Court Opinion

ID: 9614590
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 04:26:41.922559+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:13:02.229281
License: Public Domain

Lockett, J.,
concurring and dissenting: I agree with the majority’s decision in this case except for that portion which precludes EFS from any recovery based upon fraud, conversion and embezzlement (a tort claim). EFS alleged in Count I that defendants had breached the contract and in Count II that the defendants had, in addition to the breach of contract, committed an independent tort by acts of fraud. Refusing to allow the plaintiff to recover punitive damages for an independent tort claim when breach of contract has been established is contrary to our decisions in W-V Enterprises, Inc. v. Federal Savings & Loan Ins. Corp., 234 Kan. 354, 673 P.2d 1112 (1983), and Atkinson v. Orkin Exterminating Co., 5 Kan. App. 2d 739, 625 P.2d 505, aff'd 230 Kan. 277, 634 P.2d 1071 (1981).