State Ex Rel. Stephan v. GAF Corp.

Parks, J.:

The plaintiff, State of Kansas, initiated this action against GAF Corporation and several other defendants after a roof constructed on a building at the Kansas Neurological Institute (K.N.I.) was found to be defective. Prior to trial, all defendants except GAF settled with the State. The suit against GAF proceeded to jury trial on the State’s claims for breach of express warranty, negligence, and fraud. The jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff for $100,705.42 in actual damages and $1,000,000 punitive damages. GAF appeals.

In 1972, the plaintiff began planning the construction of…