Ewin B. Jenkins v. Big City Remodeling
Ewin B. Jenkins and Janet Jenkins (Owners) sued their general contractor, Big City Remodeling, and flooring subcontractors after their newly constructed home was destroyed by fire. The Owners alleged negligence, relying partly on the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur, and breach of contract. The trial court granted summary judgment to all defendants. On appeal, the Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment for Big City Remodeling on claims of its own negligence and res ipsa loquitur, finding no exclusive control of the premises. However, the court reversed summary judgment for the flooring subcontractors on the negligence claim, citing genuine issues of material fact regarding causation by circumstantial evidence. Additionally, the court reversed summary judgment for Big City Remodeling on the breach of contract claim, remanding for a determination on whether Owners' failure to procure insurance constituted a first material breach.