the sample or model.
(b) It is not necessary to the creation of an express warranty that the seller use formal words such as “warrant” or ^guarantee” or that he have a specific intention to make a warranty, but an affirmation merely of the value of the goods or a statement purporting to be merely the seller’s opinion or commendation of the goods does not create a warranty.
The elements of a cause of action for breach of express warranty are (1) the defendant-seller made an express affirmation of fact or promise relating to the goods; (2) that affirmation or promise became part of the bargain; (3) the plaintiff relied upon that affirmation or promise; (4)the goods did not comply with the affirmation or promise; (5) the plaintiff was damaged by the noncompliance; and (6) the failure of the product to comply was the proximate cause of the plaintiffs injury. Berge Helene Ltd. v. GE Oil & Gas, Inc.,
Section 2.725 applies to an action for breach of warranty for the sale of goods, whether implied or express. See Safeway Stores, Inc. v. Certainteed Corp.,
Where an express warranty is shown to exist, it can only be excluded or modified pursuant to § 2.316(a),
Breach of Implied Warranties
An implied warranty is a representation about the implied quality or suitability of a product that the law implies and imports into a contract, “in view of all facts and circumstances attending the transaction, including the nature of the property, terms of the agreement, and trade usages.” American Tobacco,
The statute of limitations for breach of implied warranty is four years after delivery of the goods to the original buyer. Tex. Bus. & Com.Code Ann. § 2.725(b) (“A cause of action accrues when the breach occurs, regardless of the aggriеved party’s lack of knowledge of the breach.”). The statute of limitations for an implied warranty is not the same as that for an express warranty, which can be explicitly extended into the future by the parties. While the “statute of limitations on implied warranties runs from the date of the sale,” the drafters of the UCC “intended to reserve the benefits of an extended warranty to those who bargained for them,” so “only express warranties
Section 2.314, “Implied Warranty: Merchantability; Usage of Trade,” provides in relevant part,
(a) Unless excluded or modified (§ 2.316), a warranty that the goods shall be merchantable is implied in a contract for their sale if the seller is a merchant with respect to goods of that kind....
(b) Goods to be merchantable must be at least such as
(1) pass without objection in the trade under the contract description; and
(2) in the case of fungible goods, are of fair average quality within the description; and
(3) are fit for the ordinary purposes for which such goods are used; and
(4) run, within the variations permitted by the agreement, of even kind, quality and quantity within each unit and among all units involved; and
(5) are adequately contained, packaged, and labeled as the agreement may require; and
(6) conform to the promises or affirmations of fact made on the container or label, if any.
(c) Unless excluded or modified (§ 2.316) other implied warranties may arise from course of dealing or usage of trade.
To prevail on an action for breach of implied warranty of merchantability, a plaintiff must prove (1) that the merchant sold goods to the plaintiff; (2) that the goods were unmerchantable, that is, unfit for ordinary purposes; (3) that the plaintiff notified the defendant of the breach; and (4) that the plaintiff suffered injury. Hartford v. Lyndon-DFS Warranty Services, Inc.,
The defendant may assert a defense of disclaimer under the UCC, Tex. Bus. & Com.Code Ann. 2.316(b), to a claim of implied warranty of merchantability as well as an implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose. Southwestern Bell Tel. Co. v. FDP Corp.,
To prove a breach of the implied warranty of merchantability, a plaintiff must demonstrate a defect in the “condition of the goods that renders them unfit for the ordinary purposes for which they are used” under § 2.314(b)(3). Plas-Tex, Inc. v. U.S. Steel Corp.,
Section 2.315, “Implied Warranty: Fitness for Particular Purpose,” asserts,
Where the seller at the time of contracting has reason to know any particular purpose for which the goods are required and that the buyer is relying on the seller’s skill or judgment to select or furnish suitable goods, there is unless excluded or modified under the next section an implied warranty that the goods shall be fit for such purpose.
“A ‘particular purpose’ is a specific Use by the buyer that is peculiar to the nature of the buyer’s business. A particular purpose differs from an ordinary purpose, which is the purpose envisaged in the concept of merchantability and goes to the uses that are customarily made of the goods.” Berge Helene Ltd. v. GE Oil & Gas, Inc.,
An implied warranty of fitness may also be disclaimed, but the disclaimer may be by general language and need not use the word, “fitness.” Hartford,
To prevail on a claim for breach of implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose, the plaintiff must prove that (1) the seller had reason to know any particular purpose for which the goods were required at the time of contracting; (2) the buyer actually and justifiably relied on the seller’s skill or judgment to select or furnish suitable goods; (3) the plaintiff notified the defendant of the breach within a reasonable time after the buyer discovered or should have discovered any breach of warranty or he is “barred of remedy” 4 pursuant to § 2607(c)(l)(4) the plaintiff suffered injury; and (5) the defendant’s
III. Allegations of Plaintiffs
First Amended Original Complaint (#16)'
Plaintiffs First Amended Original Complaint was filed pursuant to a Court order (# 15) after the Court granted Parker’s motion for more definite statement. In the amended pleading Omni alleges that in 2004 Omni met several times with Parker’s Houston sales representative, Ronnie Lovett (“Lovett”), in Omni’s Houston office. So did Paul Yager (‘Yager”), Parker’s Rotary Seals Market Manager for Parker’s PS Division. Lovett verbally represented to Omni that Parker would be fully capable of designing and manufacturing high quality cartridge seals for Omni’s gearboxes, which Omni would then sell to T-L Irrigation Company (“T & L”) for use in T. & L’s agricultural irrigation • systems. Based on this representation, Omni agreed to have Parker design- and manufacture the seals. The parties also agreed that Parker ultimately would have final design control over the design and manufacture of the seals.
Before this agreement was made, Parker had represented to Omni that Parker had finished an analysis of Omni’s gearbox design and compared it to seal designs of other seal suppliers in the agricultural irrigation market. Through Lovett and Yager, Parker represented that it could design and manufacture a cartridge seal for Omni’s gearbox that would allow Omni’s gearbox to operate and function successfully in an agricultural irrigation system. According to the amended pleading, when these representations were made, Parker did not actually possess the necessary knowledge, skills, technology, or other capabilities or resources that Parker claimed, and Parker was not sure that it could design and manufacture the functional cartridge seal design requested by Omni within the time frame established by Omni.
According to the Amended Complaint, from 2005-07 Parker began supplying Plaintiff with the seals, which Omni installed in its gearboxes and forwarded to T & L. According to Omni, it only later discovered that the seals were defective at the time that they were delivered to Omni. During this time, Omni made several payments to Parker, and Parker sent several invoices to Omni. On the back side of some of these invoices was inconspicuous language that was not referenced in the invoices and that was not noticed when the invoices were received by Omni. All invoices that Omni received from Parker were received after the first shipment of seals; there was no course of dealings between Omni and Parker whereby the additional terms on the reverse side of the invoices became part of the agreement.
T & L subsequently sold the agricultural systems containing the gearboxes and seals to end-users. At some point after 2007, T & L notified Omni that at least some of the gearboxes were leaking oil in the field (the “leakage”) because of a problem in the design and/or mаnufacturing process of the seals. Omni promptly notified Parker and suspended payment to Parker until the defective design issue could be resolved. Omni allowed Parker to come to its Houston offices to obtain
Nevertheless Parker has disclaimed responsibility for the seal design and/or manufacturing and blamed faulty design failures on Omni, which is not and does not claim to be a designer or manufacturer of seals. In contrast, Parker represents itself to be the “world’s leading diversified manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems, providing precision-engineered solutions for a wide variety of mobile, industrial and aerospace markets.” Ex. A. Omni asserts that Parker changed its materials supplier(s) during the production of the seals and that Parker chose and used inferior materials that directly caused the leakage. Parker also allegedly changed the seal’s “rib” design during production, evidencing Parker’s own testing of and attempts to correct the design problems.
Omni and T & L continued to report incidents of leakage to Parker, which later indicated that it found certain defects in the design and proposed to correct the deficiencies, but in return it required Plaintiff to agree to make future seal purchases from Parker at a much higher price per seal.
In sum, Omni contends that Parker’s seal manufacturing and related services were defective in design, workmanship, manufacture, production, marketing/ testing, and investigation of corrective design.
IV. Parker’s [First] Mtotion for Partial Summary Judgment (# 33)
Parker contends that Omni’s entire case rests on whether the Parker seals in dispute were defective. Parker argues that the summary judgment evidence establishes that the seals were not defective and that Omni cannot produce any summary judgment evidence of a defect in Parker’s seals which causеd the leaks complained of by T & L. Therefore Parker is entitled to summary judgment on Omni’s claims as a matter of law.
The Court observes that there is disagreement about which party is responsible for the design of the seals at issue. Parker asserts that in early 2004 Omni came to Parker and asked for a quotation for a “cartridge” seal that could be used in Omni’s agricultural gearboxes. Ex. B, Feb. 21, 2012 Dep. of Jeff Daniel (“Daniel”), President of Omni, at pp. 114-20.
Omni’s designated corporate representatives, Kemper and Operations Manager Daniel Lloyd Matthews (“Matthews”), both testified that it was Omni’s responsibility to install the seals and ensure that they were installed correctly, and to insure that they were tested and would not be shipped to the customer until they passed. Ex. D, at 28-30; Ex. E, Matthews Dep. at pp. 75-76 and Ex. 2. Both men confirmed that the Parker seals were capable of being properly installed. Ex. D at pp. 29-33 and Ex. 2; Ex. E at pp. 75-76 and Ex. 2. Furthermore Kemper stated that every gearbox was tested for leaks
The first complaints of leakage in the area of the seals inside the gearboxes that were sold and shipped in 2005. by Omni to T & L came in the fall of 2007 from T & L. Kemper Dep. Ex. D at pp. 31-33 & Ex. 9; Matthews Dep., Ex. E at pp. 116-20 and Ex. 9. No “root cause analysis” was performed to determine the cause of the reported leakage. Ex. B, Daniel Dep. at 207-14; Ex. E, Matthews Dep. at pp. 113— 15. What testing was done did not reveal leaking or determine what caused the leakage. Ex. B at 207-24; Ex. E at pp. 122-24 & Ex. 10. Nor was therе any evidence of a defect in any Parker seal. At his deposition on October 23, 2012 Kemper testified that he was not aware of any defects with the Parker or the J.M. Clipper
Nor did Omni’s expert, mechanical engineer Merle Lynn Bell (“Bell”)
Thus neither Omni’s designated corporate representatives nor its expert identified a defect in the Parker seals. For Omni to prevail on its breach of contract claim it must prove that Parker breached a contract and caused Omni’s injury; specifically it must prove that its injury was a natural, probable and foreseeable consequence of Parker’s breach. Mead v. Johnson Group,
To prevail on its claim оf breach of express warranties “with respect to the seals sold to Plaintiff by selling same in a defective condition likely to cause leakage and product malfunction that did occur,” Omni must establish that the seals did not comply with Parker’s alleged representation regarding “the character, quality or title promised at the time of sale.” Chilton Ins. Co. v. Pate & Pate Enters.,
Neither party disputes that Parker knew from the start of the parties’ negotiations the particular purpose for which the seals were to be used: the cartridge seals Parker was to manufacture were to be inserted into and perform as components of Omni’s gearboxes to allow Omni’s gearboxes to operate and function successfully in an agricultural irrigation system to be sold to other parties. Omni charges that Parker breached implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose “by selling such seals to Plaintiff in a defective condition likely to cause the leakage and product malfunction that did occur.” First Amended Complaint at ¶ 24.
According to Parker, all of Omni’s claims require it to prove there is a defect in Parker’s seals. Neither Omni’s corporate representatives nor its expert could identify a defect in Parker’s seals that caused the leakage. Because Omni cannot do so, Parker insists that it is entitled to summary judgment on those claims.
A. Omni’s Response (# 39)
Omni objects that there are genuine issues of material fact on each element of its claims for breach of express warranties and of implied warranties, as well as for breach of contract. Parker’s contention that the leakage was caused by Omni’s improper installation of the seals is contradicted by evidence that the Parker seals were defective in (1) the accelerated functional test of gearbox rotary seal and associated report dated September 6, 2012 (Ex. C, comparing JMC seal with one from current competitor and concluding that the JMC seal was the primary cause of leakage); (2) the seal installation verification аnd repeatability of rotary gearbox and associated report dated October 15, 2012 (Ex. D, concluding that in contrast with the seals of the current competitor, all JMC seals will have a certain degree of misalignment during the installation process,” that all of the ten identical seals tested “were angled (misaligned) more than the allowable standards for this type of seal,” and that the seals’ misalignment could be the primary cause of the seals’ leakage”); and (3) the seal rotation test of rotary gearbox seal and associated report dated December 12, 2012 (Ex. E, finding that although the seals are designed to be static on the ID of the seal and the OD of the shaft, of the ten identical seals exam
As summary judgment evidence, Omni submits the following for the reasons stated. First, excerpts of Parker’s responses to Omni’s first set of interrogatories (Ex. A, p. 6, 11. 5-6, “[Lovett and Yager] will testify that the seals it sold to Omni were manufactured pursuant to a design requested and approved by Omni.”) are attached to show that Parker is trying to shift the responsibility of design control to Omni even though Parker admitted it developed and proposed the subject designs (Ex. A, p. 9, 11. 2-4, “Mr. Daniels [sic] required that the seals be manufactured in China. After J.M. Clipper determined that it could outsource a cartridge seal with a similar type of design from a low-cost country to meet Omni’s cost requirement, as requested by Omni, and it submitted the proposed design to Omni, Omni reviewed and approved it.”). Second, Omni presents excerpts from the deposition (Ex. B) of Parker’s expert, Timothy Brian Hatch, to show that (a) Parker’s attempt to shift the responsibility of design control to Omni failed, while admitting that Parker developed and prоposed the subject designs
Next, to establish that Parker’s seals were defective and/or defectively designed, Omni points to EPS’s expert tests and reports of EPS, Bell’s company (Exhibit C, functional test and report, p. 4; Ex. D, seal installation test and verification and repeatability of rotary gearbox and associated report dated October 15, 2012; and Ex. E, seal rotation test and report), which Omni claims establish that the seals were defective as evidenced by premature failure from either improper operation of the seal design or from the misalignment failure inherent in the seals’ design, making correct installation impossible.
Regarding the first, Exhibit C at pp. 4-5, Omni quotes a portion of the “SUMMARY OF OPINIONS”:
Based on the analysis and tests conducted, EPS20 has concluded that oil leakage originated almost immediately from the JMC seal, while the seal from the current supplier did not exhibit any leakage. Leakage originating from the JMC seal was excessive and would cause failure of the gearbox. Leakage from the JMC seal originated between the shaft and the seal, which supports EPS’s21 opinion that the seal was the primary cause of the leakage.22
This report at p. 6 also found that Parkers’ seals had two different designs despite having the same part number, and it stated at p. 7, “It is the opinion of EPS that making changes without customer approval to a seal design after it has been successfully tested and qualified is not considered acceptable.”
Based on the testing completed, it is clear that these seals are designed with too much internal friction and torque to the point that many of them do not operate correctly. In addition, the rubber coating on this particular seal design is such that it makes them very difficult if not impossible to consistently install correctly.
Therefore, it is my opinion that these seals are experiencing premature failure from either improper operation of the seal itself, or from the misalignment problems inherent to this design.
Insisting that “[t]hese reports, individually and collectively, establish that the subject seals were defective because the seals underwent premature failure caused by improper operation of the seal design itself (unable to rotate consistently) and/or from the misalignment failure inherent to Defendant’s design (unable to be properly installed”) (Ex. E at pp. 9-10), Omni insists that Parker is liable for breach of express warranties because its sеals did not comply with its representations that it would be able to design an operable and functional cartridge seal for Omni’s gearbox, for breach of implied warranties because Parker’s seals were unmerchantable, and (c) for breach of its contract to provide Omni with non-defective seals.
B. Parker’s Reply (# 43)
Parker objects that Omni still has not identified a defect in the material or workmanship of the Parker seals, no less showed that one caused any leakage. Nor has it demonstrated that the Parker component part (the seal) in the Omni gearboxes was defective on the date of delivery in 2005, but only that some gearboxes two years later leaked.
Parker complains that the expert reports attached to Omni’s response are not sworn. “ ‘Unsworn expert reports ... do not qualify as affidavits or otherwise admissible evidence for [the] purpose of Rule 56, and may be disregarded by the court when ruling on a motion for summary judgment.’ ” Provident Life and Ace. Ins. Co. v. Goel,
Regarding Parker’s discovery responses which purportedly show that it is responsible for a defect in the seals because it participated in the design of the seal, Parker argues that the evidence shows that Omni engineers approved the design, di
Parker contends that its expert Hatch’s deposition supports Parker’s position because Hatch opined that any seals that leaked did so not because of a defect in the component seal, but because they were improperly installed by Omni. Ex. B at p. 99 to Omni’s response. Omni’s claim that Hatch never performed any tests is merit-less because Hatch’s opinion was expressly based on tests that Omni performed, discovery answers that Omni gave, and the Omni e-mails in this case. Omni’s technical expert, Mark Bell, agreed in his deposition.
Parker insists that the evidence shows that the seals were capable of being installed correctly and were, by the thousands. If some were not installed properly, it was Omni’s duty to ensure that they were installed correctly (as evidenced by the testimony of Omni’s designated corporate representatives Matthews and Kemper, that every gearbox was supposed to have been tested before leaving Omni’s manufacturing sites, that no complaints were made for years, and that thousands of gearboxes did not leak), or to notice they were not installed properly and to correct its installation technique at the factory or its gearbox design or to give notice of the problem to Parker, none of which it did. Bell’s subsequent reports of October 15 and December 12, 2012 still do not identify a defect in the seals or their design nor even a probability that they could cause the leakage. Nor does Bell rule out other factors such as the age of the seals tested, the changes Omni made in its gearboxes without Parker’s knowledge, or Omni’s duty to install the seals and ensure they were properly installed. Parker argues that Bell’s summary that the “seals are experiencing premature failure from either improper оperation of the seal itself or from the misalignment problems inherent to this design” is not an, opinion that there is a defect in the seals that caused any seal to leak, much less any gearbox to leak, and even if it were, it would be conclusory and contrary to Bell’s sworn deposition testimony. Moreover Omni admittedly used thousands of seals from a different supplier in gearboxes sold to T & L so Omni cannot prove causation.
In a supplement (# 58), Parker emphasizes that it did not install the seals and had no control over seal installation. Because Omni had complete control in the design of the gearboxes into which the seals were installed, complete control over the installation process, complete control of the installation technique, and complete control over checking the boxes (i.e., quality control), it would be Omni’s duty to discover a defect, give notice, and either reject the goods (the seals) or change its own design. It did neither. Thus Parker claims it is entitled to summary judgment.
In a second supplement to its motions for partial summary judgment (# 62), however, relating to Bell’s second court-ordered deposition on February 26, 2018 (Transcript, Ex. A, attached), pointing out that Bell did not know before performing his experiments that the Parker seals he was inspecting were six or seven years old
In sum, Parker repeats that Bell cannot identify the cause of Omni’s gearbox leakage and that Omni was responsible for noticing if the seals were not being installed correctly and to correct the problem or give notice of the problem and reject the seals.
Moreover, one element of a breach of warranty claim not demonstrated by Omni here is that the plaintiff must provide notice to the defendant of the breach under § 2.607(c)(1) (“Where a tender has been accepted ... the buyer must within a reasonable time after he discovers or should have discovered any breach notify the seller of breach or be barred from any remedy .... ”). See U.S. Tire-Tech, Inc. v. Boeran, B.V.,
Omni has not responded to the First or Second Supplement.
V. Parker’s Second Motion for Partial Summary Judgment (# 36)
Incorporating # 33, Parker’s second motion notes that all the seals Parker sold to Omni were subject to the quotation dated May 21, 2004 that Parker sent as an offer for an agreement to provide the seals to Omni. After the first sentence stating, “This quotation is made subject to placement and of your order(s) by 60 days,” it provides in enlarged capital letters that set it of from the remaindеr of the text, “WE INVITE YOUR ATTENTION TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE WHICH APPEAR ON THE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS QUOTATION AND WHICH ARE A PART OF THIS QUOTATION.” Ex. B and C (reverse side)
6. Warranty. All shipments of the product sold hereby are subject to the following warranty: THE SELLER WARRANTS FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE OF DELIVERY THAT THE PRODUCT IS FREE FROM DEFECTS' IN MATERIALS AND WORKMANSHIP. THIS LIMITED WARRANTY IS YOUR EXCLUSIVE WARRANTY FROM THE SELLER AND DESCRIBES THE EXCLUSIVE REMEDY AVAILABLE TO ANY PURCHASER OF THE PRODUCT. THE PRODUCT IS NOT SOLD WITH ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES. NOR ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY AND/OR OTHER WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN THE SALE OF THE PRODUCT SELLER MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND OTHER THAN THAT STATED HEREIN AND NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO ALTER THIS WARRANTY ORALLY.
#36, Ex. B and C. Another term and condition is the following:
7. Limitations of Liability. It is expressly understood and agreed that the limit of Seller’s liability shall be, at Seller’s sole option, repair or resupply of the product. Resupply shall mean furnishing free of charge (F.O.B. place of original purchase) a new shipment of the product (uninstalled) in an amount sufficient to replace any product found to be defective. All labor and service charges which may be incurred with respect to either the original or replacement product are excluded. THE SELLER SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES SUCH AS DAMAGE TO ANY BUILDING STRUCTURES TO WHICH THE PRODUCT IS AFFIXED OR ITS CONTENTS; NOR SHALL THE SELLER BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHICH ARE BASED UPON ALLEGED NEGLIGENCE, BREACH OF WARRANTY, STRICT LIABILITY OR ANY ' OTHER THEORY OTHER THAN THE LIMITED LIABILITY SET FORTH 'ABOVE. INCIDENTAL AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES SHALL NOT BE RECOVERABLE EVEN IF THE RESUPPLY FAILS OF ITS PURPOSE OR FOR ANY OTHER REASON.
Also contained in the “TERMS AND CONDITIONS” is the requirement, “8. Any claim on account of damaged products, warranty, short count or for any other cause shall be deemed waived unless made in writing within 30 days from the date the defect or cause to which each claim relates is discovered or should have been discovered.” Exs. B and C.
■After Omni accepted the “TERMS AND CONDITIONS”, Parker sent a “final pricing” quotation on July 16, 2004 that included on the front page another condition: “[Parker] is not able to provide a service life for your specific application at this time. Any warranty claims associated with service life of product is not the responsibility of [Parker.]” # 36, Ex. D., Final Pricing, signed by Paul Yager.
After approving Parker’s substantially identical drawing of a sample provided by Omni, Omni emailed the signed approval of the seals on August 27, 2004, stating that Omni was ready to place the purchase
With supporting evidence, Parker reiterates, inter alia, that Omni began issuing purchase orders in September 2004 and accepted delivery of seals from Parker (Ex. G) for the next year without disputing the “TERMS AND CONDITIONS” in the two quotations. Matthews and Kemper, Omni’s designated corporate representatives, stated in depositions that it was Omni’s responsibility to install the seals correctly. Ex. H at pp. 105-12; Ex. E at pp. 28-29. Each gearbox was supposed to be tested before leaving Omni’s manufacturing sites. Ex. E at p. 33 and Ex. 2; Ex. H, pp. 75-76 and Ex. 2.
In February 2007 Omni requested more seals from Parker. Ex. J, invoice). Because Omni was not receiving enough seals quickly, Omni purchased seals from other vendors and used them in the gearboxes. In the fall of 2007, T & L complained about leaks in some of the gearboxes shipped to it by Omni in 2005. Ex. E, pp. 31-33 & Ex. 9; Ex. H at pp. 116-20 and Ex. 9. Parker highlights the fact that all of the purportedly leaking seals were discarded, and Omni and T & L cannot determine which of the numerous gearboxes sold leaked. Ex. I, T & L engineering manager Douglas Soderquist’s Dep. at pp. 143-45. There is no record of how many seals allegedly leaked or whether any of the allegedly leaking seals were from Parker or from other vendors. The limited testing that was done was unable to duplicate leaking or determine its cause. Daniel Dep. at pp. 207-14, 262; Ex. H, Matthews Dep. at pp. 122-24. Parker complains that Omni filed this suit despite, the fact that there was no evidence of a defect in the Parker seals; all allegedly leaking seals were discarded; no root cause analysis was performed; there was no evidence regarding which gearboxes leaked; there was no evidence whether the seals in the allegedly leaking gearboxes were from Parker or another vendor; and the “TERMS AND CONDITIONS” disclaim implied warranties and limit liability.
One Term and Condition was an express warranty that the seals would be free from defects in materials and workmanship for one year from the date of delivery. Omni’s failure to give notice of any claim within a year of delivery of the seals and its failure to identify a defect in material and workmanship that existed at the time of delivery require the Court to dismiss Omni’s claim for breach of express warranty. Another term and condition explicitly disclaimed implied warranties of merchantаbility and fitness for a particular purpose and any warranty for service life. The warranty exclusions were conspicuous, and Omni was aware of them and given every opportunity to inspect the seals.
If Omni’s claims are not dismissed for other reasons, Parker’s “TERMS AND CONDITIONS” also limit Parker’s liability either to repairing or resupplying any allegedly defective seals. The written “TERMS AND CONDITIONS” include an express warranty that the seals would be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of only one year from the date of delivery and not afterward, thus barring claims in 2007 and afterward about the seals sent by Parker to Omni in 2005.
Moreover “TERMS AND CONDITIONS” warranted only that the Parker component part, the seals, would be free of defects in material and workmanship for
Furthermore, insists Parker, Parker expressly excluded all labor and service charges, as well as damages other than for repair or resupply of any defective seal under the “TERMS AND CONDITIONS”. Since Omni did not preserve the seals that allegedly leaked nor keep a record of which ones did, or which gearboxes leaked, or which gearboxes contained Parker seals or seals from other vendors, there is no evidence to support Omni’s claimed damages. Omni has not designated an expert on damages, and Parker’s expert stated that Omni’s damage allegations are speculative. The measure of direct damages for a breach of warranty is the market value difference between the goods as delivered and the goods as warranted at the time and place of acceptance unless special circumstances show proximate damages of a different amount. Tex. Bus. & Com.Code Ann. § 2.714(b); Chaq Oil Co. v. Gardner Machinery Corp.,
Omni was required by the “TERMS AND CONDITIONS” to notify Parker of any claim in writing within thirty days from the date the defect is discovered or should have been discovered. Ex. B. Omni failed to notify Parker within thirty days, as well as within the one year from date of delivery as required by the express warranty. Furthermore the statute of limitations for a breach of warranty is four years. Tex. Bus. & Com.Code Ann. § 2.725(a) (“An action for breach of any contract for sale must be commenced within four years after the cause of action has accrued. By the original agreement the parties may reduce the period of limitation to not less than one year but may not extend it.”); American Tobacco v. Grin
A. Omni’s Response (# 46)
Although Parker asserts, “Omni was in the unique position to determine whether the seals were properly installed and whether they would leak prior to shipping its gearboxes to its customers,” Omni argues that it was not the seal expert here, Parker was, and yet Parker sold Omni defective seals. Omni states that it did perform its standard, rudimentary pressure checks before selling its gearboxes with Parker’s seals. Ex. A, Matthews Dep. Omni maintains that Parker breached its contract by failing to provide Omni with adequate replacement seals once the original ones proved to be defective.
Omni insists that its expert’s reports evidence that Parker’s seals were defective or defectively designed. Ex. E, Seal rotation test and report, p. 9, to # 33 (“Based on the testing completed, it is clear that [Parker’s] seals are designed with too much internal friction and torque to the point that many of them do not operate correctly. In addition, rubber coating on this particular seal design is such that it makes them very difficult if not impossible to consistently install correctly. Therefor, it is my oрinion that [Defendant’s] seals are experiencing premature failure from either improper operation of the seal itself, or from the misalignment problems inherent to this design.”).
As for Omni’s breach of contract claim, Omni maintains that Parker does not dispute that it breached its agreement with Plaintiff to provide replacement seals for the defective seals. Omni claims that at trial it will prove that Defendant breached its agreement to provide adequate seals by attempting to change the original terms and offering replacement seals of unknown quality at higher prices with a stipulation to purchase certain quantities from Parker. Meanwhile to counter the argument that there is a distinction between breach of contract and breach of warranty claims, Omni questions the premise, insists Parker breached the contract to provide replacement seals, and “to the extent there is no such steadfast rule as Defendant alleges, Plaintiff continues to assert its breach of contract claim that Defendant failed to provide Plaintiff with non-defective seals.” # 46 at p. 8.
Omni further argues that the additional terms were not conspicuous, were not agreed to by it, and did not become part of the agreement between the parties. Omni claims it did not become aware of the terms until its attorney discovered them when examining the invoice copies after litigation began. In its Opinion and Order
Regarding Omni’s claim for damages, Omni states that it sent Parker a chart of minimum damages incurred as a result of the demand from customer T & L. Ex. C, Recall Damages Chart. Soderquist, T & L’s former president, testified that under the circumstances, a total recall was the most economical and efficient method of replacing the defective seals. Ex. D, Soderquist’s Dep. at pp. 87-89. Moreover Omni presents a measure of damages for its breach of express warranty as the difference between the goods as delivered and as warranted, which at minimum should have been full replacement value since when delivered the value of the goods was nonexistence because the seals were not in working condition. It further asserts that the value could be negative because utilizing defective seals was more costly than their worth, which was zero.
B. Parker’s Reply (# 49)
Parker reiterates that it is uncontroverted that (1) Omni has not identified a defect in the Parkér seals, (2) Parker’s “TERMS AND CONDITIONS” were separately communicated to and accepted by Omni to limit Parker’s liability and damages in this case, (3) Omni was aware of the “TERMS AND CONDITIONS” and had every opportunity to inspect the seals, (4) Omni had exclusive control of the design of the gearboxes into which the seals were placed and exclusive control over the manufacturing method used to place the seals into the Omni gearboxes, and (5) after placing the seals in the gearboxes, Omni had exclusive control over the quality control inspections made to confirm that the installation was proper.
Parker again objects to the deposition excerpts attached by Omni to its response (Exs. A and C) because there is no title page or other evidence showing who the witness is or that the witness was sworn. Refrigeración,
VI. Court’s Determination on Motions for Partial Summary Judgment
As a threshold matter, the Court has pointed out that as a matter of law, breach of contract and breach of warranty are distinct and different claims with different remedies, and “[w]hen a party fails to deliver the goods as promised, a breach of contract occurs[,] but when a seller delivers non-conforming goods, it is a breach of warranty.” Structural Metals, Inc. v. S & C Elec. Co., -
Second, Parker’s first motion for partial summary judgment argues that Omni must prove there is a defect in Parker’s seals to prevail on all its breach of warranty claims. Contrary to Parker’s claim, the Texas Supreme Court, although holding that “proof of a defect is required in an action for breach of implied warranty of merchantability under section 2.314(b)(3),” clearly opined, “In an action based on implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose, proof of a defect is not required.” Plas-Tex,
As for Omni’s breach of express warranty claim, the term “defect” in the sense of a flaw or a weakness is too broad to describe accurately the element of that cause of action. Instead § 2.313(a)(1) requires Omni to show that Parker made an express affirmation of fact or promise relating to the seals, on which Omni relied and which became the basis of the parties’ bargain, but which Parker’s failure to meet constituted the breach, or in Parker’s contention, the “defect.” In other words, it failed to conform to express or implied warranties. While Omni’s amended complaint asserts that Lovett verbally represented to Omni that Parker was fully capable of designing and manufacturing high quality cartridge seals for Omni’s gearboxes, Omni has not provided evidence supporting that allegation. Omni President Jeff Daniel testified during his deposition that Parker warranted that its seals would be free from defects in material and workmanship (# 33, Ex. B, p. 116), a statement
“Conspicuous,” with reference to a term, means so written, displayed, or presented that a reasonable person against which it is to operate ought to have noticed it..... Conspicuous terms include the following:
(A) a heading in capitals equal to or greater in size than the surrounding text, or in contrasting type, font, or color to the surrounding text of the same or lesser size; and
(B) language in the body of a record or display in larger type than the surrounding text, or in contrasting type, font, or color to the surrounding text of the same size by symbols or other marks that call attention to the language.
Comment 10 to the section sets out a subjective standard, “the test is whether attention can reasonably be expected to be called-to it.”
The Court observes that on the front page of the May 21, 2004 written quotation, just after the first sentence that states, “This quotation is made subject to placement and of your order(s) by 60 days [sic ],” in enlarged capital letters that clearly set it off from the remainder of the text is the sentence, “WE INVITE YOUR ATTENTION TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SALE WHICH APPEAR ON THE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS QUOTATION AND WHICH ARE A PART OF THIS QUOTATION.” Ex. B to # 36, and C (rеverse side)
As indicated swpra, on the reverse side, under the title “TERMS AND CONDITIONS” in capitals and bold print, are included the following paragraphs, with the letters rendered as they are in the document:
6.Warranty. All shipments of the product sold hereby are subject to the following warranty: THE SELLER WARRANTS FOR A PERIOD OF ONE YEAR FROM THE DATE OF DELIVERY THAT THE PRODUCT IS FREE FROM DEFECTS IN MATERIALS AND WORKMANSHIP. THIS LIMITED WARRANTY IS YOUR EXCLUSIVE WARRANTY FROM THE SELLER AND DESCRIBES THE EXCLUSIVE REMEDY AVAILABLE TO ANY PURCHASER OF THE PRODUCT. THE PRODUCT IS NOT SOLD WITH ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES. NOR ANY WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY AND/OR OTHER WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN THE SALE OF THE PRODUCT SELLER MAKES NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND OTHER THAN THAT STATED HEREIN AND NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED TO ALTER THIS WARRANTY ORALLY.
7. Limitations of Liability. It is expressly understood and agreed that the limit of Seller’s liability shall be, at Seller’s sole option, repair or resupply of the product. Resupply shall mean furnishing free of charge (F.O.B. place of original purchase) a new shipment of the product (uninstalled) in an amount sufficient to replace any product found to be defective. All labor and service charges which may be incurred with respect to either the original or replacement product are excluded. THE SELLER SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR OTHER DAMAGES SUCH AS DAMAGE TO ANY BUILDING STRUCTURES TO WHICH THE PRODUCT IS AFFIXED OR ITS CONTENTS; NOR SHALL THE SELLER BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHICH ARE BASED UPON ALLEGED NEGLIGENCE, BREACH OF WARRANTY, STRICT LIABILITY OR ANY OTHER THEORY OTHER THAN THE LIMITED LIABILITY SET FORTH ABOVE. INCIDENTAL AND CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES SHALL NOT BE RECOVERABLE EVEN IF THE RESUPPLY FAILS OF ITS PURPOSE OR FOR ANY OTHER REASON.
8. Any claim on account of damaged products, warranty, short count or for any other cause shall be deemed waived unless made in writing within 30 days from the date the defect or cause to which each claim relates is discovered or should have been discovered.
# 36, Ex. B and C.
Paragraphs 6 and 7 are the only paragraphs under the “TERMS AND CONDITIONS” that contain substаntial
Third, regarding Parker’s insistence that Omni failed to show a defect in Parker’s seals and Parker’s challenges to Omni’s unauthenticated evidence, Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 56(c)(2) provides, “a party may object that the material cited to support or dispute a fact cannot be presented in a form that would be admissible in evidence.” Allegations of the nonmovant must be supported by admissible evidence to defeat a motion for summary judgment. Howell Hydrocarbons, Inc. v. Adams,
The Court finds that under the circumstances here the bottom line is whether these deposition excerpts substantively constitute relevant and reliable expert testimony. The Court, in its role as a gatekeeper, has broad discretion in determining whether such testimony is relevant and reliable and should be admitted. Wilson v. Woods,
The key factor regarding Bell’s testimony, as discussed supra, is that the transcript of Bell’s second, court-ordered deposition testimony was submitted and properly authenticated by Parker. This second deposition testimony undermines Bell’s earlier expert opinion testimony during Bell’s first deposition that Parker’s seals were defective by now revealing that when he performed his tests, he was materially misled about the age of the two groups of seals that he tested and that therefore his conclusions are invalid.
Omni fails to identify and support with admissible evidence a defect or deficiency or shortcoming in the Parker seals that caused the leakage, an essential element for Omni’s claims for breach of express wаrranty and breach of implied warranty of merchantability. “Texas law does not generally recognize a product failure standing alone as proof of a product defect.” Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. v. Mendez,
Moreover, as should be .evident from this discussion, the Court agrees with Parker’s arguments in its second motion for partial summary judgment.
VII. Parker’s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment Against Omni on Parker’s Counterclaims
Parker’s counterclaims assert that Omni is liable for $15,233.00 for seals which
Parker attaches to Paul Yager’s declaration (Exhibit A) a copy of his prior affidavit that was attached to -Parker’s original answer (#37, Ex. A) attesting to Omni’s unpaid $15,233.00 for seals it received from Parker, and copies of two unpaid invoices. The declaration states,
The prices Omni charged were just and true because they were according to the terms of a contract. They were also usual and customary and reasonable prices. A systematic record of the transactions were kept, and a complete accounting of the amounts due and owing by Omni USA, Inc. to Parker-Hannifin Corporation is attached to my prior affidavit attached to Parker’s Counterclaims as Exhibit A, and is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. All lawful offsets, payments, and credits have been' applied to the account. The account remains unpaid.
The declaration is sworn under penalty of perjury. Parker also provides a declaration from attorney Jeremy R. Stone in support of a request for attorneys’ fees for himself, co-counsel Louis M. Scofield, Jr., and their law firm, Mehaffy Webber, in the amount of $110,101.50, with supporting resumes of the two attorneys. Alternatively, Parker contends that Omni is liable under equitable theories of unjust enrichment and quantum meruit under Texas law.
Omni has not filed a substantive response to this motion.
Relevant Law
Sworn Account
“The elements of an action on account [under Texas common law] are (1) there was a sale and delivery of merchandise, (2) that the amount of the account is just, that is, that the prices are charged in accordance with an agreement or in the absence of an agreement, they are usual, customary and reasonable prices for that merchandise; and (3) that the amount is unpaid.” ABB, Inc. v. Pena, Civ. A. No. L-10-83,
Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 185, “Suit on Account,” establishes a means of making a prima facie claim for a suit on account:
When any action or defense is founded upon an open account or other claim for goods, wares and merchandise, including any claim for a liquidated money demand based upon written contract or founded on business dealings betweenthe parties, or is for personal service rendered, or labor done or labor or materials furnished, on which a systematic record has been kept, and is supported by the affidavit of the party, his agent or attorney taken before some officer authorized to administer oaths, to the effect that such claim is, within the knowledge of affiant, just and true, that it is due, and that all just and lawful offsets, payments and credits have been allowed, the same shall be taken as prima facie evidence thereof, unless the party resisting such claim shall file a written denial, under oath. A party resisting such sworn claim shall comply with the rules of pleading as are required in any other kind of suit, provided, however, that if he does not timely file a written denial under oath, he shall not be permitted to deny the claim, or any other item therein, as the case may be. No particularization or description of the nature of the component parts of the account or claim is necessary unless the trial court sustains special exceptions to the pleadings.
Parker’s motion follows the prescription of Rule 185. With respect to the evidence necessary to make a prima, facie case, however, the Texas Supreme Court has held that Rule 185 is a procedural rule, not a rule of substantive law. Sneed Shipbuilding, Inc. v. Spanier Marine Corp.,
In a diversity jurisdiction case, such as the instant action, federal courts аpply state substantive law, but federal procedural law, and thus Rule 185 is not binding oh federal courts. Steelplan,
Here besides the invoices and a conclusory affidavit from counsel, Parker has not provided summary judgment evidence that the amount of the account is just, i.e., that the prices are in accord with an agreement or, in the absence of an agreement, are the usual customary and reasonable prices for the seals. Thus it fails to meet is burden of proof and its
Breach of Contract
Texas Courts apply the UCC to contracts for the sale of goods even if the parties characterize the claim as a common law breach of contract or breach of warranty case. Courey Int’l v. Designer Floors of Texas, Inc., No. 03-09-00059-CV,
Under Texas law the elements of a breach of contract are “(1) the existence of a valid contract; (2) performance or tendered performance by the plaintiff; (3) breach of the contract by the defendant; and (4) damages sustained by the plaintiff as a result of the breach.” Mullins v. TestAmerica, Inc.,
A seller may sue for the price of the goods when the buyer failed to pay as that bill became due. Nazareth Intern., Inc. v. J.C. Penney Co.,
Section 2.606(a) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code provides that acceptance of goods received occurs when the buyer
(1) after a reasonable opportunity to inspect the goods signifies to the seller that the goods are conforming or that he will take or retain them in spite of their non-conformity; or
(2) fails to make an effective rejection (Subsection (a) of Section 2.602), but that such acceptances does not occur until the buyer has a reasonable opportunity to inspect them; or
(3) does any act inconsistent with the seller’s ownership ....
Omni received the seals but failed to object that they were non-conforming or to reject them and notify Parker within a reasonable time, but instead put them to use in its gearboxes. “ ‘When a buyer puts the goods to use, it is generally held that he has accepted the goods.’ ” United Galvanizing,
Section 2.709(a)(1), “Action for the Price,” states in relevant part,
(a) When the buyer fails to pay the price as it becomes due the seller may recover, together with any incidental damages under the next section, the price
(1) of goods accepted ... within a commercially reasonable time after the risk of their loss has passed to the buyer; and
(2) where the seller sues for the price he must hold for the buyer any goods which have been identified to the contract and are sill in his control except that if resale becomes possible he may resell them at any time prior to the collection of the judgment. The net proceeds of any such resale must be credited to the buyer and payment of the judgment entitles him to any goods not resold....
See, e.g., Stanley Industries of South Fla., Inc. v. J.C. Penney Co., Civ. A. No. 3:05-CV-2499-L,
Because Omni accepted the goods and put them to use and did not object to their nonconformity until years later, it is obligated to pay to Parker the price it сon
Quantum, Meruit/Unjust Enrichmant
A claim for the equitable remedy of quantum, meruit, which is founded on unjust enrichment, arises independent of a contract when “1) valuable services were rendered or materials furnished; 2) for the person sought to be charged; 3) which services and materials were accepted by the person sought to be charged, used, and enjoyed by him; 4) under such circumstances as reasonably notified the person sought to be charged that the plaintiff in performing such services was expecting to be paid by the person sought to be charged.” Vortt Exploration, Inc. v. Chevron U.S.A., Inc.,
Attorney’s Fees
Under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code § 38.001(8), “[a] person may recover reasonable attorney’s fees from an individual or corporation, in addition to the amount of a valid claim and costs, if the claim is for ... an oral or written contract.” “The award of reasonable attorneys’ fees is mandatory under [Texas law] if the plaintiff prevails on his or her breach of contract claim and recovers damages.” Coffel v. Stryker Corp.,
Attorney’s fees under Texas and federal law are determined by the factors set out in Johnson v. Georgia Highway Express,
Parker’s counsel has not briefed these factors with sufficient analysis, nor provided billing records or other documentation to support its request and permit the Court to make a meaningful evaluation. Furthermore, Parker prevailed only on its counterclaim for breach of contract under Chapter 2 of the Texas Business & Commerce Code (UCC). To be reasonable and necessary, the fees must be incurred on thе claim that allows recovery of such fees. Stewart Title Guar. Co. v. Sterling,
ORDER
Accordingly, for the reasons stated above, the Court
ORDERS the following:
(1) Omni’s claim for breach of contract is DISMISSED;
(2) Parker’s motion for partial summary judgment (# 33) on Omni’s claims for breach of implied warranty of fitness for a particular purpose is DENIED, but is GRANTED as to Omni’s claims for breach of express warranty and breach of implied warranty of merchantability;
(3) Parker’s second motion for partial summary judgment (# 36) is GRANTED;
(4) Parker’s motion for partial summary judgment (#37) is GRANTED on its counterclaim against Omni for breach of contract, but otherwise DENIED; and
(5) Parker’s motion for spoliation instruction (# 42) is MOOT.
Parker shall submit within twenty days a revised request for attorney’s fees; Omni shall file a timely response. At the same time Parker shall also file an updated proposed final judgment.
Notes
. The controlling complaint is Omni’s First • Amended Original Complaint, instrument #16. Parker’s Answer to Omni's First Amended Complaint and Counterclaims is in instrument # 22.
. The court has no obligation to "sift through the record in search of evidence” to support the nonmovant’s opposition to the motion for summary judgment. Forsyth v. Barr,
. Article 2 of the UCC relating to the sale of goods was adopted in Texas as 'Chapter 2 of the Business and Commerce Code. Mehler Texnologies, Inc. v. Monolithic Constructors, Inc., Civl A. No. 3:09-cv-0655-M,
. See Selectouch Corp. v. Perfect Starch, Inc., Ill S.W.3d 830, 834 (Tex.App.-Dallas 2003, not.pet.) (The "critical factor” in determining whether a buyer has a claim for breach of contract or a claim for breach of warranty is "whether the buyer has finally accepted the goods”; "only after the buyer finally accepts the goods and can no longer revoke that acceptance, is he limited to recovering under section 2.714” for breach of warranty.).
.Section 2.714, "Buyer's Damages for Breach in Regard to Accepted Goods,” provides in relevant part,
(a) Where the buyer has accepted goods and given notification (Subsection (c) of Section 2.607) he may recover as damages for any non-conformity of tender the loss resulting in the ordinary course of events from the seller's breach as determined in any manner which is reasonable.
(b) The measure of damages for breach of warranty is the difference at the time and place of acceptance between the value of the goods accepted and the value they would have had if they had been as warranted, unless special circumstances show proximate damages of a different amount.
. Section 2.606 states,
(a) Acceptance of goods occurs when the buyer
(1) after a reasonable opportunity to inspect the goods signifies to the seller that the goods are conforming or that he will take or retain them in spite of their nonconformity; or
(2) fails to make an effective rejection (Subsection (a) of Section 2.602), but
such acceptance does not occur until the buyer has had a reasonable opportunity to inspect them; or
(3)does any act inconsistent with the seller’s ownership; but if such act is wrongful against the seller it is an acceptance only if ratified by him.
(b) Acceptance of a part of any commercial unit is acceptance of that entire unit.
. Section 2.316 (“Exclusion or Modification of Warranties”) provides in relevant part,
(a) Words or conduct relevant to the creation of an express warranty and words or conduct tending to negate or limit warranty shall be construed wherever reasonable as consistent with each other; but subject to the provisions of this chapter on parol or extrinsic evidence (§ 2.202) negation or limitations is inoperative to the extent that such construction is unreasonable.
(b) Subject to Subsection (c), to exclude or modify the implied warranty of merchantability or any part of it the language must mention merchantability and in case of a writing must be conspicuous, and to exclude or modify any implied warranty of fitness the exclusion must be by a writing and conspicuous. Language to exclude all implied warranties of fitness is sufficient if it states, for example, that "There are no warranties which extend beyond the description on the face hereof.”
(c)Notwithstanding Subsection (b),
(1) unless the circumstances indicate otherwise, all implied warranties are excluded by expressions like "as is,” “with all faults” or other language which in common understanding calls the buyer’s attention to the exclusion of warranties and makes plain that there is no implied warranty; and
(2) when the buyer before entering into the contract has examined the goods of the sample or model as fully as he desired or has refused to examine the goods there is no implied warranty with regard to defects which an examination ought in the circumstances to have revealed to him; and
(3) an implied warranty can also be exclud-
ed or modified by course of dealing or course of performance or usage of trade____
. "Caused in fact” means that the defendant's conduct or product was a "substantial factor in bringing about the injury which would not otherwise have occurred.” Berge Helene,
. Daniel explained that T & L had been using a lip seal but that the market was changing over to using “cartridge” (a/k/a “cassette”) seals, which Daniel testified were better seals for keeping the oil in the gearbox and sealed for a longer term. Id.
Daniel also stated, p. 118, 11. 20-25, "I asked them [Parker] to look at a variety of different cassette-type seals. I gave them not only samples, but leaflets, drawings that were not design drawings, but they were technical sketches of a cross-section of a product, and asked thеm to supply us a seal that would do the job that was required in the irrigation market.”
.Kemper stated the assembler would check to see if the seal was correctly placed in the gearbox and not cocked to a visible degree, while the quality control process would pressurize the gearboxes with air, usually 10-12 psi, place them in tanks of water and see if bubbles emerged. All of the gear boxes had to pass the leak test before they left Omni's manufacturing facilities. #33, Ex. 3, pp. 17-18, 28. If they did not pass the test, they would be rejected, reworked, and not go to the customer until they passed the test. Id. at 28-29.
. J.M. Clipper was the company that was originally approached by Omni and sold the seals in dispute to Omni, but it was later acquired by Parker. It is sometimes referred to as "JMC”, JM Clipper, or "Clipper” by the parties or witnesses. The parties frequently use "Parker” for J.M. Clipper. See, e.g., # 33, p. 3, n. 1.
. Bell is usually referred to by the parties as Mark Bell.
. Parker's expert witness, Timothy Hatch, concluded that improper installation of seals by Omni, evidenced by their cocked or tilted positions, caused Parker's seals to leak. Ex. H, Hatch’s Dep. at pp. 99-100 and 61-63; Ex. G, Hatch’s Decl. and report at pp. 5-6.
. These tests were performed and the reports prepared by Bell and his company, Essential Product Services, Inc. ("EPS”).
. The Court observes that Hatch's testimony is equivocal (Ex. B at p. 81, 1. 22-p. 82, 1. 6):
Q. Do you know whether Parker designed the seals?
A. Yes.
Q. So you think they designed the seals in this case?
A. I believe the basic design was given to Parker from Omni. I’m not sure how much additional design was required for them to manufacture it.
Q. Who finalized the design?
A. I’m sure it was Parker, but I don’t know that. Yeah, Parker, that’s what they do is they design seals.
. Hatch stated, "I haven't seen how they actually install it at the factory, but, you know, some of these are cocked to such a degree, you can see it with the naked eye that it was crooked, so it would be obvious to tell that it wasn't installed right.” Ex. B at p. 99, 11. 18-23.
.The Court notes that when asked if any of the potential possible causes raised during his deposition was "inherently more important than the other potential causes?,” Hatch responded,
A. Yes. You have to make sure that you start with a good design first. If the seal is going to leak even if it is installed properly, then its going to leak if it’s installed properly-
Q. Okay. Well—
A. These, as I ... you know, they had a large number of them that did not leak, and—
Q. But as far as—
A. —if the design is the same, then that proves that the design isn’t the issue or indicates that the design isn’t the issue.
Ex. B atp. 113,11. 13-25.
. The Court agrees with Parker (# 43 at p. 4) that this hypothetical lacks foundation, is not relevant, and does not constitute competent proof that Parker’s seals were designed to make proper installation impossible. As Parker and its expert point out, not all the gearboxes leaked.
. Regarding (b) and (c), Omni appears to ignore the fact that it bears the burden of proving that Parker’s seal was defective.
. EPS is Essential Product Services, Inc., which performed the test, and is an expert witness for Omni.
. The Court notes that the report continues, ”[F]urther tests are now needed to confirm whether the design of JMC component parts were defective with regard to feasibility of installation, [sic]” Thus their original findings were not final.
. Omni omits a subsequent key sentence in that paragraph: "However, further tests are now needed to confirm whether the design of JMC component parts were defective with regard to feasibility of installation.”
. The Court observes that EPS does not provide any foundation or reason for this conclusion.
. Because United States Magistrate Judge Frances Stacy denied Parker’s motion to strike and exclude expert evidence (# 33, 58) the Court does not address the other arguments Parker raised for striking the reports.
. Parker states that Ex. C is the best copy of the quotation that the parties have, but the wording has been reduced through the copying process. Ex. B is more legible and closer to the original size of the document.
. Opinion and Order (# 15) addressed the original complaint and granted a motion for more definite statement. The quoted portion dealt with Omni's breach of contract claim, which the Court has indicated in the instant Opinion and Order must be dismissed since the goods were delivered and accepted, relegating Omni to its breach of warranties causes of action. Omni filed its First Amended Complaint (# 16) on July 13, 2011.
. During his second deposition, Bell testified that the manufacturer/assembler of the end product was responsible for manufacturing techniques to assemble all the components to function properly, for determining that the seals, as a component, fit the application, that a quality control system was in place to make sure they worked, for determining whether there were any problems with the seals and if so, to riotify the seal manufacturer of any seal installation issues, and to preserve the evidence. #62, Ex. A at pp. 100-01, 114-15, 123-28.
. The Texas Supreme Court in Medical City Dallas, Ltd. v. Carlisle Corp.,
. Parker states that Ex. C is the best copy of the quotation’s “TERMS AND CONDITIONS” that the parties have, but the wording has been reduced through the copying process. Ex. B is more legible and closer to the original size of the document.
. The Texas Supreme Court does state that alternatively an inconspicuous disclaimer can be given effect if the seller can show that purchaser had actual knowledge of it at the time of the purchase, such as from prior dealings with the seller by the seller’s pointing out the inconspicuous Waiver to the buyer, orally or in writing.
. As discussed, Bell admitted that because he had not been told about the age of Parker’s or the comparison seals, (1) his first test and report, aimеd at proving Parker seals were inferior to other designs, did not contain valid conclusions and that he could not state that Parker seals were inferior; (2) he has no opinion of how Parker seals performed when new (and when they were delivered to Omni by Parker) because he only tested six-to-seven-year-old ones, had no opinion about other causes of difficult installation because he was not asked by Omni to investigate Omni’s inspection practices, installation techniques, consistency of gearbox dimensions, manufacturing practices, worker training, or quality control, and admitted that difficult installation of a seal into a company's gearbox is not proof of a defect in the seal; and (3) regarding the third test and report, performed to see if the Parker seals would rotate, again he had no opinion as to how the Parker seals behaved when new because he only tested old ones. Bell further testified that, as the manufacturer of the end product, Omni had the responsibility to determine that the seals fit into the gear box and worked, that all the component parts were proper for the end product, and that Omni's alleged difficulty in installing a seal into a gearbox did not indicate there was a defect in the seal's design. He also admitted that he was not given the information necessary to find out why the Omni gearboxes sent to T & L were leaking, whether there was a flaw in the endcaps of the gearboxes, whether the manner of assembly or manufacture was faulty, or whether there was a problem with the quality control of the gearboxes, all within Omni’s control.
. Parker's Answer to Omni's First Amended Complaint and Counterclaims is instrument #22.
. Because a purpose of the UCC was to provide uniform law among various jurisdictions adopting it, and the statutory directive that uniform acts be construed to make uniform the law of those states that enact it in Tex. Gov.Code Ann. § 311.028, decisions from other jurisdictions that have adopted the UCC are persuasive authority. Western Nat. Bankv. Rives,