Winchek v. Amex is a much-cited case for the elements of a breach of contract claim under Texas law, and the elements of contract formation. The case involved a credit card account, but the articulation of the relevant law applies generally, whether contracts are signed or not. American Express cardmember agreements typically have a Utah choice-of-law provision, but that rarely becomes an issue in debt collection litigation in Texas courts, which are routinely resolved under Texas law.
To prove a claim for breach of contract,
a party must establish: (a) a valid contract; (b) the party performed or
tendered performance; (c) the opposing party breached the contract; and (d) the
party was damaged as a result of that breach. Winchek v. Am. Express Travel Related Servs. Co., 232 S.W.3d 197,
202 (Tex. App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 2007, no pet.); Hackberry Creek Country Club, Inc. v. Hackberry Creek Home Owners Ass'n,
205 S.W.3d 46, 55 (Tex. App.-Dallas 2006, pet. denied).
To prevail on a breach of contract
claim, a plaintiff must prove the following essential elements: (1) the
existence of a valid contract, (2) performance or tendered performance by the
plaintiff, (3) breach of the contract by the defendant, and (4) damages
sustained as a result of the breach. Winchek
v. Am. Express Travel Related Servs. Co., 232 S.W.3d 197, 202 (Tex.
App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 2007, no pet.).
Parties form a binding contract when the
following elements are present: (1) an offer, (2) an acceptance in strict
compliance with the terms of the offer, (3) meeting of the minds, (4) each
party's consent to the terms, and (5) execution and delivery of the contract
with the intent that it be mutual and binding. Id. at 202. To be enforceable, a contract must be sufficiently
certain to enable a court to determine the rights and responsibilities of the
parties. Id. (citing T.O. Stanley Boot Co. v. Bank of El Paso, 847 S.W.2d 218,
221 (Tex. 1992)).
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