Opinion ID: 1759354
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 13

Heading: Skyview's Damages

Text: Skyview claims it was damaged by Phipps' failure to return decals, license plates and permits, and lost revenue due to being unable to find a replacement driver. Because Skyview improperly terminated the agreement, it is not entitled to any damages resulting from not being able to replace Phipps. Regarding Phipps' failure to return the decals and license plates after the termination, paragraph 18.1 of the agreement provides: In the event that either party hereto is in breach of this Agreement, the non-breaching party shall be entitled to an action for damages, specific performance, or any other remedy provided by the laws of the State of Nebraska. More specifically, and not by way of limitation, the parties hereto acknowledge that SKYVIEW LEASING has a special property interest in the permits, licenses, applications, and other documents and instruments provided ... to TRUCKER, and in the event that TRUCKER shall fail to return such items to SKYVIEW LEASING as provided herein, SKYVIEW LEASING shall be entitled to specific performance requiring the return of such items, or replevin, if that remedy is appropriate, and for money damages ... suffered by SKYVIEW LEASING for retention by TRUCKER of such items[.] Paragraph 19.3(c) further provides that any alleged breach by SKYVIEW LEASING shall not entitle TRUCKER to suspend or avoid any of its obligations hereunder. Thus, Phipps was obligated to return the decals and license plates even though Skyview was the breaching party. Phipps admitted that he did not return the decals and license plates. However, Skyview has failed to show how it was damaged by Phipps' retention of the items. Skyview claims Phipps retained decals and license plates valued at $2,500. Skyview's statement of account shows costs of license plates and permits totaling $2,159.52. However, Phipps contributed $900 to these costs through weekly deductions from his pay. Had the agreement not been improperly terminated, these weekly deductions would have continued until the license and permit costs were completely reimbursed. Rickertsen acknowledged that the handbook provided that the trucker is responsible for the unused portion of these costs when the trucker terminates early. In this case, Skyview terminated early. Rickertsen testified that had Phipps returned the items, Skyview would have received a partial refund from the state. However, Skyview would then forward the refund to the trucker. Testimony further indicated that the decals were not reusable and that the license plates themselves were of no use to Skyview. Phipps did not continue to use the license plates after Skyview terminated the agreement. Skyview has failed to prove any damage caused by Phipps' retention of these items.