D. C. Transit System, Inc. v. Brooks

For the want of a nail the shoe was lost,

For the want of a shoe the horse was lost,

For the want of a horse the rider was lost,

For the want of a rider the battle was lost,

For the want of a battle the kingdom was lost—

And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.

Poor Richard’s Almanac — Benjamin Franklin

Little things were translated into big things in this case where a 15 cent fare dispute resulted in the entry of a judgment which included $20,000 for punitive damages against appellant, D. C. Transit System, Inc. (D. C. Transit). It here appeals the punitive damage portion of that judgment. There…