LeBlanc v. Faul

659 So. 2d 835, 95 La.App. 5 Cir. 185, 1995 La. App. LEXIS 2292, 1995 WL 434484
CourtLouisiana Court of Appeal
DecidedJuly 25, 1995
DocketNo. 95-CA-185
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 659 So. 2d 835 (LeBlanc v. Faul) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Louisiana Court of Appeal primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
LeBlanc v. Faul, 659 So. 2d 835, 95 La.App. 5 Cir. 185, 1995 La. App. LEXIS 2292, 1995 WL 434484 (La. Ct. App. 1995).

Opinion

JiWICKER, Judge.

This appeal arises from a suit to rescind a sale of immovable property and alternatively a reduction in the purchase price. Sheryl LeBlanc wife of/and David Delcambre purchased a house from Janell Faul wife of/and Jerome Lorrain. The Delcambres, plaintiffs/appellants, filed an action in redhibition, fraud, and negligent misrepresentation against the Lorrains, defendants/appellees. They also allege mutual error vitiates the contract of sale. The Delcambres alleged the Lorrains knew but did not reveal prior to the sale that the house leaned and that it had flooded three times prior to the sale. They also alleged the house flooded six or seven months after the sale. The Lorrains contend the Delcambres had full knowledge of the problems.

The Lorrains filed third-party demands against the real estate agents and realtors handling the sale. The sellers’ agent and realtor was Nelwyn B. Mclnnis of Property Plus, Inc., d/b/a Prudential Louisiana Properties. The buyers’ agent and realtor was Jamie L. Ragusa of Latter & Blum, Inc. The agents/realtors filed cross-claims against each other. The trial judge rendered judgment in favor of the defendants and third-party defendants. The Delcambres have appealed. The Lorrains have answered the appeal and taken a devolutive appeal. The Lorrains seek to have the judgment amended to cast the plaintiffs for the entire costs rather than having each party bear its own costs. They also seek alternatively an appeal from the dismissal of the third-party demands should plaintiffs succeed in their appeal. We affirm.

We note at the outset that the Lorrains have failed to brief any alleged errors regarding their answer to the appeal. Therefore, pursuant to Uniform Rules— Court of Appeal 2-12.4 we consider argument on these alleged errors regarding the apportionment of costs abandoned. Oubre v. Bank of Charles Trust Co., 499 So.2d 602 (La.App. 5th Cir.1986), writ denied, 503 So.2d 20 (La.1987).

Additionally, since we affirm the judgment of the trial court we pretermit any discussion regarding the Lorrains’ alternative appeal regarding the dismissal of their third party demands.

[837]*837[20n appeal the Delcambres specify as errors the following: failure to decide all of the legal issues presented; failure to find a red-hibitory defect; misapplication of the law, and error in finding a reduced price had been agreed to by the parties.

FACTS

HOUSE FLOODING

Mrs. Lorrain stated she filed an insurance claim in 1980 and again in April, 1988 and December, 1983. However, the only time water flooded the house itself from rains was in December, 1983. On the other occasions when she filed claims the water came into the house from wave action as trucks passed in the flooded street. The claim she filed in April, 1983 was for only a few hundred dollars.

The Lorrains testified the house flooded in December, 1983 when water covered the entire bottom floor of the two-story house. Mrs. Lorrain stated the flood insurance claim for the flood was approximately $3,000.00. It is undisputed that the December, 1983 house flooding was revealed to the Delcambres. That incident was noted in the purchase agreement. However, the events Mrs. Lor-rain characterized as “nonflooding” were not reported to the Delcambres. Mrs. Lorrain explained she did not consider these occurrences as flooding since water only came into the house as trucks passed by in the flooded street.

Mrs. Lorrain’s testimony characterizing the 1980 and April, 1983 events was corroborated by Mclnnis. She was the listing realtor representing the Lorrains. She was a friend of the Lorrains and had visited the house often. She knew of two occasions when water barely came into the house because of cars driving by in the flooded street. At those times the water was not enough to flood the house; it was barely inside the front door. Mclnnis was aware of only one flood when one-inch of water came into the house from the weep holes. This was the flood which was disclosed.

Mrs. Lorrain testified the price of the house was reduced because of the one flood. Mclnnis stated the house price had been reduced because of the flood and the busy street.

Jerome Wool, an engineer for Jefferson Parish involved with the operation and maintenance of the Parish flood pumps, testified that the storm in April 1980 was a “100 year storm.” In 1980 the pumps had one-third the capacity they do today. In December, 1983 there was flooding due to rain and a freeze. There was not enough water supply available to the pumping stations for cooling hand lubrication pump bearing and gear boxes. That situation would not exist today because of changes in the system.

Mr. Deleambre testified that six months after they purchased the house it flooded. This occurred in November, 1989 and caused approximated $18,000.00 in damage. He stated there were five to six inches of water on one side of the house; the other side was dry. Since that date they have not had any water in the house. However, the property is susceptible to yard flooding.

Wool testified that in November, 1989 there was flooding in that area. The storm causing the flooding was “well beyond the ‘100 year storm’.” Over 12 inches of rain fell at one station and over nine inches fell at another. In addition, one station was shut down for one-half hour since a small child fell into the canal. This caused the canals to rise considerably. Since November, 1989 there have been no major problems with houses being inundated.

STREET AND YARD FLOODING

It is undisputed the property itself was susceptible to yard and street flooding. The Lorrains testified Mr. Lorrain explained street and yard flooding problems to the Delcambres. Mrs. Lorrain testified her husband told the Delcambres that before the parish made improvements in the drainage system water would come into her flower beds with one or two inches of rain. The flower beds are close to the door. She stated that after the improvement there was no water in the flower beds.

Mr. Lorrain testified drainage improvements were made between 1983 and 1989. After the improvements he no longer had yard flooding. From the date of the im-[838]*838proveniente in 1983 water did not get over the curb. His testimony was uncontroverted. It was also supported by Wool’s testimony.

Wool explained there have been drainage improvements in the area where the house is located. He stated this area’s propensity for flooding was considerably less than in 1980 and 1983. He stated that street flooding and yard flooding is “probably common throughout the Parish.” He would be more concerned with house flooding. The Delcambres testified that prior to the purchase of this house they had resided at another location in the Parish.

His testimony of improved drainage was also supported by that of Silas Cunningham. Cunningham, a civil engineer, testified he designed and implemented drainage improvements for the location in question. His intent was to design drainage for a 10-year rain or storm. He thought these drainage improvements would lessen this property’s susceptibility to flooding.

UMr. Delcambre denied he had been told prior to buying the house that there was a propensity for street flooding. However, Mrs. Delcambre admitted Mr. Lorrain discussed drainage problems. Mrs. Delcambre denied the discussion concerned susceptibility to flooding. She stated she did not understand Mr. Lorrain to be talking about street flooding.

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Bluebook (online)
659 So. 2d 835, 95 La.App. 5 Cir. 185, 1995 La. App. LEXIS 2292, 1995 WL 434484, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/leblanc-v-faul-lactapp-1995.