Reeves v. Carlson

The opinion of the court was delivered by

Lockett, J.:

An intoxicated driver appeals an award of punitive damages assessed against him by the district court in a personal injury action. Plaintiff cross-appeals, claiming the jury’s denial of loss of work time was inconsistent with the evidence at trial.

On November 19, 1994, Carlson was employed by codefendant David Holland, d/b/a Dave’s Pumping Service. As part of his job, Carlson made deliveries and pickups in his employer’s one-ton Chevrolet pickup truck. The pickup truck was equipped with dual rear tires and hauled a 500-gallon steel sewage…