Linda Coal & Supply Co. v. Tasa Coal Co., 204 A.2d 451 (Pa. 1964). · Go Syfert
Linda Coal & Supply Co. v. Tasa Coal Co., 204 A.2d 451 (Pa. 1964). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
108 citation events (10 in the last 25 years) across 19 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Commonwealth v. Hays, K., Aplt. (pa, 2019-10-31)
Treatment trajectory · 1965 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1965 1995 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 20 distinct citers.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Commonwealth v. Hays, K., Aplt.
Pa. · 2019 · confidence medium
The Kuchinic Court observed, “Since appellants had no knowledge of their right to have this case tried under Pennsylvania law, they could not be deemed to have waived that right.” Id. at 901 n.9 (citing Linda Coal & Supply Co. v. Tasa Coal Co., 204 A.2d 451, 453 (Pa. 1964)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In Re Light Cigarettes Marketing Sales Practices Litigation
D. Me. · 2010 · confidence medium
PM cites two other cases, Oakland Raiders v. Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Inc., 144 Cal.App.4th 1175 , 51 Cal.Rptr.3d 144 (Cal.Ct.App.2006) and Linda Coal & Supply Co. v. Tasa Coal Co., 416 Pa. 97 , 204 A.2d 451 *204 (1964), that deal with waiver.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Oakland Raiders v. Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Inc.
Cal. Ct. App. · 2006 · confidence medium
(See Glenn Dick Equipment Co. v. Galey Construction, Inc. (1975) 97 Idaho 216 , 224 [ 541 P.2d 1184 , 1192], quoting 37 Am.Jur.2d (1968) Fraud and Deceit, § 397, p. 542 [“ ‘if one induced by misrepresentations or fraud ... to enter into a contract for the . . . use of[] property thereafter, with knowledge of the deception, receives from the party guilty of fraud some substantial concession or enters into a new contract in respect of the transaction, he thereby relinquishes all right to recover or recoup damages because of the misrepresentations’ ”]; Dorr v. Janssen (1963) 233 Ore. 505…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In Re Cellular Information Systems, Inc.
Bankr. S.D.N.Y. · 1994 · confidence medium
Employees Ass’n Inc., Local 1000 v. Kinsella, 194 A.D.2d 1054 , 599 N.Y.S.2d 671, 673 (3d Dep’t 1993); Linda Coal & Supply Co. v. Tasa Coal Co., 416 Pa. 97, 100 , 204 A.2d 451, 453 (1964), there is a reasonable likelihood that the Idemnification Letter will be enforceable against the Plaintiffs.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Constitution Bank v. DiMarco
E.D. Pa. · 1993 · confidence medium
Monkelis v. Scientific Systems Services, Inc., 677 F.Supp. 378, 384 (W.D.Pa.1988) citing Linda Coal & Supply Co. v. Tasa Coal Co., 416 Pa. 97, 102 , 204 A.2d 451, 453 (1964) and Little v. York County Earned Income Tax Bureau, 333 Pa.Super. 8, 18 , 481 A.2d 1194, 1199 (1985).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Monkelis v. Scientific Systems Services, Inc.
W.D. Pa. · 1988 · confidence medium
Little v. York County Earned Income Tax, 333 Pa.Super. 8, 18 , 481 A.2d 1194, 1199 (1985) (negligent misrepresentation is failure to exercise reasonable care in communicating false information); Linda Coal & Supply Co. v. Tasa Coal Co., 416 Pa. 97, 102 , 204 A.2d 451, 453 (1964) (fraudulent misrepresentation requires that false statement be knowingly made).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Cedrone v. Unity Savings Ass'n
E.D. Pa. · 1985 · confidence medium
See also In re Metropolitan International, Inc., 616 F.2d 83, 86 (3d Cir.1980); Linda Coal and Supply Co. v. Tasa Coal Co., 416 Pa. 97, 101 , 204 A.2d 451, 454 (1964); Hanover Construction Company v. Fehr, 392 Pa. 199 , 139 A.2d 656 (1958); Cole v. Philadelphia Co., 345 Pa. 315 , 26 A.2d 920 (1942).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Goodman v. DeAzoulay
E.D. Pa. · 1981 · confidence medium
“The basic prerequisite of an action in deceit for fraudulent misrepresentations is that the deceiver shall knowingly make a false statement, intending the actor to rely upon it to his detriment .... ” Linda Coal and Supply Co. v. Tasa Coal Co., 416 Pa. 97 , 204 A.2d 451, 454 (1964); accord, U. S. Gypsum Co. v. Schiavo Bros., Inc., 450 F.Supp. 1291 (E.D.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) National Recovery Systems v. Frebraro
Pa. Super. Ct. · 1981 · confidence medium
“It is fundamental that a demurrer cannot supply a fact missing in the complaint: Bonanni v. Western Hauling, 392 Pa. 248 , 140 A.2d 591 (1958).” Linda Coal & Supply Co. v. Tasa Coal Co., 416 Pa. 97, 102 , 204 A.2d 451, 454 (1964) (fact supplied by trial court was not a compelled inference from facts averred in complaint; but rather arose from conclusion stated in demurrer).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Weaver v. Jim Thorpe Borough
pactcomplcarbon · 1981 · confidence medium
“A waiver is the intentional relinquishment of a known right.” Linda Coal & Supply Co. v. Tasa Coal Co., 416 Pa. 97, 100 , 204 A. 2d 451, 453 (1964).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Bollinger v. Palmerton Area Communities Endeavor, Inc. (2×)
Pa. Super. Ct. · 1976 · confidence medium
“A waiver is the intentional relinquishment of a known right.” Linda Coal & Supply Co. v. Tasa Coal Co., 416 Pa. 97, 100 , 204 A.2d 451, 453 (1964) (citation omitted). “[Wjaiver can be determined, as a matter of law, where only one reasonable conclusion can be drawn from the undisputed facts . . . .” Id. at 101 , 204 A.2d at 454 (emphasis added) (citations omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Kuchinic v. McCrory (2×)
Pa. · 1966 · confidence medium
Linda Ooal & Supply Oo. v. Tasa Coal Oo., 416 Pa. 97, 100 , 204 A. 2d 451, 453 (1964).
discussed Cited "see" Kamensky v. Roemer Industries Inc. (2×)
pactcomplmercer · 1988 · signal: see · confidence high
See Linda Coal & Supply Company v. Tasa Coal Company, 416 Pa. 97 , 204 A.2d 451 (1964); Dorsey v. Kalathas, 44 D.&C. 3d 272 (1986).
examined Cited "see" Orner v. Mallick (4×)
Pa. · 1987 · signal: see · confidence high
See Linda Coal & Supply Co. v. Tasa Coal Co., 416 Pa. 97 , 204 A.2d 451 (1964).
discussed Cited "see" Farrell v. Pencor Services, Inc. (2×)
pactcomplcarbon · 1981 · signal: see · confidence high
See Linda Coal & Supply Co. v. Tasa Coal Co., 416 Pa. 97 , 204 A. 2d 451 (1964); 2 Goodrich-Amram 2d § 1028(c)(2).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Corman v. National Collegiate Athletic Ass'n (2×)
Pa. Commw. Ct. · 2013 · signal: see also · confidence low
“A waiver is the intentional relinquishment of a known right.” First Nat’l Bank of Milford v. Dep’t of Banking, 4 Pa.Cmwlth. 168 , 286 A.2d 480, 482 (1972); see also Linda Coal & Supply Co. v. Tasa Coal Co., 416 Pa. 97 , 204 A.2d 451 (1964).
cited Cited "see, e.g." McCarthy v. Tobin
Mass. · 1999 · signal: see, e.g. · confidence medium
See, e.g., Linda Coal & Supply Co. v. Tasa Coal Co., 416 Pa. 97, 101 (1964).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Three Rivers Motors Company v. Ford Motor Company (2×)
W.D. Pa. · 1974 · signal: compare · confidence low
Cf. Wenger v. Ziegler, supra; Henry Shenk Co. v. City of Erie, supra; compare Linda Coal & Supply Co. v. Tasa Coal Co., 416 Pa. 97, 100 , 204 A.2d 451, 453 (1964).
examined Cited "see, e.g." In the Matter of F. H. McGraw & Company, Bankrupt. Appeal of Fellows Corporation (4×)
3rd Cir. · 1973 · signal: compare · confidence low
Cf. Wenger v. Ziegler, supra; Henry Shenk Co. v. City of Erie, supra; compare Linda Coal & Supply Co. v. Tasa Coal Co., 416 Pa. 97, 100 , 204 A. 2d 451, 453 (1964).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Restifo v. McDonald (2×)
Pa. · 1967 · signal: compare · confidence low
Cf. Wenger v. Ziegler, supra; Henry Shenk Co. v. Erie, supra; compare Linda Coal & Supply Co. v. Tasa Coal Co., 416 Pa. 97, 100 , 204 A. 2d 451, 453 (1964).
Linda Coal and Supply Company
v.
Tasa Coal Company
Appeal, No. 253.
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
Nov 10, 1964.
204 A.2d 451
Edmund K. Trent, with him G. Donald Gerlaeh, and Reed, Smith, Shaw & McClay, and Gingolani & Gingolani, for appellant., Harry K. McNamee, with him Marshall, Marshall, McNamee & MacFarlane, and Plowman and Spiegel, for appellee.
Bell, Brien, Cohen, Eagen, Jones, Musmanno.
Cited by 51 opinions  |  Published

Opinion by

Mr. Justice Eagen,

This appeal is from the action of the court below sustaining preliminary objections in the nature of a demurrer to the complaint in an action of trespass. Plaintiff seeks to recover losses incurred as a result of a contract between the parties which it was allegedly induced to enter as a result of fraudulent misrepresentations by the defendant.

The facts pleaded are as follows:

The plaintiff-appellant, Linda Coal and Supply Company (Linda), contracted with the defendant, Tasa Coal Company (Tasa), in May of 1955 to strip-mine coal from lands owned by Tasa in Butler County, Pennsylvania, a portion of which had already been strip-mined by Tasa in prior years. In the process of negotiations toward the execution of this contract, Tasa exhibited to Linda various maps and drill records which substantiated its representation that the vertical cover line (overburden) did not exceed a maximum of 50 feet. This representation was false, which Tasa well knew, and was made with the fraudulent purpose of inducing Linda to enter into a contract for the removal of all recoverable coal on the tract, for ivhich Linda was to receive from Tasa $2.95 per ton. So too, the exhibited maps and drill records falsely represented the amount of overburden, as Tasa again knew, because it had prepared the maps and drill records at a time prior to Tasa’s earlier strip-[*100] mining operations on the tract, during which operation Tasa had placed additional earth oyer the coal which was the subject of this contract.

Upon learning that the overburden exceeded 50 feet, and in fact averaged 60 feet, Linda entered re-negotiations with Tasa and it was orally agreed that, as a result thereof, Linda would receive $3.15 per ton of coal removed for Tasa, instead of the originally contracted for $2.95 per ton.

Nonetheless, because the overburden averaged some 60 feet in depth, it remained economically impractical for Linda to remove the coal and Linda ceased the operations called for in the contract. Thereupon, Linda instituted this action of trespass for fraud and deceit to recover the actual loss which it suffered as a result of the fraudulent misrepresentations regarding, inter alia, the overburden made to it by Tasa.

The court below held, as a matter of law, that the renegotiation between the parties “after all the facts and true status were known to the plaintiff”, and the entering into a new contract for an increased profit to the plaintiff, waived any right of action for alleged misrepresentations which were the very basis and consideration of the new contract. Further, the court below said that a mere allegation of fact that Linda did not intend to waive its rights regarding the fraudulent misrepresentations could not destroy the legal effect of its actions in renegotiation.

A waiver is the intentional relinquishment of a known right: Brown v. Pittsburgh,, 409 Pa. 357, 186 A. 2d 399 (1962). For a waiver to exist in the instant case, it would be necessary for Linda to have had at the time of the renegotiations full knowledge of all the material facts regarding the fraudulent statements which induced the original agreement, and, with this knowledge, to have entered into the new arrangement with an intention to waive any then ex[*101] isting cause of action: Browning v. Rodman, 268 Pa. 575, 111 A. 877 (1920); Miller v. Central Trust & Savings Co., 285 Pa. 472, 132 A. 579 (1926).

We agree with the court below that if Linda, with full knowledge of the fraud and deceit practiced upon it during the original negotiations, entered info a new agreement stipulating an increased tonnage price, it cannot now say that it did not intend to waive any then existing rights. If at that time Linda knew of the false representations and that the same were fraudulent, it could not renegotiate and accept a new agreement without waiving its claim upon the original fraud. Both parties being possessed of the same knowledge, the new contract would be an arm’s length bargain supplanting the original, fraudulently induced one. It is fundamental that a party to a contract cannot complain that he was fraudulently induced to accept a less than fair consideration for the contract, renegotiate the consideration after discovering the fraud, and then sue upon the original inducing fraud: Negley v. Lindsay, 67 Pa. 217 (1871) ; 37 C.J.S. Fraud §69 (1943) ; 24 Am. Jur. Fraud and Deceit §214 (1939).

Despite the fact that intent is normally a question for the trier of facts (Cole v. Philadelphia Co., 345 Pa. 315, 26 A. 2d 920 (1942), and Priester v. Milleman, 161 Pa. Superior Ct. 507, 55 A. 2d 540 (1947)), waiver can be determined, as a matter of law, where only one reasonable conclusion can be drawn from the undisputed facts: 37 C.J.S. Fraud §131 (1943); 56 Am. Jur. Waiver §23 (1947). Cf. Hanover Construction Co. v. Fehr, 392 Pa. 199, 139 A. 2d 656 (1958); Peoples Pittsburgh Trust Co. v. Commonwealth, 359 Pa. 622, 60 A. 2d 53 (1948); Grant v. Lovekin, 285 Pa. 257, 132 A. 342 (1926).

However, the court below fell into error in equating knowledge of the falsity of the representations[*102] with knowledge of their fraudulent character. The basic prerequisite of an action in deceit for fraudulent misrepresentations is that the deceiver shall knowingly make a false statement, intending the actor to rely upon it to his detriment: Jamestown Iron & Metal Co. v. Knofsky, 302 Pa. 483, 154 A. 15 (1930); Warren Balderston Co. v. Integrity Trust Co., 314 Pa. 58, 170 A. 282 (1934).

Nowhere in the allegations of the complaint does it appear that, at the time of and during the renegotiations, Linda knew, or even suspected, that the false representation as to the overburden had been made with a fraudulent purpose, to wit, to induce Linda to enter into a disadvantageous contract. In fact, it does not appear therein at what time Linda did acquire this knowledge. The. court below incorrectly supplied this fact from the conclusion stated in Paragraph III of Tasa’s preliminary objections.

It is fundamental that a demurrer cannot supply a fact missing in the complaint: Bonanni v. Weston Hauling, 392 Pa. 248, 140 A. 2d 591 (1958). “. . . [I]n passing on a demurrer a court cannot consider matters collateral to the pleading opposed but only such matters as arise out of the statement of claim or complaint itself. . . .”: Detweiler v. Hatfield Borough School District, 376 Pa. 555, 558, 104 A. 2d 110, 113 (1954).

Nor are we persuaded that Linda’s knowledge of the fraud is a compelled inference from the facts pleaded in the complaint.

The price finally agreed upon (i.e., $3.15 per ton) was still insufficient to allow economically practical strip-mining, as is evidenced by Linda’s actual loss in the operation. Would it be reasonable to assume that, knowingly armed with its right of action in deceit, for which full recovery of losses would have been allowed under the original contract, Linda still[*103] agreed to accept less than an adequate price for its services? Even if a reasonable man could so assume, would it not be equally as reasonable to assume that Linda went to Tasa, believing that it was bound by its prior contract, to try to recoup some of its loss in the hope that Tasa would recognize the mutual mistake? Either assumption being potentially valid, drawing the inferences as to whether Linda knew of the fraud and, in so knowing, intended to waive its right of action based thereon becomes a function which the court below must leave to the trier of fact: Cole v. Philadelphia, Co., supra, and Priester v. Milleman, supra. Cf. Hanover Construction Co. v. Fehr, supra, and Batchelder v. Standard, Plunger Elevator Co., 227 Pa. 201, 75 A. 1090 (1910).

The fact of Linda’s knowledge of scienter and intent on the part of Tasa not having been established, it cannot be held as a matter of law that Linda waived its right of action in deceit at a point in time when Linda might not have known that the right existed.

Judgment reversed.

Mr. Chief Justice Bell dissents.