Opinion ID: 1740339
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Orkin defendants' financial position.

Text: This Court has made clear that a punitive-damages award should sting, but should not destroy a defendant. Green Oil, 539 So.2d at 222 (quoting Ridout's-Brown Service, Inc. v. Holloway, 397 So.2d 125, 127-28 (Ala.1981)). Although the evidence regarding the Orkin defendants' financial position was disputed, the record indicates that Orkin has a net worth of at least $41.5 million. The remittitur to $4,000,000 in punitive damages would therefore result in an award of approximately 10 percent of Orkin's net worth as damages for misconduct during a single transaction not involving loss of life or limb. Therefore, this factor weighs in favor of finding the punitive-damages award excessive.