Samedan Oil Corp. v. Neeld

OPINION

FEDERICI, Justice.

This case was brought in the District Court of Eddy County to recover damages for the wrongful death of John Wesley Neeld, Jr. Plaintiff-appellee (plaintiff), as administratrix of the decedent’s estate, and pursuant to § 22-20-3, N.M.S.A.1953, sought to recover $500,000.00 compensatory damages and $1,000,000.00 punitive or exemplary damages.

The record reveals that defendant-appellant Samedan Oil Corporation (defendant), a foreign corporation authorized to transact business in New Mexico, was the owner of a gas well located south of Carlsbad, New Mexico. At the time of…