Bresland v. Ideal Roller & Graphics Co.

Defendant, Ideal Roller & Graphics Company (Ideal), appeals from a jury award of $16,000 in punitive damages to plaintiff, William G. Bresland, who was injured when sparks from an acetylene cutting torch ignited Naptha-soaked rugs used by plaintiff to clean heavy machinery at defendant’s plant. Ideal, as third-party plaintiff, also appeals from a judgment entered in favor of the third-party defendant, Taft Contracting Company (Taft), in Ideal’s action for contribution from Taft.

Plaintiff was a millwright foreman for Taft and, in this capacity, erected, installed, dismantled, and repaired…