Queen v. Craven, 97 S.E.2d 523 (Ga. Ct. App. 1957). · Go Syfert
Queen v. Craven, 97 S.E.2d 523 (Ga. Ct. App. 1957). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
45 citation events across 2 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Martin v. Johnson-Lemon (ga, 1999-05-03)
Treatment trajectory · 1959 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1959 1992 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 12 distinct citers. How cited ↗
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Martin v. Johnson-Lemon (2×)
Ga. · 1999 · confidence medium
OCGA § 51-2-5(6). [A]fter the contractor has completed the work and turned it over to the owner, and it has been accepted by the owner in discharge of the contract, the general rule is that the responsibility, if any, for maintaining it in its defective condition is shifted to the owner. [Cit.] Hickman v. Toole, 31 Ga.App. 230, 231 (2), 120 S.E. 438 (1923). [I]t is a well established general rule that, where the work of an independent contractor *72 is completed, turned over to, and accepted by the owner, the contractor is not liable to third persons for damages or injuries subsequently suffe…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Bell South Telecommunications, Inc. v. Widner (2×)
Ga. Ct. App. · 1997 · confidence medium
Co. v. Huffman-Wolfe Co., 126 Ga. App. 594 ( 191 SE2d 485 ) (1972); Queen v. Craven, 95 Ga. App. 178, 183-184 (3) ( 97 SE2d 523 ) (1957).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Savage v. Flagler Co. (2×)
Ga. Ct. App. · 1987 · confidence medium
One such exception is that the contractor is liable where the work is a nuisance per se, or inherently or intrinsically dangerous. . . . [Cits.] “If the work performed by the contractor is not shown to come within one of the exceptions to the general rule, when the work is finished by him and accepted by his employer, the liability of the former generally ceases and the employer becomes answerable for damages which may thereafter accrue from the defective conditions of the work.” Queen v. Craven, 95 Ga. App. 178, 183-184 ( 97 SE2d 523 ); accord Hawkins v. Turner, 166 Ga. App. 50, 54 ( 303 …
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Hawkins v. Turner (2×)
Ga. Ct. App. · 1983 · confidence medium
Appellant contends that the court erred in denying his motion for directed verdict (made at trial in the form of a motion to dismiss) based upon the acceptance by the general contractor of appellant's completed work prior to the occurrence of the flood. "[I]t is a well established general rule that, where the work of an independent contractor is completed, turned over to, and accepted by the owner, the contractor is not liable to third persons for damages or injuries subsequently suffered by reason of the condition of the work, even though he was negligent in carrying out the contract, at leas…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Johnson v. Fowler Electric Co.
Ga. Ct. App. · 1981 · confidence medium
Fowler Electric Co. (“Fowler”) argued successfully that plaintiffs had presented no evidence from which the jury could find negligence on the part of Fowler, and no evidence of proximate cause involving Fowler extending beyond mere conjecture and speculation; that in any event the project had been accepted by the then-owner, and contained no hidden defect or nuisance per se, and no imminently or inherently dangerous work (see Queen v. Craven, 95 Ga. App. 178, 183-184 ( 97 SE2d 523 )).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Derryberry v. Robinson
Ga. Ct. App. · 1980 · confidence medium
Another is that the contractor is liable where the work done and turned over by him is so negligently defective as to be imminently dangerous to third persons. [Cits.] “If the work performed by the contractor is not shown to come within one of the exceptions to the general rule, when the work is finished by him and accepted by his employer, the liability of the former generally ceases and the employer becomes answerable for damages which may thereafter accrue from the defective conditions of the work. [Cit.]” Queen v. Craven, 95 Ga. App. 178, 184 ( 97 SE2d 523 ) (1957).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Wilner's, Inc. v. Fine
Ga. Ct. App. · 1980 · confidence medium
See also PPG Industries, Inc. v. Genson, 135 Ga. App. 248 (2) ( 217 SE2d 479 ) (1974); Queen v. Craven, 95 Ga. App. 178, 183-84 ( 97 SE2d 523 ) (1957).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) PPG Industries, Inc. v. Genson
Ga. Ct. App. · 1975 · confidence medium
Another is that the contractor is liable where the work done and turned over by him is so negligently defective as to be imminently dangerous to third persons. [Cits.] If the work performed by the contractor is not shown to come within one of the exceptions to the general rule, when the work is finished by him and accepted by his employer, the liability of the former generally ceases and the employer becomes answerable for damages which may thereafter accrue *251 from the defective condition of the work. [Cits.]” Queen v. Craven, 95 Ga. App. 178, 183-84 ( 97 SE2d 523 ).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Peachtree North Apartments Company v. Huffman-Wolfe Company
Ga. Ct. App. · 1972 · confidence medium
Another is that the contractor is liable where the work done and turned over by him is so negligently defective as to be imminently dangerous to third persons. 65 CJS 614, § 95; Higgins v. Otis Elevator Co., 69 Ga. App. 584 ( 26 SE2d 380 ).” (Emphasis supplied.) Queen v. *595 Craven, 95 Ga. App. 178, 183 ( 97 SE2d 523 ).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Lumbermen's Underwriting Alliance v. Jessup
Ga. Ct. App. · 1959 · confidence medium
Queen v. Craven, 95 Ga. App. 178, 182 (2) ( 97 S. E. 2d 523 ); Rossiter v. Pitt, 93 Ga. App. 44 ( 90 S. E. 2d 597 ); Myers v. Grant, 212 Ga. 182 ( 91 S. E. 2d 335 ); Jacoby v. Jacoby, 212 Ga. 295 ( 92 S. E. 2d 7 ).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Cox v. Ray M. Lee Co., Inc.
Ga. Ct. App. · 1959 · confidence medium
If the work performed by the contractor is not shown to come within one of the exceptions to the general rule, when the work is finished by him and accepted by his employer, the liability of the former generally ceases and the employer becomes answerable for damages which may thereafter accrue from the defective conditions of the work. 27 Am Jur. 514, § 37.” Queen v. Craven, 95 Ga. App. 178, 183 ( 97 S. E. 2d 523 ).
discussed Cited "see" Doke v. Dover Elevator Co. (2×)
Ga. Ct. App. · 1979 · signal: see · confidence high
See Queen v. Craven, 95 Ga. App. 178 (3) ( 97 SE2d 523 ) (1957) and Tect Const. Co. v. Frymyer, 146 Ga. App. 300 ( 246 SE2d 334 ) (1978).
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
Queen
v.
Craven
36516.
Court of Appeals of Georgia.
Feb 20, 1957.
97 S.E.2d 523
Paul Webb, Jr., Bertram S. Boley, Otis L. Davis, for plaintiff in error., Shirley C. Boykin, D. S. Strickland, Boykin & Boykin, contra.
Carlisle, Gardner, Townsend.
Cited by 21 opinions  |  Published
Carlisle, J.

While it is true that where, in ruling upon demurrers, the trial court allows time for the filing of an amendment, the court must enter a judgment on the sufficiency of the pleadings after the expiration of the time allowed for amendment which latter judgment is final and supersedes the earlier judgment on the demurrers, and such earlier judgment shall not be subject to exception or review; and, while it is true that where the sole assignment of error contained in a bill of exceptions in this court is upon the judgment upon demurrers in which time was allowed for amendment, the writ of error must be dismissed (Godwin v. Hudson, 93 Ga. App. 858, 93 S. E. 2d 379, and citations); where, as here, the bill of exceptions contains an assignment of error on the superseding judgment as to the sufficiency of the pleadings, entered after the expiration of the time allowed for amendment in the earlier judgment, the writ of error is not subject to dismissal as error is assigned upon a judgment which is final for purposes of review. Girtman v. Girtman, 191 Ga. 173 (11 S. E. 2d 782). The motion to dismiss the writ of error is denied.

Under the provisions of Code (Ann.) § 81-1001, all rulings on demurrers to pleadings in which time is allowed for amend-[*183] meat are not final in character, are not reviewable, and, accordingly, do not constitute the “law of the case” so as to prevent the court from considering the petition as finally amended on its merits. Adams v. Ricks, 91 Ga. App. 494, 497 (86 S. E. 2d 329). Consequently, there is no merit in the plaintiff’s contention that the trial court had established the law of the case by overruling the defendant’s general demurrer in the order allowing time for amendment so as to prevent the court from considering the petition, as finally amended, on its merits and entering an order sustaining the general demurrer after the time had expired for amendment.

“While we are fully aware of the beneficent and salutary rule, to which this court scrupulously adheres in proper cases, that ordinarily questions of diligence and negligence, including proximate cause, are for the jury, we also recognize it to be the duty of the court to determine those questions in clear, palpable, and indisputable cases. Evans v. Georgia Northern R. Co., 78 Ga. App. 709, 712 (52 S. E. 2d 37), and cit.; and this latter rule is frequently enforced as a result of the necessary application of the proper rules of construction to pleadings. 'It is an elementary rule of construction, as applied to a pleading, that it is to be construed most strongly against the pleader; and that if an inference unfavorable to the right of a party claiming a right under such a pleading may be fairly drawn from the facts stated therein, such inference will prevail in determining the rights of the parties.’ Krueger v. MacDougald, 148 Ga. 429 (1) (96 S. E. 867); Slade v. Barber, 200 Ga. 405, 412 (37 S. E. 2d 143); McEntire v. Pangle, 197 Ga. 414 (29 S. E. 2d 503).” Atlanta Gas Light Co. v. Brown, 94 Ga. App. 351 (94 S. E. 2d 612).

A negligent act is not actionable unless negligent as to the plaintiff. Central of Ga. Ry. Co. v. Griffin, 35 Ga. App. 161 (132 S. E. 255); Haley Motor Co. v. Boynton, 40 Ga. App. 675 (150 S. E. 862).

While, as a general rule, an independent contractor is liable for injuries caused by his own negligence or that of his servants in the course of his performance of the work or in failing to leave the premises in as safe a condition as they were found (65 C. J. S., p. 611, § 95), it is a well established general rule that, where the[*184] work of an independent contractor is completed, turned over to, and accepted by the owner, the contractor is not liable to third persons for damages or injuries subsequently suffered by reason of the condition of the work, even though he was negligent in carrying out the contract, at least, if the defect is not hidden but readily observable on reasonable inspection. 65 C. J. S. 613, § 95; Young v. Smith & Kelly Co., 124 Ga. 475 (52 S. E. 765, 110 Am. St. R. 186, 4 Ann. Cas. 226), and citations.

There are, of course, well recognized exceptions to this general rule. One such exception is that the contractor is liable where the work is a nuisance per se, or inherently or intrinsically dangerous. Another is that the contractor is liable where the work done and turned over by him is so negligently defective as to be imminently dangerous to third persons. 65 C. J. S. 614, § 95; Higgins v. Otis Elevator Co., 69 Ga. App. 584 (26 S. E. 2d 380).

’ If the work performed by the contractor is not shown to come within one of the exceptions to the general rule, when the work is finished by him and accepted by his employer, the liability of the former generally ceases and the employer becomes answerable for damages which may thereafter accrue from the defective conditions of the work. 27 Am. Jur. 514, § 37.

Under an application of the foregoing principles of law, the trial court did not err in sustaining the general demurrer to the petition as finally amended, as, construed most strongly against the pleader, the allegations of the petition fail to show any breach by the defendant of a duty owed the plaintiff. It is alleged that the work was performed by the defendant under a contract with the owner of the property and that the work was performed pursuant to the terms of the defendant’s contract with such owner, but it is not alleged that the removal of the porch constituted a nuisance, that the work was inherently or intrinsically dangerous or that it was imminently dangerous to third persons. It was, therefore, necessary, in order to show a breach of duty owed by the defendant to the plaintiff, to allege that the work was still going on and under the control of the defendant contractor and that the work had not been completed and accepted by the owner. In the absence of such an allegation, it is reasonably inferable that the work had been completed, accepted by the employer,[*185] that the defendant’s liability had ceased, and the employer-landlord had become answerable for damages which thereafter accrued from the defective condition of the work.

Judgment affirmed.

Gardner, P. J., and Townsend, J., concur.