Opinion ID: 1585304
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: should punitive damages instructions been given?

Text: Our law requires that punitive damages be assessed only in extreme cases. Gardner v. Jones, 464 So.2d 1144, 1148 (Miss. 1985); Tideway Oil Programs, Inc. v. Serio, 431 So.2d 454, 460 (Miss. 1983). If punitive damages are allowed it should be with caution and within narrow limits. Jackson v. Johns-Manville Sales Corp., 727 F.2d 506, 526 (5th Cir.1984), [citing Consolidated American Life Ins. Co. v. Toche, 410 So.2d 1303, 1304-05 (Miss. 1982).] In negligence cases this Court has held punitive damages are allowable only upon proof of gross negligence or willful misconduct. Jesco, Inc. v. Shannon, 451 So.2d 694, 704 (Miss. 1984); Miss. Power Co. v. Jones, 369 So.2d 1381 (Miss. 1979); Fowler Butane Gas Co. v. Varner, 244 Miss. 130, 141 So.2d 226 (1962). Punitive damages are ordinarily recoverable only in cases where negligence is so gross as to indicate a wanton disregard for the safety of others. U.S. Industries v. McClure Furniture Co., 371 So.2d 391, 393 (Miss. 1979). We are satisfied from this record that the conduct of Alpha Entertainment, through its employees, was not such to evidence a reckless and wanton disregard for the safety of others and therefore, the trial court was not in error in refusing to grant the punitive damages instructions requested by the Bryants. We therefore affirm the trial court in its refusal to grant punitive damages instructions and reverse the trial court for its refusal to grant a negligence per se instruction and its refusal to allow the blood alcohol content test results of Kevin King into evidence. AFFIRMED IN PART; REVERSED AND REMANDED IN PART. WALKER, C.J., ROY NOBLE LEE and HAWKINS, P.JJ., and DAN M. LEE, PRATHER, ROBERTSON, ANDERSON and GRIFFIN, JJ., concur.