Opinion ID: 884878
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Did the District Court err in denying Appellants claims for breach of contract, fraud, and negligent misrepresentation?

Text: ¶ 35 The District Court stated in its Findings of Fact; [Respondent] failed to prove that [Appellant] acted in bad faith in its performance of the contact ... failed to establish a special relationship between the parties, which is a prerequisite to a recovery for the tort of breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing in a contractual relationship... failed to prove that [Appellant] acted fraudulently in its performance of the contract ... failed to establish the nine elements of fraud ... [and] failed to prove that [Appellant] acted fraudulently or negligently. ¶ 36 We review a district court's findings of fact to determine whether they are clearly erroneous. State v. Wooster, 1999 MT 22, ¶ 2, 293 Mont. 195, ¶ 2, 974 P.2d 640, ¶ 2 (citing Interstate Production Credit v. DeSaye (1991), 250 Mont. 320, 323, 820 P.2d 1285, 1287). This Court has adopted a three_part test to determine whether a district court's finding of fact is clearly erroneous. A finding of fact is clearly erroneous if it is not supported by substantial evidence, if the district court misapprehended the effect of the evidence, or if, after reviewing the record, this Court is left with a definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been made. In re Estate of Hunsaker, 1998 MT 279, ¶ 26, 291 Mont. 412, ¶ 26, 968 P.2d 281, ¶ 26 (citing DeSaye, 250 Mont. at 323, 820 P.2d at 1287). ¶ 37 The District Court concluded that Respondent had not proved its claims against Appellant for negligence, fraud, misrepresentation and bad faith and therefore its claims should be denied. Respondent's success on such claims appears inextricably linked to a showing that Appellant promised Respondent it would heat PMAC samples for future ring-and-ball tests to 340 degrees. After a review of the record, we find no evidence that Respondent has succeeded in making such a showing. As a result, we cannot conclude that the District Court's findings are clearly erroneous. We affirm the District Courts denial of Respondent's claims for breach of contract, fraud, and negligent misrepresentation. ¶ 38 Affirmed in part, reversed in part. JIM REGNIER, JAMES C. NELSON, W. WILLIAM LEAPHART, and TERRY N. TRIEWEILER, JJ., concur.