R.E. Smith Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a Smith Specialized Logistics v. Janette Marlowe, individually and d/b/a Planet Shippers
Sep 21, 2015OUTCOME: Trial Verdict in favor of R.E. Smith Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a Smith Specialized Logistics
During November, 2013, Plaintiff R.E. Smith Enterprises Inc. (represented by Eric C. Dowdy) was retained by Janette Marlowe to provide a crane service and arrange for trucking services Canada, to Port ... of Tacoma, Wash. The job required the transport of a large piece of machinery from Edmonton, Alberta, to Singapore. Marlowe was hired by her customer to arrange for the transport of equipment from Edmonton, across land to the Port of Tacoma, then across sea to Singapore. According to R.E. Smith, it provided the crane service and arranged for the trucking services, paying for both, and Marlowe paid R.E. Smith for arranging the trucking services. R.E. Smith claimed that, after the job was completed, Marlowe refused to pay for the crane service. R.E. Smith then informed Marlowe's customer that she had refused to pay for the crane services. R.E. Smith sued Marlowe on claims of breach of contract. Marlowe counterclaimed on claims of breach of contract and tortious interference with prospective business relations regarding the trucking services that R.E. Smith had arranged. R.E. Smith sought to recover $9,000 for its claim of breach of contract. Marlowe sought to recover $14,000 for her claim of breach of contract and over $300,000 for tortious interference. The jury determined that R.E. Smith would receive $34,000 in damages, and Marlowe would receive $29,800 in damages.
