APPELLATE COURT OPINIONS

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Dee Ann Gallaher vs. Curtis J. Elam

E2000-02719-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Carey E. Garrett
Knox County Court of Appeals 07/11/01
Jerry Moore vs. NES

M2000-03186-COA-R3-CV
Three civil service employees sued Nashville Electric Service and the individual members of the civil service board primarily for violation of the age provision of the Tennessee Human Rights Act resulting in their denial of promotions. The trial court granted summary judgment to defendant, and plaintiffs appeal. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Irvin H. Kilcrease, Jr.
Davidson County Court of Appeals 07/11/01
Roger Ritchie, et al vs. Tommy Pitner, et al

E2000-02689-COA-R3-CV
This lawsuit arises out of a Letter of Intent entered into between two of the various parties to this action. The trial court entered judgment on the issue of which party was entitled to possession of the property, but did not rule on any of the remaining claims. Because the judgment appealed from is not a final judgment for purposes of Rule 3 of the Tenn. R. App. P., we dismiss the appeal.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Dale C. Workman
Knox County Court of Appeals 07/11/01
Lisa Hughes, et vir vs. Wilma Effler, et al

E2000-03147-COA-R3-CV
Plaintiffs alleged that defendant appraiser's negligence in making an appraisal resulted in their damage. The Trial Court granted defendant summary judgment. Plaintiffs appeal the refusal of the Trial Judge to grant them additional time to defend the summary judgment motion. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:W. Dale Young
Blount County Court of Appeals 07/11/01
James Hill, et ux vs. Charles Lamberth

M2000-02408-COA-R3-CV
In this negligence action, plaintiff and his wife sued defendants, county school board and parents of several juveniles, for damages resulting from an eye injury he sustained when he was struck by a rock while attending a high school football game. The trial court granted summary judgment to defendant school board. Plaintiff appeals. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Walter C. Kurtz
Houston County Court of Appeals 07/11/01
Lindsay Taylor vs. Al Beard, et al

W2001-00347-COA-R3-CV
This appeal involves a grant of summary judgment, which dismissed loss of parental consortium claims brought by the children of a parent injured in an automobile accident. The children seek review of existing Tennessee precedent that fails to recognize loss of parental consortium causes of action resulting from the personal injury of a parent. For the following reasons, we affirm the decision of the trial court and decline to create a new cause of action.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Alan E. Highers
Originating Judge:Robert L. Childers
Shelby County Court of Appeals 07/11/01
State ex rel Elizabeth Durrant vs. Brittain Howard

E2000-02072-COA-R3-CV
In this custody dispute, the Trial Court gave custody to the father. The mother appealed. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Carey E. Garrett
Knox County Court of Appeals 07/11/01
Yona Boyd, et al. v. Prime Focus, Inc., et al.

M2000-02105-COA-R3-CV
This case began as a dispute between the plaintiffs and their employers. The defendant was awarded summary judgment, and plaintiffs were sanctioned by the court pursuant to Rule 11 of the Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure. Plaintiffs now appeal this sanction. We affirm sanctions but modify the order.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:Carol L. Mccoy
Davidson County Court of Appeals 07/10/01
Laurence Kandel v. Urological Treatment and Research , Ralph Benson, Dean Knoll & Institute for Urological Research

M2000-02128-COA-R3-CV
This is a breach of contract case. The plaintiff physician entered into an employment contract with the defendant physician's group. The contract provided that the physician would work for the group for one year, and that the parties would then "negotiate in good faith" to give the employee physician the opportunity to purchase stock in the group. At the end of the physician's first year of employment, the parties negotiated, but reached an impasse. Subsequently, negotiations ceased, and the physician's employment was terminated. He filed suit against the group, alleging that the defendants breached the contract to "negotiate in good faith," and that the defendants committed promissory fraud in inducing him into signing the employment agreement. The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of the defendants on both counts. The physician now appeals. We affirm. Even if Tennessee recognizes a cause of action for breach of an agreement to negotiate in good faith, the evidence does not demonstrate such a breach, and does not establish promissory fraud.
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Barbara N. Haynes
Davidson County Court of Appeals 07/10/01
Leta Hoalcraft vs. Walter Troy Smithson

M2000-01347-COA-R10-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge William B. Cain
Originating Judge:Russell Heldman
Court of Appeals 07/10/01
Dennis Armoneit vs. Elliott Crane Service, Inc., et al

M1998-00988-COA-R3-CV
This appeal arises from an accident involving a crane rented by the plaintiff's employer to aid in a construction project. The plaintiff was helping to attach trusses being lifted by the crane to the roof of a house when the crane's allegedly negligent operation caused him to fall from the roof. The plaintiff filed suit against the owner of the crane in the Circuit Court for Davidson County, alleging that the owner was vicariously liable for the crane operator's actions. The owner of the crane, relying on its standard rental agreement form, sought indemnity from the plaintiff's employer. On the plaintiff's employer's motion for partial summary judgment, the trial court held that the owner of the crane was vicariously liable for the crane operator's alleged negligence and that the indemnity agreement was void as contrary to public policy. The owner of the crane has appealed. We hold that the trial court erred by granting partial summary judgment on the employer's respondeat superior claim but that the trial court properly determined that the indemnity provision in the crane owner's rental agreement is void.
Authoring Judge: Judge William C. Koch, Jr.
Originating Judge:Hamilton V. Gayden, Jr.
Davidson County Court of Appeals 07/10/01
Alvin Bates vs. Dr. Joseph Metcalf

E2001-00358-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:James B. Scott, Jr.
Anderson County Court of Appeals 07/10/01
E2001-00069-COA-R3-CV

E2001-00069-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Sharon J. Bell
Knox County Court of Appeals 07/10/01
Alvin Bates vs. Dr. Joseph Metcalf

E2001-00358-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:James B. Scott, Jr.
Anderson County Court of Appeals 07/10/01
Douglas O'Connell v. YMCA of Middle Tennessee

M2000-02099-COA-R3-CV
This is a breach of contract case. The plaintiff entered into an agreement to become a member of the defendant health club. The plaintiff became dissatisfied with the the health club and regularly voiced his complaints to the management. Despite the actions of the health club's managers, the plaintiff's complaints continued. Eventually, the plaintiff was told that his membership with the health club was being terminated. The plaintiff filed a lawsuit alleging breach of contract and seeking compensatory and punitive damages as well as injunctive relief. On the defendant's motion for summary judgment, the trial court held that the parties' contract was terminable at will and granted the health club's motion. Subsequently, the plaintiff filed a motion for the trial judge to recuse himself. The case was reassigned and the reassigned trial judge heard the plaintiff's motion to alter or amend the prior order granting summary judgment. The plaintiff's motion to alter or amend was denied. We affirm, finding that the contract was terminable at will.
Authoring Judge: Judge Holly M. Kirby
Originating Judge:Carol L. Soloman
Davidson County Court of Appeals 07/10/01
Shelton vs. Tidwell

E2000-02913-COA-R3-CV
Defendants sold plaintiff equipment which had been stolen. The Trial Court entered a Judgment for plaintiff for the purchase money. On appeal, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Wheeler A. Rosenbalm
Knox County Court of Appeals 07/10/01
Frances Luna, et al vs. Michael Breeding, et al

M2000-01932-COA-R3-CV
Plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed their suit for personal injuries and damages. Defendants then filed a motion for discretionary costs with accompanying affidavit as to reasonableness and necessity. The motion was denied and Defendants appeal, contending the trial court abused its discretion in disallowing their motion. We find it did not and affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge David R. Farmer
Originating Judge:John A. Turnbull
White County Court of Appeals 07/10/01
James Jones vs. Pierce Garrett, a/k/a Perry Garrett

E2000-00196-COA-R3-CV
This is a suit wherein James Lee Jones, III, and his wife seek a determination that Pierce Brandon Garrett, a/k/a Perry Garrett, has abandoned his son so that they may adopt him. The Trial Judge found by clear and convincing evidence that abandonment had occurred, but did not make any finding as to the best interest of the child. We affirm the finding as to abandonment and remand the case for a determination as to best interest.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Kindall T. Lawson
Hamblen County Court of Appeals 07/10/01
Alvin Bates vs. Dr. Joseph Metcalf

E2001-00358-COA-R3-CV
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:James B. Scott, Jr.
Anderson County Court of Appeals 07/10/01
Dana Allanmore Smith vs. Angela Childress Smith

M2000-02186-COA-R3-CV
In this post-divorce proceeding, wife filed petition to modify the prior decree as to child support, custody, and visitation. The trial court modified a previous consent order and set husband's child support with an upward deviation from the guidelines. Husband appeals, and both parties present issues for review. We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand.
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Carol A. Catalano
Montgomery County Court of Appeals 07/10/01
Gerald Williams vs. Cora Williams

E2000-02782-COA-R3-CV
In this divorce action, Gerald B. Williams ("Plaintiff") appeals the Trial Court's award of alimony in futuro in the amount of $800 per month to Cora Rita Williams ("Defendant"). The parties were married thirty-eight years. While Plaintiff earns approximately $32,000 per year, Defendant's income is substantially less at approximately $11,220. The Trial Court specifically found that Defendant could not be rehabilitated. Plaintiff contends on appeal that the Trial Court erred in awarding any alimony to Defendant because the proof at trial did not establish Defendant's need for financial support and Plaintiff's ability to pay alimony. Plaintiff also argues that if the award of alimony is appropriate, the amount is excessive. We modify the alimony from $800 to $600 per month, and affirm the judgment as modified.
Authoring Judge: Judge David Michael Swiney
Originating Judge:Steven C. Douglas
Cumberland County Court of Appeals 07/10/01
State, Ex Rel, Pernie Barger, et al vs. City of Huntsville , State ex rel, George Brawner, Sr., et al vs. City of Huntsville

E2001-00395-COA-R3-CV
The Trial Court held service of process on the City's Mayor under Tenn. R. Civ. P. 4.04(8) was insufficient. On appeal, we affirm.
Authoring Judge: Presiding Judge Herschel P. Franks
Originating Judge:Billy Joe White
Scott County Court of Appeals 07/10/01
Ruth Wilson v. Landon Snapp, Jr.

E2001-00172-COA-R3-CV
In this suit the Trial Court held a purported deed from Ruth N. Wilson to Landon Haynes Snapp, Jr., and Gene L. Snapp was champertous and void. The Snapps appeal, contending this holding was in error. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Houston M. Goddard
Originating Judge:Richard E. Ladd
Sullivan County Court of Appeals 07/10/01
Yolannda Solomon vs. Brad Hager, et al

E2000-02586-COA-R3-CV
This lawsuit finds its genesis in the construction of a residence. The plaintiff, Yolanda Solomon, filed suit against Allstate Insurance Company, alleging breach of contract and seeking damages and a bad faith penalty for Allstate's failure to pay her claim under a builder's risk policy covering her under-construction residence. Solomon later amended her complaint to seek additional damages under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act. By way of a special verdict, the jury found (1) that the insurance policy provided coverage for Solomon's loss; (2) that Allstate had acted in bad faith in denying her claim; and (3) that Allstate had violated the Consumer Protection Act. As modified by the trial court, Allstate was ordered to pay $101,098, the full amount of the plaintiff's coverage less the deductible; a 25% bad faith penalty; $1,500 under the Consumer Protection Act; attorney's fees; discretionary costs; and prejudgment interest. Allstate appeals, challenging, among other things, the jury's finding of coverage, the assessment of the bad faith penalty, evidentiary and jury instruction rulings, and the amount of damages. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge Charles D. Susano, Jr.
Originating Judge:Thomas R. Frierson, II
Hamblen County Court of Appeals 07/10/01
John Cappello vs. Hazel Albert

M2000-02104-COA-R3-CV
A corrections officer with the Tennessee Department of Correction, after being discharged for allegedly purchasing a television from an inmate at the institution where he serves, was denied unemployment benefits. The officer's petition for certiorari to the chancery court was dismissed, and the officer has appealed. We affirm.
Authoring Judge: Judge W. Frank Crawford
Originating Judge:Irvin H. Kilcrease, Jr.
Davidson County Court of Appeals 07/10/01