Malone v. Courtyard by Marriott Ltd. Partnership

At its core, this case presents two questions for our consideration. First, was the trial court’s grant of Marriott’s motion for a directed verdict on the issue of punitive damages error? Second, was the judge’s order for a new trial on Meador’s negligence claim error? We answer these queries in the negative.

Judge Pfeiffer’s directed verdict on the question of punitive damages should have been affirmed by the court of appeals. In determining whether to direct a verdict, the trial court does not engage in a weighing of the evidence, nor does it evaluate the credibility of witnesses. Ruta v.…