Opinion ID: 1100764
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: tort damages

Text: The chancellor also found that the appellants' conduct was tortious in nature, awarding $93,000, which included punitive damages, attorneys' fees, loss of income and mental anguish. On the facts of this case, we find neither a tortious breach of the Employment Agreement nor a tortious interference with Moeller's business relationships, and reverse. Ordinarily, punitive damages are not recoverable in actions for breach of contract. Aetna Casualty & Surety Co. v. Doleac Electric Co., Inc., 471 So.2d 325, 332 (Miss. 1985). In fact, they are disfavored in law, and allowed only with caution. Tideway Oil Programs, Inc. v. Serio, 431 So.2d 454, 460 (Miss. 1983). Yet, a breach of contract accompanied by intentional wrong, insult, abuse or such gross negligence as to constitute an independent tort, justifies the award of punitive damages. State Farm Fire and Casualty Co. v. Simpson, 477 So.2d 242, 250 (Miss. 1985); New Hampshire Insurance Co. v. Smith, 357 So.2d 119, 121 (Miss. 1978); Progressive Casualty Co. v. Keys, 317 So.2d 396, 398 (Miss. 1975). In the case at issue, the Court does not find such intentional wrong or gross negligence as to justify the award of $10,000 for punitive damages. Indeed, had the appellants but paid Moeller for the sixty days' notice period at the time of the dismissal, his tenure would have terminated without breach of the at will contract. Though unfortunate, the appellants' actions fail to meet the standard for punitive damages stated above. For lack of punitive damages, we also reverse the award of attorneys' fees. Aetna Casualty & Surety Co. v. Steele, 373 So.2d 797, 801 (Miss. 1979); Cooper v. United States Fidelity & Guaranty Co., 186 Miss. 116, 122, 188 So. 6, 7 (1939); Yazoo and Mississippi Valley Railroad Co. v. Consumers' Ice & Power Co., 109 Miss. 43, 48, 67 So. 657, 658 (1915). The chancellor also awarded $12,000 for lost income. We reverse, holding that the firm is not responsible for Moeller's income beyond the sixty days' notice period, regardless of any resulting loss of future income. The chancellor's last award was $20,000 for mental anguish. Finding that the appellants had a contractual right to discharge Moeller, we conclude from the evidence an absence of willful, wanton, malicious, or intentional wrong, and reject the award of damages, Daniels v. Adkins Protective Services, Inc., 247 So.2d 710, 711 (Miss. 1971); Lyons v. Zale Jewelry Co., 246 Miss. 139, 149-150, 150 So.2d 154, 158 (1963); Saenger Theatres Corp. v. Herndon, 180 Miss. 791, 799, 178 So. 86, 87 (1938); Sears, Roebuck & Co. v. Devers, 405 So.2d 898, 902 (Miss. 1981). The appellants also argue that the chancellor erred when he held that the appellants had tortiously interfered with Moeller's business relationships, following his separation from the firm. Indeed, there is no evidence before the Court that the appellants' actions, specifically relating to the transfer of clients' files, resulted in any pecuniary loss to Moeller. The record fails to disclose a single client either influenced to terminate Moeller's services due to the intervention of the appellants, or harmed by their delay of a file. Consequently, without any showing of damages, it was error for the chancellor to find for Moeller on this ground. Finally, the chancellor imposed joint and several liability on the appellants, including Louis Fuselier, Emile Ott, and Curtiss McKee, as members of the Association's Board of Directors. Due to the absence of tortious conduct, we find the Association solely liable for the payment of damages, awarded above. Mississippi Printing Co., Inc. v. Maris, West and Baker, Inc., 492 So.2d 977, 978 (Miss. 1986); First Mobile Home Corp. v. Little, 298 So.2d 676, 679 (Miss. 1974); Grapico Bottling Co. v. Ennis, 140 Miss. 502, 509, 106 So. 97, 98 (1925). Consistent with our opinion, the Court affirms the award of $27,265.66, representing two months' salary for the notice period, accrued vacation pay, and the stock's purchase price, minus $7,500.00, owed by Moeller to the firm, which leaves a total of $19,765.66. AFFIRMED IN PART, REVERSED AND RENDERED IN PART. WALKER, C.J., ROY NOBLE LEE, HAWKINS, P.JJ., and DAN M. LEE, ROBERTSON and SULLIVAN, JJ., concur. PRATHER and ANDERSON, JJ., not participating.