Johnson v. Salt Lake County Cottonwood Sanitary District
Johnson v. Salt Lake County Cottonwood Sanitary District
Opinion of the Court
Appeal from the dismissal of an action alleging breach of contract by defendant in negligently allowing sewage to back up into plaintiff user’s basement. Affirmed with no costs awarded.
The District was organized under Title 17-6-1, Utah Code Annotated 1953.
Plaintiffs urge that the District did not enjoy sovereign immunity from suit, and is liable for breach of its contract because of negligent operation of its facilities. The pleading sounds in ex contractu, supplemented as a reason for breach, the negligence of the District, — a tort action. In this connection, we refer the reader to the language of Trimming v. Howard, 52 Idaho 412, 16 P.2d 661 (1932), which language we approve in the particular case here, and dispositive of that aspect of this case.
As to the emphasis placed by plaintiffs on the fact that the District may “sue or be sued” which plaintiffs urge would eliminate sovereign immunity, we believe and hold that such provision is procedural and quite divorced from the question of immunity,' — -which is the nub of this case.
Counsel for plaintiffs suggests that Cobia v. Roy City
. 12 Utah 2d 375, 366 P.2d 986 (1961).
. 16 Utah 2d 198, 398 P.2d 203 (1965).
. We express no opinion as to applicability of the “Utah Governmental Immunity Act,” L.1965, Ch. 139 (Title 63-30, U.C.A. 1953, as amended), to the situation here or any others, but call the Act to the reader’s attention with respect to a change as to immunity. The act mentioned was effective July 1, 1966.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- H. Grant JOHNSON and Helen Johnson, his wife, and v. SALT LAKE COUNTY COTTONWOOD SANITARY DISTRICT, and
- Status
- Published