Court Opinion

ID: 9779136
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 21:37:28.842787+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:33:21.854604
License: Public Domain

SIMEONE, Judge
(concurring).
I concur in the opinion of Smith, C. J., but add a few comments. At the time of rendering our divisional opinion, which we withdraw this date, I believed that Link could have asserted its claim against Hoel-Steffen in the county and, in a separate proceeding, assert its claim for alleged vexatious delay against U.S.F. & G. in the city, under §§ 375.420 and 375.296 RSMo. But after rebriefing and reargument I believe that this cannot be done. Our vexatious delay statutes are highly penal in nature and must be strictly construed. If Link were permitted to proceed with its city action the express language of these statutes would be violated. Furthermore, if Link were permitted to proceed with its city action on the debt and vexatious delay, after obtaining judgment on the debt in the county, the best interests of orderly judicial procedure would not be served and we would, in my opinion, violate the principles against “splitting” a cause of action.
I, therefore, concur.