Shumaker v. Rippy

MOORE, P. J.

The question for decision is whether the court below correctly awarded a summary judgment under Code of Civil Procedure, section 437c, in an action for damages based upon the negligence of an escrow agent.

On January 6, 1955, appellant Shumaker filed an action for breach of. contract of escrow for the sale of certain real property to one Burton L. Lamb, wherein the respondent Rippy was escrow agent. It was alleged that the respondent failed to pay over the net proceeds of such sale and thereby breached the terms of the escrow agreement. The second cause of action alleged additionally that appellant suffered certain damages as the result of the negligent handling of such escrow.

Respondent’s demurrer to the second cause of action of the first amended complaint was properly sustained on the ground that the negligence of an escrow agent is governed by the two-year statute of limitations. (Code Civ. Proc., § 339, subd. 1.) This demurrer was sustained with leave to amend, but no further amendment was filed.

[816]

Both causes of action were dismissed under section 437c, Code of Civil Procedure. This appeal followed.

The two-year statute of limitations (Code Civ. Proc., § 339, subd. 1) is applicable either to an action for breach of an escrow agreement or to an action for damages on account of negligence in the performance thereof.

(Howard

v.

Security Title Ins. & Guar. Co.,

20 Cal.App.2d 226, 228 [66 P.2d 1247].) There is no question but that the complaint herein was filed more than two years and eight months after the alleged negligent payment of the sales price to Edith May Poster, by the escrow agent. Where an escrow agent is accused after more than two years of having carelessly delivered money or title papers to the damage of a party to the escrow, the action for such negligence is barred by the two-year statute.

(Howard

v.

Security Title Ins. & Guar. Co., supra.)