Shell Oil Co. v. Humphrey

OPINION

LEE, Justice.

This is an appeal from a judgment awarding Betty Darlene Humphrey exemplary damages on her claim of gross negligence against Shell Oil Company in the termination of employment of her husband which she alleged resulted in his suicide. Appellant, Shell Oil Company, brings three points of error. Because we find that Shell owed Humphrey no duty of care in the termination of his at-will employment, we reverse and render judgment in favor of Shell.

Michael Humphrey began full-time employment with appellant in June 1981. In early 1985, a psychiatrist, Dr. Jeffery Tate, diagnosed…