NATIONAL BY-PRODUCTS, INC. V. SEARCY HOUSE MOVING CO.
731 S.W.2d 194 (1987)
NATURE OF THE CASE: National (D) sought review of a judgment, which awarded punitive
damages to Searcy (D).
FACTS: Foley (D) was driving a large tractor trailer for National (D). At the same time,
Searcy (D) was moving a house north on the same highway. Searcy (D) could not get the house
through a bridge and while the house was being adjusted on the house moving trailer, traffic
was stopped and flagged around in the one lane of traffic still open. Stacy McGee and Lorene
Staggs (Ps) were slowly starting to go through the open lane when Foley (D) speeding in an
over-weight truck smashed into the rear of their car, knocking it eighty feet forward,
causing it to hit the house and trailer, and then to hit two bystanders. National's (D)
truck also struck the house and then crashed into another tractor-trailer rig. Lorene Staggs
died instantly and Stacy McGee died seven hours later. The estates of Lorene Staggs and
Stacy McGee (Ps) filed wrongful death actions against Foley (D) and National (D) and Searcy
(D). Defendants Foley (D), National (D) and Searcy (D) filed cross-complaints against each
other, each asking compensatory and punitive damages from the other. A jury returned
compensatory damage awards of $3,000,000 to the estate of McGee (P), $1,400,000 to the
estate of Staggs (P), and $15,000 to Searcy (D). In addition, separate punitive damage
awards of $100,000 were given to each estate and to Searcy (D). National (D) appealed the
punitive damages awarded to Searcy (D).
ISSUE:
RULE OF LAW:
HOLDING AND DECISION:
LEGAL ANALYSIS:
Get
free access to the entire content for Mac, PC or Online
for 2-3 days and free samples
of all kinds of products.
for 2-3 days and free samples of all kinds of products.
https://bsmsphd.com
© 2007-2016 Abn Study Partner
No comments:
Post a Comment