United States v. Algernon Blair, Inc.
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
479 F.2d 638 (4th Cir. 1973)
Relevant factsFree
After Blair refused to pay Coastal for crane rental it claimed was not owed under their steel-erection subcontract, Coastal stopped work and sued for the value of labor and equipment already provided, but the trial court denied recovery on the theory that Coastal would have lost more money than it was owed had it completed the entire project.
IssueFree
Whether a subcontractor who justifiably ceases work under a contract because of the prime contractor's breach may recover in quantum meruit the value of labor and equipment already furnished pursuant to the contract irrespective of whether he would have been entitled to recover in a suit on the contract.