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Additional Case: Novak v. Credit Bureau Collection Service 1
Facts: David Novak suffered a brain aneurysm and was unconscious. An ambulance took him to Saint
Regional Medical Center, where doctors successfully operated. Novak remained in the hospital for two
months and then was discharged.
Novak did not pay the Medical Center’s bill, and the claim was assigned to a collection agency which
sued Novak for the debt.
The trial court found that Novak owed the debt under quasi-contract because Novak was unconscious
and could not consent to the treatment, and the medical services were necessary to avoid serious bodily
injury or death
Issue: Was the credit bureau entitled to damages based on quasi-contract?
Holding: Yes, judgment for the credit bureau affirmed. According to the court, Novak relies on earlier
cases which state the person must impliedly or expressly request the benefits. The court disagrees and
relies on Galloway v. Methodist Hospital where the court held:
To recover on the basis of quasi-contract, the party seeking recovery must demonstrate that a benefit
was rendered to the other party, under circumstances which equity demands compensation in order to
prevent unjust enrichment.
Novak argued that unlike him, the Galloway’s went to the hospital voluntarily when Mrs. Galloway
experienced toxemia and needed an emergency caesarian section, whereas he was taken to the hospital
without his knowledge or consent. Therefore, he neither expressly nor impliedly requested care.
In response, the trial court correctly held:
A person who has supplied things or services to another, although acting without the other’s
knowledge or consent, is entitled to restitution therefore from the other if:
a. he acted [in an official capacity] and with intent to charge therefore, and
b. the things or services were necessary to prevent the other from suffering serious bodily harm
or pain, and
c. the person supplying them had no reason to know that the other would not consent to receiving
them, if mentally competent, and
d. it was impossible for the other to give consent or, because of extreme youth or mental
impairment, the other’s consent would have been immaterial.
Here, a benefit was rendered to Novak to prevent serious bodily injury, thus in fairness the credit bureau
must be compensated to prevent unjust enrichment.
Question: In this case, Novak never agreed to the services. Isn’t one element of a contract that there
must be an agreement; an offer and acceptance?
Answer: Yes, those are elements of a contract; however, quasi-contract is a theory of recovery when
Question: The court laid out some specific reasons why people like the Medical Center should be
paid under these circumstances. Can you think of any non-legal reason why the decision makes
sense?
Answer: There are several public policy reasons why this decision makes sense. First, it is fair: this
is the Medical Center’s work, they routinely provide these services, and they reasonably expect to get
1 877 N.E.2d 1253, Ind.App., 2007.
Sources of Contract Law
Common Law
We have seen the evolution of contract law from the twelfth century to the present. Express and implied
contracts, promissory estoppel, and quasi-contract were all crafted, over centuries, by appellate courts
deciding one contract lawsuit at a time. Many contract lawsuits continue to be decided using common
law principles developed by courts.
Uniform Commercial Code
Unit 3 of the text addresses commercial transactions, with Chapters 20-23 covering Article 2, contracts
for the sale of goods, in some detail. References to the UCC in Unit 2, Contracts, primarily point out
where the UCC changes the common law rule. One way to discuss the UCC in the context of the
contracts unit is to make students aware of the UCC’s variations from the common law, but to reserve
detailed discussion of the provisions of UCC Article 2 until students read Chapters 20-23.
Case: Fallsview Glatt Kosher Caterers, Inc. v. Rosenfeld2
Facts: During the Jewish holidays, Fallsview Glatt Kosher Caterers organized programs at Kutcher’s
Country Club, where it provided all accommodations, food and entertainment. Fallsview sued Willie
Rosenfeld, alleging that he had requested accommodations for 15 members of his family, agreeing to pay
$24,050, and then failed to appear or pay. Rosenfeld moved to dismiss, claiming that even if there had
been an agreement, it was never put in writing. Under UCC section 2-201, any contract for the sale of
goods worth $500 or more can only be enforced if it is in writing and signed. Fallsview argued that the
agreement was not for the sale of goods, but for services. The company claimed that because the contract
was not governed by the UCC, it should be enforced even with no writing.
Issue: Was the agreement one for the sale of goods, requiring a writing, or for services, enforceable with
no writing?
Holding: Rosenfeld’s motion to dismiss to denied. Mr. Rosenfeld contends that the “predominant
purpose” and “main objective” of the agreement alleged by Fallsview was the “service of Kosher food,”
while the hotel accommodations and entertainment were merely “incidental or collateral” services.
Defendant argues that “the essential religious obligation during this eight day period [Passover] and the
principal reason why people attend events similar to the Program sponsored by plaintiff is in order to
facilitate their fulfillment of the requirement to eat only food which is ‘Kosher for Passover’. It is the
desire to obtain these ‘goods’ and not the urge for ‘entertainment’ or ‘accommodations’ that motivates
customers to subscribe to such ‘Programs’.”
However, a review of the characteristics of Fallsview’s daily activities program leads the Court to
conclude that the “essence” of the family and communal “experience” is defined primarily by “services”
and not by “goods”.
Question: What was the basis for the Caterer’s claim?
Question: On what law was the Caterer’s claim based?
Question: Then why does this court’s opinion discuss the UCC?
Question: Why does he argue that?
Answer: Because his agreement with the plaintiff was oral, the UCC requires contracts for more than
Question: When a contract involves both goods and services, how does a court typically determine
whether the UCC applies?
2 2005 WL 53623 Civil Court, City of New York, 2005
Answer: Most courts use the predominant purpose test: that is, if the predominant purpose of the
Question: On what basis does Rosenfeld claim that this contract is governed by the UCC?
Answer: He argues the contract was primarily for the plaintiff to provide Kosher food in connection
Question: What did the court decide here—was the predominant purpose of the contract for goods or
services?
Question: Why?
Answer: The court looks at the totality of what the contract would have provided Rosenfeld,
Question: Does it rely on anything else?
Answer: The court also notes that under the UCC “quantity is even more important than price” but
Question: What is the result of this decision?
Answer: As an oral contract governed by common law, the statute of frauds does not apply and the
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A sitcom actor, exhausted after his 10-hour workweek, agrees to buy a briefcase full of cocaine from
Lewis for $12,000. John and the actor have a ______________ contract.
(a) valid
(b) unenforceable
(c) voidable
(d) void
2. Carol says, “Pam, you’re my best friend in the world. I just inherited a million bucks, and I want you
to have some of it. Come with me to the bank tomorrow, and I’ll give you $10,000.” “Sweet!” Pam
replies. Later that day, Carol has a change of heart. She is allowed to do so. Examine the list of the
elements of a contract, and cite the correct reason.
(a) The agreement was not put into writing.
(b) The agreement lacks a legal purpose.
(c) Pam did not give consideration.
(d) Pam does not have the capacity to make a contract.
3. On the first day of the baseball season, Dean orders a new Cardinals hat from Amazon. At the moment
he submits his order, Dean and Amazon have an ____ contract. Two days later, Amazon delivers the
hat to Dean’s house. At this point, Dean and Amazon have an ____ contract.
(a) executory; executory
(b) executory; executed
(c) executed; executory
(d) executed; executed
4. Linda goes to an electronics store and buys an HDTV. Lauren hires a company to clean her swimming
pool once a week. The ____ governs Linda’s contract with the store, and the ____ governs Lauren’s
contract with the cleaning company.
(a) common law; common law
(b) common law; UCC
(c) UCC; common law
(d) UCC; UCC
5. Consider the following scenarios:
I. Madison says to a group of students, “I’ll pay $35 to the first one of you who shows up at my
house and mows my lawn.”
II. Lea posts a flyer around town that reads, “Reward: $500 for information about the person
who keyed my truck last Saturday night in the Wag-a-Bag parking lot. Call Lea at
555-5309.”
Which of these proposes a unilateral contract?
(a) I only
(b) II only
(c) Both I and II
(d) None of the above
Case Questions
1. Gail Norton began dating Russell Hoyt under the mistaken impression that he was single. She later
learned that he was married, but he repeatedly assured her he was getting a divorce. Six years later,
Hoyt convinced Norton to quit her job so that they could travel together. He promised that he would
“take care of her for life.” The couple lived lavishly all over the world. Hoyt rented Norton an
apartment, bought her cars, and repeated his promises to divorce his wife and marry her. He did
neither. After 23 years, Hoyt ended the relationship with Norton. On what theory could Norton sue
Hoyt? Is she likely to win?
Answer: Norton could try to make a claim for promissory estoppel, since her only argument is that
2. Pennsylvania contracted with Envirotest Systems, Inc., an Arizona company, to build 86 automobile
emissions inspection stations in 25 counties and operate them for seven years. This contract is worth
hundreds of millions of dollars to Envirotest. But Pennsylvania legislators suddenly opposed the
entire system, claiming that it would lead to long delays and high expenses for motorists. These
lawmakers urged that Pennsylvania simply stop construction of the new system. Was Pennsylvania
allowed to get out of the contract because its legislators concluded the whole system is unwise?
Answer: No. Envirotest has an express bilateral contract with the state. The whole purpose of a such
a contract is to enable Envirotest to make intelligent business plans, including hiring workers,
3. Central Maine Power Co. made a promotional offer in which it promised to pay a substantial sum to
any homeowner or builder who constructed new housing heated with electricity. Motel Services, Inc.,
which was building a small housing project for the city of Waterville, Maine, decided to install
electrical heat in the units in order to qualify for the offer. It built the units and requested payment for
the full amount of the promotional offer. Is Central Maine obligated to pay? Why or why not?
Answer: Central Maine is obligated to pay because the parties created a unilateral contract. Central
4. Interactive Data Corp. hired Daniel Foley as an assistant product manager at a starting salary of
$18,500. Over the next six years Interactive steadily promoted Foley until he became Los Angeles
branch manager at a salary of $56,116. Interactive’s officers repeatedly told Foley that he would have
his job as long as his performance was adequate. In addition, Interactive distributed an employee
handbook that specified “termination guidelines,” including a mandatory seven-step pre-termination
procedure. Two years later Foley learned that his recently hired supervisor, Robert Kuhne, was under
investigation by the FBI for embezzlement at his previous job. Foley reported this to Interactive
officers. Shortly thereafter, Interactive fired Foley. He sued, claiming that Interactive could only fire
him for good cause, after the seven-step procedure. What kind of a claim is he making? Should he
succeed?
Answer: Foley is arguing that he has an implied contract with Interactive based on the informal
discussions concerning his future and the employee handbook. His argument convinced the
5. ETHICS You want to lease your automobile to a friend for the summer but do not want to pay a
lawyer to draw up the lease. Joanna, a neighbor, is in law school. She is not licensed to practice law.
She offers to draft a lease for you for $100, and you unwisely accept. Later, you refuse to pay her fee
and she sues to collect. Who will win the lawsuit, and why? Apart from the law, was it morally right
for the law student to try to help out by drafting the lease? Was she acting helpfully, or foolishly, or
fraudulently? Is it just for you to agree to her fee and then refuse to pay it? What is society’s interest
in this dispute? Should a court be more concerned with the ethical issue raised by the conduct of the
two parties or with the social consequences of this agreement?
Answer: Joanna loses the lawsuit. She is not licensed to practice law. Any contract she makes to
perform legal work is void and unenforceable. Perhaps it was nice of her to try to help out, but she
was foolish to think she should do legal work. She ought to have learned enough in law school to
6. You Be the Judge: WRITING PROBLEM. John Stevens owned a dilapidated
apartment that he rented to James and Cora Chesney for a low rent. The Chesneys began to remodel
and rehabilitate the unit. Over a four-year period, they installed two new bathrooms, carpeted the
floors, installed new septic and heating systems, and rewired, replumbed, and painted the apartment.
Stevens periodically stopped by and saw the work in progress. The Chesneys transformed the unit
into a respectable apartment. Three years after their work was done, Stevens served the Chesneys
with an eviction notice. The Chesneys counterclaimed, seeking the value of the work they had done.
Are they entitled to it? Argument for Stevens: Mr. Stevens is willing to pay the Chesneys exactly the
amount he agreed to pay: nothing. The parties never contracted for the Chesneys to fix up the
apartment. In fact, they never even discussed such an agreement. The Chesneys are making the
absurd argument that anyone who chooses to perform certain work, without ever discussing it with
another party, can finish the job and then charge it to the other person. If the Chesneys expected to get
paid, obviously they should have said so. If the court were to allow this claim, it would be inviting
other tenants to make improvements and then bill the landlord. The law has never been so foolish.
Argument for the Chesneys: The law of quasi-contract was crafted for cases exactly like this. The
Chesneys have given an enormous benefit to Stevens by transforming the apartment and enabling him
to rent it at greater profit for many years to come. Stevens saw the work being done and understood
that the Chesneys expected some compensation for these major renovations. If Stevens never
intended to pay the fair value of the work, he should have stopped the couple from doing the work or
notified them that there would be no compensation. It would be unjust to allow the landlord to seize
the value of the work, evict the tenants who did it, and pay nothing.
Answer: Yes, they are entitled to the value of their work, said the court in Chesney v. Stevens, 435 Pa.
Super. 71, 644 A.2d 124.0, 1994 Pa. Super. LEXIS 2388 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1994). They have neither an
Discussion Questions
1. Have you ever made an agreement that mattered to you, only to have the other person refuse to follow
through on the deal? Looking at the list of elements in the chapter, did your agreement amount to a
contract? If not, which element did it lack?
2. Consider promissory estoppel and quasi-contracts. Do you like the fact that these doctrines exist?
Should courts have “wiggle room” to enforce deals that fail to meet formal contract requirements. Or,
should the rule be, “If it’s not an actual contract, too bad. No deal.”
3. Is it sensible to have two different sets of contract rules – one for sales of goods and another for
everything else? Would it be better to have a single set of rules for all contracts?
4. Have you read your apartment lease lately? How about your cellular service agreement? One study
found that 67% of consumers do not read the contracts they sign. But notice that a contract is still
enforceable, whether or not you read it. Which contracts should you read? iTunes terms and
conditions? Your mortgage? An employment agreement?
5. Some states give consumers the right to cancel certain contracts for any reason within a short period
of time after entering into them. For example, consumers in California can get out of gym
membership contracts by sending the gym a cancellation notice within five business days of joining.
Similar statutes cover insurance, weight loss services, door-to-door sales, and home repair contracts.
If these agreements meet all of the requirements for a contract, why would a state allow people to get
out of them so easily? Is this good policy? Alternatively, if consumers can cancel these contracts why
not allow everyone to cancel any contract within a few days?
Answer: Note that door-to-door sales are different. At home, people may feel trapped and almost
