Carlton G. Springer, Sr., as Administrator of the Estate of Bettie I. Springer, Deceased v. Charles Ray Bryant and Tennessee Valley Authority

ANDERSON, Circuit Judge:

This case commenced as a wrongful death action in Alabama state court against Charles Ray Bryant, and the Tennessee Valley Authority (“TVA”). The action arose out of an October 27, 1987 car accident in which plaintiff-appellant’s decedent, Bettie I. Springer, died. The complaint alleged that Bryant caused the accident and that Bryant was driving a TVA truck in the course and scope of his TVA employment at the time of the accident. The suit was filed under the Alabama wrongful death statute, 1975 Ala.Code § 6-5-410, and sought to recover punitive damages.

On November 17,…