Teel v. May Department Stores Co.

This is an action for $20,000 actual and $20,000 punitive damages for false arrest and imprisonment. The jury returned a verdict for $500 actual and $500 punitive damages, a total of $1000 for which judgment was entered. Plaintiff appealed and raises only the issue of inadequate damages. Defendant also appealed and assigns error in the refusal of a peremptory instruction and in Instruction No. 1 on which the case was submitted. Jurisdiction is here because plaintiff seeks a new trial (on issue of damages only) to recover the full amount claimed in her petition.

The facts hereinafter stated…