Axenics, Inc. v. Turner Construction Co.

62 A.3d 754, 164 N.H. 659
CourtSupreme Court of New Hampshire
DecidedMarch 13, 2013
DocketNo. 2011-219
StatusPublished
Cited by76 cases

This text of 62 A.3d 754 (Axenics, Inc. v. Turner Construction Co.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Supreme Court of New Hampshire primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Axenics, Inc. v. Turner Construction Co., 62 A.3d 754, 164 N.H. 659 (N.H. 2013).

Opinion

BASSETT, J.

The defendants, Stryker Biotech, LLC (Biotech) and Stryker Sales Corporation (Sales) (collectively Stryker), and Turner Construction Company (Turner), appeal a ruling of the Superior Court {McNamara, J.) finding them liable on a theory of unjust enrichment and awarding damages to the plaintiff, Axenics, Inc. ffk/a RenTec Corporation [662]*662(Axenics). Axenics cross-appeals, challenging the amount of damages awarded and the trial court’s failure to find the defendants liable on its breach of contract and New Hampshire Consumer Protection Act (CPA) claims, see RSA ch. 358-A (2009 & Supp. 2012). We affirm in part, reverse in part, vacate in part, and remand.

The trial court found, or the record establishes, the following facts. This case arises out of the construction of a biotech facility (facility) in West Lebanon. Biotech operates the facility, and Sales owns the property where it is located. Turner was hired as the general contractor to build the facility. Axenics provides “manufacturing, installation, and field services for ultra-pure gas and liquid distribution systems in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and semiconductor industries.”

On April 15, 2004, Axenics entered into a subcontract with Turner to furnish labor, materials, equipment, and services for the installation of “process pipe” at the facility. The original subcontract price was $1,992,506. Both parties agreed that the facility would be completed as quickly as possible. The “mechanical completion” date for the facility, including the process pipe installation, was December 2004. Ultimately, Axenics’ last day on the job was June 2, 2005.

The subcontract contemplated the possibility of delays and hindrances as well as changes to the scope of the work and its cost. The subcontract provided that “all instructions given to [Axenics’] supervisory or management personnel by Turner’s Superintendent, Engineer, or other duly authorized representative shall be understood to be included as part of this Subcontract.” If Axenics believed “work to be beyond the scope of’ the subcontract, it was required to inform Turner before proceeding. In the event that the parties could not reach an agreement at that time, Turner could issue “an S.I.S. (Superintendent’s Instructions to Subcontractors) for record purposes until such an agreement [could] be reached.”

In the event that Turner directed additional work to be performed “and the value of such work [was] to be determined other than by actual signed tickets for material,” Axenics was to “submit a lump sum proposal accompanied by an itemized breakdown of material, using established contract unit rates where applicable.” The “lump sum proposal” had to be “accompanied by accurate written estimates of the cost” and “be submitted to Turner within five (5) calendar days of the receipt of the directive.” If the “[proposals for additional work” were not received within five calendar days, Turner would “assign a fair and reasonable value for the additional work, and the additional work w[ould] become part of [Axenics’] scope of work.”

Likewise, when Axenics initiated requests for changes to the work, it had to “provide [a] written request for change and obtain Turner’s written [663]*663concurrence before proceeding with any Work believed not to be within the scope of [the] subcontract.” The subcontract further provided that if Axenics was “delayed, obstructed, hindered or interfered with in the commencement, prosecution or completion of the” work, it was required to notify Turner in writing about what caused the delay within forty-eight hours “of the commencement thereof.” Axenics also had to demonstrate that it could not have anticipated or avoided the delay and had “used all available means to minimize the consequences thereof.” This notice was “an essential condition precedent to [Axenics’] rights in connection with any such delays, obstructive hindrances or interferences.”

In addition, in the subcontract, Axenics agreed:

that .it shall not be entitled to nor claim any cost reimbursement, compensation or damages for any delay, obstruction, hindrance or interference to the Work except to the extent that Turner has actually recovered corresponding cost reimbursement, compensation or damages from the Owner under the Contract Documents for such delay, obstruction, hindrance or interference, and then only to the extent of the amount, if any, which Turner on behalf of [Axenics], actually received from the Owner on account of such delay, obstruction, hindrance or interference. Notwithstanding any term or provision herein to the contrary, [Axenics] expressly waives and releases all claims or rights to recover lost profit (except for profit on work actually performed), recovery of overhead (including home office overhead), and any other indirect damages, costs or expenses in any way arising out of or related to the [subcontract], including the breach thereof by Turner, delays, charges, acceleration, loss of efficiency or productivity disruptions and interferences with the performance of the work.

Axenics’ “work [was] to be coordinated with the structural, architectural and [mechanical, electrical, and plumbing] services prior to fabrication,” and “[p]roject coordination procedures [were] outlined in [an] attached project coordination plan.” The project coordination plan provided that: (1) Turner was responsible for scheduling, facilitating, and controlling the “coordination process”; (2) the engineer was responsible for supporting and reviewing “design changes required due to field coordination issues”; and (3) Axenics was responsible for producing, maintaining, and approving “coordination drawings” as well as implementing “eoordination[-]driven images.”

Several delays, which affected Axenics’ work, arose during construction of the facility. Some of the delays caused the schedule to be compressed and required Axenics personnel to work overtime to complete the work on time. [664]*664In addition, there were occasions when Turner requested changes to the process piping, which Axenics believed to be a “change in scope.” When this occurred, Axenics was instructed to continue working and that “SISs [would] follow.”

During construction, Turner met with Stryker weekly to review change order requests. Change order requests, as well as applications for payment, had to be approved by Stryker. Axenics submitted eight written change orders, which upon approval by Turner and Stryker, increased the contract price to $2,518,078. The change orders that increased the contract price contained the following language:

Through acceptance of this Change Order, [Axenics] acknowledges that it has reviewed the progress of the Work related to this Project and the potential impact of the added work on the progress of the project in the future. As a result, this Change Order includes compensation to [Axenics] for any and all effects, delays, inefficiencies or similar demands associated with this Project and [Axenics] recognizes that there is no basis for any such claim in the future.
Please note that all other terms and conditions of the subcontract remain unchanged and that all costs to maintain our original contract schedule with the inclusion of the adjusted scope of work as set forth by this change order are included within the lump sum change order amount stated herein.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
62 A.3d 754, 164 N.H. 659, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/axenics-inc-v-turner-construction-co-nh-2013.