Opinion ID: 1834809
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: did the court err in failing to award punitive damages?

Text: Punitive damages are recoverable in breach of contract cases where such breach is attended by intentional wrong, insult, abuse, or such gross negligence as amounts to an independent tort. Tideway Oil Programs, Inc. v. Serio, 431 So.2d 454, 465-66 (Miss. 1983); Progressive Casualty Ins. Co. v. Keys, 317 So.2d 396, 398 (Miss. 1975). Punitive damages, however, are appropriate only in extreme cases, Bryant v. Alpha Entertainment Corp., 508 So.2d 1094, 1098 (Miss. 1987); Gardner v. Jones, 464 So.2d 1144, 1148 (Miss. 1985); Tideway, supra, at 460, and should be awarded only with caution and within narrow limits. Bryant, supra, at 1098; Jackson v. Johns-Manville Sales Corp., 727 F.2d 506, 526 (5th Cir.1984) citing Consolidated American Life Ins. Co. v. Toche, 410 So.2d 1303, 1304-05 (Miss. 1982). Breach of fiduciary duty, among others, is recognized as an extreme or a special additional circumstance when punitive damages may be awarded. U.S. For Use and Benefit of Control Systems, Inc. v. Arundel Corp., 814 F.2d 193, 199 (5th Cir.1987). See Gardner v. Jones, 464 So.2d 1144, 1148-50 (Miss. 1985). The award of punitive damages and the amount thereof, however, is within the discretion of the trier of fact. McGowan v. Estate of Wright, 524 So.2d 308, 310 (Miss. 1988); South Central Bell v. Epps, 509 So.2d 886 (Miss. 1987). Thus, the lower court has the authority to award punitive damages at its discretion. Such discretion will not be disturbed by this Court.