Opinion ID: 167812
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Tribune Publishing's causes of action against MPI

Text: 68 Although Tribune Publishing's claim for the inflated price is not ripe, its claims for breach of fiduciary duty and breach of contract against MPI are ripe. 69 The district court concluded that Tribune Publishing's claims for breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty are not ripe because the court could not review MPI's appraisal. This ruling was based upon the district court's erroneous conclusion that it could not review MPI's appraisal. 70 Applying de novo review, we conclude that Tribune Publishing's claims for breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty are ripe. Proof of actual damages is not an element of Tribune Publishing's breach of contract claim. See, e.g., Nappe v. Anschelewitz, Barr, Ansell & Bonello, 97 N.J. 37, 477 A.2d 1224, 1228 (1984). [W]henever there is a breach of contract, ... the law ordinarily infers that damage ensued, and, in the absence of actual damages, the law vindicates the right by awarding nominal damages. Id. A breach of a contract is per se a legal injury from which some damage will be inferred, and, in the absence of proof of actual damage arising from such breach, the plaintiff is entitled to nominal damages. Car & Gen. Ins. Corp. v. Davimos, 12 N.J. Misc. 569, 173 A. 150, 151 (1934), aff'd, 114 N.J.L. 192, 176 A. 320 (1935); see also Culver v. Dziki, 123 N.J.L. 66, 8 A.2d 51, 52 (1939) (holding that the plaintiff was entitled to nominal damages in a breach of contract regarding a fire appraisal). Thus, Tribune Publishing need not allege actual damages to pursue its breach of contract claims against MPI. 71 As to Tribune Publishing's claim for breach of fiduciary duty, we need not decide whether New Jersey requires an allegation of damages when asserting a claim of breach of fiduciary duty. Even if an assertion of damages is required for a breach of fiduciary duty claim in New Jersey, Tribune Publishing has alleged sufficient damages to satisfy a ripeness inquiry. The district court construed Tribune Publishing's claim for damages too narrowly. Tribune Publishing alleged that it lost the right to participate in the appraisal process as defined in the Option Agreement and Appraisal Agreement. First Am. Compl. ¶¶ 85, 91. Additionally, Tribune Publishing alleges that MPI's report delayed purchase of the newspaper, depriving it of income. Id. ¶ 84. 72 Thus, Tribune Publishing's breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty claims against MPI are ripe. 73