Turner v. Gateway Transportation Co.

GUNN, Presiding Judge.

Plaintiff-appellant sued defendants-respondents in libel based on a letter notifying him of his discharge from employment with defendant Gateway Transportation Company, Inc. A jury awarded plaintiff $5,000 compensatory damages and $50,001 punitive damages. 1 After the jury verdict, the trial court, finding that the procedure in sending the discharge letter was privileged and consented to by plaintiff, sustained defendants’ joint motion for directed verdict filed at the close of the entire case and vacated the jury verdict. Plaintiff appeals alleging that the contents of…