Court Opinion

ID: 9684850
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 14:16:33.831541+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:18:00.545822
License: Public Domain

STUMBO, Justice,
dissenting.
Respectfully, I dissent from the majority treatment of the issue of punitive damages. A review of the evidence presented in support of the claim for punitive damages clearly shows that there was sufficient evidence to support the jury’s award. The vice president of Hardaway Group, Inc., testified that, according to the personnel records, Souther-land was actually terminated just ten days after her October 29,1988, work-related injury because of that injury. However those same records also indicate that more than two months later, she was again terminated because of “lack of work-services not needed.” That record was completely at odds with the fact that the position Southerland held was filled only days later by the promotion of a co-worker. Yet another Harda-way witness testified in a pre-trial deposition that Southerland was discharged because of the medical restrictions placed upon her due to her injuries. The same witness testified at trial that Southerland was terminated for poor job performance. No attempt was made at trial to reconcile these four conflicting versions of the reasons for her discharge.
In my opinion, Southerland presented clear and convincing evidence that the various reasons set forth for her discharge were attempts by Hardaway to cover up the real reason for her discharge. “Fraud means an intentional misrepresentation, deceit, or concealment of material fact known to the defendant and made with the intention of causing injury to the plaintiff.” KRS 411.184(l)(b). The jury was properly instructed and had sufficient evidence to conclude that Harda-way either intentionally misrepresented or concealed the true reason for Southerland’s discharge so as to cause her injury. I would reinstate the jury’s verdict and award of punitive damages.