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Dantzler Lumber & Export Co. v. Nationsbank, N.A.

Citations: 751 So. 2d 137; 2000 Fla. App. LEXIS 333; 2000 WL 35894Docket: No. 3D99-1748

Court: District Court of Appeal of Florida; January 18, 2000; Florida; State Appellate Court

Narrative Opinion Summary

Dantzler Lumber Export Company appeals the trial court’s dismissal of its fraudulent inducement claim and the grant of Final Summary Judgment on its breach of contract claim. The appellate court reverses the dismissal of the fraudulent inducement claim, ruling that it is not barred by the economic loss rule, which does not eliminate tort claims independent of contractual breaches, citing HTP, Ltd. v. Lineas Aereas Costarricenses, S.A., 685 So.2d 1238 (Fla. 1996). Conversely, the court affirms the Final Summary Judgment regarding the breach of contract claim, finding no error in the trial court’s decision. The case is remanded for further proceedings in line with these findings.

Legal Issues Addressed

Fraudulent Inducement and the Economic Loss Rule

Application: The appellate court found that the fraudulent inducement claim is not barred by the economic loss rule, as this rule does not preclude tort claims that are independent of contractual breaches.

Reasoning: The appellate court reverses the dismissal of the fraudulent inducement claim, ruling that it is not barred by the economic loss rule, which does not eliminate tort claims independent of contractual breaches, citing HTP, Ltd. v. Lineas Aereas Costarricenses, S.A., 685 So.2d 1238 (Fla. 1996).

Summary Judgment in Breach of Contract Claims

Application: The court upheld the trial court's decision to grant Final Summary Judgment on the breach of contract claim, indicating no error was found in this aspect of the trial court’s judgment.

Reasoning: Conversely, the court affirms the Final Summary Judgment regarding the breach of contract claim, finding no error in the trial court’s decision.