Opinion ID: 1740339
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Orkin's profit from its misconduct.

Text: If the evidence reveals that the defendant profited from its wrongful conduct, we must consider whether the punitive-damages award removes that profit and whether it exceeds the profit so that the defendant recognizes a loss. Green Oil, 539 So.2d at 223. Orkin contends that it in no way profited from its inappropriate activities. Orkin claims that altogether over the years Mrs. Jeter paid between $2,902 and $3,848 pursuant to her contract with Orkin. Orkin claims that because it spent over $23,000 in repairs to Mrs. Jeter's house, it made no profit from its dealings with Mrs. Jeter. We disagree. The goal of Orkin's scheme to conceal Mrs. Jeter's termite damage was a direct result of Orkin's attempt to avoid liability on the $100,000 termite-damage repair guarantee. Because Orkin was able to avoid paying the full sum for which it was liable to Mrs. Jeter, Orkin's conduct produced an unjust gain. To the extent that Orkin may have profited, it is clear that the punitive-damages award not only removed any profit, it far exceeded it. This factor weighs in favor of a finding that the punitive-damages award is excessive.