Palmco Corp. v. American Airlines, Inc.

983 F.2d 681, 1993 WL 24947
Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit·Decided February 22, 1993·No. No. 91-1848·Published·Cited by 19 cases

Opinion

EMILIO M. GARZA, Circuit Judge:

In this case involving a breach of contract for knives, spoons, and forks (“flatware”), Palmeo Corporation claimed that American Airlines did not pay for delivered flatware. American counterclaimed, asserting that Palmeo breached the contract by failing to deliver the flatware timely, by failing to make certain deliveries, and by refusing to deliver certain flatware orders unless American agreed to a price increase. The magistrate judge awarded $112,410 in cover damages to American, but held that Palmeo was entitled to an offset of $62,870 against these damages for unpaid-for, delivered flatware. The magistrate judge also limited attorneys’ fees to 60% of the amount each party recovered as damages. Palmeo and American appeal the magistrate judge’s assessment of damages and attorneys’ fees. We affirm in part, and reverse in part.

I

Palmeo contracted to supply American with flatware for its inflight meal service for the period between September 1, 1987 and August 31, 1988. The contract set the prices for the flatware, and also contained a liquidated damages clause in case Palmeo made untimely deliveries. Palmco’s deliveries were late during the duration of the contract. In addition, Palmeo failed to deliver certain orders. American repeatedly explained to Palmeo that the late deliveries were causing an inventory shortage. Also, because of Palmco’s non-deliveries, American had to place spot orders with other flatware suppliers to ensure an adequate flatware inventory for the summer months.1 The price American paid for flatware under these spot orders was substantially higher than the contract price with Palmeo.

In April 1988, Palmeo refused to deliver the remaining flatware orders unless American agreed to an approximately 25% price increase. American attempted to purchase flatware from other suppliers, but determined that none could meet American’s demand at the time Palmco’s deliveries were due. American therefore agreed to the price increase for the remaining flatware orders.

In July 1988, American notified Palmeo that it was setting off its damages for Palmco’s late and non-deliveries against its outstanding account balance, pursuant to Tex.Bus. & Com.Code § 2.717 (Tex.U.C.C.) (Vernon 1968). In response, Palmeo refused to deliver American’s remaining orders — 30,000 dozen knives.

Palmeo filed suit against American for its failure to pay for the flatware American had received, as well as the 30,000 dozen knives Palmeo did not deliver to American.2 Palmeo also sought damages for fraud. American counterclaimed, asserting that Palmeo had breached the contract. American sought damages for late and non-deliveries, duress damages for the 25% price increase, and recovery for fraud. By consent of the parties, the case was transferred to a magistrate judge for hearing and determination, pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 636(c)(1) (1988).

In his findings of fact and conclusions of law, the magistrate judge found the par[684]*684ties’ fraud claims to be without merit. The magistrate judge awarded American $112,-410 in cover damages, but declined to award liquidated damages, based upon the conclusion that Texas law prohibits the recovery of both cover and liquidated damages.3 As for Palmeo, the magistrate judge awarded Palmeo $62,870-as an offset against American’s damage award-for unpaid-for, delivered flatware. However, the magistrate judge determined that American was not obligated to pay Palmeo for the 30,000 dozen knives still in Palmco’s possession when American allegedly can-celled the contract. The magistrate judge also found that the agreement to purchase flatware at the 25% price increase was made under duress, and was therefore void. As for attorneys’ fees, the magistrate judge awarded each party 60% of the amount each party recovered in damages.

American appeals the magistrate judge’s assessment of damages and attorneys’ fees, contending that: (1) it is entitled to recover both its cover and liquidated damages; (2) it is entitled to receive additional duress damages resulting from the 25% price increase; (3) it is entitled to additional attorneys’ fees based on any additional recovery; and (4) the magistrate judge erred in awarding attorneys’ fees to Palmeo.

Palmeo cross-appeals, claiming that: (1) American was barred from recovery on its contract claims because of its failure to give notice of Palmco’s breach; (2) the magistrate judge erred in not requiring American to purchase the 30,000 dozen knives retained by Palmeo; and (3) the magistrate judge erred in not awarding Palmeo additional attorneys’ fees based upon American’s post-suit but pre-trial payment of $42,134 for unpaid-for, delivered flatware.

II

A

Palmeo argues that American failed to give proper notice of Palmco’s breach of contract for untimely deliveries. Under Texas law, a buyer, upon accepting tender, must notify the seller of any breach “within a reasonable time after he discovers any breach ... or be barred from any remedy.” Tex.Bus. & Com.Code Ann. § 2.607(c) (Tex.U.C.C.) (Vernon 1968); see also City of Marshall, Texas v. Bryant Air Conditioning, 650 F.2d 724, 727 (5th Cir.1981) (“Texas law requires notification by the buyer to the seller that a breach ... has occurred, so that the seller has an opportunity to cure the breach.”). In Eastern Air Lines, Inc. v. McDonnell Douglas Corp., 532 F.2d 957 (5th Cir.1976), we outlined a framework for determining whether proper notice has been given under § 2.607.

The magistrate judge did not make a finding whether American gave Palmeo proper notice under § 2.607.4 Rather, the magistrate judge opined that our decision in Eastern Air Lines was “inapposite [to the case before it] ... [because] in [Eastern Air Lines] that case the contract at issue was silent as to liquidated damages.” Record on Appeal, vol. 2, at 479. Thus, we must determine initially whether the magistrate judge erred, as a matter of law, in not applying the notice requirement under § 2.607. We review questions of law de novo. Zimmerman v. H.E. Butt Grocery Co., 932 F.2d 469, 471 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, &emdash; U.S. -, 112 S.Ct. 591, 116 L.Ed.2d 615 (1991). Because no Texas decision holds that the notice requirement under § 2.607 does not apply where the con[685]*685tract contains a liquidated damages clause,5 the magistrate judge clearly erred in not applying the notice requirement under § 2.607.6

We decide, rather than remand, the issue of whether American gave proper notice to Palmeo, because the issue is a matter of law based upon the undisputed facts of this case. See Carroll Instrument Co. v. B.W.B. Controls,

Palmco Corp. v. American Airlines, Inc., 983 F.2d 681, 1993 WL 24947 (5th Cir. 1993).

983 F.2d 681 (Palmco Corp. v. American Airlines, Inc.) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.

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