Miller Brewing Co. v. Best Beers of Bloomington, Inc.
Indiana Supreme Court
608 N.E.2d 975 (Ind. 1993)
Best Beers of Bloomington (Best Beers) (plaintiff) distributed beer under a contract with Miller Brewing Co. (Miller) (defendant) until Miller terminated the relationship, with trial evidence indicating Miller fabricated accusations against Best Beers to manufacture grounds for termination. Best Beers sued for wrongful termination and won both compensatory and punitive damages at trial; the court of appeals affirmed in part and reversed in part, and Miller appealed the punitive damages award.
Whether a plaintiff may recover punitive damages in a lawsuit founded upon a breach of contract where the plaintiff has not proven the existence of an independent tort of the kind for which punitive damages may be awarded.