Vaughan v. Taft Broadcasting Co.

HIGGINS, Chief Justice.

Plaintiff, Joe Vaughan, sued Taft Broadcasting Company, owner of WDAF radio station, alleging violation of the service letter statute, section 290.140, RSMo 1978. The jury awarded plaintiff $1.00 in actual damages and $173,670.83 in punitive damages; the Court of Appeals, Western District, affirmed. This Court transferred the case to determine whether plaintiff can recover actual and punitive damages under the service letter statute. Judgment for actual damages affirmed; judgment for punitive damages reversed.

Appellant contends: (1) the trial court erred in submitting a…