Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Sturges case brief

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. v. Sturges case brief summary
52 S.W.3d 711 (2001)

CASE SYNOPSIS

Petitioner corporation filed a petition for review of the decision of the Court of Appeals for the Ninth District of Texas, affirming an award of actual damages for respondent purchaser and remanding an award of punitive damages for respondent, in respondent's action alleging tortious interference with a prospective advantage and breach of contract.

CASE FACTS
Respondent purchaser brought an action against petitioner corporation, alleging tortious interference with a prospective advantage and breach of contract, following a dispute over respondent's purchase of land that petitioner corporation had restriction rights over.

PROCEDURAL HISTORY
The trial court awarded respondent actual and punitive damages.

DISCUSSION

• On appeal, the appellate court affirmed the award of actual damages but remanded for a retrial of punitive damages, holding that the trial court improperly excluded evidence offered by the plaintiffs during the punitive damages phase. 
• Petitioner filed a petition for review, claiming that there was no evidence that it wrongfully interfered with respondent's prospective advantage, or that it breached its contract. 
• The court granted the petition and reversed, rendering judgment for petitioner. 
• The court held that there was no evidence that petitioner's conduct was independently tortious or unlawful, and that petitioner did not breach its contract as a matter of law.

CONCLUSION
Petition was granted and judgment was reversed because there was no evidence that petitioner corporation's conduct was independently tortious or unlawful, and petitioner did not breach its contract.


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