Court Opinion

ID: 9737727
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 19:33:10.030723+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:24:00.955859
License: Public Domain

DeBRULER, Justice,
dissenting.
The elements of a claim for fraud include false representation of a present or past fact by defendant, knowledge of falsity in the defendant, action in reliance thereupon by plaintiff, and injury resulting to plaintiff from such misrepresentation. Automobile Underwriters v. Rich, (1944) 222 Ind. 384, 53 N.E.2d 775. A false representation of fact may take the form of an opinion depending upon the surrounding circumstances. Rochester Bridge Co. v. McNeill, (1919) 188 Ind. 432, 122 N.E. 662. The evidence most favorable to the finding of fraud in this case is that there were several deviations between the plans and specifications for the building and the actual building as erected. These deviations were discovered by the plaintiff before the contract price was paid. Defendant was confronted with the deviations and stated that he would correct them. Upon the representation plaintiff paid the major portion of the contract price reserving a minor portion as security for corrections. The corrections were not made. This evidence establishes no more than one, perhaps two, breaches of contract by defendant. There is nothing beyond the breaches upon which to predicate a finding of fraud.
There is no false representation of fact by defendant, with scienter, resulting in injurious action in reliance. The damages awarded plaintiff on the count for breach of contract were complete. That award made plaintiff whole. It healed all wounds to plaintiff resulting as the natural consequences of the defendant’s breach of contract. That award fulfilled plaintiff’s expectancies legitimately arising from the contract it made, to the extent that the *572recovery of money in the aftermath of a breach can do so.
I likewise dissent on the basis of the opinion of Justice Prentice in Vernon Fire & Casualty Insurance Co. v. Sharp, (1976) 264 Ind. 599, 349 N.E.2d 173, in which I concurred. The law should treat torts occurring in the season of a breach of contract as separate wrongs. Furthermore, I continue to be troubled with the absence of an express limitation of the extent of punitive damages. Hibschman Pontiac, Inc. v. Batchelor, (1977) 266 Ind. 310, 362 N.E.2d 845 (Concurring Opinion). They should be no more than is necessary to deter unwanted behavior. In this regard it may be noted that the Legislature has made the judgment that the crime of theft in its class D felony manifestation should carry a penalty of two (2) years imprisonment and a fine of not more than $10,000.
PRENTICE, J., concurs.