the Port of Houston Authority of Harris County, Texas v. Zachry Construction Corporation ( 2012 )

Reversed and Rendered and Majority and Dissenting Opinions filed August 9, 2012.
In The
Fourteenth Court of Appeals
NO. 14-10-00708-CV
THE PORT OF HOUSTON AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS
Appellant
V.
ZACHRY CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION, Appellee
On Appeal from the 151st District Court
Harris County, Texas
Trial Court Cause No. 2006-72970
DISSENTING OPINION
I respectfully dissent from Part B of the majority’s opinion, in which liquidated
damages are addressed. In my opinion, the documents titled “Partial Release of Lien” do
not release Zachry’s claim for the wrongfully withheld liquidated damages. I would
uphold the trial court’s decision that the documents are ambiguous and the jury’s decision
that Zachry did not release those damages.
The majority concludes that the documents at issue are unambiguous. I disagree.
Applying the following rules of construction, I would hold that, at most, the documents
are ambiguous and that the issue was properly submitted to the jury. I would consider
what a release is, how to construe it, and the special provisions related to releases.
A. Rules of Construction
1. A release extinguishes a claim or cause of action.
A release is a writing providing that a duty or obligation owed to one party to the
release is discharged immediately or on the occurrence of a condition. See Nat’l Union
Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburg, Pa. v. Ins. Co. of N. Am., 955 S.W.2d 120, 127 (Tex. App.—
Houston [14th Dist.] 1997), aff’d sub nom. Keck, Mahin & Cate v. Nat’l Fire Ins. Co., 20
S.W.3d 692 (Tex. 2000); RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF CONTRACTS § 284 (1981). A
release of a claim or cause of action extinguishes the claim or cause of action. Dresser
Indus., Inc. v. Page Petroleum, Inc., 853 S.W.2d 505, 508 (Tex. 1993).
2. A release is subject to the rules governing contract construction.
Under Texas law, a release is a contract and is subject to the rules governing
contract construction. See Williams v. Glash, 789 S.W.2d 261, 264 (Tex. 1990) (holding
that a release is a contract subject to avoidance on same grounds as any other contract);
Loy v. Kuykendall, 347 S.W.2d 726, 728 (Tex. Civ. App.—San Antonio 1961, writ ref’d
n.r.e.) (treating a release as a contract subject to rules governing construction thereof);
RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF CONTRACTS § 284 cmt. c.
a. The primary concern is to ascertain the true intent of the
parties.
In construing a written contract, the primary concern of the court is to ascertain the
true intentions of the parties as expressed in the instrument. Coker v. Coker, 650 S.W.2d
391, 393 (Tex. 1983); Nat’l Union, 955 S.W.2d at 127. The intention of the parties is
discovered primarily by reference to the words used in the contract. Nat’l Union, 955
S.W.2d at 127. To determine the parties’ intentions, courts should examine and consider
the entire writing in an effort to harmonize and give effect to all the provisions of the
contract so that none will be rendered meaningless. Coker, 650 S.W.2d at 393; Nat’l
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Union, 955 S.W.2d at 127. No single provision taken alone will be given controlling
effect; rather, all of the provisions must be considered with reference to the entire
contract. Id.
b. The court may consider surrounding circumstances.
Evidence of circumstances surrounding the execution of the contract may be
considered in the construction of an unambiguous instrument, even though oral
statements of the parties’ intentions are inadmissible to vary or contradict the terms of the
agreement. Med. Towers, Ltd. v. St. Luke’s Episcopal Hosp., 750 S.W.2d 820, 823 (Tex.
App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1988, writ denied) (citing Sun Oil Co. (Delaware) v.
Madeley, 626 S.W.2d 726, 731 (Tex. 1982)). The circumstances help to illuminate the
contractual language chosen by the parties and enable evaluation of “‘the objects and
purposes intended to be accomplished by them in entering into the contract.’” Id.
(quoting Garcia v. King, 139 Tex. 578, 585, 164 S.W.2d 509, 512 (1942)). A contract
should be construed by determining how the “reasonable person” would have used and
understood such language, considering the circumstances surrounding its negotiation and
keeping in mind the purposes intended to be accomplished by the parties when entering
into the contract. Nat’l Union, 955 S.W.2d at 128 (citing Manzo v. Ford, 731 S.W.2d
673, 676 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1987, no writ)).
c. The court may consider other contracts pertaining to the same
transaction.
Instruments pertaining to the same transaction should be read together to ascertain
the parties’ intent as to the meaning of the release, even if the parties executed them at
different times and the instruments do not expressly refer to each other. See Fort Worth
Indep. Sch. Dist. v. City of Fort Worth, 22 S.W.3d 831, 840 (Tex. 2000); In re Sterling
Chems., Inc., 261 S.W.3d 805, 810 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2008, no pet.);
Dorsett v. Cross, 106 S.W.3d 213, 217 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2003, pet.
denied).
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d. The court may consider deletions made by the parties.
We may also consider “the deletions made by the parties” in the course of drafting
the instrument at issue. See Hous. Exploration Co. v Wellington Underwriting Agencies,
Ltd., 352 S.W.3d 462, 470–71 (Tex. 2011); Hous. Pipe Line Co. v. Dwyer, 374 S.W.2d
662, 664 (Tex. 1964).
e. The court may consider the document’s title.
We may consider the title of the document. Enter. Leasing Co. of Hous. v.
Barrios, 156 S.W.3d 547, 549 (Tex. 2004) (per curiam) (“Although we recognize that in
certain cases, courts may consider the title of a contract provision or section to interpret a
contract, ‘the greater weight must be given to the operative contractual clauses of the
agreement.’” (quoting Neece v. A.A.A. Realty Co., 322 S.W.2d 597, 600 (Tex. 1959))).
The title also can create ambiguity when it differs from the body. See Lone Star Cement
Corp. v Fair, 467 S.W.2d 402, 404–05 (Tex. 1971) (when caption of a judicial order
dismisses only one party while the body purports to dismiss an entire cause, the order is
ambiguous); Forbau v. Aetna Life Ins. Co., 876 S.W.2d 132, 138 n.3 (Tex. 1994) (title of
insurance contract that is repugnant or misleading as to coverage creates an ambiguity).
f. The court may not rewrite a contract or add to its language.
A court should not rewrite a contract or add to its language. Am. Mfrs. Mut. Ins.
Co. v. Schaefer, 124 S.W.3d 154, 162 (Tex. 2003); White Oak Operating Co. v. BLR
Constr. Cos., 362 S.W.3d 725, 733 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2011, no pet.).
3. Specific rules apply to releases.
In addition to these basic contract construction rules, however, we must take into
account the rules that specifically apply to releases.
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a. A release must specifically mention the claim to be released.
To effectively release a claim in Texas, the releasing instrument must mention the
claim to be released. See Victoria Bank & Trust Co. v. Brady, 811 S.W.2d 931, 938
(Tex. 1991).
b. General releases are to be narrowly construed.
General, categorical releases are to be narrowly construed. Duncan v. Cessna
Aircraft Co., 665 S.W.2d 414, 422 (Tex. 1984). See also Victoria Bank, 811 S.W.2d at
938 (applying this principle in limiting the scope of release so that “any claims not
clearly within the subject matter of the release are not discharged”) (emphasis added);
Baty v. ProTech Ins. Agency, 63 S.W.3d 841, 850 n.7 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.]
2001, pet. denied) (collecting cases in which the scope of a general release was narrowly
construed).
c. Typical release language provides that the parties “release,
discharge, and relinquish” claims.
Typical release language is “release, discharge, relinquish.” Derr Constr. Co. v.
City of Hous., 846 S.W.2d 854, 859 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1992, no writ).
See also Green Int’l, Inc. v. Solis, 951 S.W.2d 384, 387 (Tex. 1997) (contract language
that “Contractor shall not be liable to the Subcontractor for delay to Subcontractor’s work
by the act, neglect or default of Owner” is not a release because it does not extinguish a
claim or establish an absolute bar to any right of action on the released matter).
B. Application of the Rules to the Documents at Issue
1. There is little evidence about the parties’ intent and surrounding
circumstances.
There was very little testimony at trial about the Partial Release of Liens. As to
the intent of the parties and the surrounding circumstances, we know only the following:
Zachry initially signed a document (“Release Form No. 1”) containing broad release
language in the body of the document. See majority opinion, ante at 21. Beginning in
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September of 2004, Zachry revised the release agreement, leaving only two paragraphs in
the body of the document and deleting the broad release language (“Release Form No.
2”).1 In 2007, after all of the liquidated damages had already been withheld, the Port
rejected an invoice from Zachry with the note, “not accepted at this time without proper
release of lien form.” The lawyers for Zachry and the Port then got together and came up
with an acceptable release form, which once again included the broad release language
with a carve-out for all claims in this lawsuit (“Release Form No. 3”). See majority
opinion, ante at 22. The Port’s witness, Andy Thiess, called the documents “releases”
but claimed that he did not know their legal effect. Zachry’s witness Jean Abiassi
claimed that the releases were only releases of liens, as could be seen by the titles of the
documents and section 6.07 of the contract.
2. The releases refer to other documents.
The jury was asked to decide whether certain numbered documents released the
liquidated-damages claim. Each release refers to another document, and to understand
what was being released, it was necessary to know the contents of the referenced
document. But, the record contains no testimony matching a release and the document to
which it refers. The jury received no charge instructions about how to match a release
with the document to which it refers, and the referenced documents are not attached to
the exhibits in the record. The absence of evidence from which to identify the document
referenced in a given release is itself a sufficient basis on which to conclude that the Port
has failed to prove anything as a matter of law. While the majority contends that Zachry
failed to make these arguments, it is the Port’s burden to show exactly what the
“releases” released, in order to prevail on its point of error. The evidence presented at
trial does not support the Port’s claim as to what was released. To illustrate why this is
so, I will address the specific releases at issue.
1
Although I do not think that Release Form No. 2 should be called a release at all, I will refer to
it as a release as the majority has done.
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a. Release No. 23
I begin by examining the release cited by the majority as an example. Release No.
23 provides as follows:
ZCC hereby acknowledges and certifies that Port of Houston Authority
(PHA) has made partial payment to ZCC on all sums owing on Payment
Estimate Number Twenty-[T]hree (23) and that it has no further claims
against PHA for the portion of the Work completed and listed on the
Schedule of Costs in Payment Number Twenty-[T]hree (23).
This release was signed May 17, 2006.
The majority contends that the language “it has no further claims against PHA” is
a release. See majority opinion, ante at 20. But what exactly has been released? The
agreement identifies such claims only as the claims “for the portion of the Work
completed and listed on the Schedule of Costs in Payment Estimate Number Twenty-
Three (23).” In order to know what was released you must refer to the Schedule of Costs
in Payment Estimate Number Twenty-Three.
In the charge, the trial court instructed the jury, “you must decide the meaning of
DX1114.012 and PX884.0159 (re Payment estimate 23) . . . .” As the majority notes, the
Payment estimate and schedule of costs were to be prepared by Zachry under the
contract. The referenced numbers in the jury charge refer to different copies of the same
document. The documents that follow these exhibit numbers differ from one another.
DX1114 is a 14-page document starting with DX1114.001 and ending at DX1114.014. It
does not include “Payment Estimate Number Twenty-[T]hree (23).” PX884 is a 307-
page document, starting with PX884.0001 and ending with PX884.0307. It also does not
include “Payment Estimate Number Twenty-[T]hree (23).” It instead includes three
copies of Payment Estimate Number Twenty-Two, and then jumps to Payment Estimate
Number Twenty-Four.
There is one document, PX884.0145, that might be Payment Estimate Number
Twenty-Three. Although the first page states “Estimate 22,” the second page states
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“Estimate 23.” Without knowing exactly what document is referenced in the release,
how could that release be unambiguous?
That Estimate contains both typed and handwritten notations. There was no
testimony as to who prepared the handwritten notations, or when those notations were
made, or whether those notations were communicated to Zachry. The typed document
has a stated date of March 25, 2006. At the bottom of the page there is a typed reference
to “LIQ. DAMAGES (C + M)” and the number $0.00 is typed in. “C” is listed above as
“Previous Liquidated Damages” with a “$0.00” notation. “M” is listed as “Liquidated
Damages this period” and the typed “$0.00” is crossed out and the number “820,000” has
been written by hand. The document appears to contain the signature of Andy Thiess for
the Port and the handwritten date of April 17, 2006. At the bottom of the last page of that
estimate there is a handwritten notation “-(820,000) Feb. + March LD’s.”
The majority puts together a letter written by the Port dated May 10, 20062 and
Release No. 23 to somehow link the liquidated-damages deduction with the release. But,
the release in question does not mention this letter at all, and the letter itself does not refer
to Payment Estimate Number Twenty-Three. The notation at the bottom can hardly be
considered an unambiguous description of the Port’s liquidated-damages claim,
especially without any testimony that this was even sent to Zachry. Again, this can only
raise an ambiguity that the jury resolved against the Port.
b. Release No. 24
Release No. 24, signed June 7, 2006, suffers from some of the same problems.
The jury was told to decide the meaning of “DX1115.017 and PX884.0168 (re Payment
Estimate 24).” DX1115 does not contain Payment Estimate Number 24. PX884 appears
to contain Payment Estimate 24, but at page 884.0154. That Estimate contains both
typed and handwritten notations. There was no testimony as to who prepared the
2
While the majority in footnote 10 contends that other versions of the release may violate the
parol evidence rule, they somehow consider this letter as affirmative evidence as to what was released.
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handwritten notations, when those notations were made, or whether those notations were
communicated to Zachry. The top of the typed document has a stated date of April 10,
2006. At the bottom of the page there is a typed reference to “LIQ. DAMAGES (C +
M)” and the number “$0.00” is typed in. The typed number has been crossed out and the
number 600,0003 is handwritten above it. The “C” line above for previous liquidated
damages has the typed amount “$0.00,” but on the “M” line, the typed amount “$0.00”
has been crossed out and replaced with the handwritten figure, “820,000.” The document
appears to contain the signature of Andy Thiess for the Port and the handwritten date of
May 10, 2006.
All of the remaining releases suffer from the same problems. For the releases that
contained handwritten notations, there was no testimony as to who prepared the
handwritten notations, when those notations were made, or whether those notations were
communicated to Zachry. Each release listed below was in the jury charge but did not
have the appropriate payment estimate attached, and there was no testimony that the
documents that I am referencing below were in fact the appropriate payment estimate.
c. Release No. 25, dated July 24, 2006
Release No. 25 refers to Payment Estimate No. 25, which I will assume is
PX884.0163. It was prepared June 7, 2006 and apparently approved by Thiess on June
16, 2006. The first page contains the typed notation “LIQ. DAMAGES (C + M) $0.00.”
Both the “C” line and the “M” line above contain the typed amount “$0.00.” These were
not crossed out.
d. Release No. 26, dated August 21, 2006
Release No. 26 refers to Payment Estimate No. 26, which I will assume is
PX884.0172. It was prepared July 24, 2006. It does not show an approval date by
Thiess. The first page contains the typed notation “LIQ. DAMAGES (C + M) $0.00.”
3
This number does not match the majority’s chart.
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Both the “C” line and the “M” line above contain the typed number “$0.00.” These were
not crossed out.
e. Release No. 27, dated September 22, 2006
Release No. 27 refers to Payment Estimate No. 27, which I will assume is
PX884.0180. It was prepared August 21, 2006. It was apparently approved by Thiess on
October 9, 2006. The first page contains the typed notation “LIQ. DAMAGES (C + M)
$0.00.” Both the “C” line and the “M” line above contain the typed number “$0.00.”
These were not crossed out individually, although a line is drawn through the entire
summary.
f. Release No. 28, dated October 23, 2006
Release No. 28 refers to Payment Estimate No. 28, which I will assume is
PX884.0188. It was prepared September 22, 2006. It apparently was approved by Thiess
on October 9, 2006. The first page contains the typed notation “LIQ. DAMAGES (C +
M) $0.00.” The “$0.00” has been crossed out and the number 2,585,291.804 has been
written by hand. The “C” line contains the typed number figure “$0.00,” which is not
crossed out, but the number 2,175,291.80 has been handwritten next to it. The “M” line
contains the figure “$0.00,” which has been crossed out and the number 410,0005 has
been written by hand.
g. Release No. 29, dated November 20, 2006
Release No. 29 refers to Payment Estimate No. 29, which I will assume is
PX884.0197. It was prepared October 23, 2006. It shows no approval by Thiess. The
first page contains the typed notation “LIQ. DAMAGES (C + M) $0.00.” Both the “C”
4
This number does not match what the Port claimed were the withheld liquidated damages and
does not match the majority’s chart as to when the liquidated damages were actually deducted from
Zachry’s payments.
5
This number does not match the chart by the majority.
10
line and the “M” line above contain the typed number “$0.00.” These were not crossed
out.
h. Release No. 30, dated December 15, 2006
Release No. 30 refers to Payment Estimate No. 30, which I will assume is
PX884.0207. It was prepared November 20, 2006. It apparently was approved by Thiess
on November 30, 2006. The first page contains the typed notation “LIQ. DAMAGES (C
+ M) $0.00.” The “$0.00” has been crossed out and the number 155,000 has been
written by hand. The “C” line contains the typed figure “$0.00,” which is not crossed
out, while the “M” line contains the typed number “$0.00” with a handwritten number of
155,000 inserted.
i. Release No. 31, dated January 31, 2007
Release No. 31 refers to Payment Estimate No. 31, which I will assume is
PX884.0217. It was prepared December 15, 2006. It apparently was approved by Thiess
on January 1, 2007. The first page contains the typed notation “LIQ. DAMAGES (C +
M) $0.00.” This is not crossed out. The “C” line above contains the typed amount
“$0.00,” and it has not been crossed out. The “M” line contains the typed amount
“$0.00,” but that has been crossed out and the handwritten number 150,000 inserted.
It appears that every time Zachry sent its payment estimate, it listed “$0.00” in the
blank for liquidated damages. On this record, we do not know whether the referenced
payment estimate that was listed in the release was Zachry’s estimate—with zero
liquidated damages—or the Port’s estimates with its handwritten notations. On this
record, the Port cannot prevail as a matter of law.
If the handwritten notations were made by Port personnel to refer to the liquidated
damages in question here, then the Port was very inconsistent in its treatment of the
liquidated damages. On some documents, the Port approved a listing of “$0.00” on Line
“C” for “previous liquidated damages,” even though the Port had withheld previous
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liquidated damages. Because the documents do not conclusively establish that a release
occurred, I would not hold that a release occurred as a matter of law.
The majority’s chart also cannot be supported by the actual releases themselves.
Assuming that the handwritten notations indicated a liquidated-damages deduction, those
handwritten numbers do not match the amounts that the majority believes were the actual
deductions from Zachry’s invoices.
Finally, even assuming that the document included a reference to the Port’s
handwritten notations, the actual release says it has no further claims with respect to the
Schedule of Costs in the Payment Estimate—in other words, that Zachry has no further
claim that the work done cost any more than was listed in its Schedule of Costs for the
work done that month. Zachry cannot later contend that the work cost more than listed
on the Schedule. The release does not say that Zachry is to be bound by any summary or
deductions made by the Port, or that Zachry agrees that the deductions made by the Port
are correct. Thus, the releases violate the fundamental rule that they must mention the
claim to be released—it is simply missing from the evidence at trial. Under this
evidence, we do not know what amount, if any, was allegedly released. While the
majority contends that the release does not have to identify the amount released, how else
could the majority conclude that a release of $2.205 million occurred as a matter of law?
3. Section 6.07 of the contract supports a release of liens only.
Both sides cite to the contract to support their claims. Section 6.07 of the contract
states in pertinent part as follows:
As a condition precedent to the obligation of the Port Authority to
make payment on any invoice, the Contractor shall supply the Port
Authority with waivers and releases of liens (including without limitation
all mechanics’ and materialmens’ liens and any other type of security
interest), which waivers and releases shall be duly executed and
acknowledged by the Contractor and each Subcontractor and Supplier
expecting payment from [the] Contractor in respect of such invoice in order
to assure an effective release of such liens to the maximum extent permitted
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by Applicable Law. The waivers and releases of liens shall provide, at a
minimum, that all amounts due and payable to the Contractor and each such
Subcontractor and Supplier, as of the date of such invoice and as of the date
of the last payment received by the Contractor and each such Subcontractor
and Supplier have been paid in full and that the Contractor and each such
Subcontractor and Supplier waives, releases and relinquishes any lien
(including without limitation any mechanic’s or materialman’s lien),
security interest and claim for payment to the extent set out the preceding
sentence.
I agree with Zachry’s interpretation of this section that the two sentences show an
intent to release liens and not a release of a claim that payment had been made in full.
The second sentence limits the release to the preceding sentence which is clearly limited
to liens. Even the majority concedes that this section only required Zachry to release a
lien. See majority opinion, ante at 23. But then the majority uses that against Zachry
when it discusses the title of the release forms, noting that Release Form No. 1 was a
broad release yet was titled “Partial Release of Lien.” Section 6.07 shows the parties’
intent to release liens in connection with this Release Form No. 2.
4. The titles and deletions in the various forms show a limited release.
The different forms of the release show an intent by Zachry to provide a very
limited release. The deletion of the broad-form release language that was present in
Release Form No. 1 shows Zachry’s intent to limit its release. The fact that the Port was
ultimately unhappy with Release Form No. 2 indicates that the Port knew that this release
did not provide them any protection at all. See Hous. Exploration Co., 352 S.W.3d at
470–71 (deletions in a contract can be considered in its construction). While not
controlling, a document’s title also can create ambiguity. See Lone Star Cement Corp.,
467 S.W.2d at 404–05. Here, however, the titles of the documents match up with the
contract provision calling only for a release of lien.
5. This release violates the general rules of construction for a release.
Under general rules of contract construction, this release is, at most, ambiguous.
But when the specific rules of construction concerning releases are incorporated into the
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analysis, the release fails. To effectively release a claim in Texas, the releasing
instrument must mention the claim to be released. See Victoria Bank, 811 S.W.2d at 938.
The releases here do not do this. Releases must be construed narrowly, see id., yet here,
the majority expands the releases’ meaning. And unlike typical releases, the releases in
this case do not use language that the parties “release, discharge, [and] relinquish” their
claims. Cf. Derr Constr. Co., 846 S.W.2d at 859 (“Release language is generally
‘release, discharge, relinquish.’”); MG Bldg. Materials, Ltd. v. Moses Lopez Custom
Homes, Inc., 179 S.W.3d 51, 64 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2005, pet. denied) (same);
Wallerstein v. Spirt, 8 S.W.3d 774, 780 (Tex. App.—Austin 1999, no pet.) (same).
Despite footnote 9, the majority is unable to cite any majority opinion in which the court
construed a document to be a release where the document lacked such typical release
language. See also Green Int’l, 951 S.W.2d at 387 (contract language that “Contractor
shall not be liable to the Subcontractor for delay to Subcontractor’s work by the act,
neglect or default of Owner” is not a release because it neither extinguishes a claim nor
establishes an absolute bar to any right of action on the released matter).
For all of these reasons I respectfully dissent from the majority's opinion as to the
release of the liquidated damages claim.
/s/ Tracy Christopher
Justice
Panel consists of Justices Boyce, Christopher, and McCally (McCally, J., majority).
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