Opinion ID: 1754922
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: ken-ray motors v. childers

Text: Wanda Childers purchased a used vehicle from Ken-Ray Motors in May, 1994. Childers began having problems with the vehicle within the first hour of purchase. She continued to have problems with the vehicle and ultimately filed a claim against Ken-Ray in November, 1994. In the complaint she alleged, inter alia, fraudulent misrepresentation and violation of the Kentucky Consumer Protection Act (KCPA), KRS 367.010 et seq. A jury trial was held concerning these two issues on January 27, 1997. The trial resulted in a unanimous jury verdict which awarded Childers $6,748.89 in compensatory damages and $25,000 in punitive damages. The award of damages was based on the jury's finding that Ken-Ray committed fraud upon Childers, violated the KCPA, and acted with fraud, malice or oppression. Ken-Ray filed a number of post-judgment motions and Childers filed a motion for attorney fees pursuant to KRS 367.220(3). Childers subsequently filed further motions for additional attorney fees as would be generated from the post-judgment proceedings. The trial court denied all of Ken-Ray's post-judgment motions, and eventually entered an order awarding Childers: (1) the costs necessary to prepare and bring her cause of action to trial; (2) $128.60 in post-judgment costs; (3) nothing for attorney fees generated in preparation for trial or incurred during trial; and (4) $600 in post-judgment attorney fees. The trial court further ordered that Childers not be awarded any other (additional) costs or attorney fees, as movant has failed to persuade the Court that the additional fees and expenses claimed were necessary. Childers appealed from the portions of this order denying her any award of attorney fees incurred either in preparation for trial or during the course of the trial. The Court of Appeals reversed and remanded to the trial court for reconsideration of the issue of attorney fees and litigation costs.