Dvorak v. Pluswood Wisconsin, Inc.

Pluswood Wisconsin, Inc., appeals a judgment imposing punitive damages in an employment termination case. Pluswood contends that a wrongful termination constitutes a breach of contract for which punitive damages cannot be awarded. Jerry Dvorak, the discharged employee, argues that a tort action arises out of a bad faith breach of a term employment contract. We conclude that this termination case is not actionable in tort because Pluswood had no duty to Dvorak independent of the employment contract. The award of punitive damages is reversed.

The jury found that Pluswood breached a term…