Cooper v. Moscillo

In this personal injury case involving an automobile accident plaintiff sought compensatory and punitive damages from defendant. There was no claim of negligence on the part of the plaintiff. The jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff, but for compensatory damages only, and in a total amount of half of what she had claimed for medical expenses alone.

She makes four assignments of error on appeal. They resolve themselves into two basic contentions: (1) the trial court should have directed a verdict for the plaintiff; and (2) in connection with the claim for punitive damages it was error for…