Condliff v. Priest

Plaintiff appeals from an amended judgment which modified a final judgment entered in favor of plaintiff by striking punitive damages against defendant Western Surety Company (Western). We reverse.

Plaintiff sued car dealer Paul Priest Motors (Priest), car salesman Daniel Priest and Western, Priest’s surety, 1 for fraud and unlawful trade practices. He sought $1,100 in compensatory damages, $7,000 in punitive damage, $4,000 in attorney’s fees and costs. Under the local circuit court rules, the case was subject to mandatory arbitration because the prayer was for less than $15,000. 2 All parties…