Opinion ID: 1875795
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the jury's verdict awarding punitive damages was against the overwhelming weight of the evidence and resulted from bias, prejudice, and sympathy.

Text: This argument is presented from the point of view that the factual issues of liability for the motor vehicle accident were contested at trial, with the contest being decided in Tompkins' favor. It is urged, however, the facts attending the processing of Tompkins' claim are not in dispute and demonstrate the appellant acted in good faith and upon the advice of counsel. Consequently, it is contended the jury's punitive damage verdict is contrary to all of the evidence and is the result of the jury's sympathy for Tompkins because of his severe injuries and because Employers Mutual is a large insurance company. We are urged to reverse the verdicts of $50,000.00 contractual damages and $400,000.00 punitive damages because they were returned without regard to liability and resulted from sympathy and bias in an effort to compensate Tompkins for his unfortunate condition. We reject this argument because it completely overlooks the major issue presented to the jury for its resolution. The issue is whether the appellant's continued use of a void exclusion in its insurance contract in violation of the public policy of this State gives rise to a cause of action for punitive damages. The answer must be ascertained, in our opinion, from facts which first show there were actual damages proximately caused by the negligence of an uninsured motorist; second, a denial of the claim by the insurer; and third, whether the denial was in bad faith because it was based upon an exclusion contrary to public policy. The major premise being avoided, the argument is in the abstract and is meritless in our opinion.