Opinion
No. 42251.
June 22, 1972.
[1] Appeal and Error — Review — Issues Not Raised in Trial Court — In General. A theory not shown by the record to have been presented at the time of trial will not be considered on appeal.
[See 5 Am.Jur.2d, Appeal and Error § 545 et seq.]
Appeal and Error — Findings of Fact — Review — In General.
Appeal from a judgment of the Superior Court for King County, Nos. 715661, 719031, Nancy A. Holman, J., entered February 5, 1971. Affirmed.
Actions on a promissory note and for damages. Defendants appeal from a judgment in favor of the plaintiffs and from a dismissal of an action for damages.
Malcolm S. McLeod, for appellants.
Beresford Booth, and Robert W. McKisson, for respondents.
Appellants, Mr. and Mrs. William B. Cloes, rented store space in a building owned by respondents, Mr. and Mrs. R.R. Lee. They appeal from the decision of the trial court, sitting without a jury, which awarded judgment to the Lees for the face amount of a note, given by the Cloeses to secure payment of rent, together with interest and attorney's fees. The court also dismissed the claim of appellants for damages for destruction of certain goods, stock and fixtures.
The errors assigned deal with the court's failure to apply the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur; a holding that an exculpatory clause in the lease between the parties placed the risk of loss for damages to personal property on the premises upon appellants; and, to the court's findings of fact that an oral agreement was entered into terminating the tenancy on September 1, 1969.
[1] The record in this case fails to show whether the question of the application of the doctrine of res ipsa loquitur was presented to the trial court. We will not consider, as a ground for reversal of the trial court, a theory not presented at the time of trial. Matthias v. Lehn Fink Prods. Corp., 70 Wn.2d 541, 424 P.2d 284 (1967); Spinelli v. Economy Stations, Inc., 71 Wn.2d 503, 429 P.2d 240 (1967).
[2] The court found the evidence was insufficient to show the freezing of water pipes on the premises which resulted in damage to appellants' goods was the result of negligence on the part of respojdents, or that respondents had prior notice of the defect. The finding has support in the record and the question of whether the exculpatory clause of the lease is valid will not be considered inasmuch as appellants have failed to show any breach of duty by respondents to appellants.
The remaining findings of fact to which error is assigned are supported by the record. Judgment affirmed.