Leslie Pendergrast, App-cross Resp v. Robert Matichuk, Resp-cross App

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON
LESLIE M. PENDERGRAST,
as an individual, No. 71726-0-1
Appellant, DIVISION ONE
v.
ROBERT MATICHUK and JANE DOE PUBLISHED OPINION
MATICHUK, as individuals and in
their marital capacity; BANK OF THE
PACIFIC, a Washington State
corporation; BLAINE PROPERTIES
L.L.C., a Washington State limited
liability company; MARK R. and
CYNTHIA A. SANFORD, as
individuals and in their marital FILED: August 31, 2015
capacity; and GINA M.
LINGENFELTER and JOHN DOE
LINGENFELTER, as individuals and
in their marital capacity,
Respondents.
Leach, J. — In his poem "Mending Wall," Robert Frost observed, "Before I
built a wall I'd ask to know / What I was walling in or walling out, / And to whom I
was like to give offense."1 This case illustrates the wisdom of Frost's observation
in the context of an existing fence. Robert Matichuk moved a fence and cut
down a tree over the objection of adjacent property owner, Leslie Pendergrast.
1 The Poetry of Robert Frost: The Collected Poems, Complete and
Unabridged, 33 (Edward Connery Lathem ed., Henry Holt & Co. 1969).
NO. 71726-0-1/2
The trial court ruled on summary judgment that Pendergrast established
ownership of the disputed land through boundary by common grantor, and a jury
later awarded her damages for trespass and timber trespass.
Pendergrast appeals the trial court's refusal to treble the noneconomic
damages portion of the jury's timber trespass award. Matichuk cross appeals.
First, he challenges the summary judgment order, claiming that he and the
common grantor had no agreement that a fence and not the deed description
defined the common boundary. He also requests attorney fees and costs for
defending against the lis pendens Pendergrast filed. And he argues that the trial
court erred by denying his motion for a new trial or reduction of noneconomic
damages.
Because both Matichuk's and Pendergrast's "manifestations of ownership"
showed they recognized the fence as the true boundary, we hold that no genuine
issue of material fact prevented the trial court from ruling as a matter of law that
Pendergrast established boundary by common grantor. We deny Matichuk's
request for attorney fees and costs under the lis pendens statute. We also
conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion by denying Matichuk's
motion for a new trial or reduction of noneconomic damages. Finally, the plain
language of former RCW 64.12.030 (1881) entitles Pendergrast to treble the
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amount of both the economic and noneconomic damages awarded for timber
trespass. We remand for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
FACTS
Tali and Cyrus Conine (collectively Conine) owned property in Blaine,
Washington, which they divided into separate parcels. In April 2006, Conine sold
Robert Matichuk and his wife the vacant western parcel, described in the deed as
"the south 75 feet of Lot 30, Block 5, Perley's Replat." Matichuk planned to
develop condominiums on the property. A six-foot wooden board fence ran
along a portion of the east boundary, separating Matichuk's parcel from property
Conine retained. Before purchase, Matichuk paced the dimensions of the
property. He concluded from his site visit that he "didn't know where the fence
was in relation to the property line" but did nothing further to investigate the
parcel's boundaries.
In September 2006, Conine sold Leslie Pendergrast the eastern parcel,
which the fence separated from the Matichuk property. The deed described the
parcel as "LOT 5 & 6, BLOCK 5 PLAT OF PERLEY'S SUBDIV." The fence ran
the length of the western boundary of Pendergrast's property, which had a house
on it. A large tree with a tree house stood near the fence, on Pendergrast's side.
Pendergrast maintained and used the entire fenced area as her backyard from
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2006 until 2009. She had plans to renovate the property to create a unique
maritime-themed bed-and-breakfast.
Neither Matichuk's nor Pendergrast's deed mentions the fence. The real
estate listing Pendergrast reviewed before purchasing her property described the
parcel as "fenced-partially." On the seller disclosure statement, Conine
answered "No" to the question of whether any encroachments or boundary
disputes existed related to the property.
In June 2008, Matichuk commissioned a survey of his property for his
building permit application. The survey, which used the deed description,
showed the fence and tree located entirely on Matichuk's property.2 On
September 11, 2008, the city of Blaine conditionally approved Matichuk's plans
for a fourplex on the property.3
In January 2009, Matichuk told Pendergrast in a letter that the fence was
"6-8 feet" onto his property and that he intended to move it "in the near future" to
the "common property line." On April 21, 2009, Pendergrast responded through
counsel, demanding that Matichuk not move the fence and claiming ownership of
the property "encompassed by the fence." Pendergrast contended that "this
fence was located in its existing location by the common owner of your
2 Pendergrast's own survey later confirmed Matichuk's findings.
3 The Matichuks later submitted a revised site plan to develop two duplex
buildings, which the city approved in November 2009.
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respective properties and effectively becomes the agreed boundary, taking
precedence over any boundary that may have been located by a surveyor." In
an April 24, 2009, letter, Pendergrast's counsel warned Conine that Conine was
"liable for damages for misrepresenting the condition of the property" as subject
to no encroachments or boundary disputes.
Despite Pendergrast's demand, Matichuk moved the fence to the deed
line. Matichuk also cut down and removed the tree and tree house.
On February 26, 2010, Pendergrast filed suit to quiet title and for
ejectment, trespass, and unlawful detainer. Pendergrast also recorded a lis
pendens against Matichuk's property.
On October 31, 2012, Matichuk filed a motion for summary judgment,
seeking to dismiss Pendergrast's quiet title claim because Pendergrast could not
establish any right to the disputed property, either by boundary by agreement or
boundary by common grantor. On November 21, 2012, Pendergrast filed a
response and cross motion for summary judgment.
On January 4, 2013, the trial court granted Matichuk's motion to dismiss
Pendergrast's boundary by agreement claim but denied Matichuk's motion to
dismiss Pendergrast's common grantor claim. The court granted Pendergrast's
cross motion to quiet title based on boundary by common grantor. The court
denied Matichuk's motion for reconsideration.
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On July 5, 2013, Pendergrast amended her complaint to add claims for
abatement. She also added as a party Blaine Properties LLC, the entity to which
Matichuk had transferred the property.
At trial, the jury considered Pendergrast's claims for trespass, timber
trespass, unlawful detainer, ejectment, and abatement in light of the trial court's
earlier summary judgment ruling that the disputed property belonged to
Pendergrast. The jury found Matichuk and Blaine Properties LLC liable for
trespass, awarding economic damages of $5,200 and noneconomic damages of
$75,000. The jury also found Matichuk liable for timber trespass and awarded
Pendergrast $3,310 in economic damages and $40,000 in noneconomic
damages. The trial court trebled the economic damages for timber trespass
under former RCW 64.12.030. However, the court denied Pendergrast's request
to treble the noneconomic damages under the timber trespass statute "because
such a trebling is not specifically provided in [former] RCW 64.12.030, which, as
a penal or punitive statute, should be interpreted and applied literally and
narrowly." The court denied Matichuk's motion for a new trial or reduction of
noneconomic damages.
Pendergrast appeals the trial court's refusal to treble her noneconomic
timber trespass damages. Matichuk cross appeals the trial court's order granting
Pendergrast's cross motion for summary judgment. Matichuk also cross appeals
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the court's findings of fact and conclusions of law and order denying Matichuk's
motion for a new trial or reduction of noneconomic damages. Matichuk requests
attorney fees and costs on remand under RCW 4.28.328(3) for defending against
the lis pendens.
ANALYSIS
Matichuk's Cross Appeal
As a threshold matter, we address Matichuk's claim that the trial court
erred by granting Pendergrast's cross motion for summary judgment based on
the common grantor doctrine. We review a trial court order granting summary
judgment de novo, engaging in the same inquiry as the trial court.4 Summary
judgment is proper "if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and
admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no
genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to a
judgment as a matter of law."5 We view the facts and any reasonable inferences
from those facts in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party.6
4 Weden v. San Juan County, 135 Wash. 2d 678, 689, 958 P.2d 273 (1998).
5 CR 56(c).
6 Fed. Way Sch. Dist. No. 210 v. State, 167 Wash. 2d 514, 523, 219 P.3d
941 (2009).
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Common Grantor Doctrine
An action to quiet title is an equitable proceeding "'designed to resolve
competing claims of ownership.'"7 Generally, a bona fide purchaser of an
interest in real property is entitled to rely on record title.8 The common grantor
doctrine protects an original grantee acquiring property in "good faith reliance on
the boundary description provided by the common grantor who originally owned
both lots in their entirety" and thus had power to determine the location of the
boundary.9
A common boundary established by a grantor who owns land on both
sides of the line binds that grantor.10 Even absent formal agreement, this
boundary binds grantees if the land was sold and purchased with reference to
the line and the parties agreed about the identical tract of land transferred by the
sale.11
Application of the common grantor doctrine presents two questions: (1)
was there an agreed boundary established between the common grantor and
7 Walker v. Quality Loan Serv. Corp., 176 Wash. App. 294, 322, 308 P.3d
716 (2013) (quoting Kobza v. Tripp, 105 Wash. App. 90, 95, 18 P.3d 621 (2001)).
8 Levien v. Fiala, 79 Wash. App. 294, 299, 902 P.2d 170 (1995).
9 Levien, 79 Wash. App. at 302; Thompson v. Bain. 28 Wash. 2d 590, 592-93,
183 P.2d 785 (1947).
10 Winans v. Ross, 35 Wash. App. 238, 240, 666 P.2d 908 (1983) (citing
Fralick v. Clark County, 22 Wash. App. 156, 159, 589 P.2d 273 (1978)).
11 Winans, 35 Wash. App. at 240; Kronawetter v. Tamoshan, Inc., 14 Wn.
App. 820, 826, 545 P.2d 1230 (1976); Thompson, 28 Wash. 2d at 592.
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original grantee, and (2) if so, would a visual examination of the property show
subsequent purchasers that the deed line no longer functioned as the true
boundary?12 The parties' manifestations of ownership after the sale can
establish an agreement.13 The party asserting boundary by common grantor has
the burden of proof.14
Here, both Matichuk and Pendergrast are grantees of Conine, the original
grantor. Pendergrast, who acquired her property after Matichuk, maintains that
she and Conine had the necessary meeting of the minds that Pendergrast's
parcel extended to the fence. To support this, she points to the listing agreement
and seller disclosure form she relied on, as well as her three years of use of the
property up to and including the fence. Matichuk asserts that he had no such
agreement with Conine—that he purchased based solely on the legal description.
The parties do not dispute that Conine, as their common grantor,
conveyed their respective parcels as separate properties divided by a six-foot
fence. They also do not dispute that the real estate listing Pendergrast received
before purchasing her parcel described it as "fenced-partially" and that on the
seller disclosure form Conine answered "No" to the question of whether any
encroachments or boundary disputes existed related to the property.
12 Fralick, 22 Wash. App. at 160.
13 Winans, 35 Wash. App. at 241.
14 See Martin v. Hobbs, 44 Wash. 2d 787, 791, 270 P.2d 1067 (1954).
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Pendergrast testified, and Matichuk does not dispute, that Pendergrast occupied
and cared for the property up to the fence line from 2006 to 2009. Pendergrast
also testified that she observed Matichuk walking and working on his property.
Matichuk disputes he was "using" his vacant property, claiming that he was
working on building permits based on the legal description in the deed. But when
deposed, he conceded that when he paced off the property's dimensions before
his purchase, he "came to the conclusion the fence was not on the property line.
Actually, let me rephrase that, I came to the conclusion I didn't know where the
fence was in relation to the property line." He also acknowledged that the fence
"appeared to relate to" the adjacent property, but he did not inquire further about
the true boundary. And he conceded that when he moved the fence and cut the
tree, he knew that Pendergrast was asserting ownership of the disputed property.
Matichuk does not dispute that he made no attempt to use any of the
property on Pendergrast's side of the fence before moving it in 2009, roughly a
year after commissioning his survey and three years after purchasing the lot. But
he argues that at best, his failure to assert ownership immediately and remove
the fence at the time of purchase, "with nothing more, creates only an inference
of an agreement between Matichuk and Conine, and is not actual proof of one."
We disagree. Both parties' conduct, from before they purchased until
Matichuk announced he intended to move the fence, showed an understanding
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that they owned adjacent parcels separated by the fence. And a visual
examination of the property gave notice that the fence functioned as the true
boundary. The realty listing agreement and seller disclosure form further support
the conclusion that Conine intended to sell the parcels in relation to the fence.
Matichuk emphasizes that he testified that "the purchase was made based
on the property dimensions described in the deed" and that he never discussed
the purchase with Conine. "There is nothing in the record to suggest that the
Matichuks were informed that there was an agreement establishing a boundary
at the fence line." But in Winans v. Ross,15 Division Two of this court rejected
this argument: "A formal, or specific, or separate contract as to the boundary line
between the parties is not necessary." The court also rejected the argument that
because the parties purchased their lots by legal description only, there was no
agreement between them as grantees that the fence was the boundary.16 The
court held that as long as "substantial evidence supports the conclusion that the
fence provided notice to subsequent purchasers that it was the boundary," this
boundary would bind those purchasers.17
Here, Matichuk's deposition testimony shows that before he purchased his
property, he had notice of a discrepancy between the deed description and the
15 35 Wash. App. 238, 241, 666 P.2d 908 (1983) (citing Thompson, 28
Wash. 2d at 592).
16 Winans, 35 Wash. App. at 241-42.
17 Winans. 35 Wash. App. at 242.
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property he measured by pacing to the fence and that the fence "appeared to
relate to" the adjoining property, which Conine retained for five months before
selling it to Pendergrast. Presumably Conine did not intend to sell the disputed
property to both Matichuk and Pendergrast, as would have occurred if Conine
had sold Matichuk the property described in the deed and then, five month later,
sold Pendergrast an adjacent lot described as "fenced-partially." Conine sold two
adjacent properties separated by an unambiguous visual boundary, the six-foot
board fence.
Unlike some cases where a court has not found a well-defined boundary
line for purposes of boundary by common grantor or other doctrines, such as
mutual recognition and acquiescence,18 here the record discloses no reason for
the existence of the fence other than to function as a boundary between the
properties. Matichuk and Pendergrast manifested ownership of their separate
18 See, e.g., Merriman v. Cokelev, 168 Wash. 2d 627, 631-32, 230 P.3d 162
(2010) (three survey markers overgrown with blackberry bushes and weeds not a
clear and well-defined line); Waldorf v. Cole, 61 Wash. 2d 251, 255, 377 P.2d 862
(1963) (rockery against a dirt bank was an insufficient boundary marker); Scott v.
Slater, 42 Wash. 2d 366, 368-69, 255 P.2d 377 (1953) (row of pear trees of varying
shapes and sizes, which did not terminate at a well-defined point, not a clear and
well-defined line), overruled on other grounds by Chaplin v. Sanders, 100 Wash. 2d
853, 861 n.2, 676 P.2d 431 (1984); Skov v. MacKenzie-Richardson, Inc., 48
Wash. 2d 710, 716, 296 P.2d 521 (1956) ("occasional grazing" insufficient to
establish boundary line); Green v. Hooper, 149 Wash. App. 627, 642, 205 P.3d 134
(2009) (short retaining wall extending only partially into beach area, with no other
physical designations, insufficient to establish boundary line); Fralick, 22 Wn.
App. at 160 ("lower falls" designation, without fence or other marking, insufficient
to give visual notice of boundary).
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properties in relation to the fence. Matichuk does not show any genuine issue of
material fact that would preclude summary judgment. The trial court did not err in
granting Pendergrast's cross motion and quieting title in her based on boundary
by common grantor.
Attorney Fees under RCW 4.28.328(3)
In his cross appeal, Matichuk also argues that the lis pendens statute
entitles him to an award of attorney fees and costs. RCW 4.28.320 allows a
party to an action affecting title to real property to file with the county auditor a
notice of the pendency of the action, or lis pendens. A lis pendens clouds title to
the property. RCW 4.28.328(3) imposes liability for actual damages upon a
claimant who files one without "substantial justification" and, in the court's
discretion, for reasonable attorney fees and costs incurred in defending the
action. Here, Pendergrast had substantial justification for filing the lis pendens.
We deny Matichuk's request.
Noneconomic Damages
Next, Matichuk contends that even if this court affirms the trial court's
summary judgment order, it should still reverse the trial court's denial of
Matichuk's motion for a new trial or reduction of noneconomic damages. CR 59
authorizes the trial court to vacate a verdict and order a new trial when, among
other circumstances, an award of damages was "so excessive or inadequate as
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unmistakably to indicate that the verdict must have been the result of passion or
prejudice" or where "substantial justice has not been done."19 Alternatively, the
trial court may increase or reduce a damages award.20
The amount of damages presents a question of fact.21 "'An appellate
court will not disturb an award of damages made by a jury unless it is outside the
range of substantial evidence in the record, or shocks the conscience of the
court, or appears to have been arrived at as the result of passion or prejudice."'22
A damages award "'shocks the conscience'" if it is "'flagrantly outrageous and
extravagant.'"23 And passion and prejudice must be "'unmistakable'" for the
reviewing court to disturb the jury's award.24
Substantial evidence exists if it is "'sufficient to persuade a fair-minded,
rational person of the truth of the finding.'"25 A plaintiff is not required to prove
that his or her distress was severe, but an award must be in proportion to the
19 CR 59(a)(5), (9).
20 RCW 4.76.030.
21 Bunch v. King County Dep't of Youth Servs., 155 Wash. 2d 165, 179, 116
P.3d 381 (2005).
22 Bunch, 155 Wash. 2d at 179 (quoting Bingaman v. Grays Harbor Cmty.
Hosp., 103 Wash. 2d 831, 835, 699 P.2d 1230 (1985)).
23 Bunch, 155 Wash. 2d at 179 (quoting Bingaman, 103 Wash. 2d at 836-37).
24 Bunch, 155 Wash. 2d at 179 (quoting Bingaman, 103 Wash. 2d at 836); RCW
4.76.030.
25 State v. Lew, 156 Wash. 2d 709, 733, 132 P.3d 1076 (2006) (quoting
State v. Mendez, 137 Wash. 2d 208, 214, 970 P.2d 722 (1999)).
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injury suffered.26 And while damages "need not be proved with mathematical
certainty," they "must be supported by competent evidence."27
We review a trial court's denial of a motion for a new trial or for reduction
of damages for abuse of discretion.28 A court abuses its discretion when it
makes a "'manifestly unreasonable'" decision, rests the decision on facts
unsupported by the record, or applies an incorrect legal standard.29 The
reviewing court strongly presumes the jury's verdict is correct, and a trial court's
denial of a reduction of damages strengthens the verdict.30
Matichuk argues that Pendergrast's proof of noneconomic damages,
which the court's instructions defined as "[mjental anguish, emotional distress,
and inconvenience experienced by the Plaintiff as a result of the trespass or
timber trespass," was "limited." He emphasizes that there was no evidence that
she consulted a health care professional and that no one testified on her behalf
26 Nord v. Shoreline Sav. Ass'n, 116 Wash. 2d 477, 483-85, 805 P.2d 800
(1991); Hill v. GTE Directories Sales Corp., 71 Wash. App. 132, 139-40, 856 P.2d
746 (1993).
27 Hill, 71 Wash. App. at 140 (citing Rasor v. Retail Credit Co., 87 Wash. 2d
516, 530-31, 554 P.2d 1041 (1976)).
28 Bunch, 155 Wash. 2d at 180; Cox v. Gen. Motors Corp., 64 Wash. App. 823,
826, 827P.2d 1052(1992).
29 State v. Sisouvanh. 175 Wash. 2d 607, 623, 290 P.3d 942 (2012) (internal
quotation marks omitted) (quoting State v. Rohrich, 175 Wash. 2d 647, 654, 71 P.3d
638 (2003)).
30 Bunch, 155 Wash. 2d at 179-80 (citing Sofie v. Fibreboard Corp., 112
Wash. 2d 636, 654, 771 P.2d 711, 780 P.2d 260 (1989); Wash. State Physicians
Ins. Exch. & Ass'n v. Fisons Corp., 122 Wash. 2d 299, 330, 858 P.2d 1054 (1993)).
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about her anxiety and distress. Our Supreme Court has held, however, that
"such evidence is not strictly required; our cases require evidence of anguish and
distress, and this can be provided by the plaintiff's own testimony."31
Matichuk cites Hill v. GTE Directories Sales Corp.32 to support his
argument that "insufficient credible evidence" supported the jury's verdict of a
total of $115,000 in noneconomic damages. But we distinguish Hill. In that case,
Division Three of this court affirmed a trial court's order reducing a damages
award after finding that the jury erred by awarding economic damages "clearly
outside the range of the evidence" and basing a large noneconomic damages
award on only "meager" evidence.33 Here, the trial court denied Matichuk's
motion for reduction of damages, which strengthens the jury's verdict. As in Hi]],
here "[t]he trial court was in the better position to make that determination and is
to be accorded room for the exercise of its sound discretion."34
Matichuk also attributes Pendergrast's stress to several other factors
besides the boundary dispute: insurance issues arising from a plumbing
emergency in the house, other properties in foreclosure, and the pressures of
providing for her adult children. He points out that although Pendergrast blamed
31 Bunch, 155 Wash. 2d at 181 (citing Nord, 116 Wash. 2d at 487).
32 71 Wash. App. 132, 856 P.2d 746 (1993).
33 HiU, 71 Wash. App. at 139-40.
34 Hill, 71 Wash. App. at 140 (citing Washburn v. Beatt Eguip. Co., 120
Wash. 2d 246, 279, 840 P.2d 860 (1992); Bingaman, 103 Wash. 2d at 835).
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the loss of her dream of a bed-and-breakfast on Matichuk, she did not file a
building permit for a planned swimming pool or garage renovation. And he
questions whether the health problems she testified about would even allow her
to operate such a business.
Contrary to Matichuk's contentions, Pendergrast presented evidence
sufficient to support the award of noneconomic damages. Pendergrast testified
that she planned to build a swimming pool in the backyard and construct a
unique deck in the tree as a vista point for Drayton Harbor and White Rock,
Canada. She believed that these features, together with renovations to convert
the detached garage into a honeymoon cottage, would make her bed-and-
breakfast unique among local establishments. She testified that by January
2009, she had finished remodeling the interior of the house and was preparing to
begin work on the backyard. She said that when she received Matichuk's letter,
she "felt like somebody had slugged [her] in the stomach" and was "in tears."
She testified further that she felt "violated, trespassed upon. ... I was
devastated. .. . [P]utting that fence into this new location stopped everything
because now I didn't have the proper setback that I needed to continue with the
uniqueness of the bed and breakfast." She testified that the stress made her feel
"almost catatonic" and that when Matichuk cut down the tree, she had "an
overwhelming feeling of a point of no return." She stated that the conflict had
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affected her health "[v]ery negatively" and that after the project stalled, "I was
sick, I was sick over it. And I still am because it's five years down the road."
Pendergrast presented sufficient evidence to convince a fair-minded, rational
person that she suffered "mental anguish, emotional distress, or inconvenience,"
which sufficiently supports an award for damages.35
Matichuk also emphasizes that the jury's awards of noneconomic
damages for trespass and timber trespass were "more than fourteen times the
economic verdict" and "more than twelve times the economic verdict,"
respectively. But the jury uses the evidence presented for an award of
noneconomic damages, not the economic damages award. And a court may not
overturn a jury verdict merely because of its size.36 Matichuk fails to show that
the jury's award of noneconomic damages here falls outside the range of
evidence or is so excessive as to be "'flagrantly outrageous and extravagant,'"
particularly in light of the trial court's denial of a reduction and this court's
presumption that a jury verdict is correct.37
Matichuk also contends that "the jury wanted to go further than it was
instructed it could do" and demonstrated "its passion to punish the defendants"
when it asked the court if it should award attorney fees. But this question from
35 Bunch, 155Wn.2dat181.
36 Thompson v. Berta Enter., Inc., 72 Wash. App. 531, 543, 864 P.2d 983
(1994).
37 See Bunch, 155 Wash. 2d at 182.
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the jury, without more, does not demonstrate passion and prejudice, which must
be "of such manifest clarity as to make it unmistakable" before it will justify
reduction of a jury verdict.38 Nor does the fact that the jury found Matichuk and
Matichuk's corporate entity, but not the three other defendants, liable for trespass
prove passion and prejudice. Matichuk's contentions do not establish "anything
untoward in the proceedings that justifies setting the verdict aside based on
passion and prejudice."39 The trial court did not abuse its discretion by denying
Matichuk's motion for a new trial or reduction of noneconomic damages.
Treble Damages
Pendergrast raises one issue on appeal, contending that the trial court
erred when it refused to treble the jury's award of noneconomic damages. We
hold that the unambiguous language of former RCW 64.12.030 required the trial
court treble the jury's noneconomic damages award.
The meaning of a statute presents a question of law we review de novo.40
When construing a statute, our primary objective is to ascertain and carry out the
legislature's intent.41 Statutory interpretation begins with the statute's plain
meaning, which we discern from the ordinary meaning of its language in the
38 Bingaman, 103 Wash. 2d at 836 (citing James v. Robeck. 79 Wash. 2d 864,
870, 490 P.2d 878 (1971)).
39 Bunch, 155Wn.2dat183.
40 Broughton Lumber Co. v. BNSF Ry., 174 Wash. 2d 619, 624, 278 P.3d 173
(2012).
41 State v. Gray, 174 Wash. 2d 920, 926, 280 P.3d 1110 (2012).
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context of the statute, related statutory provisions, and the statutory scheme as a
whole.42 If the statute's meaning is unambiguous, the inquiry ends.43 Our
system of government does not allocate to the judicial branch the function of
improving or changing the law by inserting an exception into a statute's text that
the legislature did not provide.
"Washington, unlike other states, employs a very restrictive approach to
punitive damages [and] prohibits the recovery of punitive damages as a violation
of public policy unless expressly authorized by statute."44 Former RCW
64.12.030 provides a specific punitive remedy for an intentional timber trespass:
Whenever any person shall cut down, girdle or otherwise injure, or
carry off any tree, timber or shrub on the land of another person,
... if judgment be given for the plaintiff, it shall be given for treble
the amount of damages claimed or assessed therefor, as the case
may be.
The timber trespass statute has three purposes: (1) to punish a voluntary
offender, (2) "to provide, by trebling the actual present damages, a rough
measure for future damages," and (3) "[t]o discourage persons from carelessly or
intentionally removing another's merchantable shrubs or trees on the gamble that
the enterprise will be profitable if actual damages only are incurred."45 Timber
42 Lake v. Woodcreek Homeowners Ass'n, 169 Wash. 2d 516, 526, 243 P.3d
1283(2010).
43 Lake, 169 Wash. 2d at 526.
44 Broughton Lumber, 174 Wash. 2d at 638 n.14 (citing Barr v. Interbav
Citizens Bank, 96 Wash. 2d 692, 697, 635 P.2d 441, 649 P.2d 827 (1982)).
45 Guavv.Wash.Nat.GasCo., 62 Wash. 2d 473, 476, 383 P.2d 296 (1963).
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trespass damages must be reasonable in relation to the value of the property.46
The legislature mandated the punitive aspect of the trebling provision and did not
leave it to the discretion of the courts.47 Because the timber trespass statute is
penal and not merely remedial, courts strictly construe it.48 The statute makes
the remedy available in the case of a "willful" trespass only; the court cannot
impose treble damages for a "casual or involuntary" trespass or one based on a
mistaken belief of ownership of the land.49
Former RCW 64.12.030 contains no limitation on the type of damages
subject to trebling. Pendergrast argues, "The legislative mandate could not be
clearer and that is to simply treble any damages assessed for a timber trespass."
She cites Birchlerv. Castello Land Co.,50 in which our Supreme Court held that a
prevailing plaintiff may recover noneconomic damages in a timber trespass
action. Matichuk counters that "historically cases have confined treble damages
to the injury to the vegetation itself." He argues that even after Birchler, "[t]he
addition of emotional distress damages to the remedies available does not, in
46 Allvn v. Boe, 87 Wash. App. 722, 734-35, 943 P.2d 364 (1997).
47 Happy Bunch, LLC v. Grandview N., LLC, 142 Wash. App. 81, 96, 173
P.3d 959 (2007) (citing Pearce v. G.R. Kirk Co., 92 Wash. 2d 869, 875, 602 P.2d
357(1979)).
48 Broughton Lumber, 174 Wash. 2d at 633 (quoting Bailey v. Havden, 65
Wash. 57,61, 117 P. 720 (1911)); Birchlerv. Castello Land Co., 133Wn.2d 106,
110, 942 P.2d 968 (1997).
49 Former RCW 64.12.040 (1881); Birchler, 133 Wash. 2d at 109-10.
50133Wn.2d 106, 116, 942 P.2d 968 (1997).
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and of itself, require that those additional damages be trebled," noting that the
Birchler court expressly declined to address this question.51 But Matichuk cites
no authority approving a court's limitation or contraction of a statute's plain
language.
Certain other Washington statutes with similar provisions explicitly limit
treble damages to actual, economic damages. The Insurance Fair Conduct Act,
chapter 48.30 RCW, provides that the superior court may increase an award to
"an amount not to exceed three times the actual damages."52 The Consumer
Protection Act, chapter 19.86 RCW, allows the court to increase an award "to an
amount not to exceed three times the actual damages sustained," but not to
exceed $25,000.53
By contrast, in the 18 years since our Supreme Court decided Birchler, the
legislature has not amended the timber trespass statute to limit the types of
damages subject to trebling. If the legislature meant only "actual damages" or
"economic damages only" by its use of the word "damages" in former RCW
64.12.030, then the legislature's use of the word "actual" and "economic" in the
statutes described above is superfluous. Wherever possible, courts construe
51 The court's stated reason was the plaintiff's failure to raise the issue at
anytime before oral argument. Birchler, 133 Wash. 2d at 110 n.3.
52 RCW 48.30.015(2).
53 RCW 19.86.090.
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NO. 71726-0-1/23
statutes so that no portion is superfluous, and "[statutes should be interpreted so
as to not leave one statute mere surplusage."54
Moreover, RCW 4.24.630, a separate statute that applies to liability for
damage to land and property in situations not covered by former RCW
64.12.030, does not expressly exclude noneconomic damages from those
subject to trebling under the statute. It provides that one who "wrongfully causes
waste or injury to the land ... is liable to the injured party for treble the amount of
the damages caused by the removal, waste, or injury."55 Recoverable damages
"include, but are not limited to, damages for the market value of the property
removed or injured, and for injury to the land, including the costs of restoration,"
as well as reimbursement of reasonable costs, "including but not limited to"
reasonable attorney fees and costs related to investigation and litigation.56
"It is clear that treble damages will be imposed upon trespassers cutting
timber under [former] RCW 64.12.030, unless those trespassing exculpate
themselves under the provisions of [former] RCW 64.12.040."57 The jury found
that the mitigating circumstances of former RCW 64.12.040 did not apply to
Matichuk's cutting of the tree. Former RCW 64.12.030 unambiguously requires
54 Sim v. Wash. State Parks & Recreation Comm'n, 90 Wash. 2d 378, 383,
583 P.2d 1193 (1978); Schrempp v. Munro, 116 Wash. 2d 929, 934, 809 P.2d 1381
(1991).
55 RCW 4.24.630(1).
56 RCW 4.24.630(1) (emphasis added).
57 Smith v. Shiflett, 66 Wash. 2d 462, 464-65, 403 P.2d 364 (1965).
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that the court award "treble the amount of damages claimed or assessed" for a
timber trespass. Under Birchler, "damages claimed or assessed" may include
noneconomic damages. And in the years since our Supreme Court decided
Birchler. the legislature has not limited the types of damages subject to trebling.
We hold that Pendergrast is entitled to treble the amount of all timber trespass
damages.
CONCLUSION
We affirm the trial court's order on summary judgment quieting title to the
disputed property in Pendergrast based on boundary by common grantor. We
deny Matichuk's request for attorney fees under the lis pendens statute and
affirm the trial court's denial of Matichuk's motion for a new trial or reduction of
noneconomic damages. We hold that the plain language of former RCW
64.12.030 entitles Pendergrast to treble the amount of all damages awarded for
timber trespass. We remand for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
WE CONCUR:
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