Foley Newsom Oil Co. v. Crawford

CURTISS BROWN, Justice.

This is an unreasonable collection methods case. Foley Newsom Oil Company (Foley) and Accounts Management Corporation of Pasadena (Accounts) appeal from a judgment of the trial court awarding appellee Glasier Crawford (Crawford) $3,000 in actual damages, $170 in medical expenses and $15,000 in exemplary damages. Trial was to a jury.

The jury found that Accounts was acting as an independent contractor; had made unreasonable collection efforts against Crawford; had proximately caused damages to appellee; and had been guilty of malice or gross negligence in its collection…