Opinion ID: 1125390
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Does the lack of evidence on Pluid's wealth undermine the award?

Text: Lastly, Pluid argues that the punitive damages award is excessive as a matter of law because B.K. did not put on evidence of Pluid's net worth at trial. The wealth of the defendant is one factor to be taken into account in determining whether an award of punitive damages was excessive. Alaskan Village, 720 P.2d at 949. There is a split in authority among the courts of other states as to whether evidence of the defendant's wealth must be introduced in order for a punitive damages award to be upheld. In Bundy v. Century Equipment Co., 692 P.2d 754 (Utah 1984), the court held a punitive damages award to be excessive as a matter of law in the absence of any evidence regarding the defendant's assets or net worth. Id. at 759. The court reasoned that, because the main purpose of punitive damages is to punish the defendant, there must be net worth evidence before a judgment can be made as to whether that punishment was excessive as to that particular defendant. Punitive damages should be more than an inconvenience.... Their amount should be sufficient to discourage [the defendant], or anyone similarly situated, from repeating such conduct in the future. Id. Other courts confronting the issue have placed responsibility for presenting net worth evidence on the defendant himself. In Hicks v. Lilly Enterprises, Inc., 45 Or. App. 211, 608 P.2d 186 (1980), the Oregon court said: While the wealth of defendant is a relevant inquiry on the issue of punitive damages, it is not a necessary element. The evidence is relevant to allow the jury to assess punitive damages in an amount which would constitute a penalty in relation to defendant's wealth. The evidence can enure to the benefit of either party. If defendant's wealth is minimal, the jury may conclude a small assessment of punitive damages would properly penalize defendant. Conversely, if defendant's wealth is substantial, the jury may be convinced that a larger award is necessary. A defendant which presents no evidence of its financial worth cannot complain the jury did not have such evidence. Id., 608 P.2d at 189 (citations omitted); see also Romero v. Hariri, 80 Hawai`i 450, 911 P.2d 85, 93 (Haw. App. 1996) (concluding that the failure to show net worth does not necessarily invalidate a punitive award but only eliminates a factor with which to gauge the reasonableness of the award); Rogers v. Florence Printing Co., 233 S.C. 567, 106 S.E.2d 258, 262 (1958) (noting that the defendant should not be heard to complain that the jury made its award without such [net worth] information, where he himself testified and did not offer it). We find the Oregon method preferable to that of the Utah courts. The defendant is uniquely situated to put on evidence of his own net worth. He may choose not to do so if he concludes that it would not be to his benefit. If a defendant with a small net worth is before the court, he may make sure that the finder of fact is aware of his financial situation. A defendant who does not put on evidence of his own net worth cannot, later, complain of its absence. We reject Pluid's argument on this point as well.