Quantum Counts Law and Legal Definition
Quantum counts are the counts of quantum meruit and quantum valebant in general assumpsit. General assumpsit is an action based on the defendant’s breach of an implied promise to pay a debt owed to the plaintiff.
The various forms of general assumpsit, known as the common counts, were: indebitatus assumpsit; the quantum counts (quantum meruit and quantum valebant); the money counts (money had and received, money lent and money paid); and the count upon an account stated. [Hemingway v. Skinner Engineering Co., 117 Ill. App. 2d 452, 457 (Ill. App. Ct. 2d Dist. 1969)].
Quantum counts were devised to enable a plaintiff to recover for a benefit conferred under such circumstances as did not create either a true debt or an actionable assumpsit, but which benefit the parties nevertheless intended should be paid for. [Emerson C. Custis & Co. v. Tradesmans Nat'l Bank & Trust Co., 155 Pa. Super. 282, 285 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1944)].
