Stephenson ex rel. Stephenson v. Collins

DREW, Justice.

The decision controverted by the petition for certiorari in this case1 is one that passes upon a question certified by the district court of appeal to be of great public interest.2 The court affirmed an order dismissing with prejudice an action for damages for negligence, because of the view that the parties’ compromise and settlement of compensatory damages “automatically terminated any right to proceed further for punitive damages arising out of the same cause of action.”

The majority opinion of the appellate court very adequately states the relevant facts and law.3 We believe,…