Opinion ID: 2976290
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Standard for Punitive Damages Awards

Text: The plaintiff has the burden to “establish, by clear and convincing evidence, that the plaintiff is entitled to recover punitive or exemplary damages.” E.g., Burns v. Prudential Secs., Inc., 167 Ohio App. 3d 809, 842, 857 N.E.2d 621, 646 (Ohio App. 2006) (citing O.R.C. § 2315.21(D)(4)). Under Ohio law, a district court may grant punitive damages for conversion upon a finding of actual malice. “Actual malice” for these purposes is “(1) that state of mind under which a person's conduct is characterized by hatred, ill will or a spirit of revenge, or (2) a conscious disregard for the rights and safety of other persons that has a great probability of causing substantial harm.” Calmes -16- No. 07-3093 Koehler v. PepsiAmericas, Inc. v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., 61 Ohio St. 3d 470, 473, 575 N.E.2d 416, 419 (Ohio 1991) (citing Preston v. Murty, 32 Ohio St. 3d 334, 512 N.E.2d 1174, syllabus (Ohio 1987)). Actual malice “can be inferred from conduct and surrounding circumstances which may be characterized as reckless, wanton, willful or gross.” E.g., Barker v. Netcare Corp., 147 Ohio App. 3d 1, 15, 768 N.E.2d 698, 710 (Ohio App. 2001).