Lehto v. Sproul

The dispositive issue in this case is whether a litigant, after a final judgment on the merits of a contractual claim against the defendant, is barred by the principles of res judicata from thereafter pursuing a second cause of action, stemming from the same set of facts, against the same defendant. The present cause of action is in two counts, quantum meruit and implied contract. The plaintiff alleges that the defendant requested and was provided extra materials and labor which were not included in a written construction contract. That contract was the basis of an earlier suit by the…