Summary
finding no duress where plaintiff employee was represented by counsel when signing a release of rights against employer
Summary of this case from Crestmark Bank v. Electrolux Home Prods., Inc.Opinion
Docket No. 118152.
Decided April 17, 1991; approved for publication June 13, 1991, at 9:00 A.M.
Michael A. Conway, for the plaintiff.
Barris, Sott, Denn Driker (by Morley Witus and Daniel J. LaCombe) ( Petersmarck, Callahan, Bauer Maxwell, P.C., by Richard W. West, of Counsel), for the defendants.
Before: JANSEN, P.J., and WAHLS and HOOD, JJ.
Plaintiff appeals as of right an order of summary disposition dismissing plaintiff's claim. Plaintiff had filed suit alleging that defendants wrongfully terminated his employment. Defendants moved for summary disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(7), (10) alleging that plaintiff's action is barred by a release signed by plaintiff absolving defendants of liability. On appeal, plaintiff alleges that the release is ineffective because he was under duress and defendants made misrepresentations. We disagree and affirm.
The release plaintiff signed stated in part:
In connection with the termination of employment of John Hungerman ("Employee") with McCord Gasket Corporation, (the "Company) a subsidiary of JP Industries, Inc., the Company and Employee have entered into the following Severance Agreement.
1. The Company will pay the Employee all earned and accrued vacation pay, which the parties agree total $2,374.62.
2. The Company will also pay Employee a lump sum severance amount of $21,437.50 which equals 5 months of Employee's salary.
* * *
8. The Employee and anyone acting in his behalf does, in consideration of the above, release and forever discharge the Company and Company officers, directors and employees from any and all claims, legal actions and damages which the Employee might raise against the Company now or hereafter pertaining in any way to his employment and/or termination from the Company.
The Employee acknowledges that he has had an opportunity to read and discuss the Agreement with the Company. The Employee agrees that no promise or inducement has been offered and that he voluntarily signed and entered into this Agreement with full knowledge of its significance, accepting full responsibility for it.
First, plaintiff alleges that the release was signed under duress and that defendants procured his signature under the threat of withholding his accrued vacation pay and earned wages. In order to void a contract on the basis of economic duress, the wrongful act or threat must deprive the victim of his unfettered will. Barnett v International Tennis Corp, 80 Mich. App. 396, 406; 263 N.W.2d 908 (1978). Further, the party threatened must not have an adequate legal remedy available. Id.
Plaintiff was free to refuse to sign the release. Further, plaintiff consulted an attorney before signing. As a matter of law, we hold that plaintiff's claim is barred by his release. MCR 2.116(C)(7).
Second, plaintiff claims that his release is invalid because there was a misrepresentation regarding the nature of the instrument. To warrant recision or invalidation of a contract or release, a misrepresentation must be made with the intent to mislead or deceive. Paterek v 6600 Limited, 186 Mich. App. 445, 449; 465 N.W.2d 342 (1990). An innocent misrepresentation is insufficient to invalidate a release. Id. Where fraud or mistake is alleged, the intent of the parties should be considered. Binard v Carrington, 163 Mich. App. 599, 604; 414 N.W.2d 900 (1987). In determining the intent of the parties, we look to the following factors: (1) the haste with which the release was obtained, (2) the amount of consideration, (3) the circumstances surrounding the release, including the conduct and intelligence of both the releaser and the releasee, and (4) the actual presence of an issue of liability. Id. Claims of fraudulent misrepresentation require proof that
(1) the defendant made a material representation, (2) it was false, (3) the defendant knew it was false when made, or made it recklessly, without knowledge of its truth and as a positive assertion, (4) it was made with the intention to induce reliance by the plaintiff, (5) the plaintiff acted in reliance upon it, and (6) the plaintiff thereby suffered injury. [ State-William Partnership v Gale, 169 Mich. App. 170, 178; 425 N.W.2d 756 (1988).]
There was insufficient evidence that defendants' statement regarding the legal validity of the release constituted intentional misrepresentation. Plaintiff consulted his wife and an attorney before signing the release. After having consulted his attorney, plaintiff cannot claim that defendants' statement of opinion constituted intentional misrepresentation.
In any case, we find that plaintiff failed to timely tender back the amount paid under the agreement. Leahan v Stroh Brewery Co, 420 Mich. 108, 112; 359 N.W.2d 524 (1984). Therefore, we conclude that the trial court did not err in granting summary disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(7), (10) on the basis of the valid release.
Affirmed.