ÿWPC{ íaè5/¨Æ†gÌÕ¨:^Н½i=Ýìbtb³«™À‘¿ÿÇ[™WTÞý±˜Mý'5|[’?XÝ)£Åñƒõ¡DùëaÖÜêb;$ÒV„ïªÝæÁíË9űS=œR"  íu|£wggË“ÐÐ6Æ­F”!òX¯¬ÿõî–0ˆßŸ2'f‡­qB;»½W-2“?¯só°ë úzúg·ÐÕô[s5¨ms®&²3´–T²$íxf’†• â(ˆ Hfi4Mÿo "Á­-xÀEÈÚ &¨†ãP(•%¸‡Âîã"5õ@š­‘ìû ©sÈú³ ïg„^ì "¸¯Ø1?R‹ÓXOq8ÄDî„x‘çDUyߤ}ócâ1‚xÿ(^©ˆ¯U`gýÍ,;K¨jÕsuHD‘1Kq-ÐËñS8ÜêݰWF’ÃýÆ1É·Ýåc2ˆ…–Ga ‘¸Sºó¾EQM½ïuˆì¸R=g. ² ck^eU­§êŸn,•ô­›ËüÉê½ë¢\N&+}ž‹¤UM¼¯IUåÅ #ç7ìl374²aÇ Ì/t6é~fçßFÀK[áöòÁséŽlð»YÉ»Qþ¾dö÷ §Z¾¶iù@’ï^dbsöâb#Á\ % UN# 0ˆq UNù 0DG ^ ‹ z— Ò wã 4ç 1û ,Æ;ÆÆÇÆSNU mWWEnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnbpppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp 0ëxxxx Bcc 0¤€ D3$ D-W 0K„„ ASÏÆ" 0¤è 0DŒ A«Ð˜HP LaserJet 4050 Series PCL 6ÈÈ,,,,ÈÈ0»(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman Regular(`£ª$¡¡Ñ€.ÑÑ8€½­»»d»»d8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  Ó(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÇ“œ+s  ˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\REVISE~1.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\revised standard opinion.wpt8n_+xb¦ 'Ý ƒRBÞ$ÝÓ  Óà  àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôá ò»»ÔÝ  ÝÔ_ÔMr.€Moore€and€ShoLodge€also€argue€that€Ms.€Green€has€stated€a€cause€of€action€for€outrageous€conduct.€Ð ° ÐOutrageous€conduct€and€intentional€infliction€of€emotional€distress€are€merely€different€names€for€the€same€action.€€òòSeeÐ tÄ ÐBain€v.€Wellsóó,€936€S.W.2d€618,€622€n.3€(Tenn.€1997)€(citing€òòMoorhead€v.€J.C.€Penney€Co.,€Inc.óó,€555€S.W.2d€713,€717Ð 8ˆ Ð(Tenn.€1977)).3|xLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5‚Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5„Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5…Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ- ù-(|G2BÞ$¤¤Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€^»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ýà  àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóÔ€ôá ò»»Ô d(|3Gx$££Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€^»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝVVVV'ÿÿdxd)!ÈÈÈÈdxdx( ±þ$’’ò òFigure€Ú  Ú1Ú  Úó ó^_X`YEþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5(|3Gx$¢¢Ý ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€^»»dd8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  Ý($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó óX[Z&OLE 2.0 Box <=8ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿCÿÿ HKKKKÝ ƒ£ª!ÝÑ€.ÑÑ8€^»»ddÈ8ÑÑ ý ÑÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÑ  ÑÔ€¼^»»»ÔÑ8€™XXdì»»d8ÑÑ  Ñà@ü ü ìàÔ‡îU„^ÔIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÐ ° Ðà@kk$ìàAT€NASHVILLEÔ#†¼^»îîU„ #ԈРÖ& ÐÓ  ÓJULY€12,€2001€SessionÐ üL ÐÔ‡X™X»¼^ÔÌò òÔ#†¼^»XX™ò#ÔSUSAN€GREENòòóó€v.€LEON€MOORE,€òòet€alóó.Ô‡X™X»¼^Ôó óÐ úJ ÐÌà@@½½ìàò òDirect€Appeal€from€the€Circuit€Court€for€Williamson€CountyÐ ú J Ðà@@øøìàNo.€I„2K393;€The€Honorable€Robert€E.€Lee€Davies,€JudgeÐ æ 6 ÐÌÌà@@ìì*ìàßA€V) °°` d€÷E<©` AßÐ ªú  ÐÌà@@TTìàNo.€M2000„03035„Ô_ÔCOAÔ_Ô„R3„CV€„€Filed€December€28,€Ô_Ô2001Ô_ÔÐ ¥õ  ÐÌßA€V) °°` dE<|` AßÐ }Í  Ðó óÌÓ  ÓÔ‡X™XXX™ÔThis€appeal€arises€from€the€breach€of€a€settlement€agreement€entered€into€by€the€Appellants€and€theÐ xÈ  ÐAppellee.€€The€Appellee€filed€a€complaint€against€the€Appellants€in€the€Circuit€Court€for€WilliamsonÐ d´ ÐCounty,€seeking€damages€for€loss€of€reputation,€embarrassment,€humiliation,€lost€wages,€loss€ofÐ P  Ðearning€capacity,€and€loss€of€the€ability€to€advance.€€The€Appellants€filed€a€motion€to€dismiss€on€theÐ <Œ Ðbasis€that€the€action€was€barred€by€the€statute€of€limitations.€€The€trial€court€granted€in€part€andÐ (x Ðdenied€in€part€the€motion€to€dismiss.€Ð d ÐÌà  àThe€Appellants€filed€an€application€for€permission€to€appeal€with€this€Court€pursuant€to€RuleÐ ì< Ð9€of€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Appellate€Procedure.€€This€Court€granted€the€application€for€permissionÐ Ø( Ðto€appeal.€€For€the€reasons€stated€herein,€we€affirm€the€trial€courtððs€decision.Ô#†X™XXX™Ê#ÔÔ#†¼^»XX™e#ÔÔ‡X™X»¼^ÔÐ Ä ÐÓ¾ÓÌò òTenn.€R.€App.€P.€3;€Appeal€as€of€Right;€Judgment€of€the€Circuit€Court€Affirmed€andÐ œì ÐRemandedó óÐ ˆØ ÐÌòòÓ  ÓÔ#†¼^»àX™ #ÔÔ‡X™X.¼^ÔAlan€E.€Highers,€J.óó,€delivered€the€opinion€of€the€court,€in€which€òòW.€Frank€Crawford,€P.J.,€W.S.,óóÐ `° Ðand€òòHolly€Kirby€Lillard,€J.óó,€joined.Ð L œ ÐÌEugene€N.€Ô_ÔBulsoÔ_Ô,€Jr.,€Barbara€Hawley€Smith,€Nashville,€for€AppellantsÐ $"t! ÐÌJames€D.€Kay,€Jr.,€Nashville,€for€AppelleeÐ ü#L# ÐÓà ÓÌò òOPINIONó óÔ#†¼^»XX™ #ÔÔ‡X™X»¼^ÔÐ Ô%$!% ÐÌÒe°ÒòòóóÔ#†¼^»XX™ç #ÔÔ‡X™X»¼^ÔÓ  Óò òÔ‡X™XXX™Ôà@ggÆàI.€€Facts€and€Procedural€Historyó óˆÐ ¬'ü"' ÐÌà ½ àOn€January€29,€1996,€the€Appellee,€Susan€Green€(ð ðMs.€Greenðð),€entered€into€a€settlementÐ „)Ô$) Ðagreement€with€the€Appellants,€Leon€Moore€(ð ðMr.€Mooreðð)€and€Ô_ÔShoLodgeÔ_Ô,€Inc.€and€Ô_ÔShoLodgeÔ_ÔÐ p*À%* ÐFranchise€Systems,€Inc.€(ð ðÔ_ÔShoLodgeÔ_Ôðð).€€€The€settlement€agreement€provided€that€ð ð[Ô_Ôt]heÔ_Ô€parties€agreeÐ \+¬&+ Ðthat€each€shall€refrain€from€engaging€in€any€conduct€or€making€any€statements,€oral€or€written,€whichÐ H,˜', Ðwould€disparage,€harm€or€otherwise€adversely€or€negatively€impact€or€affect€the€reputation€orÐ 4-„(-ý Ðemployment€prospects€of€the€other€.€.€.€regardless€of€whether€any€such€statements€or€conduct€are€inÐ ° Ðfact€true.ðð€€€The€settlement€agreement€further€provided€for€damages€upon€breach€which€includedÐ œì Ðinjunctive€relief,€consequential€damages,€and€punitive€damages.€Ð ˆØ ÐÌà ½ àIn€1997,€Ms.€Green€began€employment€at€Prime€Hospitality,€an€entity€that€formerly€had€beenÐ `° Ðin€a€partnership€or€joint€venture€with€Ô_ÔShoLodgeÔ_Ô.€€In€August,€1997,€Mr.€Moore€visited€the€Ô_ÔAmeriSuitesÔ_ÔÐ L œ ÐHotel€in€Franklin,€Tennessee,€a€hotel€owned€by€Prime€Hospitality,€and€called€Ms.€Green€an€expletiveÐ 8 ˆ Ðin€front€of€other€Prime€Hospitality€employees.€€€Ms.€Green€explained€the€occurrence€to€her€HumanÐ $ t ÐResources€Director.€€€Ms.€Green€claims€that,€as€a€result€of€Mr.€Moore€calling€Ms.€Green€an€expletive,Ð  ` Ðshe€was€not€allowed€to€work€on€twenty„seven€land€purchase€deals€between€Prime€Hospitality€andÐ ü L  ÐÔ_ÔShoLodgeÔ_Ô.€Ð è 8  ÐÌà ½ àOn€July€31,€2000,€Ms.€Green€filed€a€complaint€against€Mr.€Moore€and€Ô_ÔShoLodgeÔ_Ô€in€the€CircuitÐ À  ÐCourt€for€Williamson€County,€seeking€to€recover€$1,000,000.00€in€compensatory€and€punitiveÐ ¬ü  Ðdamages.€€The€complaint€alleged€that€Mr.€Moore€and€Ô_ÔShoLodgeÔ_Ô€breached€the€provisions€of€theÐ ˜è  Ðsettlement€agreement.€€The€complaint€alleged€that€Ms.€Green€suffered€loss€of€reputation,Ð „Ô  Ðembarrassment,€humiliation,€lost€wages,€loss€of€earning€capacity,€and€loss€of€her€ability€to€advanceÐ pÀ Ðwith€Prime€Hospitality.€Ð \¬ ÐÌà ½ àOn€September€5,€2000,€Mr.€Moore€and€Ô_ÔShoLodgeÔ_Ô€filed€a€motion€to€dismiss€pursuant€to€RuleÐ 4„ Ð12.02(6)€of€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Civil€Procedure€on€the€basis€that€the€action€was€barred€by€theÐ  p Ðapplicable€statute€of€limitations€under€section€28„3„104(a)(1)€of€the€Tennessee€Code.€€On€SeptemberÐ  \ Ð20,€2000,€the€trial€court€granted€the€motion€to€dismiss€with€respect€to€Ms.€Greenððs€claims€for€loss€ofÐ øH Ðreputation,€humiliation,€and€embarrassment.€€The€trial€court€concluded€that€these€claims€wereÐ ä4 Ðpersonal€in€nature€and€subject€to€a€one€year€statute€of€limitations.€€The€trial€court€denied€the€motionÐ Ð  Ðto€dismiss€with€respect€to€Ms.€Greenððs€claims€for€lost€wages,€loss€of€earning€capacity,€and€loss€of€theÐ ¼  Ðability€to€advance.€€The€trial€court€concluded€that€these€claims€were€contractual€in€nature€and€subjectÐ ¨ø Ðto€a€six€year€statute€of€limitations.€Ð ”ä ÐÌà ½ àOn€October€20,€2000,€Mr.€Moore€and€Ô_ÔShoLodgeÔ_Ô€filed€a€motion€for€permission€to€appealÐ l¼ Ðpursuant€to€Rule€9€of€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€Appellate€Procedure.€€On€November€27,€2000,€the€trialÐ X ¨ Ðcourt€granted€the€motion€for€permission€to€appeal.€€On€December€8,€2000,€Mr.€Moore€and€Ô_ÔShoLodgeÔ_ÔÐ D!” Ðfiled€an€application€for€permission€to€appeal€with€this€Court€pursuant€to€Rule€9.€€On€December€21,Ð 0"€  Ð2000,€this€Court€granted€the€application€for€permission€to€appeal.€€€On€February€8,€2001,€the€trialÐ #l! Ðcourt€entered€partial€summary€judgment€against€Ms.€Green€on€the€claims€for€loss€of€the€ability€toÐ $X" Ðadvance€and€the€inability€to€work€on€twenty„six€of€the€twenty„seven€land€purchase€contracts.€€TheÐ ô$D # Ðonly€remaining€claim€is€the€inability€to€work€on€one€land€purchase€contract€with€regard€to€a€hotelÐ à%0!$ Ðlocated€in€Ô_ÔHendersonvilleÔ_Ô,€Tennessee.€Ð Ì&"% ÐÌà@ß߯àò òII.€€Standard€of€Reviewó óˆÐ ¤(ô#' ÐÌà ½ àThis€case€is€on€appeal€from€the€trial€courtððs€dismissal€in€part€of€the€motion€to€dismiss€forÐ |*Ì%) Ðfailure€to€state€a€claim€upon€which€relief€can€be€granted.€€òòSeeòòóóóó€òòTenn.€R.€Civ.€P.óó€12.02(6).€€A€RuleÐ h+¸&* Ð12.02(6)€motion€to€dismiss€for€failure€to€state€a€claim€upon€which€relief€can€be€granted€tests€only€theÐ ° Ðsufficiency€of€the€complaint,€not€the€strength€of€the€plaintiffððs€evidence.€€òòSee€Doe€v.€Ô_ÔSundquistÔ_Ôóó,€2Ð œì ÐS.W.3d€919,€922€(Tenn.€1999).€€The€motion€admits€the€truth€of€all€relevant€and€material€avermentsÐ ˆØ Ðin€the€complaint€but€asserts€that€such€facts€are€insufficient€to€state€a€claim€as€a€matter€of€law.€€òòSeeÐ tÄ ÐWinchester€v.€Littleóó,€996€S.W.2d€818,€821€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1998).Ð `° ÐÌà ½ àIn€scrutinizing€the€complaint€in€the€face€of€a€Rule€12.02(6)€motion€to€dismiss,€courts€shouldÐ 8 ˆ Ðconstrue€the€complaint€liberally€in€favor€of€the€plaintiff,€taking€all€the€allegations€of€fact€therein€asÐ $ t Ðtrue.€€òòSee€Stein€v.€Davidson€Hotelóó,€945€S.W.2d€714,€716€(Tenn.€1997);€òòRiggs€v.€Ô_ÔBursonÔ_Ôóó,€941€S.W.2dÐ  ` Ð44,€47€(Tenn.€1997).€€The€motion€should€be€denied€ð ðunless€it€appears€that€the€plaintiff€can€prove€noÐ ü L  Ðset€of€facts€in€support€of€[his]€claim€that€would€entitle€[him]€to€relief.ðð€€òòSteinóó,€945€S.W.2d€at€716.€€AsÐ è 8  Ðthe€allegations€of€fact€are€taken€as€true,€the€issues€raised€on€motion€to€dismiss€are€questions€of€lawÐ Ô$  Ðand€the€scope€of€relief€is€òòde€novoóó€with€no€presumption€of€correctness.€€òòSeeóó€òòTenn.€R.€App.€P.€óó13(d).Ð À  ÐÌà@  Æàò òIII.€€Law€and€Analysisó óˆÐ ˜è  ÐÌà ½ àThe€sole€issue€presented€for€our€review€is€whether€the€trial€court€erred€by€failing€to€dismissÐ pÀ ÐMs.€Greenððs€entire€complaint€as€barred€by€the€one€year€statute€of€limitations€under€section€28„3„Ð \¬ Ð104(a)(1)€of€the€Tennessee€Code.€€Section€28„3„104(a)(1)€states€that€actions€for€injuries€to€the€personÐ H˜ Ðð ðshall€be€commenced€within€one€(1)€year€after€the€cause€of€action€accrued.ðð€€òòTenn.€Code€Ann.óó€ðð€28„Ð 4„ Ð3„104(a)(1)€(2000).€€Mr.€Moore€and€Ô_ÔShoLodgeÔ_Ô€argue€that€the€action€is€one€for€personal€injury€andÐ  p Ðgoverned€by€a€one€year€statute€of€limitations.€€Ms.€Green€argues€that€the€action€is€one€for€breach€ofÐ  \ Ðcontract€which€is€governed€by€a€six€year€statute€of€limitations€under€section€28„3„109(a)(1)€of€theÐ øH ÐTennessee€Code.€€òòSeeóó€òòTenn.€Code€Ann.óó€ðð€28„3„109(a)(1)€(2000).Ð ä4 ÐÌà ½ àUnder€Tennessee€law,€ð ð[Ô_Ôi]tÔ_Ô€is€well€settled€in€this€state€that€the€gravamen€of€an€action,€ratherÐ ¼  Ðthan€its€designation€as€an€action€for€tort€or€contract,€determines€the€applicable€statute€of€limitations.ðð€Ð ¨ø ÐòòAlexander€v.€Third€Ô_ÔNatððlÔ_Ô€Bankóó,€915€S.W.2d€797,€798€(Tenn.€1996)€(quoting€òòÔ_ÔPeraÔ_Ô€v€Kroger€Co.óó,€674Ð ”ä ÐS.W.2d€715,€719€(Tenn.€1984)).€€The€gravamen€of€an€action,€or€the€real€purpose€of€an€action,€isÐ €Ð Ðdetermined€by€the€basis€for€which€damages€are€sought.€€òòSee€Bland€v.€Smithóó,€277€S.W.2d€377,€379Ð l¼ Ð(Tenn.€1955);€òòsee€also€Prescott€v.€Adamsóó,€627€S.W.2d€134,€137€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1981).€€òòóóTheÐ X ¨ Ðgravamen€of€an€action€is€in€contract€and€not€in€tort€ð ð[Ô_Ôw]henÔ_Ô€an€act€complained€of€is€a€breach€ofÐ D!” Ðspecific€terms€of€the€contract,€without€any€reference€to€the€legal€duties€imposed€by€law€upon€theÐ 0"€  Ðrelationship€created€thereby.ðð€€54€Ô_ÔC.J.S.Ô_Ô€òòLimitations€of€Actionsóó€ðð€50€(1987).€€The€gravamen€of€anÐ #l! Ðaction€is€in€tort€and€not€in€contract,€however,€when€an€act€constituting€a€contractual€breach€alsoÐ $X" Ðconstitutes€a€breach€of€a€common€law€duty€independent€of€the€contract.€€òòSeeóó€86€Ô_ÔC.J.S.Ô_Ô€òòTortsóó€ðð€4Ð ô$D # Ð(1997).Ð à%0!$ ÐÌà ½ àà  àWhere€a€contractual€relationship€exists€between€persons€and€at€theÐ ¸'#& Ðà ½ àà  àsame€time€a€duty€is€imposed€by€or€arises€out€of€the€circumstancesÐ ¤(ô#' Ðà ½ àà  àsurrounding€or€attending€the€transaction,€the€breach€of€the€duty€isÐ )à$( Ðà ½ àà  àa€tort.€€In€such€a€case,€the€tortious€act,€and€not€a€breach€of€the€contractÐ |*Ì%) Ðà ½ àà  àis€the€gravamen€of€the€action;€the€contract€is€the€mere€inducementÐ h+¸&* Ðà ½ àà  àcreating€the€state€of€things€which€furnishes€the€occasion€for€the€tort.Ð ° ÐÌòòMullins€v.€Golden€Circle€Ford,€Inc.óó,€1986€WL€3937,€at€*7€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Apr.€1,€1986)€(quoting€74Ð ˆØ ÐòòAm.€Ô_ÔJurÔ_Ô.óó€2òòdóó€òòTortsóó€ðð€23);€òòsee€alsoóó€54€Ô_ÔC.J.S.Ô_Ô€òòLimitations€of€Actionsóó€ðð€68€(1987).€à - àÐ tÄ ÐÌà ½ àMr.€Moore€and€Ô_ÔShoLodgeÔ_Ô€argue€that€the€conduct€constituted€both€a€breach€of€contract€and€aÐ L œ Ðbreach€of€a€common€law€duty€independent€of€the€contract€such€that€the€gravamen€of€the€action€is€oneÐ 8 ˆ Ðfor€damages€in€tort.€€Specifically,€Mr.€Moore€and€Ô_ÔShoLodgeÔ_Ô€argue€that€Ms.€Green€has€stated€a€causeÐ $ t Ðof€action€for€intentional€infliction€of€emotional€distress.׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€In€order€to€prove€intentional€infliction€ofÐ  ` Ðemotional€distress,€the€plaintiff€must€show€(1)€the€conduct€complained€of€was€intentional€or€reckless;Ð ü L  Ð(2)€the€conduct€was€so€outrageous€that€it€is€not€tolerated€by€civilized€society;€and€(3)€the€conductÐ è 8  Ðresulted€in€serious€medical€injury.€€òòSee€Ô_ÔBainÔ_Ô€v.€Wellsóó,€936€S.W.2d€618,€622€(Tenn.€1997).€€TakingÐ Ô$  ÐMs.€Greenððs€allegations€of€fact€as€true,€Mr.€Mooreððs€conduct€was€intentional€or€reckless.€€Mr.Ð À  ÐMooreððs€conduct,€however,€failed€to€constitute€outrageous€conduct.€€Outrageous€conduct€is€conductÐ ¬ü  Ðthat€is€ð ðso€extreme€in€degree,€as€to€go€beyond€all€bounds€of€decency,€and€to€be€regarded€as€atrociousÐ ˜è  Ðand€utterly€intolerable€in€a€civilized€community.ðð€€òòId.óó€at€623€(quoting€òòRestatement€(Second)€ofÐ „Ô  ÐTortsóó€ðð€46€Ô_ÔcmtÔ_Ô.€d€(1965)).€€Mr.€Mooreððs€conduct,€though€insulting€to€Ms.€Green,€simply€does€notÐ pÀ Ðrise€to€the€level€of€ð ðatrociousðð€or€ð ðutterly€intolerableðð€conduct.€€Additionally,€liability€for€intentionalÐ \¬ Ðinfliction€of€emotional€distress€does€not€extend€to€mere€insults.€€òòSee€id.óó€at€622€(citing€òòÔ_ÔMedlinÔ_Ô€v.€AlliedÐ H˜ ÐInv.€Co.óó,€398€S.W.2d€270,€274€(Tenn.€1966)).€€Ð 4„ ÐÌà ½ àMr.€Mooreððs€conduct€also€failed€to€result€in€serious€medical€injury€to€Ms.€Green.€€Ms.€GreenÐ  \ Ðasserted€in€her€complaint€that€she€suffered€embarrassment€and€humiliation,€but€she€failed€to€assertÐ øH Ðthat€she€suffered€serious€medical€injury.€€Serious€medical€injury€constitutes€distress€ð ðso€severe€thatÐ ä4 Ðno€reasonable€person€could€be€expected€to€endure€it.ðð€€òòMiller€v.€Ô_ÔWillbanksÔ_Ôóó,€8€S.W.3d€607,€615€n.4Ð Ð  Ð(Tenn.€1999)€(quoting€òòRestatement€(Second)€of€Tortsóó€ðð€46€Ô_ÔcmtÔ_Ô.€j€(1965)).€€There€is€no€evidenceÐ ¼  Ðthat€Ms.€Green€suffered€serious€medical€injury€as€a€result€of€Mr.€Mooreððs€conduct.€€Based€on€theÐ ¨ø Ðforegoing,€we€find€that€the€facts€asserted€in€Ms.€Greenððs€complaint€do€not€give€rise€to€a€claim€forÐ ”ä Ðintentional€infliction€of€emotional€distress.Ð €Ð ÐÌà ½ àIn€the€case€at€bar,€the€settlement€agreement€prevented€either€party€from€engaging€in€anyÐ X ¨ Ðconduct€or€making€any€statements,€regardless€of€whether€true,€which€would€negatively€impact€theÐ D!” Ðreputation€or€employment€prospects€of€the€other.€€The€settlement€agreement€provided€that€either€partyÐ 0"€  Ðwho€breached€the€agreement€would€be€held€liable€for€consequential€and/or€punitive€damages.€€€TheÐ #l! Ðsettlement€agreement€created€a€separate€and€independent€duty€upon€the€parties€beyond€any€dutiesÐ $X" Ðimposed€by€the€common€law.€€Under€the€common€law,€Mr.€Moore€and€Ô_ÔShoLodgeÔ_Ô€would€not€be€liableÐ ô$D # Ðfor€the€action€that€took€place.€€Mr.€Mooreððs€conduct€does€not€fall€within€the€elements€of€intentionalÐ à%0!$ Ðinfliction€of€emotional€distress€or€other€common€law€duties€independent€of€the€contract.€€Thus,€Mr.Ð Ì&"% ÐMooreððs€conduct€would€not€be€actionable€in€the€absence€of€a€contract€creating€a€duty€between€theÐ ° Ðparties,€and€the€contract€is€the€only€basis€upon€which€this€claim€could€be€brought.€€Accordingly,€weÐ œì Ðfind€that€the€gravamen€of€Ms.€Greenððs€complaint€is€in€contract€and€a€six€year€statute€of€limitationsÐ ˆØ Ðapplies€to€the€action.€We€affirm€the€decision€of€the€trial€court€refusing€to€dismiss€the€remaining€claimsÐ tÄ Ðas€barred€by€the€one€year€statute€of€limitations.Ð `° ÐÌà@--#Æàò òIV.€€Conclusionó óˆÐ 8 ˆ ÐÌà ½ àFor€the€foregoing€reasons,€the€decision€of€the€trial€court€is€Ô_ÔaffirmeÔ_Ô.€€We€remand€this€case€toÐ  ` Ðthe€trial€court€for€further€proceedings€consistent€with€this€opinion.€€Costs€of€this€appeal€are€taxedÐ ü L  Ðagainst€the€Appellants,€Leon€Moore€and€Ô_ÔShoLodgeÔ_Ô,€Inc.€and€Ô_ÔShoLodgeÔ_Ô€Franchise€Systems,€Inc.,€andÐ è 8  Ðtheir€surety,€for€which€execution€may€issue€if€necessary.Ð Ô$  ÐÌÌà ½ àà  àà m àà Å àà  àà u àà Í àà % àà } àà Õ àÔ#†X™XXX™ #ÔÔ#†¼^»XX™S #ÔÔ€X™X»¼^ÔÌÌÌÌà ½ àà  àà m àà Å àà  àà u àà Í à___________________________________€Ð H˜ Ðà ½ àà  àà m àà Å àà  àà u àà Í àALAN€E.€HIGHERS,€JUDGE