Martin v. Tapley

• Decision Date: 16 June 1978
• Citation: Martin v. Tapley, 360 So.2d 708 (Ala. 1978)
• Parties: 115 L.R.R.M. (BNA) 4217 Charles J. MARTIN v. D. L. TAPLEY, Individually and d/b/a Western Sizzlin Steak House and Gala, Inc., d/b/a Western Sizzlin Steak House. 77-295.
• Court: Alabama Supreme Court

Page 708

360 So.2d 708

115 L.R.R.M. (BNA) 4217

Charles J. MARTIN v. D. L. TAPLEY, Individually and d/b/a Western Sizzlin Steak House and Gala, Inc., d/b/a Western Sizzlin Steak House.

77-295.

Supreme Court of Alabama.

June 16, 1978.

Myron K. Allenstein, Gadsden, for appellant.

F. Michael Haney, of Inzer, Suttle, Swann & Stivender, Gadsden, for appellees.

TORBERT, Chief Justice.

The plaintiff, Charles J. Martin, filed an action seeking damages for his wrongful dismissal from employment by the defendants. His amended complaint contained claims for wrongful discharge, breach of contract, and malicious procurement of discharge. On January 10, 1978 the trial court issued an amended order granting the defendants' motion for summary judgment because the complaint did not state a claim upon which relief could be granted. The plaintiff has appealed from that order.

The plaintiff bases his claim on the following alleged facts: On or about June 24, 1975, the plaintiff was working for the defendants as an employee at will, and he suffered an injury at that time which was covered by Alabama's workmen's compensation law. Title 25, Chapter 5, Code of Alabama 1975. The plaintiff filed a claim for compensation and consulted an attorney. In retaliation for these actions, the plaintiff alleges that he was wrongfully discharged from his employment by the defendants. The defendants (appellees) have stated in their brief that, although the plaintiff did not return to work after his injury, his medical bills were paid and he received workmen's compensation benefits during the period of his disability.

The trial court, in its amended order granting summary judgment for the defendants, held that the plaintiff failed to state a claim upon which relief could be granted because "(t)he general rule is that an employment contract at will may be terminated by either party with or without cause or justification." Record at 41. The court cited as authority for its ruling our recent decision in Hinrichs v. Tranquilaire Hospital, 352 So.2d 1130 (Ala.1977).

In Hinrichs this court upheld the general rule stated above and rejected the circumvention of such rule when the discharge of an employee at will "Contravenes a statute or is contrary to 'public policy.' " Id. at 1131 (emphasis added). Since we feel that the Hinrichs case is dispositive of this appeal, we hold that an employee at will is not entitled to damages for wrongful discharge when he is terminated by his employer for having consulted an attorney and applied for workmen's compensation benefits for an injury allegedly sustained in the course of his employment.

The following language quoted from Hinrichs mandates our holding:

"(1) The general rule is that an employment contract at will may be terminated by either party with or without cause or justification. 56 C.J.S. Master and Servant § 31; and 62 A.L.R.3d 271. This means A good reason, A wrong reason, or No reason.

"(2) Alabama has followed the general rule which is that in a contract of employment 'at will,' the contract means what it says, that it is at the will of either party. The employee can quit at will; the employer can terminate at will. Alabama Mills, Inc. v. Smith, 237 Ala. 296, 186 So. 699 (1939). This is true whether the discharge by the employer was malicious or done for other improper reasons. Comerford v. International Harvester Co., 235 Ala. 376, 178 So. 894 (1938). This has been the Alabama law since the early years of this century. See Tennessee Coal, Iron and R. Co. v. Kelly, 163 Ala. 348, 50 So. 1008 (1909), where this Court held:

'. . . If one does an act which is legal in itself and violates no right of another, the fact that this rightful act is done from bad motives or with bad intent toward the person so injured thereby does not...