Court Opinion

ID: 9700796
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-25 21:49:34.206199+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:21:14.633121
License: Public Domain

Cavanagh, P.J.
(concurring in part and dissenting in part). While I agree with the majority that exemplary damages are not recoverable in a wrongful death action, I cannot agree that by erroneously allowing proof regarding the question of exemplary damages the trial court permitted plaintiff to cast defendant as a wealthy, callous, and insensitive corporation. The evidence regarding defendant’s financial status was admitted because plaintiff was required to prove that the utility of maintaining the cement pipes for sale or salvage and the burden of eliminating any danger caused by the pipes was slight when compared to the risk to the children involved. The evidence established that only about three percent of defendant’s business was generated by the stored cement pipes and that it would have cost defendant between $6,000 and $10,000 to address the dangers caused by this practice.
Given this state of the record, I find no abuse of discretion in the trial court’s decision to admit evidence of defendant’s financial assets. It certainly has bearing on whether the utility of maintaining the dangerous practice and the burden of eliminating the danger were slight when compared to the risk. And, contrary to the conclusion reached by the majority, I am not convinced that defendant conceded this element by stipulating that it was feasible to repair its fence and post warning signs. For this reason, I would affirm the trial court’s decision denying defendant’s motion for a new trial.