Court Opinion

ID: 9547509
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 17:48:14.021808+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:17:49.421208
License: Public Domain

DURHAM, Justice
(concurring and dissenting).
I join the majority opinion in all respects except for its remand of the issue of punitive damages for a “redetermination,” from which I dissent. The majority opinion lists the criteria that must be considered by the jury and the trial judge in assessing punitive damages, citing this Court’s opinions in Cruz v. Montoya, Utah, 660 P.2d 723 (1983), First Security Bank of Utah v. J.B.J. Feedyards, Utah, 653 P.2d 591 (1982), and Terry v. Zions Cooperative Mercantile Institution, Utah, 605 P.2d 314 (1979). The opinion then points out the fact that there is absolutely no evidence in this record on one of the most significant of those criteria: the assets and net worth of the defendant. Absent such evidence, it is difficult to know, not only on what basis the jury reached its verdict and the trial judge his remittitur order, but also on what basis the majority itself determines the “excessiveness” of the award. I see no reason to give the plaintiff an opportunity on remand to do what it failed to do at trial, namely, to put on evidence necessary for recovery. Having failed to put on an adequate case for punitive damages, the standards for which have been explicitly described in our case law, the plaintiff is not entitled to a “second shot,” and the punitive damage award should simply be reversed.
ZIMMERMAN, J., does not participate herein.