DuBarry International, Inc. v. Southwest Forest Industries, Inc.

Opinion

CROSKEY, J.

Defendant and appellant Southwest Forest Industries, Inc. (Southwest) appeals the judgment entered following a jury verdict, awarding plaintiff and respondent DuBarry International, Inc. (DuBarry)1 $1,502,604-in damages for breach of an exclusive agency agreement, $1,502,604 for *556bad faith denial of the existence of such agreement, and $3.8 million in punitive damages.

While the damage award for breach of contract must be affirmed, we conclude that (1) a duplicative award of compensatory damages was made and (2) the award of punitive damages was improper because there was no…