Phone: 619-432-5145
Phone: 619-432-5145
By: Diana Adjadj, Esq.
August 24, 2022
Failure to disclose is a civil fraud when a seller has an obligation to disclose an essential fact yet suppresses that information.
Failure to disclose a material or essential fact is a civil fraud when such fact must be disclosed. Often fraud for failure to disclose arises in the sale of a commercial item. In these instances, the seller will have an on obligation to disclose essential information that the buyer is legally bound to know, however the seller will intentionally conceal or suppress the fact.
California Civil Code Section 1710(3): encapsulates legal liability for fraud via concealment fraud or fraudulently concealment as follows: “A deceit, within the meaning of the last section, is … [Intentionally Omitted] … 3. The suppression of a fact, by one who is bound to disclose it, or who gives information of other facts which are likely to mislead for want of communication of that fact.”
California Civil Code Section 1709: encapsulates legal liability for Intentional Fraud and Deceit as follows: “One who willfully deceives another with intent to induce him to alter his position to his injury or risk, is liable for any damage which he thereby suffers”
The corporate plaintiff purchased a jet with two of the defendant’s engines in either 2004 or 2005. In January of 2011, after the engine warranty expired, the plaintiff discovered that the blade retainers in both engines of the corporate jet were defective causing downstream engine damage.
Per the plaintiff’s argument, the defendants were aware that broken blade retainers were consistently failing and causing engine damage, and this was known as early as 2000. In response to this knowledge, the defendant allegedly redesigned their jet engine, however the reason for the redesign was never disclosed, nor were customers advised of the old design defect. The jet engine manufacturer introduced a new engine design in 2008 and issued service bulletins advising that they have done so.
It was undisputed between the parties that the old blade retainers were defective; however, the defendant argued that customers were aware of this issue. The defendant denied fraud arguing that they made numerous presentations disclosing that the former engine design was defective.
After a prolonged jury trial a verdict was returned in favor of the plaintiff. The jury found that the defendant committed fraud by failure to disclose a known material fact and concealing essential information as intentional fraud. In response the plaintiff was awarded $1,395,626.53 for compensatory damages and the question of punitive damages was not considered at the time.
Case Information: HUNT CONSOLIDATED INC vs. HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC, Trial Court Case No. DC-11-11695; Date: April 28, 2014; Trial Court: Texas, Dallas County District Court, 68th; Causes of Action Include: Breach of Contract, Contract Fraud, Fraud, Fraudulent Concealment, Intentional Torts, Intentional Misrepresentation, Fraud, Misrepresentation, breach of warranty, negligent misrepresentation.
The parties submitted on the fact that the blade retainers in the defendant’s old jet engine design were defective, so this issue was not presented to the jury. What the jury was required to conclude was whether the defendant knowingly concealed this fact from the plaintiff or otherwise failed to disclose known material information. After the presentation of evidence, the jury found that the defendant had knowledge of the defect and their failure to disclose this knowledge constituted intentional fraud.
Aviation law blogs are linked below:
Damages – Different Civil Damages are considered below
For additional discussions on causes of action for Fraud and Breach of Fiduciary Duty please see links are included below:
For articles discussing Verdicts for Fraud, Constructive Fraud and Breach of Fiduciary Duty please see links are included below: