In HTP v. Lineas Aereas Costarricenses, S.A. (Fla. 1996) 685 So. 2d 1238, a case in which the alleged fraudulent inducement of a settlement agreement between parties to a commercial transaction caused the plaintiff only economic losses, the Florida Supreme Court held that a fraudulent inducement was a tort independent of the parties' contract. The economic loss rule has not eliminated causes of action based upon torts independent of the contractual breach even though there exists a breach of contract action. Where a contract exists, a tort action will lie for either intentional or negligent acts considered to be independent from acts that breached the contract. " ( Id. at p. 1239.) "Fraud in the inducement presents a special situation where parties to a contract appear to negotiate freely - which normally would constitute grounds for invoking the economic loss doctrine--but where in fact the ability of one party to negotiate fair terms and make an informed decision is undermined by the other party's fraudulent behavior. . . .' ". ( Id. at p. 1240.)