Opinion ID: 1151337
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: punitive damages and willful and wanton instructions

Text: The next issue is whether the trial court erred in giving a charge requested by Harbison concerning wantonness and willfullness, because Harbison did not plead or prove any allegations in this regard. [3] This argument is part and parcel of the argument that the trial court erred in giving the punitive damages charge for assault and battery in view of the fact that plaintiff failed to allege willfulness and wantonness in his complaint. Alabama is a notice pleading state. Simpson v. Jones, 460 So.2d 1282 (Ala.1984). Therefore, even though Harbison's complaint was inartfully drawn, when he requested punitive damages in his complaint, he, in effect, put the defendants on notice that he was alleging that the acts complained of were committed willfully, wantonly, or intentionally. Just as it is a jury question as to whether an assault and battery in fact occurred, it is a jury question as to what defendants' intent consisted of. Furthermore, prior and subsequent acts may be considered for this purpose. See Holcombe v. Whitaker, 294 Ala. 430, 318 So.2d 289 (1975); Stinson v. Richardson, 239 Ala. 161, 194 So. 508 (1940); Riddle v. Brown, 20 Ala. 412 (1852). Furthermore, Harbison may be entitled to recover punitive damages if he shows that he suffered at least nominal damage and that the acts complained of were committed with malice, willfulness, or wanton and reckless disregard of the rights of others. Gulf Atlantic Life Ins. Co. v. Barnes, 405 So.2d 916 (Ala.1981). It is not necessary that a punitive damages award bear any particular relationship to actual damages, and such an award will not be reversed unless the amount is so excessive as to indicate prejudice or passion. U-Haul Co. of Alabama v. Long, 382 So.2d 545 (Ala.1980).