SLOMSKY, District Judge.
Before the Court is the Motion for Partial Summary Judgment Pursuant to Fed. Rule Civ. P. 56 filed by Defendants Century Business Services, Inc. ("CBIZ"), Benmark, Inc. ("Benmark"), and Lon C. Haines ("Haines"). Plaintiff Meyer-Chatfield Corporation commenced this action on July 14, 2005 against CBIZ, Benmark, Haines, Thomas Kosanda ("Kosanda"), Larry L. Linenschmidt ("Linenschmidt"), and Dana C. Hayes ("Hayes"). (Doc. No. 1, Pl. Compl. (hereinafter "Pl. Compl.")) Plaintiff has settled with Kosanda, Linenschmidt and Hayes, and CBIZ, Benmark, and Haines remain as Defendants. In the remaining claims set forth in the Complaint, Plaintiff alleges Breach of Contract, Interference with Contracts, and Civil Conspiracy. (Id.) Plaintiff also requests an Injunction. (Id.) These claims arise from allegations that CBIZ, Benmark, and Haines solicited Agents and Strategic Partners from Plaintiff in breach of various contracts with Plaintiff. (Id.) The case is before this Court based on diversity of citizenship jurisdiction. Therefore, Pennsylvania state law applies as specified in the contracts of the parties.
On May 20, 2010, Defendants filed the instant Motion for Partial Summary Judgment (Doc. No. 181), seeking a determination from the Court on the meaning of solicitation, the validity of a liquidated damages clause, and the admissibility of the damages calculation of Plaintiff's expert. On May 27, 2010, Plaintiff filed a Memorandum in Opposition to Defendants' Motion for Partial Summary Judgment (Doc. No. 183), and a Response to Defendants' Statement of Purportedly Undisputed Facts (Doc. No. 184). On June 3, 2010,
Plaintiff provides various business services to its clients, including the sale of Bank Owned Life Insurance ("BOLI"), through its agents and strategic partners. (Pl. Compl., at ¶¶ 3, 11). Benmark is engaged in the same business as Plaintiff, competes directly against Plaintiff, and also sells BOLI. (Id. at ¶¶ 5, 21). Benmark is a wholly owned subsidiary of CBIZ. (Id. at ¶ 5). Defendant Haines worked for Plaintiff as its Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, but left Plaintiff in March 29, 2004 to work for CBIZ. (Doc. No. 181, Ex. A, Att. #1 at 1 (hereinafter "Haines Empl. Agree.")); (Doc. No. 181, Ex. A, Att. #2 at 1 (hereinafter "Haines Sep. Agree.")).
As a condition of Haines' employment agreement with Plaintiff, Haines agreed not to compete with Plaintiff for a period of four years after leaving the company. (Haines Empl. Agree. at 9-10). When Haines left Plaintiff for CBIZ, Plaintiff and Haines agreed to replace Haines' non-compete clause with a nonsolicitation agreement that would allow Haines to work for CBIZ, but would restrict Haines from soliciting any employees or customers of Plaintiff. (Haines Sep. Agree.). The nonsolicitation clause required Haines to "not directly or indirectly (i) solicit any of Plaintiff's employees, agents, representatives, strategic partnerships, [or] affiliations." (Id. at 1). The agreement further provided for liquidated damages of "(ii) a fee of $50,000 for each employee, agent, or representative recruited away from Plaintiff; (iii) $250,000 for each strategic partner solicited." (Id. at 2). As defined by the parties, an "Agent" is "a person who is licensed to sell insurance in the state of sale and is appointed by the insurance carrier to sell the insurance contract" and a "Strategic Partner" is "an organization that typically works with the banking community and has demonstrated an interest in working with Plaintiff or vice versa." (Doc. No. 181, Ex. A, Att. #3 at 2).
In Spring 2004, Benmark approached Plaintiff and expressed an interest in acquiring Plaintiff. (Pl. Compl. at ¶ 38). On June 4, 2004, prior to Benmark performing its due diligence for the potential acquisition, the two parties agreed to multiple Confidentiality Agreements. (Id. at ¶ 39). On September 29, 2004, the two parties agreed to an additional Nonsolicitation Agreement. (Id.) The Nonsolicitation Agreement required Benmark to "not solicit any personnel of [Plaintiff] to become personnel of [Benmark] or any affiliate of [Benmark]." (Doc. No. 181, Ex. A, Att. #8 at 3 (hereinafter "Benmark Nonsolicitation")). The agreement with Benmark
Acquisition discussions between Benmark and Plaintiff broke down and Benmark never acquired Plaintiff. (Doc. No. 181, Def. Mem. Supp. Mot. Sum. J., at 4 (hereinafter "Def. Mem.")). On February 9, 2005, Agent Thomas Kosanda was fired for cause from Plaintiff. (Doc. No. 183, Pl. Mem. Opp. Def. Mot., at 4 (hereinafter "Pl. Mem.")). In March 2005, Kosanda and his sales team, which consisted of Larry Linenschmidt and Dana Hayes (collectively "Kosanda Team"), were hired by Benmark. (Pl. Compl. at ¶¶ 26, 30, 35). Strategic Partners Thomas Brothers ("Thomas Brothers"), Ben Shapiro ("Shapiro"), William Lynch ("Lynch"), and America's Community Bankers ("ACB") terminated their business relationship with Plaintiff as well. (Pl. Mem., at 14).
In their Complaint, Plaintiff alleges Benmark, CBIZ, and Haines breached their respective Nonsolicitation Agreements by soliciting the Agents and Strategic Partners. (Pl. Compl. at ¶¶ 54, 58, 62, 66, 70). The Thomas Brothers and Lynch were working with Plaintiff as strategic partners on an important sale—the Mercantile BOLI Transaction ("BOLI Transaction")— when they terminated their relationship. (Doc. No. 181, Att. #2, State. Undisp. Facts, at ¶ 22 (hereinafter "Def. State.")). Plaintiff's expert estimates the damages to Plaintiff from the loss of this BOLI Transaction was $441,925. (Doc. No. 181, Ex. G at 6-8 (hereinafter "Expert Report")). Plaintiff's expert estimates damages to Plaintiff caused by the solicitation of the Kosanda Team at either $4,035,380, based on the assumption the Kosanda Team would have stayed with Plaintiff for three additional years, or $5,837,197, based on the assumption the Kosanda Team would have stayed with Plaintiff for five additional years. (Id. at 3). Plaintiff claims only liquidated damages for the alleged solicitation of Shapiro and ACB. (Id.)
Granting summary judgment is an extraordinary remedy. Summary judgment is only appropriate "if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law." Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c); Bouriez v. Carnegie Mellon Univ., 585 F.3d 765, 770 (3d Cir.2009). An issue is genuine only if there is a sufficient evidentiary basis on which a reasonable jury could find for the non-moving party, and a factual dispute is material only if it might affect the outcome of the suit under governing law. Kaucher v. County of Bucks, 455 F.3d 418, 423 (3d Cir.2006) (citing Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986)). The Court's task is not to resolve disputed issues of fact, but to determine whether there exist any factual issues to be tried. Liberty Lobby, 477 U.S. at 247-49, 106 S.Ct. 2505.
In ruling on a motion for summary judgment, the Court must view the evidence, and make all reasonable inferences from the evidence, in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. Chambers v. School Dist. of Philadelphia Bd. of Educ., 587 F.3d 176, 181 (3d Cir.2009); Bouriez, 585 F.3d at 770. Whenever a factual issue arises which cannot be resolved without a credibility determination, at this stage the Court must credit the nonmoving party's evidence over that presented by the moving party. Liberty Lobby, 477 U.S. at 255, 106 S.Ct. 2505.
Defendants request partial summary judgment on three issues. First, they wish to exclude certain definitions of "solicitation" because they contend its ordinary meaning is clear and unambiguous. Second, Defendants ask the Court to hold that Plaintiff cannot collect liquidated damages because actual damages are calculable and allowing liquidated damages will amount to a double recovery. Lastly, Defendants contend that the expert's damages calculation in regard to Kosanda is not admissible because the length of time Kosanda would have stayed with Plaintiff had he not been fired is highly speculative. For the reasons discussed below, the Court will grant summary judgment on the issue of solicitation, and deny summary judgment on the matters of liquidated damages and the expert's damage calculation.
Defendants ask this Court to hold as a matter of law that "solicitation" is not ambiguous, that a "solicitation" requires the employer to first approach a potential employee, and that the mere act of hiring an employee is not considered solicitation. Defendants also request that the court prohibit Plaintiff from introducing at trial parol evidence that is contrary to this definition of solicitation.
Under the parol evidence rule, "[w]here the parties, without any fraud or mistake, have deliberately put their engagements in writing, the law declares the writing to be not only the best, but the only, evidence of their agreement . . . and its terms and agreements cannot be added to nor subtracted from by parol evidence." Yocca v. Pittsburgh Steelers Sports, Inc., 578 Pa. 479, 854 A.2d 425, 436 (2004) (quoting Gianni v. Russel & Co., 281 Pa. 320, 126 A. 791, 792 (1924)). Parol evidence is any oral testimony, written agreements, or other writings created prior to the contract that would serve to explain or vary the terms of a contract. Lenzi v. Hahnemann University, 445 Pa.Super. 187, 664 A.2d 1375, 1379 (1995).
The rule, however, does allow the admission of evidence to explain an ambiguity in a contract "irrespective of whether the ambiguity is created by the language of the instrument or by extrinsic or collateral circumstances." Id. at 437 (quoting Estate of Herr, 400 Pa. 90, 161 A.2d 32, 34 (1960)). "Under Pennsylvania law, ambiguous writings are interpreted by the fact finder and unambiguous writings are interpreted by the court as a question of law." Mellon Bank, N.A. v. Aetna Business Credit, Inc., 619 F.2d 1001, 1010, n. 10 (3d Cir.1980). "Determining whether the terms of a contract are ambiguous is a question of law" for the court to decide. Ankerstjerne v. Schlumberger, Ltd., 155 Fed.Appx. 48, 49 (3d Cir.2005).
"In determining whether a contract term is ambiguous, [a court] must consider the actual words of the agreement themselves, as well as any alternative meanings offered by counsel, and extrinsic evidence offered in support of those alternative meanings." St. Paul Fire and Marine Ins. Co. v. Lewis, 935 F.2d 1428, 1431 (3d Cir.1991). A contract will be found ambiguous:
Duquesne Light Co. v. Westinghouse Elec. Corp., 66 F.3d 604, 614 (3d Cir.1995) (internal quotations and citations omitted).
When considering whether a contract is ambiguous, a court's review of extrinsic evidence is confined to determining "the parties' linguistic reference." Id. Extrinsic evidence to show ambiguity in a contract can only be evidence that addresses the meaning of a specific term in the contract, and not the subjective intent of the parties. Bohler-Uddeholm America, Inc. v. Ellwood Group, Inc., 247 F.3d 79, 93-94 (3d Cir.2001); Prudential Ins. Co. of America v. Prusky, 2008 WL 859217 at *19 (E.D.Pa. March 31, 2008). For example,
Id. at 94 (internal citations omitted). "[A] party offers the right type of extrinsic evidence for establishing latent ambiguity if the evidence can be used to support `a reasonable alternative semantic reference' for specific terms contained in the contract." Id. at 94 n. 3 (citing Mellon Bank, 619 F.2d at 1012 n. 13 (3d Cir.1980)).
Haines' nonsolicitation agreement requires he "not directly or indirectly (i) solicit any of Plaintiff's employees, agents, representatives, strategic partnerships, [or] affiliations." (Haines Separation at 1). Benmark's nonsolicitation agreement requires it "not solicit any personnel of [Plaintiff] to become personnel of [Benmark] or any affiliate of [Benmark]." (Benmark Nonsolicitation at 3). Neither contract defines "solicit." Black's Law Dictionary defines "solicit" as:
Black's Law Dictionary, p. 1392 (6th ed.1990). Webster defines solicit as "to entreat, importune . . . to endeavor to obtain by asking or pleading . . . to urge." Webster's New Intl. Dictionary, 2d ed.
Defendants assert "solicit" is not ambiguous as used in the contracts and urge the court to adopt the dictionary definition of "solicit." Defendants point to Akron Pest Control v. Radar Exterminating Co., Inc., 216 Ga.App. 495, 455 S.E.2d 601 (1995), where a Georgia state court considered whether the term "solicit" was ambiguous. The Akron court considered whether a party bound by a nonsolicitation agreement should "refuse and, in fact, turn away pest control business if contacted by any customers." Id. at 602. The court held that an agreement "not to solicit, either directly or indirectly, any current or past customers" requires more than "[m]erely accepting business [to] constitute a solicitation of that business." Id. at 601, 603. The court noted that solicitation requires "some affirmative action" on the part of the solicitor. Id. at 603.
Also relevant here is Aetna Bldg. Maintenance Co. v. West, 39 Cal.2d 198, 246 P.2d 11 (1952). Aetna concerned an agreement where the defendant may not
Plaintiff contends that "[i]n construing a contract, a court's paramount consideration is the intent of the parties." Mellon Bank, 619 F.2d at 1009 (3d Cir. 1980) (quoting O'Farrell v. Steel City Piping Co., 266 Pa.Super. 219, 403 A.2d 1319, 1324 (1979)). Generally, a court looks to the contract language to determine the intent of the parties. Id. Plaintiff proposes here, however, that a March 2005 email, in which Roger Hauge, the President of Defendant Benmark, refers to the June 2004 Nonsolicitation Agreement as "a restriction on us hiring," is evidence of the intent of the parties when they wrote the agreement, despite the fact that it was sent almost ten months after the parties entered into the agreement. Plaintiff also points to the deposition of Hauge by Defendants' counsel on September 12, 2007, where Hauge answered "yes" to the question "would it [solicitation] include making an offer of employment?" (Doc. No. 183, Ex. C, Hauge Dep., at 162). However, this deposition testimony occurred even later than the email and, accordingly, even further from the date of the agreement.
Further, "the proffered interpretation cannot contradict the common understanding of the disputed term or phrase when there is another term that the parties could easily have used to convey this contradictory meaning." Bohler-Uddeholm America, Inc. v. Ellwood Group, Inc., 247 F.3d 79, 94-95 (3d Cir.2001) (describing in detail four cases where the Third Circuit or the Pennsylvania Supreme Court denied an alternative interpretation for this reason). The existence of another term that could have been used is especially significant when the parties are sophisticated. Mellon Bank, 619 F.2d at 1009. In the present case, the parties could have easily stipulated that Defendants could not "solicit or hire" Plaintiff employees, but instead used only the word "solicit."
Finally, a "trial court need not define specific statutory terms unless they are outside the common understanding of a juror or are so technical or specific as to require a definition." United States v. Chenault, 844 F.2d 1124, 1131 (5th Cir. 1988); see United States v. Brito, 136 F.3d 397,
Accordingly, the Court concludes the term "solicit" as such is not ambiguous, and cannot be defined to include mere hiring. It includes actions of Defendants that fall within the definition of "solicit" as defined in Black's Law Dictionary, supra. Because "solicit" is unambiguous, Plaintiff will be precluded from offering parol evidence of a contrary meaning. However, the Court will reserve ruling on whether it is necessary to define the term "solicit" for the jury in accordance with the definition in Black's Law Dictionary.
Despite the Court granting the Motion for Partial Summary Judgment on the meaning of the word "solicit," Plaintiff will be permitted to introduce evidence relevant to the issue of solicitation. Under the definition in Black's Law Dictionary, solicitation is not confined only to the verbal act of asking or requesting something, or to the act of formally first approaching a potential employee. Actions to "awake or incite to action," or "conduct intended to and calculated to incite" the desired act are also acts of solicitation. See definition in Black's Law Dictionary, supra. Plaintiff will be permitted to offer evidence which falls under this rubric, but is not permitted to argue that mere "hiring" of former employees, agents or strategic partners is the equivalent of solicitation.
Defendants argue that the liquidated damage clause in Haines' Nonsolicitation Agreement is not enforceable because actual damages are calculable. "[C]ontracting parties may provide for pre-determined liquidated damages in the event one party fails to perform, particularly in circumstances where actual damages would be difficult to estimate in advance or to prove after a breach occurs." Pantuso Motors, Inc. v. Corestates Bank, N.A., 568 Pa. 601, 798 A.2d 1277, 1282 (2002) (quoting Restatement (Second) of Contracts § 356 (1979)). However, "[a] term fixing unreasonably large liquidated damages is unenforceable on grounds of public policy as a penalty." Id. Liquidated damages "clauses are enforceable provided, at the time the parties enter into the contract, the sum agreed to is a reasonable approximation of the expected loss rather than an unlawful penalty." A.G. Cullen Const., Inc. v. State System of Higher Educ., 898 A.2d 1145 (Pa.Cmwlth., 2006) (emphasis added). For liquidated damages,
Com. v. Musser Forests, Inc., 394 Pa. 205, 146 A.2d 714, 717 (1959) (quoting March v. Allabough, 103 Pa. 335, 341 (Pa.1883)). "[T]he question whether a sum stipulated for in a written contract is a penalty or liquidated damages is a question for the court, to be determined by the intention of the parties, examined in the light of its subject-matter and its surroundings." Laughlin v. Baltalden, Inc., 191 Pa.Super. 611, 159 A.2d 26, 29 (1960).
Defendants argue that because Plaintiff's expert was able to calculate damages attributable to one group of employees, the Kosanda Team, he should be able to calculate damages for all the employees. Defendants assert, based on the expert's report, that the calculations are not "difficult ... to prove after a breach occurs." However, the expert's calculation estimates the damage from Kosanda's solicitation by using actual commissions earned by Plaintiff during the years after Kosanda was fired. The actual commissions were certainly not available at the time Haines and Plaintiff entered the nonsolicitation agreement or when Plaintiff fired Kosanda. Furthermore, the expert calculated damages for two different periods of time Kosanda might have remained with Plaintiff but for Defendants' solicitation. As will be noted later in this Opinion, the applicable length of time is a disputed question of fact and would not have been known at the time the parties entered into the contract. Thus, there was uncertainty involved in the damages calculation at the time the parties entered the contracts.
Plaintiff also provides estimates of actual damages to show that the liquidated damages amounts were a "reasonable approximation of the expected loss." Plaintiff's expert estimates that the BOLI Transaction, which was worked on by two strategic partners, caused actual damages of $441,925. The liquidated damages for those two strategic partners, who may have also brought in revenue from other transactions, are $500,000. Plaintiff also asserts that the liquidated damages of $50,000 for each agent are reasonable because actual damages after the breach were estimated to be between $4,035,380 and $5,837,197 for the three agents on the Kosanda Team—amounts far exceeding the liquidated damages set forth in the contract.
Because the expert's damages calculation relies upon factors which could not have been quantified at the time the parties entered the nonsolicitation agreement, and because the expert's calculations of actual damages are close to or substantially greater than the liquidated damages, the Court holds the liquidated damages clause in Haines' nonsolicitation agreement is enforceable.
Alternatively, Defendants contend that liquidated damages should not be allowed because the Plaintiff is trying to recover twice. A party is not permitted to recover twice under multiple theories of law for the same injury. See e.g., Starceski v. Westinghouse Elec. Corp., 54 F.3d 1089, 1102 (3d Cir.1995); Nutrition Mgmt. Servs. Co. v. Harborside Healthcare Corp., 2005 WL 1176048 (E.D.Pa. May 17, 2005). Plaintiff is seeking liquidated damages from Defendant Haines, as his Separation Agreement with Plaintiff specifies, in addition to seeking actual damages for the same injury from Benmark, because Plaintiff's Nonsolicitation Agreement with Benmark does not include a liquidated damages clause.
Plaintiff argues that it should be able to recover liquidated damages from Haines in accordance with their agreement and actual damages above liquidated damages from Benmark. Normally, for claims against two defendants for the same injury, liability would be joint and several, yet never in excess of the total damage suffered. This case is unusual because one of the contracts specifies liquidated damages while the other does not. To hold that Plaintiff must choose between liquidated damages and actual damages at this time would be inequitable. Plaintiff cannot claim liquidated damages against Benmark because the contract does not provide for liquidated damages. Plaintiff also cannot claim actual damages against Haines because the contract requires liquidated damages. See Carlos R. Leffler, Inc. v. Hutter, 696 A.2d 157, 162 (Pa.Super.1997) (enforcing a valid liquidated damages provision when actual damages are calculable). The Court will allow Plaintiff to advance at trial both theories of damages and will mold the verdict, if necessary, to avoid double recovery based on the evidence presented.
Defendants contend that the testimony of Plaintiff's expert relating to the length of time Kosanda would have remained employed with Plaintiff should not be allowed at trial. "[E]xpert testimony that ignores existing data and is based on speculation is inadmissible." Brill v. Marandola, 540 F.Supp.2d 563 (E.D.Pa., 2008). Federal Rules of Evidence 702 governs the admissibility of expert testimony:
The comments to Rule 702 provide further guidance:
Defendants argue that the opinion of Plaintiff's expert cannot be based on speculation that Kosanda would have remained employed with Plaintiff an additional three to five years. However, Plaintiff's expert does not offer an opinion on the length of time that Kosanda would have remained employed with Plaintiff. Instead, he calculates damages in two ways: 1) assuming Kosanda would have remained for three years, and 2) assuming Kosanda would have remained for five years. How long Kosanda would have remained employed with Plaintiff is a disputed
Defendants further contend that the expert's actual damage calculation in regard to Kosanda is inadmissible because Plaintiff has not proffered evidence to allow a reasonable jury to conclude that Defendants' actions were a proximate cause of Kosanda's termination or that Kosanda would have stayed with Plaintiff for any period of time longer than he actually did. Defendants argue that the only evidence Plaintiff has shown to support its contention that Defendants proximately caused Kosanda's termination is the testimony of Meyer, which they claim is self-serving and insufficient. "[C]onclusory, self-serving affidavits are insufficient to withstand a motion for summary judgment. In order to satisfy the standard for summary judgment the affiant must ordinarily set forth facts, rather than opinions or conclusions." Blair v. Scott Specialty Gases, 283 F.3d 595, 608 (3d Cir.2002) (internal citation and quotes omitted).
Plaintiff, in addition to the testimony of Meyer, claims that:
(Doc. No. 183 at 13). Plaintiff has presented sufficient evidence to raise a genuine issue of material fact as to the cause of Kosanda's termination. For these reasons, the Court will deny Defendants' Motion for Summary Judgment with respect to the damage calculation.
In sum, this Court will grant Defendants' Motion for Partial Summary Judgment on the issue of the meaning of "solicitation." This Court will Deny the Motion for Partial Summary Judgment with respect to the liquidated damages and the damage calculation by Plaintiff's Expert. An appropriate order follows.
AND NOW, this 12th day of August, 2010, upon consideration of Defendants' Motion for Partial Summary Judgment (Doc. No. 181), Plaintiff's Memorandum in Opposition (Doc. No. 183) and Response to Defendants' Statement of Undisputed Facts (Doc. No. 184), Defendants' Reply to Plaintiff's Response (Doc. No. 186), Plaintiff's Sur-Reply Memorandum (Doc. No. 205), Defendants' Supplemental Memorandum in Support (Doc. No. 223), and Plaintiff's Supplemental Memorandum in Opposition (Doc. No. 224), and after a hearing on the Motion on July 2, 2010, it is ORDERED that Defendants' Motion for Partial Summary Judgment is GRANTED IN PART and DENIED IN PART as follows:
AND NOW, this 12th day of August, 2010, upon consideration of Defendants' Motion for Partial Summary Judgment (Doc. No. 181), Plaintiff's Memorandum in Opposition (Doc. No. 183) and Response to Defendants' Statement of Undisputed Facts (Doc. No. 184), Defendants' Reply to Plaintiff's Response (Doc. No. 186), Plaintiff's Sur-Reply Memorandum (Doc. No. 205), Defendants' Supplemental Memorandum in Support (Doc. No. 223), and Plaintiff's Supplemental Memorandum in Opposition (Doc. No. 224), and after a hearing on the Motion on July 2, 2010, it is ORDERED that Defendants' Motion for Partial Summary Judgment is GRANTED IN PART and DENIED IN PART as follows:
Defendants also contend that Plaintiff was not harmed by the alleged solicitation of ACB, and that Plaintiff cannot recover liquidated damages attributable to ACB. Whether Plaintiff suffers damage is not a controlling factor and does not need to be proven where there is an agreement for liquidated damages. Omicron Systems, Inc. v. Weiner, 860 A.2d 554, 565 (Pa.Super.2004) (allowing liquidated damages without proof of actual harm); Sutter Corp. v. Tri-Boro Mun. Auth., 338 Pa.Super. 217, 487 A.2d 933, 936 (1985) ("As a general rule of law it is not necessary to show any actual damages in order to recover liquidated damages pursuant to a contract providing for liquidated damages"); United States v. Bethlehem Steel Co., 205 U.S. 105, 119, 27 S.Ct. 450, 51 L.Ed. 731 (1907); Sun Printing & Publishing Ass'n v. Moore, 183 U.S. 642, 662, 22 S.Ct. 240, 46 L.Ed. 366 (1902); Miller v. Rankin, 11 A. 615, 616 (Pa. 1887) (upholding the lower court's decision to allow liquidated damages despite no actual damages alleged or proved). Liquidated damages here serve the purpose of setting the amount of damages when actual damages are not easily calculable.