Opinion ID: 2117209
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 13

Heading: McLEAN'S APPEAL

Text: McLean sought punitive damages. At the time of her rape, NDCC 32-03-07 said: In any action for the breach of an obligation not arising from contract, when the defendant has been guilty of oppression, fraud, or malice, actual or presumed, the court or jury, in addition to the actual damages, may give damages for the sake of example and by way of punishing the defendant. The jury did not award punitive damages. McLean contends that the trial court made two errors in instructing the jury on her claim for punitive damages: (1) the trial court erred in failing to give an instruction defining reckless disregard; and (2) the trial court erred in instructing that the burden of proof for punitive damages is by clear and convincing evidence, rather than a preponderance of the evidence.