International Paper Company v. Signature Industrial Services, LLC and Jeffry M. Ogden
International Paper Company (IP) appealed a jury verdict awarding damages to Signature Industrial Services, LLC (Signature) and Jeffry Ogden in a contract dispute over a slaker construction project. Signature alleged IP breached the contract by failing to pay invoices after verbally modifying Field Charge Order (FCO) submission procedures, leading to significant financial distress and a lost sale opportunity. Ogden claimed personal damages from IRS penalties and credit reputation harm. The appellate court affirmed Signature's breach of contract and associated actual damages but reversed fraud and promissory estoppel claims for Signature, and all claims for Ogden. It also reversed consequential damages related to the lost sale and IRS penalties for Signature, affirming only lost owners' equity.