Opinion ID: 1793652
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Should the trial judge have awarded prejudgment interest?

Text: An award of prejudgment interest rests in the discretion of the awarding judge. Aetna Cas. & Sur. Co. v. Doleac Elec. Co., Inc., 471 So.2d 325, 331 (Miss. 1985). See also, Glantz Contracting Co. v. General Elec. Co., 379 So.2d 912 (Miss. 1980). Under Mississippi law, prejudgment interest may be allowed in cases where the amount due is liquidated when the claim is originally made, or where the denial of the claim is frivolous or in bad faith. Aetna Cas. & Sur. Co. v. Doleac Elec. Co., Inc., 471 So.2d at 331. Further, in the absence of statute or contract providing expressly therefor, or proof sufficient to support an award of punitive damages, there can be no recovery of attorneys fees or pre-judgment interest. Stanton & Associates, Inc. v. Bryant Construction Co., 464 So.2d 499, 502 (Miss. 1985); Litten v. Grenada County, MS, 437 So.2d 387, 388 (Miss. 1983); Aetna Casualty & Surety Co. v. Steele, 373 So.2d 797, 801 (Miss. 1979). Finding no statutory or contractual provisions allowing prejudgment interest in this case, and concurring in the trial judge's decision to disallow punitive damages instructions, I would also affirm the trial judge's decision to deny prejudgment interest.