Case Name: Florence Greiss, as Administratrix of the Estate of Louis Greiss, Deceased, Respondent, v. Royal National Bank et Ano., Defendants, and Harry Weinberg, Appellant
Court: New York Court of Appeals
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1973-02-08
Citations: 31 N.Y.2d 1003
Docket Number: 
Parties: Florence Greiss, as Administratrix of the Estate of Louis Greiss, Deceased, Respondent, v. Royal National Bank et Ano., Defendants, and Harry Weinberg, Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: New York Reports
Volume: 31
Pages: 1003–1005

Head Matter:
Florence Greiss, as Administratrix of the Estate of Louis Greiss, Deceased, Respondent, v. Royal National Bank et Ano., Defendants, and Harry Weinberg, Appellant.
Argued January 2, 1973;
decided February 8, 1973.
Richard J. O’Keeffe for appellant.
Bernard R. Selkowe for respondent.

Opinion:
Order modified, with costs to plaintiff-respondent, in accordance with the following memorandum and, as so modified, affirmed: The order appealed from should be modified by striking the award of punitive damages. The conduct complained of; hot "aimed at the public generally," was neither " so ' gross [nor] wanton ' as to bring it within the class of malfeasances, for which punitive damages may be awarded." (James v. Powell, 19 N Y 2d 249, 260; see, also, Vinlis Constr. Co. v. Roreck, 27 N Y 2d 687, 689; cf. Walker v. Sheldon, 10 N Y 2d 401, 406.)
Concur: Chief Judge Fulo and Judges Burke, Jasen, Gabrielli, Jones and Wachtler. Taking no part: Judge Breitel.