Zappitelli v. Miller

{¶ 1} In a civil trial, appellees, Nina and Anthony Zappitelli and Maria Capretta, won a jury award. On appeal, the court of appeals determined that appellees were entitled to additional compensatory damages for attorney fees and remanded the cause for a determination of those fees. We conclude that the court of appeals erred and reverse its decision.

{¶ 2} The jury awarded appellees aggregate damages of $134,500 for fraud, breach of contract, and negligence. During deliberations, the jury had asked the court: “If we answer, no, to punitive damages, can we add money to compensatory damages to…