Sightler v. Transus, Inc.

Cooper, Judge.

In this tort action, appellants challenge the trial court’s grant of partial summary judgment to appellees on the issue of punitive damages.

Appellants Mr. and Mrs. Sightler were damaged when Payne ran the tractor-trailer truck he was driving into Mr. Sightler’s service station. Appellants sued Payne and appellees — Payne’s employer, the employer’s insurer, and the owners of the truck who leased it to the employer. Relying on the rule that employers or principals may be vicariously liable for punitive damages arising from the misconduct of their employees or agents in Georgia,…