Hocking v. Rehnquist

Plaintiff, Robert Hocking, filed suit in the circuit court of Wabash County against defendants seeking an award for personal injuries. The complaint charged defendants with negligence and with wilful and wanton misconduct. At the close of plaintiff’s case, the trial court directed a verdict in favor of defendants on the wilful and wanton count and at; the close of all the evidence submitted to the jury the issue of negligence. A verdict was returned awarding plaintiff $34,000 damages. However, the jury returned a special interrogatory finding that plaintiff was not free from contributory…